By R. Vincent Tupaz
For Variety

SOCCER organizations are accepting youngsters to learn to play, hone and enjoy the island’s fastest growing sport.
The Dededo Soccer Club, the Crushers Football Club and the Isla Sports Association and other clubs are inviting the island’s youth to participate in the sport this Spring season.
At Dededo, the Soccer Club invites children born between 1995 and 1994 to participate and register at the Dededo Sports Complex. Practice for those 12 years old and under or the U6-U12, is from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the U14 and U16 players meet at the Benavente Middle School from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Birth certificates or official identification showing ones age must be brought for new players.
The Dededo Soccer Club is led by Guam Football Association vice president Pascual Artero. Contact him at 720-9712. The Dededo Soccer Club’s sister organization the Isla Sports Association Islanders will alternate their practice times on Mondays and Wednesdays. Contact Coach Jean Cepeda at 482-9779.
“I encourage parents to bring their kids to the soccer fields at the Dedeo Sports Complex field or any of our clubs around the island. Just get them out to a positive, family friendly avenue,” stated Artero. “This is certainly better than them doing nothing.”
The Crushers can be found at the Tiyan Soccer Field on Monday’s and Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m. Practice runs through to 6:30 p.m. and began yesterday. Contact Carla at 777-7227.
A host of soccer clubs can be found around the island as well as teams prepare for the spring league. Visit the Guam Football Federation’s website at www.guamfootball.com <http://www.guamfootball.com/>, to catch up on the latest happenings in the island’s soccer community.
Artero invites all to come and learn to play, “The island’s number one sport.”
Artero added that the growth of soccer on Guam over the last several years is owed to the many hardworking players, coaches, officials, parents and sponsors. “I just want to thank everyone who have helped in developing soccer on Guam. We’re getting recognized internationally and locally. We’re developing a bottom up program so that our kids can be soccer players for life. Whether they’re playing, officiating, coaching, or parents of up and coming soccer players, this sport breeds a lot of family and community togetherness.”