Maryland Sports Association Youth Soccer Starting Season in Potomac

For parents in search of a soccer program for their kids, Maryland Sports Association (MD Sports) offers an excellent youth league. The league provides youngsters with general skills and teaches them about teamwork. 

The league is open to children ages 3 to 10 and is offered on Saturday mornings at the Potomac Community Center. Starting with the 3 and 4-year olds, MD Sports soccer takes over the pitch at the community center from 9 a.m. until 1 in the afternoon. 

After the initial introduction day of skill and technique drills, called the "practice day," the kids will be split into teams and will play six weeks of games starting Sept. 25. Children will remain on the same team throughout the league unless a significant number of players are missing, in which case the teams will be re-distributed.

Local resident Karen Genoble's 4-year-old daughter has registered for the league.

"It was her choice. We talked about what rec programs were being offered and she wanted to try out soccer," Genoble said.

"Sports are so important for children," says Jazz Perazic, founder of MD Sports. "Kids are much too sedentary today, playing video games instead of getting outside to run around. Obesity is one of the country's biggest health problems and a lot of it stems from a lack of activity, especially when schools are cutting back on physical education classes."

At the Youth Soccer League, not only will kids get out and run around, but they'll learn the fundamental skills and techniques of the game of soccer. And they'll receive valuable lessons about what it means to be a team player and to be accountable to other people.

"Even though some of the players are pre-school age, they can still learn why it's important to show up week after week and how to work together with others," said Perazic.

It's not just soccer and teamwork, though. The children also learn about keeping a positive attitude, communicating effectively and setting as well as reaching goals.

"The lessons kids learn in sports are transferrable to every aspect of their lives. Playing sports can help them in school and in life in general," Perazic said.

While there are registration fees for all MD Sports programs, the organization recognizes all the benefits of participating in sports for children, and it strives to offer the opportunity to everyone. Financial assistance is available in the form of tuition remission for after-school sports clinics and camps.

For more information about the Youth Soccer League, and to register your kids to participate, visit www.mdsports.org.

To keep up with local sports, visit www.twitter.com/patchsportsmd.