While in years past soccer has not been widely popular across the United States, the trend seems to be changing as the sport grows in both participation and audience.
In Pulaski County, this seems to be especially true, and as a result a group of local residents is coming together to form what they hope will be a long-lasting tradition of soccer in the area.
Though presently without a name, the group currently has a recreation soccer team known as the Lady Hawks.
Formed by Jon Moore in the spring of 2007, the team has grown into two teams, with a total of 41 players last fall.
On Jan. 21, Moore and David Lowe presented the Community Recreation Board with their proposal to take Pulaski County soccer into the next phase.
“Basically, we want to start a competitive soccer club,” Moore told the board, citing the team’s growth over the years and sharing that there are players from other cities on the team.
While those teams are currently recreational, Moore said if a competitive team is formed, then those players could have the potential for playing both recreational and competitive.
Moore and Lowe shared that the group currently has three choices before them: To go on as they have been, establish a club under the Missouri Youth Soccer Association and work through the local area for field space, or the third, which Moore said he thinks is the best option.
“I think the best thing to do would be to have a competitive club that’s part of the OMSF,” he said.
Part of that vision includes the benefits having a competitive soccer team will bring to the county.
“I’ve never seen an area grow with the passion for a sport that we see here,” Lowe said. “We believe there is a need and we know there is a demand.”
Lowe noted that their players constantly have to travel to other cities to play games. As a result, money is being spent in those places rather than at home.
But more than increasing the funds brought into the county, Lowe said the organization is really about providing kids with the best possible training and education to help them further their lives.
“The key here is we want to partner,” Lowe told the board. “We belive we’re going to move forward regardless.”
The recreation board said it will take the request under consideration, and address it further at its next meeting in order to find out how OMSF thinks about the proposal.
There was some concern raised about players being able to play both recreational and competitive soccer, as the player might have a conflict of schedule and leave the recreational team in a bind.
Maintaining the recreational philosophy is also important, although by keeping that philosophy, the board said it does not want to shut competitive players out.
- —
