The Mahaska County Soccer Club (MCSC) wrapped up another successful season, in spite of flooding that cancelled what was to be the final regional tournament at the Kohl’s American Cup in Ames.

Though challenged by a wet spring, the recreation division completed a successful season with an awards banquet on May 9. The league season wrapped up on June 7, with a home tournament at Lacey Sports Complex where 300 players from nine communities competed in over 50 games. MCSC’s numbers continued to increase with some 376 kids playing in both recreational and competitive leagues this spring. Seventy-two volunteer coaches spent approximately 1,480 hours this season working with kids ranging in age from 4 to 14.

Aside from the commitment needed by volunteer coaches, the work that MCSC does would not be possible without board members and other individuals who work over 800 volunteer hours per season. Those hours are spent arranging for coaches and referees, scheduling tournaments and home games, advertising, fundraising, maintaining the facilities, budgeting, registration, and club administration. Each year MCSC has both a fall and spring season of soccer meaning that over 4,500 volunteer hours are given annually.

New during the spring season was MCSC’s decision to create the position of player development. Greg Walter and Kevin Rushing, also soccer coaches at William Penn University, are currently serving in that capacity. MCSC feels that developing players from an early age will continue to show dividends as they move up to represent the entire community at the high school level. Also new during the spring season was the creation of an adult league open to parents of all MCSC players. The league was so successful that for the upcoming fall season it will be open to anyone age 19 and over wishing to participate. The cost for the adult league is $10.

As MCSC continues to grow so do itsneeds. If you would like to sponsor a team, make a donation, become a referee, coach a team, or help prepare the fields for the upcoming fall season please visit the Web site at www.mahaskasoccer.com to find out how you can help. You can also visit with a board member at fall registration in Penn Central Mall on July 19 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is now open and you can find registration forms and fee information on MCSC’s Web site.