County Youth Soccer League opens Saturday with Jamboree at Everts
Published on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 2:31 p.m.
Written by John Henson
sports contributor
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Despite being the most popular sport in the world for many years, soccer still doesn't get the attention of most Harlan County residents.
Harlan County High School girls soccer coach Hannah Pittman is determined to change that starting with the start of the Harlan County Youth Soccer League.
The season-opening jamboree was held on the Everts Elementary School field on Saturday, with players in grades 4 through 8 participating. Pittman praised the Harlan County Board of Education for making her dream a reality.
“I am very grateful that the school board rallied behind my vision and allowed us to open a kindergarten 4th through 8th grade league this year.” “From that moment on, I knew I wanted to do everything I could to increase opportunities for the county's youth to play soccer, and they allowed me to do that,” she said.
Recognizing the challenges high school teams face due to lack of experience, Pittman emphasized the importance of teaching fundamentals from an early age. She said starting at the grassroots level will provide a solid foundation for student-athletes and ultimately benefit high school team performance at the local level.
Pittman said this season brings a breakthrough change: a proper full season.
“You can't teach kids much in a one-month season, and you can't get parents to buy into a sports program that asks them to spend $100 on equipment just for the season to end quickly. ” she said.
This year, every team is guaranteed to play at least 12 games over three months, including preseason and postseason contests. Pittman said the extended schedule and other improvements have increased his participation from fourth grade to his eighth grade by 40 percent.
“This amount of growth in one year is unprecedented and I am extremely proud to have played a part in making it happen,” she said.
Pittman said the partnership between the school board, local businesses and soccer fans has prepared the region for a transformative era in the development of young soccer talent.
“The increased opportunities and support promise not only a thrilling season, but also a bright future for our county soccer program,” Pittman said.
The community has played a vital role in making this vision a reality, with local businesses stepping up to support youth soccer leagues.
“Small business owners like Alex Haywood, Dalton Overbay and Carey Wilson have generously donated funds to help cover league costs and ensure players have the equipment and uniforms they need. We made it possible,” Pittman said. “Without our sponsors, we would not have been able to provide the necessary equipment and uniforms for our 90+ K4 to 3rd grade players.”
Saturday's scrimmage at Everts begins at 9:30 with James A. Cawood vs. Everts, followed by Wallins vs. Ross Point at 11:15 and Black Mountain vs. Cumberland at 12:45. There will be a game between 4th and 5th grade teams, followed by a game between 6th to 8th grade teams. Pittman said games for players in kindergarten through third grade will begin later.