Soccer Scores In North Idaho Number Of Teams, Playing Fields Growing With Sport’s Popularity
A mob of small children scampered after the soccer ball on the grassy field Wednesday.
Nearby a group of mothers watched as a tangle of small feet swatted at the ball.
A girl with a blonde pony tail pounced on the ball just before it rolled between the cones behind her.
“Good job, Emily,” her coach and father, Tim Burns encouraged. She beamed, holding a ball bigger than her own head.
Wednesday was the first day of soccer practice for 7-year-old Emily Burns and the soccer team she plays on through the Coeur d’Alene Parks and Recreation Department.
As the spring season kicks off, soccer officials throughout Kootenai County say record numbers of kids have turned out.
Three years ago, about 770 kids signed up for both the spring and fall soccer programs with the Coeur d’Alene recreation department. This year, Emily is one of about 750 kids who signed up for the spring program alone, said Michael Darcy, spokesman for the department.
Last year, the Post Falls recreation department had 24 soccer teams. This year, there are 36.
The sport is so popular, Post Falls got its own soccer club last April. The River City Thunder grew from two to five teams this year, said Terry Turnbow, president of the club.
“It’s just kind of exponentially increasing,” said Bill Eisenwinter, program director for the Lake City Sting Soccer Club in Coeur d’Alene. His club has gained 80 kids in the last three years.
Turnbow attributes the growth to two things: the increasing population in Kootenai County and the sport’s ability to encompass all kinds of kids.
“Soccer is a sport that you don’t have to be a super athlete to play,” he said. “There’s a niche for everybody.”
Darcy agrees.
“It’s a very easy activity to get your kids involved in at a young age,” he said. “You don’t have to be big and fast or strong. If you’re 6 and 7, you can run and kick the ball and be part of the action.”
“They play and they have fun and they learn how to watch out for each other,” said Gay Glasson, as her son Robert, 7, sprinted after a soccer ball nearby. Robert and Emily Burns play on a “micro soccer” team especially for 6- and 7-year olds. Play is low-key, and no one keeps score.
Glasson and others say soccer is also relatively inexpensive compared to other sports.
“Buy a pair of shorts, cleats and shin guards and you’re on your way,” Darcy said.
With all the soccer balls being kicked around Kootenai County, it’s no wonder several soccer fields are currently under construction.
Two fields just completed at the Ramsey softball complex lack only goal posts, Darcy said. The first games will be played on them April 17.
Two new fields are under way at Lake City High School. They should be done by fall for the girl’s soccer team to play on, said athletic director Ron Adams. One soccer field is also under construction at Coeur d’Alene High School.