Soccer program ramps up in Sisters

Outlaws soccer has been a big success in Sisters, with both boys and girls high school teams regular contenders in the state playoffs. Soccer enthusiasts have been working for years to have a consistent soccer program for Sisters kids to participate in and help them grow into Outlaws athletes. Over the past couple of months, David Tolle, Jerry Kaping, Rob Jensen and Eli Ulvi have been working on ways to give young soccer players more opportunities, structure and resources.

Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) and Oregon Rush have partnered to provide a middle school program for boys and girls soccer and will also be working on building fourth- and fifth-grade academy teams on a more competitive level.

Registration for new programs is underway.

The partnership will be able to offer soccer camps, training, 3v3 tournaments, home games, boys and girls teams, and co-ed if needed. Eli Ulvi of Oregon Rush has offered to supply nets, field markers, coaches training, player training and a per-player kickback will be given to SPRD to manage local fields for local games, events and tournaments.

David Tolle and Outlaws boys soccer coach Rob Jensen will be working together to set up a structure for Sisters players and teach them the Outlaw way of soccer. They will also be working with Audrey Tehan, the Sisters High School girls soccer coach. Tolle will be the coaching coordinator, manage and coordinate volunteers, assist with tournament planning and fundraising, and coach one or more teams. Jerry Kaping of SPRD will assist with field maintenance and supplies, fundraising and event and tournament planning.

Soccer tournaments can also provide an economic boost to Central Oregon.

"Visiting COSL teams throughout the fall and spring seasons will possibly spend lunch money in town during a typically low-volume time for tourism," Ulvi noted. "The 3v3 event will eventually bring a bit of money into the community. Overall the benefit is in the youth players getting a proper education and fulfillment of their personal goals as athletes. The high school programs will certainly benefit from better-prepared and developed players."

Jerry Kaping noted that sponsors can benefit from local tournament sponsorships.

"Our local sponsors benefit by more exposure to a different clientele and more exposure to their services and products," he said. "The name of the game in marketing is exposure and hits, with more exposure and more hits to the population this will return the investment they have given to our athletic culture in Sisters."

Cost for registration is $85 and includes a jersey and pair of shorts. After January 1, the cost will increase $10 per player for late

registration.

Register online at http://www.oregonrush.com/index.php/registration. For more information contact David Tolle at 541-848-3194.