FARMINGTON – Registrations are now being taken for two youth soccer leagues.
Both programs – one for students in grades 1-6, and the other for kindergarten-age children – are under the guidance of Mt. Blue varsity soccer program coach Joel Smith.
Boys and girls in grades 1 to 6 may take part in Farmington Recreation Department’s Instructional Soccer League, which will mark its 25th season this fall.
The focus of the league is to teach the fundamentals, refine playing skills, improve fitness levels of the players and teach them the rules and basic concepts of soccer.
Participants will be separated into two divisions – one for grades 1-3, and another for grades 4-6, to promote balanced competition and equal play opportunity.
Team coaches will be members of the Mt. Blue girls and boys varsity and junior varsity soccer teams, as well as volunteer students from the University of Maine at Farmington.
All players are expected to dress for games in the Farmington Recreation Department’s youth sports team jersey.
Registrations are also being accepted for Prep Soccer, the Recreation Department’s program for kindergarten students ages 5 and 6. This will be the league’s 12th year.
Last year the noncompetitive format introduced 20 youngsters to soccer in a pressure-free atmosphere. Held at the UMF soccer fields and Hippach Field, this six-week program will concentrate solely on teaching the elementary skills of soccer. Children will learn about the sport and practice fundamentals through games, simple drills and exercises and short pick-up scrimmages.
A single group of players will meet at 12:30 p.m. each Sunday afternoon for practices. If the turnout for this program is heavy, participants may be split into two groups. One group will meet at 12:30 p.m. and the other at 2:15 p.m.
The registration fee for both programs is $20, with a $5 fee charged to those who do not reside in or pay taxes to Farmington.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the Farmington Community Center and concludes at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10. Registrations will not be taken over the phone. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 778-3464.
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