LINCOLN -- Paul Crouch, Lincoln youth soccer coach and organizer, addressed the Lincoln City Council recently on the Lincoln Youth Soccer program.
Crouch said the spring league is structured as an after-school club on Tuesdays with 29 new participants and 38 returning from the fall 2013 league.
"We need to keep it going and growing," Crouch said.
"It's good for kids who don't always fit in with other sports like football and basketball," said Mayor Rob Hulse. "I think it's great and we should continue to support the program."
Crouch said a vision for the 2014 fall league is Lincoln hosting a jamboree with teams from other areas, as well as increasing local participation in the league.
Soccer games are played on Saturdays with practice throughout the week. Games are played on the football field at the middle school campus. There are four age divisions -- pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1-2, grades 3-5. A fee of $30 includes insurance, jersey, socks and medal.
The soccer program was made possible by a joint-use agreement grant from the Arkansas Department of Education of Coordinated School Health Department. Lincoln School District and City of Lincoln agreed to the joint-use grant.
The soccer program began its first season in September 2013.
Crouch also addressed a need for a Boys & Girls Club in Lincoln.
"We can start small and build up like we're doing with soccer," Crouch said. "A Boys & Girls Club could be done in the same way. It can have programs that are athletic and nonathletic."
He said three things would be needed with a Boys & Girls Club -- a youth development coordinator, recreational coordinator and someone in charge of memberships and scholarships.
Crouch has worked several years with the Fayetteville Boys & Girls Club. "I learned from working there what is needed for an organization like this."
He thinks after-school and summer programs are needed for Lincoln youth.
Community on 04/23/2014