Two Granby Rovers Soccer Club teams reigned supreme during the fall season. The U12 Boys went undefeated to win the league for the U12 B division. They also successfully defended their 2024 title at the South Windsor Fall Classic. The U15 Girls finished in first place at the Capital Cup in New Hampshire over Columbus Day weekend, marking the fourth year in a row they won a fall tournament. Back home, they were also named co-champions of the Middle School B division.
“The club is very proud of all our teams again this fall,” said Austin Busbey, president of Granby Rovers. “Among our older teams where records are tracked, we had two teams win their respective leagues. Congratulations to our U15 Girls team coached by Andrea Burns and our U12 Boys team coached by Andy Wallace. Go Rovers!”
More than 200 boys and girls competed for the Rovers during the fall months.
“Once again participation on the boys’ side was amazing and we were able to field 10 teams from second grade up to eighth grade,” Busbey said. “For the girls, we fielded four teams, who all did us proud. We’d love to continue to grow those girls’ numbers!”
Rovers also maintained its strong connection with Granby Memorial High School (GMHS). Every year, Rovers players suit up and come out to support the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams at Rovers Night. On Oct. 18, Rovers players helped pump up the high school teams with high-fives before the games as the boys took on Northwestern in a close 3-2 match, and the girls captured a 4-0 win over Suffield. The girls’ team wore special jerseys during the warm up, which later hung on the fence during the game in honor of Adam Nicholas, dad of Granby varsity player Brenna Nicholas, who passed away in September.
“Rovers Night really brings the Granby community together,” said Andrea Wiggins, co-chair of the GMHS Athletic Booster Club. “The enthusiastic participation and energy of the Rovers families was felt and very much appreciated by our athletes and coaches alike.”
Rovers is a volunteer-run organization. For six board members, 2025 is their last year of service.
“As we turn the calendar to another year, I would be remiss not to thank our many volunteers,” Busbey said. “This year in particular, thank you to Girls Director Diane Bragoni, Secretary Andrea Burns, Facilities Director Mark Melnik, Uniform Coordinator Sierra Payette, Coaching Director Colby Stolz and Treasurer James Tsaptsinos who are moving on as their kids age out of Rovers. We really appreciate their time, thoughtfulness, passion and dedication to our club. Good luck with the next chapter!”
Submitted by Andrea Burns