Garnet Women Celebrate US Youth Soccer Month
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Swarthmore head coach Todd Anckaitis and Garnet women's soccer joined in the national celebration of the Fifth Annual "Youth Soccer Month". US Youth Soccer is the nation's largest youth sports association and hoped to grow awareness during the month of September.
At the Garnet home match against Grinnell on Sept. 7, the stands were packed with over 250 youth soccer members who came to root on the home team. "Go Swarthmore" cheers could be heard from stands throughout the game. At half time, scores of youth soccer players were able to participate in a juggling contest. The Garnet have invited various youth soccer groups to help as ball girls during the season-the guest ball-girls on this night were members of the U-9 Swarthmore Dragons Girl's Soccer Team. The Swarthmore Recreation Association (SRA), also provided a sign-up table for their community leagues at the event. The festivities of "Youth Soccer Month" continued at the end of the month when the Garnet hosted Centennial Conference-rival Washington College (Md.) on Sept. 25.
"As soccer continues to grow with more children in the United States participating in organized soccer than any other sport," stated Larry Monaco, President of US Youth Soccer. "We [US Youth Soccer] take great pride in spearheading the Youth Soccer Month initiative to promote the benefits of playing this wonderful sport such as fun, family, friendship and fitness."
Each week during "Youth Soccer Month", a new propriety is introduced to help grow the culture of youth soccer. Fitness was the first theme to be noted, identifying the ideas of health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefits of playing soccer. During the week of September 10th, the buzzword Fun comes into the mix to help express that whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy, affordable and rewarding. Playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacations and Family time are coordinated in the process of playing the game. Friendship, the last theme noted represents the relationships generated through playing soccer extend beyond the field.
As "Youth Soccer Month" continues it assists in the recognition of those who participate in soccer across the nation. The celebration highlights the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including the inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs that have facilitated the growth of the sport at all levels.