The Sapperton Rovers has taken on a new look and believe the team has found a new mix.
The Vancouver Metro Soccer League premier division squad has renamed itself Rovers United following a recent affiliation with summer league club Vancouver United earlier this year.
The Rovers will keep the Sapperton maroon red, while adding the Van United blue in a design similar to the vertical striped uniforms of Barcelona.
"I think we're going to be stronger," said Rovers president Brian Wevers. "I think Sapperton is going to be a really strong team this year."
The association with Rovers United will bring an influx of youth, including former collegiate goal scorer Rizal Ganief, who had 12 goals with Imperial Cup champion Surrey United last season.
Coming over with Ganief are former Whitecaps residency player Bobby Jhutty and USL Division 2 forward Gibson Bardsley, who hails from Western Washington.
The premier division squad will be coached by Sipho Sibiya, a former Canadian national beach soccer team player and women's Vancouver Whitecaps team assistant coach. Sibiya will be helped out by Vancouver United coach and backer Umby Johal.
Rovers United will also field an under-21 team in the graduate league, as part of its partnership with the Burnaby Selects Metro soccer program.
An additional u-18 team will keep the Burnaby Selects identification, but train with the u-21s once a week. The u-21 will also share one practice each week with the senior squad. The club's masters' team will keep the Sapperton Rovers moniker.
