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Locally, our high schools do have a fabulous
soccer program, where Marty Rademacher and Terry Ogden coached Girls'
Varsity Soccer. As with many school districts in our more rural
areas, soccer takes a back seat to popularity, leaving the school programs
somewhat thin in participation, thus sparse in funding.
With a handful of die-hard soccer
enthusiasts from the Virgin Valley High School, two outstanding soccer
coaches and a few dedicated parents, Mesquite Soccer Academy has grown
from a handful of players to three competitive soccer teams.
Mesquite, Nevada, along with the Moapa /
Overton, Nevada area and Beaver Dam / Scenic, Arizona area, are three
rural communities near the Nevada / Arizona / Utah borders, where soccer
has mostly been considered a recreational league sport, played greatly at
the local Recreational Center, until players reach middle school age.
Vast rivalries have been developed between the schools in intramural
sports, leaving one to wonder how these school rivals could become good
enough team mates and soccer players to participate in a Competitive
League.
HEART. That sums it up. While
skill is important, good coaching a necessity and parent / community
participation greatly needed, HEART has united these handful of players to
get Mesquite Soccer Academy off the ground. Each of the three valley
areas did not have enough players to make one full team to compete.
Combined, they had enough to make two girls teams. With one single
phone call, they had enough boys to make at least two teams.
Unfortunately, there were no coaches for the boys, causing the boys to
miss this season's competition.
In less than three months, MSA has three
teams ready for competition. Invited by the Southern Utah Soccer
Association (SUSA) to join their competitions, MSA has a place to play
soccer.
Valley Treo was named for the 'bridging' of
the three valley areas. Treo is the girls competitive league.
Current areas of competition are U17 and U15. Each team goes through
rigorous training three times a week.
Mesquite Fire is also a girl's competitive
team. Their current area of competition is U10. Although
they are a girls team, they are co-ed, at this time.
The MSA program teaches far more than
soccer, Each athlete carries with them a sense of pride, good
citizenship, and an ability to not only play soccer, but bridge gaps that
appeared to be unreachable only one year ago.
Training includes, but is certainly not
limited to, skill development, competitive skills, communication and
self-esteem. The players are expected to respect themselves, as well
as their opponents. They are expected to give 100% to the game,
without fear of losing. They are expected to make practice, unless
otherwise excused and to carry their self-respect with them on the field
and into everyday life. They are expected to maintain good grades in
school. They are SPECIAL!
MSA is currently operated 100% by
volunteers, donations and grants. Your help is greatly need and
appreciated to help make this program successful.
You can make donations directly from our
website, or you can mail your contribution to:
Mesquite Soccer Academy
PO Box 3384
Mesquite, NV 89027
If you would like to
volunteer as a coach, or serve on any committee, please contact our
Program Manager:
Shawnda Nowery
(702) 523-9707
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