Dennis Cole was the president of the league for 26 years and still coordinates the fields and referees for matches. In that time, he’s seen the league grow from around 250 kids to its current level of more than 500.
Over the course of the spring, there will be 64 games played by kindergarten teams and more than 200 games by teams playing in the first to eighth grade levels.
“The numbers have gone up and down a little over the years,” said Cole. “When travel soccer came along, we were afraid it might take a few away from us, but the city grew at the same time to make up the difference so the level has stayed pretty much the same over the years.”
The emphasis has always been a simple one for the league.
“We just wanted to teach some basic soccer skills and really just give kids a chance to play,” said Cole. “The main focus was to teach a few team concepts and let everybody play. That’s the purpose of rec soccer.”
The simplicity of the game itself is also a big reason for its popularity. In order to play soccer, all you really need is a ball and an open place to run.
“There’s constant action; there’s no time outs or breaks. Kids can just get out and go, go, go,” said Cole. “I think a real big part of it is that kids can be as involved as they want to be even within the game. If they’re aggressive, they can get right into the action and mix it up. Even if they aren’t, they can be out on the fringe of the game and still make a big contribution. Kids can be involved at a level that they’re comfortable with.”
Also at the heart of the league is fun. At all levels and all skills, players are given equal playing time with an emphasis on participation, not necessarily the score.
Cole has also seen the league grow in sophistication as more former players return to help out as coaches.
“We’re starting to get people with more experience come back and help coach,” said Cole. “We always need more but after having played for so many years, people come back with a better concept of how the game is played. People know a lot more about the game now than they did when we started.”
It’s that development that Cole has been most rewarded by in his years with the league.
“That look in a kids eye when he finally gets it,” he said. “They light up when they finally catch on to what you’re trying to show them. Watching kids grow and want to participate and have fun is a great reward.”
Of course it all is possible because of parents that are willing to help and the number of fans out to watch on some cold, wet Saturdays is proof.
“The participation of our parents has been awesome,” said Cole. “There are so many opportunities in Plymouth for kids and the fact that they will make time to get them to practice and come out and support them at games and being willing to pitch in and help is a big testament to the kind of parents we have in Plymouth.”
The league has also developed a Web site with all information. You can visit it at www.leaguelineup.com and follow the links to the Plymouth leagues or go to www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=plymouthsoccer .