Kidz Love Soccer returns to Snoqualmie Valley
March 2, 2011
By Sebastian Moraga
Children play during a Kidz Love Soccer activity. (Photo contributed)
Goals aren’t the goal at Kidz Love Soccer.
The soccer-based child development program arriving in the Valley March 3 focuses on fun and teamwork rather than on what a scoreboard might say.
“It’s not a competitive soccer school,” said Peter Stanley, the Northern Territory manager for Kidz Love Soccer. “That sets us apart from the leagues out there: Leagues are a dime a dozen.”
Soccer is still the engine, and children are exposed to the fundamentals of the game, Stanley said.
What is missing is the pressure from a Little League type of environment.
“We’re trying to be the antidote to that,” he said.
The antidote, Stanley said, includes being all-inclusive. Children of all shapes, sizes, ages and levels are welcome.
Children in the program are addressed not as “kids,” or as “boys and girls,” but as “soccer players.”
“We certainly want to keep the theme or the environment that kids are excited about soccer,” Stanley said. “That just adds to it.”
Although most of the games involve skills other than, say, dribbling, passing or tackling, children do learn the fundamentals, Stanley said, just without the drills.
The emphasis is on cognitive and motor skills.
“We’re trying to foster a nurturing environment rather than a competitive one,” he said. “Lord knows that as kids grow up they will find more than enough chances to be competitive.”
Snoqualmie classes begin at Azalea Park, 6604 Azalea Way, Snoqualmie, March 3.
The program has no deadline to sign up.
“The caveat being, we don’t prorate the sessions,” Stanley said.
Sessions split by age group. Children ages 2 to 3 1/2 years old have the “Mommy, Daddy and Me” session. Children 3 1/2 through 4 years old have a “Tot Soccer” session. “Pre Soccer is for children ages 4-5, “Soccer One” is for children 5-6. Sessions “Soccer Two” and “Soccer Three” are for children ages 7-12.
An e-mail from the city Of Snoqualmie said the fee for the program is $55 per child. People may register at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, 38624 S.E. River St., or at www.kidzlovesoccer. com.
The program lasts for six weeks, once a week every Thursday. The program requires shin guards for all sessions except “Mommy, Daddy and Me.” No other soccer gear is required.
In case of rainout, Kidz Love Soccer will reschedule the session.
A rainout is far less likely in Washington, Stanley said.
“You folks are much hardier than folks here in California,” he said with a chuckle.
Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com.
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[...] Kidz Love Soccer returns to Snoqualmie Valley : Snoqualmie, WA … Mar 2, 2011 … ???It's not a competitive soccer school,??? said Peter Stanley, the Northern Territory manager for Kidz Love Soccer. … Walla Walla Union Bulletin · Yakima Herald Republic … [...]