David Shelton/Submitted photo
The Pilot Mountain Youth Soccer Association is ready to begin its spring season with a record 234 youngsters registered to participate.
According to PMYSA President Kerry Smith, this year’s spring season will set a record for participation with some 234 local youths having signed up to play. That number tops the previous record of 210 who took part last fall.
“Our spring season,” Smith explained, “started as a way of providing additional playing time for kids who were already in our fall program but wanted more. But it has taken off and grown and turned into a full-time season. Now, it’s easily on a par with our fall program.”
While Smith was at a loss to explain the phenomenal growth, he noted that the program’s format and priorities seem to have been well accepted by local families.
“From the beginning,” he noted, “we’ve tried to emphasize that our kids have a good time. We also make sure all of our kids are being taught basic skills and getting plenty of playing time. Everyone plays a minimum of one-half of each game.”
The program’s quick and continued growth has also provided plenty of additional challenges. Smith noted that more volunteers than ever are now required but added that more are also stepping forward to take part, primarily in the form of parents helping their children’s teams.
Funding issues have also been addressed, thanks to the willingness of area businesses to provide sponsorships.
“We believe we provide families with a good value,” Smith noted. “The cost for participation is $40 for a child and each child gets to play at least 12 games. We couldn’t do this without the support of our business sponsors and our volunteers.”
With youngsters, ranging from ages 4 to 17, divided by age among 25 teams, a more urgent problem has turned out to be field space. A committee has been established with a goal of having a new field graded and sowed by this fall. While prospective locations are under consideration, no final decision has been made on a site.
While in past years the program has periodically taken part in interleague play with the King program, this year’s younger teams will be able to compete completely inside the association. This year will also see older teams compete against teams from the Dobson and Elkin programs.
“We do appreciate all that King has done over the years,” Smith said. “They’ve been a great help to our program.”
According to Smith, the burgeoning program is also proving to be a benefit to local school soccer programs. As an example he noted that this year, for the first time, East Surry High School is fielding an all-girls soccer team.
“And the entire school program is continuing to grow and develop competitively,” he explained. “With this (PMYSA) as a feeder program, we expect to see that continue.”
More information on the Pilot Mountain Youth Soccer Association can be found at www.mtpilotsoccer.com.
Post a Comment
