Superior soccer kicks off
Nick Ianniello/Mineral Independent Superior Stomper Bridger LaPierre, 10, takes a corner kick during a game against a Frenchtown team Saturday morning.
Youngsters from around Superior got together Saturday for a full day of sun, fun and soccer.
“We’re just out to have fun,” said organizer Kelann McLees.
McLees is one of around 15 volunteers that help the Superior Stompers, a group of around 74 children from Superior who play on the town’s seven soccer teams.
The children range in age anywhere from 4 to 14. They are divided up into teams based on how old they are.
Children on one of the two the U6 teams are 4- and 5-year-olds, the U8 team consists of 6- and 7-year-olds, the U10 team consists of 8- and 9-year-olds, the two U12 teams consist of 10-, 11- and some 12-year-olds and the U15 team consists of 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds.
McLees said that she allows 12-year-olds the opportunity to choose whether or not to play on the U15 team in case they feel more suited for the U12 group.
Last year, the league had a high school team but there was not enough interest to form a high school team for the Superior Stompers.
McLees said that the combination of soccer with other sports that the high school students are playing was just too stressful for many kids.
“It was just so hard on them,” McLees said.
None of the teams keep score, and McLees said that while they are still competitive and trying to do as best as they can, the games are more about having fun than winning.
“For the little kids it helps them have more fun, but with the older kids — they know what the score is,” McLees said.
The Superior Stompers competed against teams from Frenchtown and Thompson Falls Saturday. They also play against teams from St. Regis and Plains.
McLees said that the teams practice twice a week and play each weekend for six weekends in the fall.
Their first match was in Superior on September 13.
McLees said that the league is one of few sports opportunities for younger children. While Little Guy Wrestling offers younger male athletes the chance to try out athletic activities when they are old enough, there are no opportunities for female athletes until they reach junior high, and the youngest of the children have no other choices in the way of organized sports.
“There’s nothing for these kids to do as far a sports go,” McLees said. “That’s why we have so many kids playing.”
The league, which has been playing for about eight years, is run entirely by volunteers.
“None of us get paid for doing anything,” McLees said.
McLees said that the league gets sponsorship money from local businesses, fund-raising candy sales and registration fees. Each player pays a $30 fee that covers insurance and their Superior Stompers T-shirt. The uniforms that they wear during the games are returned at the end of the season.