Red Oak fields new soccer club

Charm Carpenter
The Red Oak Express
Over the past years, there have been several attempts to have a soccer club in Red Oak for the children of the community. It has always been a voluntary effort that would show huge interest but become sporadic due to different elements including time, lack of proper space to play the game, and the absence of a constant number of coaches with knowledge and love for the sport. Soccer is also not a school- sanctioned sport in the district, which caused some problems in the past.
This past spring, a group of volunteers started to work with a group of 35 kids, aged 7 to 13, at Kelly Park for a recreational league. It was successful enough for the group to create the Red Oak Soccer Club, in collaboration with the YMCA.
As of Nov. 3, the club received notification from the Iowa Soccer Association and has become affiliated.
The Red Oak Soccer Club is lead by a group of volunteer coaches, all a part of the Red Oak community, with knowledge, experience and interest for the sport. Dr. Eduard Grass, Julian Vasquez, Jonathan Balta, and Aaron Perez, along with the YMCA programs director, John Blomstedt, have set the ball in motion.
“Four months ago, a group of high schoolers contacted us with the definitive interest of formal training in the sport of soccer,” Grass said. “So we began formal practices and games with teams of other communities where the sport is becoming more and more popular.”
The Red Oak Soccer Club has 24 kids aged seven to 12, and 26 kids aged 13 and older enrolled in the program. Currently, all are students of the Red Oak school district, but any child is welcome.
The group meets at Kelly Park for the little ones for practice. The older group needs a space at least the size of a football field for an official game.
Three weeks ago, the younger kids played Clarinda and won all four games.
“It was a very nice soccer festival,” Grass said. “All of our players had the chance to play two games.”
The high school team has played games against the Oakland High School Soccer team. The Riverside school district has soccer as a sanctioned sport, and play both spring and fall.
The format of the games is 11x11 for a full-size soccer field. Four quarters of 20 minutes each make a game.
The first match up was held in Oakland, on Saturday, Oct. 29. The final score was 1-1, with the goal being scored by Florencio Ramos.
“This was a great game for our club,” Grass said. “Oakland has been sanctioned and playing for years. This was our first game and to end in a tie is very impressive.”
After discussions with the Red Oak school district, the soccer club was allowed to host a game on the football field. The home game was played Saturday, Nov. 6, against Oakland, and Red Oak won 4-1.
Goals were scored by Fernando Rivera, Francisico Rohner, Dandro Vera, and Damon Dozier.
“Our goalie, Kindall Rells, and all the defenders and midfielders did an excellent job as well, at keeping the ball out of our net,” Dr. Grass said.
About 60 fans were present to watch the first home game at Benda Field.
“We want to recognize the effort and encouragement of all the players of the Red Oak Soccer Club, Grass said. “It is because of them that we are seeing how soccer is taking off in our town. We also want to thank the school district, especially Barry Bower, for allowing us to play at the main football field.”
The club moves to indoor soccer practice and training at this time. Grass said the coaches will continue to teach the skills to the younger ones, and improve the skills of the older kids. Practices will be held in the Red Oak middle school gym as well as the YMCA.
All of the coaches have experience with the game of soccer. Coaches Grass, Balta, and Vasquez played soccer in college. Currently, Balta is the high school club coach.
If anyone is interested in joining the club, or needing more information, please contact the YMCA.
Grass is optimistic and excited about the spring season.
“Soccer is a very active sport, and good for the health,” Grass said. “There are many local communities with soccer clubs, and I hope to play more games in the spring.”