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Soccer season kicks into high gear at Des Plaines Park District

Fall soccer at the Des Plaines Park District kicks into high gear on Sept. 10, when the first games of the season begin. More than 300 boys and girls will take to the field this year.

Placement Night was held on Aug. 15 and yielded 30 teams: 10 pre-K/kindergarten co-ed teams; four first-grade co-ed teams; four second/third grade girls' teams, four second/third grade boys' teams, four fourth/fifth grade co-ed teams, and four co-ed middle school teams.

All teams are coached by volunteers, many of who are the parents of children in the program. Under the guidance of their coaches, players have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to go on to play in travel leagues or in high school.

More than 50 parents and mentors donate their time, patience, athletic experience, and knowledge to help children learn to love the game. They are positive role models who stimulate, encourage, and inspire their team, and teach them the importance of teamwork and competition in a safe, fun setting.

Volunteer coaches at the Des Plaines Park District are required to take a NAYS (National Alliance of Youth Sports) training seminar, where they learn how to set up drills, the importance of good sportsmanship, and how to establish a positive learning experience.

The training helps the coaches help the children to develop physically and psychologically. “The head coach controls the tempo of the game,” Mary Dankowski, Soccer Coordinator said. “They are at practice first, and stay until the last child has been picked up. They make every player feel valuable and they are truly the reason our program is so successful.”

In exchange for their time, coaches receive a variety of Park District benefits, including facility passes and cost savings for their own child's registration.

Practice for pre-K through third grade is on Mondays and Wednesdays; practice for fourth grade through middle school is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the Prairie Lakes Field. All games are played on Saturdays, Sept. 10 - Oct. 29, hourly beginning at 11 a.m.

Registration is open for young soccer players, and the Park District is still looking for volunteer coaches. For more information about youth athletics, contact Joshua Cantres, Athletic Supervisor, at (847) 391-5711, or visit www.DPParks.org.

Grab your sweepers, wingers, and strikers, and get ready for great season of soccer at the Des Plaines Park District.

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