Somers Youth Soccer Kicks Off Season

SOMERS, N.Y. - No hands, but lots of heart! The Somers Region of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) held its first game of the year last Saturday. Over 600 boys and girls, from kindergarteners to high school seniors, played on teams throughout town. 

AYSO is a national organization with over half a million members nationwide. It focuses on six principles: open registration, balanced teams, good sportsmanship, positive coaching, player development and Everyone Plays®. The aim is to promote quality soccer in a joyful, family environment. 

Somers’ 25th Annual Soccerfest will be celebrated on Saturday, October 15 at Reis Park, starting at 8 a.m. (Rain date: October 22). It is a day-long extravaganza, involving multiple teams playing multiple games and includes all the local players and their families. Teams from second grade up will complete for the Soccerfest trophy. Younger players will get a participation medal.

Boy Scout Troop #228 will be at your service, selling breakfast and lunch and the Girl Scouts will conduct a farmers’ market, along with games and arts and crafts.

Music will be provided, and soccer merchandise will be on sale. The Lynn Adams Award will be presented to an outstanding volunteer. 

The organizers are also hoping for a few special guest appearances. Last year the Red Bulls Street Team showed up. The original AYSO board members, some of whom still live in Somers, have also been invited to commemorate the 25th anniversary.

Somers’ AYSO representative, Vicki Durso, explained, “We are an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization. We depend on local businesses and volunteers to help us make the best soccer program for our youth athletes.

“We are still hoping for more business sponsors for the Soccerfest. And we need about 100 volunteers to make the day run smoothly.”

Interested? Willing? Email Vicki Durso at vdurso@optonline.net.

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