FOR THE FUN, FOR THE KIDS, FOR THE SPORT

                This statement is the basis of what we do and who we are at Piedmont Area Soccer Association.

In 1987 the three local area youth soccer programs: Unionville Soccer Association, Fairview Soccer Association, and New Salem Soccer Association got together and formed Piedmont Area Soccer Association (PASA) with one main purpose: to provide a program that, not only teaches soccer @ the recreation level, but tries to make it fun for the kids in the Piedmont High School District.

                In 1995, with available playing fields slowly disappearing due to school expansions, PASA joined with Rec. Baseball & Rec. Softball to create Piedmont Recreation Association. The group purchased land off  Zebulon Williams Rd. where they now play along with Piedmont Babe Ruth, Piedmont Football & Piedmont Cheerleading.

                “Fun” is a major aspect of what we strive for. Our philosophy is that winning is not held as high a standard as fun and learning. Winning is something that truly becomes important when in High School & in College, not necessarily in Rec. Although we do participate in league play (Union County Soccer Assn.) where wins and losses count, our coaches are taught that it will not become the main goal of the team or reasons for playing certain players.

                “The Kids” are what we are about. Developing a connection between the player and the ball is the most important aspect of basic training. the more ball touches, the more time spent with the ball, the repetitiveness of drills is what makes a player great. We look to play everyone as much as possible to ensure that he / she gets as much opportunity to be involved in the game.

                As with our new players, many of our coaches too, are new to the sport. We (as an association) try to encourage our parents to get involved at an early stage. We try to provide (and are constantly improving)  training and support for our new Coaches, as well as providing the necessary equipment to help them do their job.

                Soccer is the biggest “sport” worldwide, played in over 200 countries on all seven continents. Although just barely getting its roots set in this country, (PASA) looks to introduce the sport to as many kids as possible. Soccer is a true team sport. Everyone on the field is an attacker and a defender, positions are not set in stone and the non-stop flow of the game makes for constant excitement. More importantly, the sport does not segregate players based on speed, agility, size or gender. Anyone can play it, anyone can learn it, and anyone can be great at it.

In the last few years, with the development of the middle school soccer program, PASA has now become more of a feeder program than just a recreational program. Majority of the youth playing middle school soccer have gone through the PASA program. There now finally exists a link between Youth Recreation soccer, Middle School Soccer, and the High School Soccer Programs.

                Although we are a non-profit organization and run totally by volunteers, we have provided services and donated materials for the improvement of the local schools that feed our program. In the last three years we have donated soccer goals to Unionville Elementary, Fairview Elementary, and helped purchased goals for New Salem Elementary. We also help provide paint and storage facilities for the Middle School Soccer Program. We also look to get more involved in supporting physical fitness in our Elementary and Middle Schools.

                Thank You

                Soccer Commissioner