September 5, 2011 -- The Scotch Plains Fanwood Soccer Association (SPFSA) announced today it will continue the popular SPFSA Middle School Soccer Challenge – a 10-week program created to replace the playing and training time lost to 7th and 8th grade student athletes after the cancellation of the Terrill Middle School and Park Middle School soccer programs due to budget cuts. In its inaugural year, more than 100 middle school students took part in the program.

 

The SPFSA Middle School Soccer Challenge is open to all 7th and 8th Grade students (public, private and parochial school students) residing in the Scotch Plains Fanwood School District. Directed by long-time local soccer coach Mike Walch, the multifaceted program will feature:

 

Masters Mondays Skills Training -- A weekly training program where a former SPFHS State Champion or All State/County Player will be the “Guest Master” and teach a specific soccer topic.  In addition, each session will include soccer skill dril ls and speed/agility/quickness/core training led by staff trainers including SPFHS coaches and former HS players.  Start time is approximately 7pm for both girls and boys.

Friday Night Lights Games – Preserving the in-town rivalry between the Park and Terrill Middle School soccer teams, the 7^th and 8^thgraders will be split into Park and Terrill teams (based upon their geographic location) for weekly games.& nbsp; There will be boys and girls teams.  This year we will seek to play other towns also.  First game starts at approximately 7pm.

Online registration for the SPFSA Middle School Challenge is now open at www.scotchplainsfanwoodsoccer.com.  The program, expected to begin on Monday, September 19, is open to all 7^th and 8^th grade level children residing in Scotch Plains and Fanwood.  Participation does not require current participation in SPFSA InterCounty or Travel soccer programs.  The fee for the program is $75.00 for children currently enrolled in SPFSA programs and $100.00 for non-SPFSA players.