Let Your Kids Get Their Kicks, in Soccer
There are many options available to children who want to try sports. These options may be available through your local recreation department, through a school, or through some other organization, such as a YMCA or Boys and Girls Club.
Most towns have a baseball program, such as Little League, a youth basketball league, and Pop Warner football.
Growing up in Newton Massachusetts, I remember soccer being very popular. Soccer was so popular, in fact, that it seemed like every kid played on the local league.
Having watched my son play organized soccer for the first time this past Fall, I can understand why soccer is such a popular sport for kids.
My son really enjoyed soccer. He has done other sports such as baseball, swimming and Kung Fu. He feels that he gained skills and abilities in soccer that transferred over to some of his other activities, helping him to improve in those other sports. For example, he gained speed, which has helped in his baseball playing, and strength, which has helped him in Kung Fu. He also feels that he learned more about aiming (what we would call hand/eye coordination), and planning out his moves, which has helped in both baseball and Kung Fu.
My son's favorite things about soccer were that there was a lot of running, not as much "waiting" as in other sports, and he got to be "all over the field". He liked that it worked all of his muscles, and took a lot of energy.
As a parent, I loved seeing my son enjoying himself, getting exercise and fresh air, and being part of a team. And, as a parent, what better way to enjoy the crisp Fall weather in New England, than from a chair on the sidelines?
The possibilities for your child in soccer are almost limitless. Just about anyone can play, from under the age of four up through High School and college. At a certain level, your child can choose to play on a "travel" team, or to remain on an "intramural" team. Girls and boys can both play. Children with physical and mental challenges can play, and many areas have special VIP Soccer programs for children with challenges and disabilities.
For more information about soccer in your area, try these websites:
www.billericasoccer.org
www.mayouthsoccer.org
www.usyouthsoccer.org
www.soccer.org