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Youth get a kick out of South End Soccer by Aviva Gat
MySouthEnd.com ContributorThursday Oct 16, 2008 Rotch Field is an oasis between Interstate-93, an MBTA bus parking lot and a row of brick buildings with broken windows. Emerson College students regularly use the Astroturf field for soccer games, but on Saturday mornings a younger crowd, the newly formed South End Soccer league, gathers to practice their skills.
As they arrive, children in their maroon South End Soccer shirts grab balls and start dribbling on the field. Soon they are joined by their coaches, who break them up into three groups to stretch and practice fundamental skills like dribbling and passing.
"The main goal is to develop ball control," said coach Josh Weiss, whose group was playing "red light, green light" with the balls. "They are definitely getting more confident and more skills with the ball, which is key. Most of these kids have never played before."
The South End Soccer league started this summer when Caroline Fascato and Carolyn MacNeil decided something was missing in the South End. They met with community organizations and started a soccer clinic for children ages 5-12, funded by Boston ROCKS (Recreational Opportunities for City Kids).
"We got together to make it happen," said Fascato, a South End resident and parent of 6-year-old twins. "It was one of those things where no one said no. Everyone is very supportive, businesses in the neighborhood are excited."
The soccer league, partnered with the Blackstone Community Center, hired Emerson soccer players to coach and received grant money to ensure that the program was free to all participants. Each child also receives a free t-shirt, shin guards and socks, donated by the Police Activities League and Zapatos. Mass Youth Soccer provided balls and coach training. Most of the coaches are parents or community members who used to play soccer, and Fascato said one of the coaches used to play semi-pro. The summer program was so successful that they decided to continue it in the fall.
"I seriously have to applaud all the volunteers," Fascato said. "If it wasn’t for them, this never would have happened. That was one of the things that surprised me the most. People were like, ’Sure, I’ll help coach.’"
Fascato said she played soccer when she as a kid and thought it was something her children should experience.
"We’re trying to engender a love of soccer," she said. "We see it, just watch them: they get here and get on the field. Living in the city and to have access to a great field like this is wonderful for them."
Maddie Shale, 13, helps coach the younger kids. "I really like playing soccer and I like little kids," said Shale, who plays on her school’s team. "They make a lot of new friends, get the exercise they need and learn about soccer if they want to play later."
The practices are broken up between age groups. From 9 to 10:30 a.m., the five-to-eight-year-olds play and from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the older group plays. Some of the older kids come early and warm up during the younger kids’ practice.
"We really needed this in the South End," said coach Jim Smith. "I get to be a goofball on Saturday mornings and the kids just love it."
Camilla Ora, 10, said she has a lot of fun playing soccer. "I learn how to use my skills, use them better, when to use them," she said. "And I like seeing my friends and the coaches."
This season ends Nov. 8 with a celebration where the 70 participating kids will scrimmage and receive medals for their hard work. "It’s a good way to finish our first season ever," Fascato said with a smile.
MacNeil, a former neighborhood liaison for D4, said they are planning on continuing with an indoor soccer league in the winter at the Blackstone Community Center.
"We’ll use the spring to promote and fundraise and then come back in the fall with a bigger and better program," MacNeil said. "Soccer is huge, it speaks to all kids. I want to reach more kids. That’s our biggest need and challenge."
MacNeil said they have many younger kids, but there are less older kids who want to come out to play soccer on Saturday mornings.
"It baffles me," MacNeil said. "They’ve heard of it, we’ve certainly reached out to the community and schools. It’s an opportunity for kids who don’t want to play baseball or softball."
Natalie Rubin, 5, while standing in the goal waiting to block the next shot, said she plays soccer because "it’s just fun. That’s all."
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