Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – The fields in North Warren are ready, and so is the Warren County YMCA Recreational Fall Soccer League for 2021.
The league kicks off on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and as such is planning a special ‘kickoff’ to the season.
“With this being the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we’re going to do the first kick in honor of first responders,” said Youth & Family/Sports Coordinator Andrew Papalia. “Our goal is to get 12, one for each field. We’re going to have a moment of silence leading into the national anthem and after the national anthem we’re going to have all first responders do a first kick into fall soccer for the season.”
A program that has seen strong participation numbers in the past is reaching new heights, according to Papalia.
“We have a new record of participants this year, over 650 kids,” he said. “Those kids will be competing in six different age groups – U4, U6, U8, U10, U12 and U15.”
The three youngest age groups are boys and girls combined.
“We’re hoping for good weather,” Papalia added. “Saturday is looking perfect for us. “As long as we get good weather throughout the fall we’ll be in good shape.”
The 9/11 kickoff and the opening of the season are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
