SCV CAN'T KICK SOCCER HABIT; SPORT ENJOYING ALL-TIME HIGH IN POPULARITY.Byline: Stacy Brown Daily News Staff Writer Soccer has become one of the favorite pastimes in the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. where nearly 6,000 youths play at various locations each week. Moms and dads and friends and relatives all come out in huge numbers cheering their young heroes. ``It grows every year out here. I think everyone has caught the fever,'' said second-year referee A judicial officer who presides over civil hearings but usually does not have the authority or power to render judgment. Referees are usually appointed by a judge in the district in which the judge presides. John Hall. At Placerita Junior High School there are 10 fields set up for girls and boys in various divisions. While The Green Machines are doing battle on one field, the Blue Jets are scoring a goal on another. Hall said one of the things that makes the game so popular is that everyone can participate. ``It's not just for boys. The girls are just as good, it's the top sport out here now and everyone follows the rules. I wish I played when I was a kid,'' Hall said. Obeying the rules can sometimes be a problem for overzealous o·ver·zeal·ous adj. Excessively enthusiastic: overzealous movie fans; an overzealous manager. o parents. Elizabeth Pearlman stood nervously behind the goal her daughter, Leah, 6, was defending for the team Pretty in Purple. ``I thought someone was going to ask me to move,'' Pearlman said. As the whistle A simple whistle is a woodwind instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. Many types exist, from small police and sports whistles (also called pea whistles), to much larger train whistles, which are steam whistles specifically designed for use on blew signaling an end to the first half of play, Pearlman ran to give words of encouragement to her daughter and the rest of the girls. ``It's fun, right now the score is tied at one,'' Pearlman exclaimed. ``Parents are the only ones who seem to be concerned with the score, the kids just want to get out there and apply what we teach them,'' said Pretty in Purple coach Debbie Schultz. Along with assistant coach Bob Anderson
Bob Anderson (b. 19 May 1931, Hendon, London - d. 14 August 1967, Northampton) was a Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and racecar driver from England. , Schultz conducts a once-a-week practice with the team as the young players try to sharpen sharp·en tr. & intr.v. sharp·ened, sharp·en·ing, sharp·ens To make or become sharp or sharper. sharp their skills for each week's game. ``We teach the fundamentals and they enjoy it,'' Anderson said. Hall said the atmosphere at the fields, which includes an officials tent tent, portable shelter of canvas, skins, felt, matting, or other material usually supported by poles and used chiefly by nomads, hunters, and campers. Tents have been used by pastoral peoples since ancient times and are mentioned in the Old Testament and in Homer. - where game information can be found - vendors and lots of cheering, can be as fun to soak in as the games themselves. ``It's wonderful. It's so popular because it's a fast-paced game and the kids are always involved unlike baseball or other sports,'' Hall said. With popularity at an all-time high, two more teams were added to the league this year - bringing the total number of teams to 16, officials said. ``It grows every year all around this valley and it's amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. because all the coaches and referees and everyone are volunteers. No one gets paid for being out here all day,'' Hall said. The American Youth Soccer Organization sponsors and provides the rules and regulations for all the games each season. A rule book is given to each coach and parents. Players are grouped in separate divisions based on age and gender. Games are 60 minutes long with intermissions of up to 10 minutes. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--color) Men in Black and Red Rockets Red Rocket may refer to:
(2--color) Soccer mom soccer mom n. An American mother living in the suburbs whose time is often spent transporting her children from one athletic activity or event to another. Carol Janizeh and her son Matt cheer for her other son Nick, who plays on the Red Rockets. Some 6,000 kids play locally. John Lazar/Special to the Daily News |
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