It’s late Thursday
afternoon and the next generation of soccer players is getting
ready for fun. Thursday is Soccer School. Soccer School is all
about learning soccer skills and fun. The youngest members of
the Carleton Place Soccer Club put on their jersey, sponsored
by Tim Horton’s of Carleton Place, and head out to the
fields. The roads to Beckwith Park will be full of girls and
boys from age 5-7 on their way to the park.
The approximately
200 soccer school players, each team in its own colour shirt,
create a fantastic rainbow. Young families in lawn chairs line
the sidelines of Fields #1 and #2. With the recent installation
by Beckwith Township of an attractive play structure, supported
by the Beckwith Youth Committee and Cavanagh Construction, there
is even more to do. Out on the fields the 200 players receive
instruction from volunteer coaches. During the hour-long Soccer
School, players learn how to kick, pass, and trap a soccer ball
and position themselves in an open space. It’s a lot of
fun.
This article features
an interview with 6 year old Jacob. Jacob’s family lives
in Mississippi Mills. His parents are new to the community.
They decided along with ‘Jake’ that soccer was a
sport they wanted to get involved in. Also, they realised that
soccer was a good way to meet people in the community and for
Jake to make new friends.
This is Jake’s
second year in Soccer School. He dresses himself in his Orange
Oilers shirt and puts on his own black shorts, shin pads, and
long black socks. He admits to needing a bit of help from Mom
or Dad to get his cleats tied. With a water bottle in hand,
Jake is ready to play. Jake reported that, “I almost got
2 goals, one time, against the light blue team and the red team.”Jake
loves soccer. He participated for one session of winter (indoor)
soccer in 2002-2003. Last winter he opted for Cubs. The Soccer
Club encourages all children and adults to give soccer a try.
Next season, if Jake’s 4 year old sister Grace has her
way, she’ll sign up for Soccer School, too.
Simon Jones is the
coach of the Oilers. Simon is a busy person. He is the father
of six children and a senior soccer referee. His love of soccer
and children makes getting involved in Soccer School a natural
fit. The Club needs more people like Simon to be able to deliver
quality instruction to children.
At the end of August
there is a barbeque, sponsored by Dr. Rob Earle, to wrap up
the season. Liane Clarke–Philips, the Co-ordinator of
Soccer School, uses the talents of her family and parent helpers
to make an unforgettable evening for players, siblings, and
parents. Liane is a valuable contributor to soccer in our community.
Soccer School is very
affordable. The cost of registration is $70 for the season and
players keep their Tim Horton’s shirt. There is a family
discount for families with 3 or more registered players. For
more information on the Carleton Place Soccer Club, you can
visit the Club website at http://cpsc.carletonplace.com.
