Healdsburg launches new youth soccer program

Responding to a public outcry for more youth soccer activities, members of the Healdsburg Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday gave their blessing to a new city soccer program for area kids ages 4 to 10 to start this summer.

 Sonja Drown, Healdsburg Parks and Recreation manager, told commission members that 125 residents signed a petition calling for a youth soccer program, and "we are responding to what the community said they wanted," she said.

Healdsburg has not run a parks and recreation soccer program -- or basketball or baseball programs -- for many years, mostly leaving those  duties to schools or competitive leagues, according to commission members.

But now, it looks like there are some gaps that need to be filled, said commission member Jay Tripathi, a former president of the in the late 1990s.

"This is a soccer community," Tripathi said. "There is a lot of interest in soccer."

More than 25 soccer parents, players and coaches attended Wednesday's meeting to show their support for the new program.

"We're here because we would like that all the kids, including the younger kids, be able to play soccer," said group spokesman Hector Maya, a NorCal League soccer coach who works in Healdsburg and lives in Cloverdale.

Maya said the city's $65 fee -- with scholarships available -- was more affordable than the Healdsburg Youth Soccer League which charges a reported $120, he said.

Also, the city program would be non-competitive and would be open to younger children, filling a gap left by the  HYSL, which starts at age 8 and is competition-oriented.

Kids could still join the competitive league later on, after they have gained confidence in the city program, said Alan Finnie, recreation coordinator for the Healdsburg Parks and Recreation Department.

"A lot of kids don't want to do that (competitive play)," Finnie said. "Lots of kids just want to learn about the game, play for 10 weeks and then get ready for the next sport."

Drown said the new program would not conflict with Healdsburg Youth Soccer League. She said she hoped it would be cooperative, although she added that the league officials had not responded to her inquiries about coordinating programs.

Maya also said he and others were dissatisfied with a lack of contact from HYSL.

"There's no communication," he said. "We ask when it starts, and they say, 'Sorry, registration was two weeks ago.'"

No members of the Healdsburg Youth Soccer League were present for Wednesday's meeting.

Former HYSL after a investigation alleged he embezzled almost $58,000 of the league's money by writing 71 checks for his own personal use over a three-year period.

Hoffman, who on Monday  Hoffman's attorney George Arack said his client would seek to raise money to pay full restitution back to the league in an effort to reduce or avoid jail time if he does enter a guilty plea.

Drown, of the Healdsburg Parks and Recreation Department, said registration --which is open to all, including children in other towns -- will start Friday, May 13, for the program that begins in August. Full details are available by phone at 707-431-3301 or online at www.healdsburgparksandrecreation.org.