Niles getting ready to begin new fall soccer league

Published 2:44 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2008

By By STEVE MORRISON / Dowagiac Daily News
NILES – Beginning the week of Monday, Aug. 18, the new soccer complex of Harvest Field on West River Road will be host to a stampede of activity as a brand new opportunity for fall soccer will be unveiled.
The Upward Soccer League will begin with a series of practices, in preparation for its inaugural campaign. For an extended period of time, the Niles community has been hungering for a fall soccer league to emerge. Now it looks as if this attraction will become a reality.
Last summer, The First Missionary Church of Niles created Harvest Field for the benefit of local citizens to be used as a sports complex. The Optimist Soccer League took full advantage of the new facility, last fall, using the grounds to expand its schedule.
According to the league publicity director Amy Scott, a Niles school teacher and member of First Missionary Church, the decision to offer this program was due to an evident need for a fall soccer program to be developed.
Scott indicated that Edwardsburg has conducted a fall league, with many local Niles children participating. However, Niles has never had its own program. With the current price of transportation creating a headache for everyone, the league provides a more reasonable venue.
In addition, this activity provides an alternative to Rocket Football and other fall sports.
Pastor Mark Slabaugh of First Missionary explained how the new league will be set up.
"This is an effort to serve the families of the community, through sports, and effect the lives of athletes and families through the life-changing influence of Christ," he began. "We are excited to have property on West River Road for the community's use."
Slabaugh outlined the age divisions as Kindergarten (minimum five years of age), first and second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth and sixth grade. He indicated that those ranges of age may be in flux, depending on the number of participants.
The cost for participants is $55 if a player registers between now and July 20. If a player is registered after July 20 and before no later than Aug. 18 the cost jumps to a $65 fee. Registrations may be completed at First Missionary Church, 2325 E. U.S. 12, or online at nilesmc.org. For details call 683-9245.
Volunteers interested in coaching or refereeing are more than welcome. Slaybaugh would appreciate your contacting him at the above telephone number during business hours.
The league will feature "Small Sided Soccer," a California-developed style of soccer which includes a field of 100 feet long by 60 feet wide.
Lots of teams use it for practice, according to Slabaugh; and it focuses on four players on four players at a time. This increases skill progression and enables more "touches" by each player. Niles soccer coach Jerry Holtgren is a supporting proponent of this level of participation by younger age groups.
The actual season will begin Saturday, Aug. 30, and continue, on Saturdays, through Oct. 18.