HRAYS Soccer Funday Brings Out Children of All Ages
The Middleton Soccer field started looking more like old times with children as young as four all the way to high school covering the field in play on Friday, August 12, for the Hatchie River Area Youth Soccer (HRAYS) Soccer Funday.
The event was the kickoff to the HRAYS 2022/2023 soccer season that begins in September. There were more than 90 players that came out, which is double the number that participated in the league last year.
“We were not sure how many would come out today,” said HRAYS President Carson Bell. “It was a good turn out and we are looking forward to the new season.”
Children ranged in skill level from beginners to more experienced.
There were a number of returning HRAYS players who came out for the Soccer Funday and were ready to register for the new season. Activities included learning soccer basics and practicing ball control up and down the field, as well as guiding the ball to the goal.
There were also former players who returned to give back to the league as well as the community of children.
Some of those former players will be coaching from the sidelines and others will be running along the field, with the players, as referees.
The HRAYS have five divisions of play, U6, U8, U10, U14, and U18. Players can look forward to a number of positive changes this season.
“We have a new U14 field that we will be using and it has lights,” said Bell. “Last year, we had to shrink the U18 field to accommodate the U14 games. This year, the U14 will have its own field and the U18 will be playing on a regulation field.”
Bell also noted a change that will affect the game, which will allow players more control and strategy in competition.
“We’re back to doing throw-ins instead of kick-ins,” said Bell. “Covid-19 regulations required players to do kick-ins instead of throw-ins with out-of-bound balls. Players will again be able to throw them in.”
Season play is expected to begin on September 6 and end by the second week of November.
“We try to get done by the first week of November, but definitely no later than the second week, because of the cold weather” said Bell.
Registration is $55 per player and has been extended to Tuesday, August 23, at 12 p.m. All needed forms may be found on the HRAYS’ Facebook page. Late registration will be accepted, but Bell encourages parents with children who would like to play to not wait too long to register.
“Each player has to have a uniform to play, according to Tennessee State Soccer Association,” said Bell. “If someone signs up too late, they will have to sit out until their jersey comes in.”
The league also voted in its 2022/2023 officers, which are Carson Bell, president; Austin Bell, vice-president, Richard Wetherbee, treasurer; Lori Wetherbee, registrar; Betsy House, athletic director; Lyndsey Maxwell, secretary; Dylan Stewart, head of referees; and Nate Foster, risk manager.
Bell is looking forward to “getting back to the way soccer was meant to be played.”
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