SNOW HILL -- Recreation youth soccer is back at the Worcester County Department of Recreation & Parks (WCRP).

The Outdoor Soccer League kicks off Saturday, Sept. 8 at John Walter Smith Park in Snow Hill where all age divisions will meet their coaches and team mates. 

Outdoor Soccer includes children ages 3 through grade 8. Teams from each town will be formed and will travel to the three following locations: John Walter Smith Park in Snow Hill, Newtown Park in Pocomoke and Northern Worcester Athletic Complex in Berlin.

The Outdoor Soccer League will be divided into five age divisions (Age 3-4, Grades K-1, Grades 2-3, Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8) and all divisions are co-ed.  The age 3-4 division will have games Monday evenings and Saturday mornings. The K-1 division will play on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. The Grades 2-3 division will meet Monday evenings and Saturday late mornings. The Grades 4-5 division will play on Monday evenings and Saturday early afternoon and the Grades 6-8 division will have games on Wednesday evenings and Saturday early afternoon. 

For all youth recreational leagues, emphasis is placed on skill development, participation, sportsmanship, and most of all, kids having fun.

“We want our participants to learn sports skills but it’s equally important that they develop emotionally, socially, and physically,” said Program Manager Ken Tustin. 

In contrast to other sports leagues, the recreational soccer league is designed for pure enjoyment and skill development. Scores and standings are not recorded and emphasis is placed on participation and positive sportsmanship.

This year WCRP has partnered with local Chevrolet dealers, Barrett Chevrolet, Inc. of Berlin and Midway Chevrolet Buick Cadillac of Pocomoke as part of the Chevrolet Youth Soccer Program. The Chevrolet Youth Soccer Program is a grassroots initiative that establishes a positive relationship between local dealers and the communities they serve. These dealers sponsor local youth soccer organizations as a part of Chevrolet's nation-wide commitment to support youth sports, one community at a time.

Registration Deadline is Thursday, Sept. 6. A participant whose registration is received after this deadline may not have the request met for certain teams or coaches.

The cost of the program is $25 per player ($20 for 2nd child) and financial aid is available for those who have demonstrated need.

For further details, call Tustin at 410-632-2144, ext. 112 or ktustin@co.worcester.md.us.