Rec Soccer Spotlight:
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Northern Valley Youth Soccer League & Upper Milford Youth Association
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he Northern Valley Youth Soccer League was formed in 1993 as a way for Lehigh County soccer clubs and associations to play against each other in a “Rec Soccer” program. “Recreational Soccer” is organized soccer that is open to all players who love the beautiful game. There are no tryouts, no pressure to perform or to win – just a venue for any kids at any skill level to play the game of soccer. No standings – no playoffs, just the opportunity to play. According to Matt Skekel, the current chairman of Northern Valley Youth Soccer League (NVYSL), “Recreational soccer gives kids a chance to learn and enjoy the game and play with their school friends and neighbors. We, as parents, forget sometimes that these players are just kids – and they are only kids once. Letting them play recreational soccer for a few years, and getting a chance to learn and love the game, is such a great thing to see. “ “It is also a fantastic way for older players to continue to play soccer,” Skekel said. “These days, high school kids are forced to choose one sport – with recreational soccer these players can continue to play simply because they love to play. These players are as good as club team, travel or high school players, but have other interests which may not let them devote the time required for these other teams – so they play rec soccer, and are still able to enjoy the game. Others may not be good enough to make one of the other teams – but want to continue playing, and that is something else that rec soccer provides.” Skekel is the Soccer Coordinator and President of the Upper Milford Youth Association in Lehigh County. He has been the chairman of NVYSL for five months, but has been involved with, or on the board, for four years. “Our soccer program began in the mid to late 1980’s. We are a small club, and typically have about 180 kids come out for soccer since I have been involved,” said Skekel. “We have considered having travel teams in the local travel league – but have not done so mostly because there are not enough interested
players from our association and there are several travel programs and club teams in our area to choose from. There are about 20 youth associations or soccer clubs in Lehigh County – most of them have recreational soccer programs. Currently there is only one recreational soccer league in the county, and that is NVYSL. We have 18 member clubs, and last season, which ran from fall 2012 through this past spring, we had over 3,000 participants.” When asked for some highlights of the NVYSL rec league, Skekel recalled that “this past spring, I had the opportunity to coach a U14 Boys team from UMYA playing in NVYSL. On one of the final weekends of the season, the coaches decided to play a mini-tournament between our three teams, where each team ended up playing four 25 minute games,
not play much at all? Or the year at U10 Rec soccer where they played and learned every position and maybe had a chance to score a game winning goal, or make the game winning save as goalie? Seeing kids getting a chance to do these things and walking off the field with a huge smile on their face is absolutely priceless.” In October, UMYA is holding their third Columbus Day Weekend Soccer Tournament, a chance to play in a tournament when, typically, they do not. “In this tournament there are trophies for placing – but the real idea behind it is to just give these kids a chance to play – when most other tournaments will not allow them to be a part of it,” said Skekel. “The best part is that some of the best soccer I have seen at these age levels has been at these tournaments, and it’s just so cool to see the third and second place teams get excited for placing (not just the overall winner). This year we are expanding the Columbus Day Weekend tournament, and partnering with a neighbor club to help host the event.” Rec soccer also has a personal appeal for Skekel.
or basically, two full games. All three teams and parents had a great time – a lot of fun for everyone involved. You can’t do that in a travel league – but you can in rec!” For the future, Skekel hopes to continue the success of both UMYA and NVYSL and continue to grow and develop both programs. “A lot of people look at recreational soccer as a ‘lesser’ program or team – not good enough to play travel level soccer. I want people to see recreational soccer as a place for kids to be kids and have fun playing the game – not only when they win. There are some very good coaches, and licensed coaches, in rec soccer who have so much to offer kids in teaching the game without all the pressures of winning. What is a kid going to remember growing up – the average year in U10 travel soccer sitting on the bench, or playing a position they may not like, or
“I have four children,” he said. “My oldest played four years of rec soccer before going to travel and is now on a very good showcase tournament team. My second oldest played four years of rec soccer and has decided to go in other directions with sports. My third child is playing U10 rec soccer this fall and is very excited to start, and my fourth child is looking at playing U7 soccer this fall. “I firmly believe we put too much on our kids to succeed at a high level so young. Ninety percent will not play past U14 soccer anyways – five percent may play high school and of those, five percent play high school – one percent go on to play college,” said Skekel. “We push these kids so hard that they never get a chance to just be a kid, and enjoy something like high school sports, and as a parent I can’t really understand that. That is why I am such a huge support and proponent of recreational soccer.”
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