SOOKE HISTORY: Soccer has long been a favourite pastime in Sooke

Published 5:45 am Thursday, July 30, 2026

Canada has probably never been more engrossed with soccer, and Sooke as well, as during these past few weeks. Sooke, however, initially had soccer teams since way back in 1907. Today’s photo was taken somewhere around 1990, of a youth soccer team sponsored by Evergreen Paint & Hardware.

This hardware store, under the ownership of Mal and Diane Cummings, operated in the mall that stood on the water side of Highway 14, by today’s roundabout, a mall that was once centred by Irly Bird Building Supplies. The Cummings opened their store, called Evergreen Paint & Hardware, in 1985, assisted by their employee Pam Wright, and carried not only paint but fishing gear, sports gear and all manner of hardware supplies. Like many Sooke businesses, the Cummings supported kids’ sports, the Sooke Marine Rescue Society, and as Diane says, “Any time we had a spare dollar, we were helping out where it was needed.”

We’ve had some of the young folk in this photo identified by Matt Hornsby, and we would welcome any further identification readers may be able to offer us. Back row from left: Coach Welch, Tim Filgate, Jason Welch, unknown, unknown, Mike Hannam, Nathan Balback, Dylan Waters. In front: Kyle MacDonald, Shane Coles, Matt Hornsby, unknown, Blake Waters, and Coach Allan Hornsby. Apparently this team had started out as the Spartans and later became the United.

Magnifying the wording on the soccer ball held by Matt Hornsby, we note FIFA; sports fans will recognize this term from the TV coverage of the sport, signifying Federation Internationale de Football Association. This photo was taken at Fred Milne Field on Sooke River Road, where soccer continues to be one of the highlights, one of the most popular sports on site.

Mal and Diane Cummings continued to operate their retail store until 1998, when they retired. In today’s world, it is Sooke Home Hardware that is recognized as our town’s major outlet for a range of hardware supplies.

Elida Peers is the historian with Sooke Region Museum.