By Laura Rogers
Cooler fall days are on their way. For so many of us in Whatcom County, that means soccer season has finally arrived. Throughout the county, there are numerous options for kids of all ages — including your tiniest tots — to get involved in soccer. For parents of preschoolers, tot soccer can be a life saver during long, rainy days. Not only do the kids run for an hour straight, but they learn to be part of a team, they gain coordination, and they develop gross motor skills. If you have school-aged kiddos, chances are the whirlwind of school and activities is already upon you. If you are still looking for that after-school sport, soccer may be just what you and your little one need.
Whatcom County is pretty darn committed to great soccer programs. There is a little something for everyone, nearly year-round. Because I have little kids, this article will focus on the younger end of the spectrum, but our area has fantastic leagues and teams for teenagers and adults, too.
For the littlest ones, there’s drop-in tot soccer ( recommended for 3- to 6-year-olds) at the Bellingham Sportsplex on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 10:00 a.m. class is geared toward 3- and 4-year-olds and the 11:00 a.m. class is for 5- and 6-yearolds. The vibe is very laid-back and there’s no need to sign up in advance. Best of all, it’s only $5 per kiddo.
Rachel Matheson, assistant director for the Hammers FC Academy, is the coach who runs tot drop-in. It’s clear from watching the kids play, that they are having a wonderful time. Rachel encourages the kids, never pushing them past their skill-level or patience threshold. Rachel grew up playing rec soccer and high school soccer in Pullman, but had to eventually stop playing due to a knee injury. “I missed being a part of everything, so figured coaching would be a great way to get back into it,” she says. Rachel definitely enjoys working with little kids and admits with a chuckle, “It’s a really entertaining job. It’s mostly working on general motor development and running around having fun.”
Rachel also works with older kids as an individual trainer. Kids who are at least 8-years-old can work one-on-one with a trainer on things like footwork, dribbling, passing, shooting and more. “I love this part of the job too,” Rachel shares. “You get to see them individually as well as with their teams. It’s really great to get to know them and watch them grow and develop.”
For young children (ages 3 to 6) who may be looking for more of the whole soccer team experience, there is a sort of stepping stone program between tot drop-in and the outdoor U6 teams. It’s called Lil’ Hammers and meets Mondays and Wednesdays in the evening for six weeks. There is practice with the coaches on Mondays and then game-like activities on Wednesdays, which are still more focused on the fun than anything else. Kids can even order Lil’ Hammers T-shirts.
For older kids (U8 through adult), the indoor soccer league at the Bellingham Sportsplex is a great way to continue playing when outdoor is not in session. The game is a little different and faster paced due to the lack of out-of-bounds. There is also a tournament-focused league in summer and winter called Junior Hammers for U9-U12 kids. Practice for Junior Hammers is two times per week with tournaments on the weekends.
“After Junior Hammers, there’s the Rangers, then high school and college soccer. There are so many programs that walk kids all the way through from tot to adult. And there are different tracks: the easy going rec experience, or they can go the more competitive route,” Rachel explains.
The Whatcom County Youth Soccer Association (WCYSA) is the organization in charge of the outdoor league, which has a fall and spring season. There are 10 smaller soccer clubs within the WCYSA. Parents can find which club their child would play in based on their child’s school. WCYSA soccer is for kids U6-U12 and though still focused primarily on fun and enjoyment of the game, coaches gradually begin to introduce more structure as children get older.
I interviewed WCYSA parent Liz Stuart, who has a U8 player this year. Liz and her son have thoroughly enjoyed their last two years playing outdoor soccer with the Northside Soccer Club (which is part of WCYSA) and are looking forward to a third. “In Bellingham, we have quite the cohort of soccer enthusiasts,” says Liz. “Our team is lucky enough to have the Ferndale High Soccer Coach as my son’s coach, but there are so many folks with or without soccer backgrounds eager to help these kids play soccer.”
The WCYSA asks for volunteer coaches and thoroughly trains them before the season begins, so anyone can feel comfortable volunteering. The league also hires and trains referees. Anyone can train as a ref as well; referees are sometimes kids as young as 10-years-old.
The WCYSA creates a fun and inviting soccer program for all ages and abilities. Liz discussed with me the way teams and games are structured. “I like the way the soccer league organizes the different levels,” she says. “At U6 there might be only three or four players on each team and they play on a smaller field. Then as they get older, more players are added, and for us this year (U8), I think a goalie will be added. They teach the rules, but in an incremental way that makes sense with a child’s development.”
The WCYSA games are held at the Northwest Soccer Park, just north of Bellingham. Liz adds that “getting a beer at nearby Greene’s Corner after a game is a great way to meet families from other schools who you wouldn’t otherwise meet.”
Lance Calloway has been executive director of the Whatcom Sports Commission for 18 years. The Commission maintains the fields on Northwest Drive, oversees the WCYSA, and organizes the indoor soccer programs at the Bellingham Sportsplex. Lance has impressive and extensive experience in playing and coaching soccer, such as playing college soccer for The Evergreen State College and even semi-pro soccer for the Bellingham Marlins. He has earned the highest US soccer license awarded (USSF A License) and a National Youth License. Lance continues to play on the over-40 league, but says his real passion is coaching.
Despite Lance’s many accolades and achievements, his humility and genuine love for the game are obvious. “I am currently the head coach of Bellingham United Men’s squad and my son’s U8 Eastside squad,” he says. “It’s a blast to get to coach at both ends of the spectrum.” Lance is also a champion of kids beginning soccer at any age. “For the younger kids (3- to 7-years-old), soccer is a great sport as it focuses on all the motor skills, movement, balance and coordination. But it is never too late for a child to start playing soccer. I often hear from parents that their 8-, 9- or 10-year-old want to play but say it’s too late for them to start. I always reply, ‘it’s never too late.’ New players are always welcome to join the WCYSA clubs and integrate into teams.”
For more information on Whatcom County Youth Soccer, contact the Bellingham Sportsplex. The Fall 2015 season teams are mostly full, but those interested can contact Lance to check for openings. Registration for WCYSA Spring Soccer 2016 (outdoor) opens online on January 1, 2016. Indoor soccer options are abundant, and the next registration begins October 1.
