to found Soccer Club League

By STEVEN G. WATSON

Sports Editor

A grassroots effort is being made to start a new soccer club league in Troy.

Ramine Ettefagh will be holding meetings at the Troy Park and Recreation Department today at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. and Monday, Jan 31, at 5 p.m. for anyone interested in founding a new team in Troy to participate in the Wiregrass Soccer Club League.

Ettefagh said that he was contacted about the opportunity by a man in Enterprise where they are in the process of putting together such a team and are trying to mirror other club teams that can be found in places like Dothan, Birmingham, Huntsville and various other towns across the state.

"They have started a club called the Wings that has a total of about 90 kids in various age groups participating," Ettefagh said of the Enterprise club. "It will be for kids who want to continue playing soccer for more than just one season out of the year like what is offered here in Troy. The league would play other towns with simular organizations. My job is to organize the city of Troy and find out who in this area is interested in playing soccer and get them together."

Troy would be teaming up with towns like Eufaula and Enterprise in their attempt at the soccer club league effort. He says this will be a great step at cultivating the area’s growing interest in soccer as a whole.

"This is a grass roots organization that we are trying to get started and we’ve had a lot of interest from kids who want to play," Ettefagh said. "It’s the No. 1 youth sport in the United States, but in this area it is not as big as it is in others.

"There has been interest in getting a high school team together, but it is a little late this year," he continued. "The next best thing would be getting a league like this together so kids that age can still play and have the competition to play against. What we’re trying to do is provide an outlet for area kids to play soccer and increase their ability to play the sport."

The club team would consist of 18 members that would play on Saturdays, traveling to host cities and hosting as well. Ages would range from 8 to 18.

All those interested in participating in the Wiregrass Soccer Club League should try and attend one of the three meetings that will be held (Friday 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. and Monday 5 p.m.) or contact Ettefagh at 566-7663 for more information.