This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Spring Summary

Summary of the Greater Laurel United Soccer Club's Spring Season.

In the Spring of 2012 we had 414 boys and girls playing soccer with the Greater Laurel United Soccer Club (GLUSC).

Among our 414 boys and girls playing soccer with us we had 37 boys and girls older than 15.  There are few organizations in our area that provide activities for children over the age of 14.  Not only did the GLUSC provide a recreational opportunity for these children, we entered these children’s teams into the Soccer Association of Columbia’s (SAC) Outisde Team League and performed extremely well.  We had three teams entered.  Two finished first in their age brackets and one finished second.  These accomplishments reflect positively on Prince George’s County.

The GLUSC not only provides recreational soccer opportunities to children, we provide an employment opportunity for kids that are interested in pursuing a career as a referee.  In the Spring of 2012, we employed 16 youth referees.  These boys and girls are graduates of the United States Soccer Federation’s Youth Soccer Referee Program.  Our Youth Referee program not only provides these boys and girls an opportunity to work during their time in Laurel, they are licensed to work anywhere in the United States of America.  Several of our graduates have continued their careers while attending college in other states.  The experience gained as a referee far exceeds that learned in any other part time job.  These young adults learn communications skills dealing with coaches and parents, cross-cultural communication skills in dealing with parents and players of other nationalities and self-confidence as they improve in their abilities as referees.

Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to our Youth Referee Program, the GLUSC provides a Coaches In Training (CIT) program to area youth.  In the Spring of 2012, we had 9 boys and girls earn over 200 hours of community service helping out as Junior Coaches and Coordinators.  Our most popular CIT opportunity is in our Under Six Program.  The CITs help run practices and serve as role models for the younger children.

Registration is currently underway for our Brazilian soccer camp happening in August.  You can find out more info and register by visiting www.glusc.com and clicking on our Summer Camps tab.

Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We are also registering children for our fall season.  You can register online at www.glusc.com or by calling 301-502-6431 to arrange a time convenient for you to register in person.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?