By Ashley Ferraro
Parkland Soccer is the oldest and most trusted youth soccer club in our community. Since 1987, the league has been nurturing young players into skilled athletes and outstanding individuals. As Parkland Soccer gears up for its 36th season, they are expecting a turnout of more than 1500 players.
“I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years, and every year has been better than the one before,” says Doug Cole, president of Parkland Soccer.
Beyond honing soccer skills, Parkland Soccer’s mission is to build self-esteem, promote physical fitness, instill respect, and celebrate achievements.
Important to Parkland Soccer is effective communication with parents. That’s why they’ve partnered with a mobile application called TeamSideline, which acts as the parents’ primary point of contact once the season ramps up. From weather alerts to game cancelations, the app keeps parents in the know at all times.
As soccer becomes more popular nationwide, Parkland Soccer wants to ensure every kid at almost every age has an opportunity to get involved. Young girls especially are taking a greater interest in soccer, and the program wants to ensure this group of kids feels supported.
Historically, Parkland Soccer has kept U6 and U7 divisions coed. However, for the first time, U6 and above divisions are now separated by boys and girls. The program has added three brand new divisions to accommodate this change. “We want to encourage more girls to play,” adds Doug.
Also new for the 2023-2024 season is a mandatory evaluation initiative. Players in the U9 and above divisions will be required to attend evaluations to ensure all teams are created equally, setting the league up for a fun and fair season. Two separate dates in September will become available to accommodate evaluations. Parents will be notified via e-mail once those dates are finalized.
In addition to an incredible recreational league, Parkland Soccer’s travel side of the club boasts impressive growth. Over 500 players have registered this year, and management changes have allowed a newfound focus on strengthening community bonds and developing new avenues for players to reach their potential. Supporting this initiative is enlisting a College Pathway Consultant working to assist high school players as they consider bringing their passion for soccer to college with them.
Registration for the 2023-2024 rec season is now open and runs through August 31. The season kicks off in mid-October, with pre-season practices and games beginning in early November. The games will run through February 24, 2024, finishing up with the beloved end-of-season celebration and picnic.
The celebration will include trophy distribution along with carnival-style rides, a DJ, stations from sponsors, and other activities for the entire family. Last year, Parkland Soccer awarded $9,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Doug says he looks forward to continuing the tradition this year.
Parkland Soccer is always looking for coaches, referees, and sponsors. Check out their ad on page 16 for more information.
Visit www.parklandsoccer.net to learn more or register. Like & follow Parkland Soccer on Facebook at www.facebook.com/parklandsoccerclub.
