(click here for the program description)

In a world where children can no longer play outside without supervision, parents and coaches have taken over the games of youth soccer.  The competitive drive adults bring to the game means youngsters no longer have time to fall in love with soccer, to play for fun and thus truly to develop their skills.  “We are concerned that the beautiful game is in decline. Soccer for children is now very different from earlier generations when the only adult involvement was a call from your mum that your tea was ready. Soccer is no longer beautiful for our kids anymore: it's ugly,” says Paul Cooper, the founder of the Dutch UK Football School and the Give Us Back Our Game™ movement.

“The current match day programs in the recreational leagues in this area have not always been working in the best interest of the younger children,” says Mike Tutterow, President of the Upstate Soccer Alliance.  “There is at present little choice for children as young as six years old without well meaning coaches turning this into a competitive environment.  We need to give our children the freedom to play simply for the fun it without adult pressure.  That’s why we went looking for a better solution.  We found that solution when we started discussions with Paul Cooper, and we are excited and proud to be the host organization for the Give Us Back Our Game™ training series in the upstate of South Carolina.”

The Give Us Back Our Game™ movement is based out the UK and is now supported by the FA and many well knows European clubs such as Manchester United and Newcastle.  Tony Whelan, the assistant academy manager for the prestigious Manchester United organization explains, "For a young boy (girl), playing football should be one of the most wonderful experiences of their lives, but sadly/regrettably many young players don't find it an enjoyable or pleasurable activity because too many adults (parents/coaches) are getting in the way by over coaching, shouting, screaming and raving, and having a win at all costs philosophy. Unless we adults (who have the power) get our act together on behalf of our young players, we will not have any football at all because young boys simply won't want to play - and who could blame them!"  Moritz Volz, Fulham player & team member of the Germany U21 National Team sums up the movement, "Football should always be about enjoyment above all else, especially for youngsters, because if you don't enjoy it you won't continue to play and to progress. There is definitely a time and a place for football to get serious, but when kids are involved, it's all about making sure it's fun - and that's why I support Give Us Back Our Game™."

Enabled by the support of several community businesses, the new Palmetto Bank “Give Us Back Our Game™” Dutch Soccer Training Series will be piloted this summer at the Upstate Soccer Alliance’s summer camps, and then will be launched into full action this fall on fields across Spartanburg County targeted specifically for the enjoyment and development of the club’s younger players.  4v4 is not a new concept. The Dutch introduced the format into youth soccer in the mid 1980s when they realized that the decline in street football was having a harmful effect on development. “This is something we have never really addressed in the United States.” Says Bob Schuette – charter organizer of the Upstate Soccer Alliance.  “4v4 is the game in its simplest form, while still preserving the main characteristics of the game by keeping both the depth & width of the game.  It is a very flexible format, and you can have as many different 4v4 games as you have kids.  While some organizations insure that ‘Everyone Plays’ in this structure we are able to extend that philosophy to ‘Everyone Plays As Much As They Want’.  Using a variety of games / field structures keep it exciting for the kids and brings out many of the players different skills and creativity that might otherwise be left undeveloped by permitting them to experiment without undue pressure.  There are many opportunities for everyone to score goals,” and score they do.  In games as short as 10 or 12 minutes, scores of 6 to 5 (or even higher) are not unheard of.  “Kids love to kick the ball in the net, this just gives them the best environment to get that thrill while actually working on their skills in a real game environment.”

The U12 and below age groups are some of the most important years for a child to develop both his/her techniques and the passion for the game of soccer.  To keep the costs down, many organizations utilize parents as coaches / trainers who may not know the age appropriate skills that need be taught and/or may not prepared at this early stage to commit to being a coach responsible for a team.  USA has contracted with a professional youth / academy trainer, who will oversee the training of the recreational players and, with the help of volunteer/parent facilitators will enrich the children’s training utilizing this in-house training series.

After just being in existence for just a few short years, the Upstate Soccer Alliance has become the largest, fastest growing, and arguably the most successful developmental / competitive soccer organization in Spartanburg County.  Innovative programs such as this will continue to fuel the passion for both the club and for “the beautiful game.”  For more information on the Give Us Back Our Game™ recreational / developmental soccer series, please visit www.UpstateSoccer.org.