Teens Volunteer with WSA Micro Soccer
With life so busy, it’s nice to know that teenagers are still making time to lend a helping hand.
31 soccer players shared their soccer skills and love of the game by volunteering their time in the WSA Fall Micro Soccer program – an introduction to the sport of soccer with emphasis on fun and building individual skills.
WSA Micro Soccer sessions are held for children ages U5-U7 over the course of six Saturday mornings. If you’ve driven down Publishers Parkway on Saturday mornings, you’ve no doubt noticed the 300 young players out in front of the WSA facility kicking the balls around and having fun.
Volunteers for the Fall Micro Soccer program were:
Alex Carpenter, Alicia Mongeon, Allie Diehl, Allison Barnes, Alyssa Bowersox, Anthony Morales, Cara Maciag, Courtney Frame, Elena Lewis, Elijah Jarvis, Elizabeth Doerner, Emily Roumpapas, Erin Tersegno, Evan Merkey, Gabby Fregeau, Jenna Deverell, Jenna Valleriano, Kamryn Peffley, Kyle DeBrine, Maddie Guider, Maddie Mason, Makenzie Sicke, Mike Miceli, Nate Riek, Nicole Gerritz, Olivia Goodwine, Sarah Frame, Sofia Alvarez, Steven Morales, Taner Bay, Tatiana Furino, Tyler Swartz.
Per Deb Carpenter, WSA Director of Micro Soccer U5-U7, “After spending the past 9 years involved in the Micro Soccer program, when I took over as Director last year I really needed help facilitating so I decided to reach out to the student-athlete as Malcolm Kersey had done in the past and the response has been overwhelming! These student facilitators make up a third of my facilitator roster. Without them I’m not sure what would have happened with the Micro Soccer program.” Most of the student facilitators have participated in the Micro Soccer program and then continued on through the Player Development Program and now participate in either premier soccer programs or travel soccer programs through WSA or other clubs. “The fact that this many student-athletes have returned to help facilitate speaks volumes about the Micro Soccer program itself and the characteristics of these student-athletes. Some of them stay and help out for more than one session per morning with a few even participating in up to 3 sessions, meaning they are spending their entire morning and part of the early afternoon volunteering. I find that amazing!”
Regardless of the weather, these volunteers showed up ready to facilitate. These student facilitators were so competent and confident that more often than not they were asked to lead a field themselves. Many participated in the preseason facilitator training and were well prepared each week by reading the lesson plans and implementing them on the field. They were energetic and excited to be working with the children and their enthusiasm for sharing their soccer skills added to the experience for the young Micro Soccer players.
“I just loved watching the interactions between the student facilitators and the young players” adds Deb Carpenter. “I’m not sure who had more fun! These student facilitators really embraced being role models for the young players. It was a joy to see!”
