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Community-run indoor soccer league draws hundreds, district highlights role supporting youth activity
Summary
District staff and community volunteers described a winter indoor soccer league held at Foothills Middle School that attracted about 286 participants across 22 teams; the program aims to keep youth engaged in healthy activity and strengthen community ties to the district.
WENATCHEE, Wash. — The Wenatchee School District on April 22 heard from Alfonso Lopez, who described a winter indoor soccer league that used school facilities and drew hundreds of players and volunteers.
Lopez, identified in the meeting as the district’s director of Hispanic and Latino relations, said the league began about two years ago and used Foothills Middle School gym space on Sundays to accommodate participants. He said the league ran October through March and that the most recent winter season had 22 teams and roughly 286 participants, including players, coaches and volunteers.
Lopez summarized the program’s goals as offering students “another outlet for students to engage in healthy and productive activities” and said the league motto is “educate yourself, stay in schools, play fair, and enjoy your league.” He said district staff attended games and talked with parents about partnerships and community involvement.
Coaches Jason Gonzalez and another coach (first name John in the transcript) told the board the winter league helped players maintain skills during the off season. Gonzalez said, “This is amazing for these boys… The kids look forward to it,” and another coach said the league kept students active and off screens.
Lopez said adults also participate in the league and that he promotes games via a Facebook page he operates called Wenatchee football news. He said organizers are looking ahead to public outreach events and will continue seeking ways to make the program sustainable, noting that much of the operational work — setup, announcing and promotion — has relied on Lopez and family volunteers.
Board members praised the partnership and asked staff to consider sustainability and district support. The board said it wants to ensure organizers receive ongoing support so the program can continue and expand without relying on a single individual for day-to-day operations.
Sources: remarks by Alfonso Lopez and volunteer coaches during the April 22 Wenatchee School District board meeting.
