Now in it’s third year of growth and filling a need for soccer experiences between the younger age groups and the high school, the Star Valley Soccer Club is open for fall registration until this Sunday July 20 for those who are looking to play. Board President Tori Probst and Jason Call, Director of Coaching spoke with SVI about the goals for the program.
“The club is a competitive soccer group that is headed into its third season,” Probst said. “We are associated with the Wyoming Soccer Association. It helps towns like us to have a club and we compete against other towns like ours and some in Idaho and it helps our kids get touches against more teams. We were actually the only area of our size in population that didn’t have a club so we’r glad to have this.”
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As part of the first group of players through Star Valley High School some 18 years ago, Call knows firsthand how the growth of the sport in a winter-laden area can be challenging.
“I played in the rec leagues as a kid but really walking out on the field my freshman year was eye opening,” “It was an adventure those first couple of years. With the establishment of this club we are seeing the kids have some success early now. We had wins over teams from Pocatello and had close games with Idaho Falls. Teams that 15 years ago we would not dream of competing with and we are doing well now. We are seeing a vast improvement in the soccer teams now.”
Currently the soccer club has a U16 team for high school age players who aren’t already competing in fall sports. There are teams going all the way down to the U10 team. The age groups correspond with the age of the player that year.
“The more kids we have registered the more teams we can put together,” Call added.
Probst directed those interested in playing to register at starvalleysoccerclub.org. Registration for this season is open until this Sunday July 20.
“We are also active on Facebook and Instagram and you can look us up,” she continued “We try and get the word out through various ways so if you know somebody who would want to be part of it please have them register.”
Probst also emphasized that while there is a cost involved to participate, the organization has money set aside so that financial need is not a barrier for kids to play.
“When we started this we got a grant that helps with scholarships,” she said. “We want everyone to be able to play and we don’t want financial things to keep them from playing so we have some money set aside to everyone can play. The season funs from mid August through mid October in what’s call the Snake River League. We typically have two games on a Saturday and we head over to Idaho Falls. There are some tournaments as well.”
With the summer days ticking by, Call feels like the club is a great way for youth to be involved and get better.
“The number one thing is the season for Star Valley is shorter than everywhere else,” he added. “Snow makes soccer hard. In the summertime we have a great group of adults who know the game really well and can guide the kids in what they should be doing. We’ve seen development and the step-up on competition is getting them experience against kids who’ve been playing since they were five or six. I’m excited to see what this program does in the next couple years for our high school program.”
