Courtesy: Rexburg Standard Journal


Soccer continues to grow in the upper valley

by Matt Thomas

Friday, November 11, 2011

Madison County has seen an increase in its sports popularity over the last five years, but more specifically in soccer.

The sport continues to be the most popular in the world.

Madison County has now become one of the dominant forces in soccer in the state of Idaho.

Largely due to the fact that Rexburg has year-round programs encouraging students to play soccer and increase their skills even when the frigid cold hits.

Dr. John Allred, former captain of the Brigham Young University soccer team, has created a futsal academy inside of his Rexburg home.

The futsal court is in his basement.

He had the basement customized when he first built his home about a year ago.

The futsal court has been given the name Bombshelter Futsal Academy.

Allred has always wanted to create this academy and has successfully done so.

With the help of multiple coaches in the area, he now holds tournaments and trainings on futsal.

Futsal is a lot like soccer, except it is played in smaller boundaries and uses a smaller ball that is harder than a regular soccer ball. It is also played with fewer players on each team.

Last year was the first Allred had held his academy and it was a success.

This year, it has more than doubled in attendance with 11 teams of five.

The bombshelter is used for beginners, as well as advanced athletes from eighth to 12th grade.

Teams in Madison County have had many successful teams and programs this past year.

The boys junior high team, coached by John Ashby, won 1st place in league.

Coach Dan Dummar lead the Madison High School girls varsity team to a second place finish in the districts tournament, allowing them to compete in the state competition.

In the past six years, the Madison varsity girls have recieved at least 2nd place at districts.

Coach Debbie Miles lead the Madison Junior High girls team to a tie in the championship.

Boys U-12, U-14 and U-16 have all placed in large tournaments throughout Utah and Idaho.

In Rexburg, the city has recognized the growth of soccer and the success that the local youth are having. The city built two full size soccer fields at the new Riverside Park.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com