The 2014 FIFA World Cup may have come to a close, but soccer fever is reaching new heights inside The Woodlands Soccer City.
Soccer City is a two-field indoor soccer complex that offers camps, skills training and competitive soccer leagues for thousands of players of all ages in The Woodlands.
At the moment, the youngest player at the facility is 4 years old, and the oldest is 74, Director of Operations Geoff Wilding said.
Wilding opened the facility in 2012 to share his passion for the sport with local residents, and to give soccer players a break from the Texas heat.
"I am a soccer fanatic—it is in my blood—and obviously there are a lot of soccer players in this area," Wilding said. "We wanted to be a part of the soccer family in this area. I felt that this type of facility was required to beat the heat."
Interest in soccer has been increasing throughout the United States, Wilding said.
Soccer City aims to impress young competitors with the traditional sports values of good sportsmanship, a positive attitude and teamwork.
"It is a phenomenal increase [in interest]," he said. "It starts with the kids playing at 3, 4, or 5 years of age. Especially with the USA doing so well. They had a great World Cup, and interest has increased with that respect."
From a lifestyle point of view, Wilding said soccer raises a player's fitness levels, improves balance and coordination, and promotes a healthy diet.
"It is a sport where you can play it at any size, any age," he said. "You don't have to be a 7-foot basketball player, or a 300-pound linebacker. I think parents realize this now and want to get their kids into a sport that they can learn, play and [is a good way to] exercise."
While the complex offers a mix of youth, men's, coed and senior leagues, Wilding said the games are often very competitive.
"Kids by nature are very competitive anyway, but [the competition is not like] the World Cup final," Wilding said. "On the adult side, the men's league is very competitive, the coed teams we have are very good teams as well, and the older guys are fairly competitive as well. We have a healthy competition level here."
Soccer City leagues
Soccer City offers a variety of leagues, camps and individual training programs for children as young as 3 years of age, to men and women 40 years of age and older.
Youth leagues:
Preschool leagues: ages 3–5Youth leagues: ages 7–10Home school: First grade and upAdults
Men's leagueCoed30 years old and up40 years old and upThe price of soccer
Birthday parties
Twelve children for $250$10 each additional childEnd of season party
$200Field rentals
$100 per hour (full field)$60 per hour (half field)Skills training
$60 per session (one through threesessions)$50 per session (four or more sessions)
2590 FM 1488 Conroe 936-441-4625
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 4–11 p.m.,Sat. 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 1–8 p.m.
