While the high school soccer season has come to a close players are in luck, as the Owensboro Family YMCA currently has open registration for their 2022 High School Co-ed soccer league.
The indoor soccer league has been running since 2016 with 5th-12th grade divisions according to league owner Levi Gray, having run three youth/high school leagues with over 100 kids every season. While the adult league has had the most success in the area with over 100 men and women playing annually, Gray is hoping to translate that to the high school co-ed league this year.
“We are always trying to better the league, so this year we are bringing on experienced coaches for our 5th-8th grade coed league, and our 9th-12th grade coed league. We also are holding practices for teams that other leagues usually don’t do in the area. I’ve made the season longer as well, which lasts from November 19-January 22. I think it’s going to be huge to have that one-on-one training to further development.”
It’s $35 for the 5th-8th grade division that plays on Sunday afternoon, while being the same price for the 9th-12th league that plays on Saturday evenings. When the pandemic hit a few years back Gray was worried that the league would take a hit, but coming into the 2022 season he said their numbers are stronger than ever.
“I was worried after covid that kids would never be interested in playing sports again, but early sign ups have been a totally different story,” Gray said. “We do have a max amount of players we can take, and I would say about 75% of that has been filled. We’d love to have as many 5th-12th graders as possible to make this the most fun league in the area.”
Gray said that this league is the perfect opportunity to get better and further one’s development, getting a chance to work with real middle school and high school coaches and learn with a diverse group of players
“My favorite part about this league is bringing my kids from all backgrounds and different schools together,” Gray said. “I think when kids can play in an environment that’s fun they are more willing to learn and they can use their creativeness more than they normally would.”
The thing Gray is looking forward to most is seeing how much better kids can get at the end of the season and eventually just how much more they can contribute to their school or their club team for the upcoming 2023 year.
“My ultimate goal at the end of the day is to get all of these kids better for the next level or next fall school season,” Gray said. “I’m committed to helping each and every kid no matter what school they go to, to help them reach their fullest potential and be a confident player going forward.”
Registration will close on Friday, Nov. 11, as Gray said that if players want to have fun this winter while expanding their soccer IQ then competing in the league for an hour a week would be perfect. For more information,
