Area kids get kick out of soccer
In some countries it’s called football. But in America it’s called soccer and it’s a game that’s growing by leaps and bounds, especially among youngsters across the nation. Locally, more children are playing the sport as three Fayette County leagues all report increasing interest over the past couple of years.
In fact, more than 900 people are playing recreationally on the fields in Fayette County, according to Victor Fiano, president of the Fayette County Youth Soccer Club (FCYSC).
Fiano, who coaches teams for the FCYSC, says interest in the sport has grown tremendously in the past several years and notes that more and more children are participating in the game every year. He adds that the increased interest in the sport didn’t happen overnight.
“It’s really growing. It’s one of the largest sports games out there, but one that the U.S. has been slow coming around to,” said Fiano. He noted that the sport has been around for years, but the game’s popularity has skyrocketed recently.
“With the success of U.S. women’s soccer team and the great amount of publicity it received, the interest in the game is exploding and the number of teams we have just keeps increasing,’ said Fiano.
Fiano attributes much of the recent interest in the sport to television.
“With the help of the high profile players and the publicity, it’s now a sport that the local players are coming back to year after year,” said Fiano.
Fiano recalled not knowing much about the game when he was a child, noting he didn’t see a game until he was in his 30s.
“I grew up playing baseball and football. I didn’t see a soccer game until I was 35 years old. One day I took my son to practice and they didn’t have a coach, so, that’s how I became active in the sport,” Fiano recalled. He said that he took on the responsibility of coaching his son’s soccer team and notes that ever since, he can’t stay away from the players or the field.
Another soccer enthusiast is Mary Herring, president of the Mountain Area Soccer League. She agrees that the game is growing in popularity.
“It’s growing like wildfire. Kids love it, adults love it and the fans are into it too,” noted the Uniontown native. And after six years of working with more than 120 teams, Herring says she certain it’s a game anyone can play and enjoy.
“We have all kinds of teams. It’s not just for kids. It’s for everyone. We have all kinds of teams. Children, youth and adults. It’s a game that keeps everyone active and it’s a game that everyone on the team gets to play,” she added.
Herring explained that soccer players, no matter what their position on the field, all have a chance at the ball.
“It’s not like baseball where the pitcher has the ball most of the time,’ said Herring. “The amount of exercise the players get is immense. They are running up and down the field for an extended period of time.”
Drew Craig, president of the Connellsville Soccer Club, agrees with Herring and Fiano, noting that the Connellsville league has grown tremendously since the implementation of the program.
“The turnouts get bigger every year, especially in the spring season. I just think there’s an increased awareness that the game allows all kids, no matter what their age, to excel,” said Craig, noting the league had over 300 players this fall.
Like Fiano, Craig didn’t witness his first soccer game until his 30s.
” I didn’t sit down and watch a soccer game until I was 31 years old,” he recalled.
Craig said he became involved in the sport when his youngest son was playing the game.
” I just started out by helping the coach and then as my child was more involved, I became more involved,’ said Craig.
Craig said the strong point of soccer is that unlike other sports anyone can play the game.
“I think the realization is that it’s a sport any child can play. You don’t have to be the fastest, strongest or the biggest and no matter what position you play you have contact with the ball,” he said.
He explained that the game is more than just physical activity.
“It’s a great game to play for the physical activity, but it’s also good for developing friendships. They get to meet people and see a lot of different things,’ said Craig.
According to Craig, children can start the game at a young age and continue playing through high school.
“There isn’t a perfect age to start the game, but a 2-year-old can understand the basics. The earlier they start the better, but any age is just fine.”
All three league officials agree that overall their leagues are a boost to high school soccer teams locally.
“What we’re ultimately doing is turning out players for the high schools,’ said Fiano.
“We’re filtering them through the channels at the recreational level and, in the long run, we’re improving the capabilities for the school soccer teams. And that’s a good thing because so many people love the sport,” Herring said.
Herring said the one good thing about the sport is that it’s easy to understand and adds that no one is really discriminated against when qualifications come into play.
She explained there are many different age groups in her league.
“It’s determined by their age. In-house teams that play each other in the mountain-area range from age 5 to adult and the teams are co-ed. So really, the main factor is your age.”
But it’s different in Fiano’s league.
The teams in his league range only from 5 to 14 and unlike the mountain league, they aren’t all co-ed.
“When they start getting a little bit older, we separate them,’ said Fiano.
While the rules may vary from league to league, one thing remains consistent.
“I don’t have a life, I play soccer and it’s my life,’ concluded Herring.