From the Shallotte area, Mary Teeters and her husband, John, have three children in the club. The Teeters’ children have played soccer for five years now, and the family has seen the club grow exponentially. When they first joined upon moving here from Charlotte, there was a real need for coaches. Neither parent had ever played soccer before, but both learned to coach on the job. Mary also helped with registration and other administrative duties for the former Shallotte club. The Teeters enjoy soccer for many reasons. “We home school, so soccer fills the need for a physical education class,” Mary says. “We also really love the outdoor play, skills and physical development — with soccer no one is standing around, players are constantly moving.” With three children playing at different levels and at different fields, Mary is content to be the regular soccer mom, carpooling and cheering on the sidelines. Crista Thomas of the Southport area has two children in the club. The family couldn’t be more pleased with the merger of their former club with Shallotte. “We love to cheer on all the kids now,” she says. “And the coaches are just fantastic.” In addition to Smith and Johnson, the coaches include Patrick Lawson, head men’s soccer coach at South Brunswick High School, and Tirso Gonzalez, treasurer of the club. This spring NCAA–level coach John Adams joined the list of volunteers at Brunswick United. He is the former assistant women’s soccer coach at Rice University in Houston. He brings extensive technical experience to the field as well as offering training for the coaches. “Training our volunteer coaches is vital,” says Smith, who now serves as the director of coaching for the club. “Some of our coaches are working on certifications this year.” As with any growing youth sports organization, the need 84
South Brunswick Magazine
Top: Registration for fall 2013 soccer with Brunswick United Soccer Club begins in July.
for volunteers is growing. The club is always in need of more volunteer coaches, and the need for administrative support is increasing as well. It is easy to see why soccer is a popular sport with both parents and children. The game is fast-paced, the equipment is inexpensive and the friendships created can last a lifetime. Unlike other youth sports, soccer offers two seasons of play - the fall season runs for eight weeks from September to November, and the spring season is from February to April. Registration for fall 2013 begins in July. The registration fee includes uniform jersey, shorts and socks. Parents must provide soccer shoes and shin-guards. A limited number of scholarships are available. Check the club’s website for details at www.southportsoccer.org. From pre-school little kickers in pigtails and pink shoelaces to pre-teen budding athletes and beyond, the Brunswick United Soccer Club is helping players to improve skills, get in shape, make friends and have lots and lots of fun. n