Kicking Out The Coronavirus: Soccer Club Keeps Kids Active

GLENVIEW, IL — Knowing it was the right thing to do even if it would hurt financially, the Glenview Soccer Club/FC-1 was one of only a few soccer clubs in Chicagoland to issue both a credit and refund for the past spring season that was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The youth soccer organization is known for traveling to compete against other clubs, something that is much more difficult with the current state of affairs.

"While there are certainly challenges, as with all businesses during the COVID days, we feel as though we are extremely well-positioned," said Anthony Youhanna, executive director of the club.

Founded in 1980, the Glenview Youth Soccer Association manages the Glenview Soccer Club. Boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 11 have played under the name Glenview Titans for more than 15 years.

GYSA's soccer program for older children between the ages of 12-17 is called the FC-1 Academy and draws players from Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette and surrounding areas.

Youhanna, along with board member Darrin Baim, said the not-for-profit club has elected not to increase registration fees for the upcoming season.

"We are committed to accessibility for our families, and we feel very fortunate that we are able to take these steps, even in these difficult times," Youhanna said. "While these measures have led to some short-term financial challenges, the Club remains well-positioned financially, and we are trying to take a long-term approach to these issues."

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With these types of choices, he says the club is putting the community first by deepening ties that will in turn set the club up for success down the road. Before the pandemic, the club was able to offer many economically-disadvantage families "full-ride" scholarships. Though Youhanna admits this just isn't feasible at this time, he hopes to be able to start that part of the program up again in the future.

The club has also taken a number of important active measures to enhance the safety of players, parents and coaches. These precautions include:

• Social distancing stations
• Temperature checks
• Screening questions
• Symptoms screening
• No sharing of bibs
• 25 player intrasquad team
• Attendance for contact tracing purposes
• Quarantine list
• No parents allowed at practice
• Only one parent per family at games

Youhanna said sign-up numbers remain strong, but not surprisingly, are down a bit.

"Some families do not feel it is safe for their children, which we understand and respect. Some have elected to hold their children out because competitive league-play remains in question," Youhanna said. "We feel fortunate that we still have hundreds of kids participating and that, while our numbers are slightly down, we are still able to provide high quality soccer to so many players."

As with other contact sports, restrictions are in place in Illinois for travel soccer. Despite this, Youhanna believes the club can still provide "robust programming" for players. Travel soccer has recently moved forward with practices and intrasquad scrimmage games. Competitive games have been suspended until further notice.

"Families are eager to get back on the sidelines to watch their kids compete. As a Club, we offer intra-club scrimmages and these have been well-received," Youhanna said. "We hope to get back to competitive play in the next few weeks. In the meantime, we are looking for scrimmage games and tournaments in Indiana and Wisconsin, where games are permitted."

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Youhanna and Baim admit getting kids to remember all the COVID-19 safety guidelines all the time can be challenging. They say kids are cooperative for the most part, but some are forgetful from time to time. This is when the coaches become vigilant and when the kids are reminded, it usually clicks and the players are back in line following directions.

"Our biggest challenge is players walking to the field because they naturally gravitate to each other, wanting to socialize, so they forget about the social distancing," Youhanna said. "Once they get close enough to see the cones, they slowly start to distance themselves. Again, quick reminders bring the players back into compliance."

He says that parents have been overwhelmingly positive about how the club is handling things during the pandemic.

"Parents are grateful their kids can get out of the house and continue to be active. They see their children developing and improving and, most importantly, having fun," Youhanna said.

To learn more about Glenview Soccer Club/FC-1, visit here.