A Walk in the Park by Caitlin Fleming, Wakulla County Parks and Recreation Department

As an avid soccer fan and player, I’ve been looking forward to writing this article all year long.  Soccer season, to me, is every bit as much a part of winter as sweaters, hot chocolate and Santa Claus.  The Medart Recreation Park has 5 different leagues:  6 and Under, 8 and Under, 10 and Under, 12 and Under and 14 and Under and I played for all of them.

Some of my best memories are from the 14 and Under League.  Playing Super Six (14 and U) was like playing in a pick up game, only there were referees.  I remember one game when one of my teammates scored with a long kick from our defense line to the other goal on our half field.  Because there weren’t so many of us on the field, the game was much more fast-paced.  This is why WPRD soccer program plays under the US Youth Soccer Official Rules.  One of the objectives of this particular set of guidelines is that kids play on smaller teams so they can get more ball touches and experience, but to have smaller teams, there has to be more teams. 

Because of this, the Wakulla Parks and Recreation Department is always looking for more coaches.  To get a coach’s perspective, I talked to coach Ken Busen, a veteran who has coached for the past 10 years.  He started coaching a 14 and Under team when his son Eli played and now he coaches his grandson’s 6 and Under team.  One of his goals is to teach the younger kids basic foot skills so they can develop their skills and appreciation of the game.  “The soccer program is improving tremendously,” says Busen.  "If they learn the basics now, they can develop into really good players.”

Soccer is the biggest sports program we offer and kids are definitely interested because we have more kids every year.  WPRD Recreation League is great for exercise, friendship and teamwork and can be a stepping stone to bigger programs for kids who want to play more competitively.  Even David Beckam had to learn his skills somewhere.  As Busen pointed out, “ Wakulla is always known for its athleticism and what better way is there to improve your skills, or have fun than to play in a friendly (non competitive) league.  But given the fact that I played for 10 years and loved every minute of it, maybe I’m just partial.

This article originally published on November 27, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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