The new Neeses Soccer League had a perfect day for its first-ever soccer games. The four new teams played in two games at the field behind the Neeses Farm Museum on U.S. 321 on Oct. 21.

The teams are sponsored by the town, and are part of the recreation program offered to youth in Neeses and the surrounding communities.

Neeses Mayor Kenneth Gleaton, his wife, Sonja, and other members of the community have been working on the soccer project for almost two years.

“For the last year we have had parents talking about starting a soccer league. Now we have four teams.” Sonja said, “The mayor is just overjoyed that we have finally made this a reality.”

Mark Bradshaw, a coach for one of the teams, was the official referee for the Oct. 21 games. He previously officiated and coached soccer games in Orangeburg, and when the town asked him to help this past August, he volunteered his services.

“It’s a learning experience for people in this area. None of the high schools in the area have soccer teams at the present time. One of the purposes of recreation is to be a feeder for high school sports programs,” Bradshaw said. “We hope that by the time our kids reach high school, there will be programs available for them.”

He said the ages of the players right now are between 10 and 12, but if there is enough interest next year for younger kids, teams may be set up for them at that time. August is the time for parents to check on getting their children signed up, he said.

A Pine Hill resident Steve Whetstone coaches the Premier Motor Co. team.

“It’s a great sport. I played all through high school,” said Whetstone, whose son, Bryson, is on his team this year. “It gives the kids good experience.”

Jina Lorick of Neeses said the soccer league provides a good recreational outlet for children.

“The kids just love it, and it gives them something positive to do. If they have something positive to do, they won’t do the negative,” she said.

One of the teams even has triplets playing on it. AnnaTaylor, Landan and Stradford Hydrick are the children of Nancy and Barney Hydrick of Neeses. In addition to participating on a team, the children sorted and organized the uniforms and equipment as part of a community involvement project for their home schooling requirements. When the coaches came by to pick up the uniforms on Friday, everything was ready for them.

Other corporate sponsors of the teams include North-South Wood Preserving and Waymyers Tire and Lube and Wood Preserving.

“We couldn’t do this without the support of the public and our business sponsors. We have kids from Norway, Cope, Cordova, Neeses and Swansea,” Sonja Gleaton said. “This season, games are scheduled for about six weeks, until the first weekend in December.”

-- T&D Correspondent Loretta Demko can be reached by e-mail at eeshtenem@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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