Youth soccer shines, even when sun doesn't


 

Top photo: 10-under tournament champion White Lightning, coached by Stephanie Wright and sponsored by Nosh Eatery.
Bottom photo: 12-under tournament champion Gators, coached by Bud Nelson and sponsored by Pacific Frameworks.

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Super photographer Cameron Jagoe of Pacific Frameworks is Mr. Sunshine when it comes to extolling the virtues of the Siuslaw Youth Soccer Association.

Take the recently completed SYSA spring season, for instance.

"It may have been the wettest season we have had, but that didn't seem to slow any of the players down," Jagoe said.

Jagoe has been president of the SYSA since it first started kicking up some fun for kids in the summer of 2016.

He now is probably better know for the hundreds of weekly photos he — and Becky Holbrook — posts during the fall and spring seasons.

Now, spring has sprung, and it's time to jump into the fall.

"We are very fortunate to have an amazing group of people volunteering to coach, and many have already signed up to coach the Fall 2022 season," Jagoe said.

The covid pandemic has been a bit of a hurdle, but the numbers continue to improve.

"We had 194 players, 34 registered volunteers on 23 teams this season," he said. "We played three other clubs this season — Central Coast Soccer Association out of Newport and two new clubs, Kids Sports and Lane Youth Soccer Association out of Eugene."

When the association was formed in 2016 there was no soccer in local schools, and SYSA seasons served youth ages 5 to 18.

Now there is a firmly established boys team at the high school level, with a girls team planned for this fall.

The SYSA now serves youth ages 5 through middle school, passing the baton for the more-competitive older ages to Siuslaw High School.

Mr. Sunshine prefers the more recreational-focused younger program, and the fun it provides for area youth.

"All in all it was a very good season," Jagoe said.

NOTES

The SYSA is online at www.siuslawsoccer.com and on Facebook @siuslawsoccer …

Contact the SYSA at PO Box 1340, Florence, OR 97439; siuslawyouthsoccer@gmail.com, or 541-600-4409. …

Current board members are president Cameron Jagoe, vice president Erin Linton, treasurer Londi Tomaro, secretary Tammy McKenzie and registrar Gary Sarles. … Nyra Vanduch is head coach and Tomaro also serves as referee coordinator … members at large are Justin Linton and Nikki Harklerode … Dave Spencer handles field layout and marking …

Current open positions include communication coordinator, fund-raising coordinator and equipment coordinator. … 




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