Focus on fun

WASILLA — The Wasilla Youth Soccer Association has two objectives.

The club’s first priority is to give as many kids as possible the chance to play soccer. And the second goal is to make sure each one of those players is having fun.

“Our sole mission in life — every child who ever wants to kick a soccer ball can do so,” WYSA’s Donna Van Hyning said on Thursday.

And this week about 800 kids involved in the local youth association did just that as a part of the second-annual Kohl’s American Soccer Tournament.

At two different fields Thursday evening, herds of young players participated in the event that puts an emphasis on sportsmanship rather than competition.

At Bumpus Ballfields, players in the U-10 age group hit the soccer pitch. And at Shaw Elementary, a group of the youngest players — 4 and 5 years old — took the field for an informal event, which the association dubs an “end of the season party” rather than a tourney.

While the focus is on fun for all age groups, Van Hyning said it’s especially true for those in the U-6 division.

“Some kids on those teams will be kicking that ball, some kids are looking for grasshoppers and some are picking dandelions,” Van Hyning said with a laugh. “But it doesn’t matter what they’re doing, as long as they’re having fun.”

Van Hyning said it’s important to have the opportunity to give these youngsters the chance to build a foundation in a sport that can be rewarding for players of any age.

“They’re being introduced to a lifelong sport,” Van Hyning said.

While many competitive soccer programs have surfaced in the Valley in recent years, Van Hyning said WYSA has made it the priority to stay an affordable recreational program. She said it’s only $38 to play for the entire summer.

Van Hyning also praised Kohl’s — a national chain of department stores — for its efforts as the title sponsor of the local event.

Van Hyning said Kohl’s has provided gift bags for participants and T-shirts for the tournament’s sportsmanship team, which is awarded to players following the end of the event. In the eyes of WYSA, Van Hyning said, the sportsmanship award trumps any trophy that could be handed out for the greatest number of overall victories.

“That’s really the intent of the tournament,” Van Hyning said regarding sportsmanship.

The tourney continues today with the U-12 boys and girls divisions at the Alcantra Soccer Fields. Alcantra is also the home of the U-14 girls and boys divisions on Saturday.

Action starts at 6 p.m. each day.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.