Sign up by Feb. 15 for spring house soccer at Glen Ellyn Park District

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and for good reason. Not only does it provide kids with an opportunity for regular exercise, it helps them meet and make new friends and learn or improve on a variety of skills.

The Glen Ellyn Park District partners with the Glen Ellyn Youth Soccer Organization to provide a spring soccer program for boys and girls ages pre-kindergarten through 10th grade.

The registration deadline for Spring House Soccer is Friday, Feb. 15.

The late registration period is from Feb 16 to March 4.

After March 4, players will be added to a wait list, and will only be placed if needed to complete a team.

"Players in this program meet twice each week during the season, with one practice during the week at a local park or facility, and games on Saturdays, generally between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.," said Brad Thomas, Recreation Supervisor for the Glen Ellyn Park District. "All players should have their own soccer ball, cleats, and shin guards, but we'll supply t-shirts for players in pre-kindergarten through second grade, and jerseys and shorts for players in grades 3 and up."

Practices begin the week of April 1, 2019, and games will be played from April 13 to June 1.

Parents will be notified of their child's team beginning March 26.

The Glen Ellyn Park District utilizes a Buddy System to help organize teams; one buddy can be requested for each player, and both children wanting to be on the same team should request each other. Siblings in the same age group will be placed on the same team, unless parents request they be separated.

Teams are generally created by school or geographic area.

"We've had great success with this program," Thomas added. "Learning and playing soccer not only helps with a player's physical development, the kids also develop technical and tactical skills and learn how to communicate with teammates.

"Many kids play year after year; often starting their soccer career in the House League program, then transitioning to travel soccer, which adequately prepares them to play soccer in high school and even college," Thomas said.

For more information about the Glen Ellyn Park District's Spring House Soccer program, visit www.gepark.org/house-soccer.