Families Enjoy Spring "Soccer Saturdays"

On Saturday, CUYS families enjoyed Soccer Saturday and lunch at Chester’s Memorial Park in connection with Youth Development United activities including the latest installment of Career Discovery Day, featuring jobs at the library, and a musical instrument petting zoo hosted by Keep Music Alive.

“It's always wonderful to work with the youth in Chester with soccer. They are always very receptive and appreciative of what this soccer program has to offer,” noted Head Coach Titus Robinson, who helped make the day happen.

Most Soccer Saturdays this spring have been run by our friend Nick Bibbs and his SWAG Soccer staffers. This dedicated group will continue providing free weekend soccer for all ages at Chester Charter Scholars Academy through July 22.

“Soccer Saturdays’ have been a longstanding tradition during the ten years that Chester Upland Youth Soccer has been in existence. Before the pandemic, players and their families could count on at least four fun-filled weekend events each season. Sometimes DJs and bouncy houses provided additional opportunities for fun. Regularly, Ian’s Boots set up tables giving away shoes and cleats, and other community partners also generously participated.

Sadly, pandemic restrictions prohibited us from having Soccer Saturdays in the spring and fall of 2020. We all appreciated when, in March 2021, we were able to resume our weekend fun, even though we were required to wear masks while playing. We held nine Soccer Saturdays between March and June that year, and provided giveaways of groceries, clothing, books and toys in collaboration with a variety of invaluable partners.

In July 2021, we launched a new format for Soccer Saturdays: “Goals in Gardens.” This initiative gave pandemic-weary families the opportunity to visit novel, inspiring destinations outside of their own hometowns, and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature while also enjoying soccer, lunch and other free benefits. The program has been held at Swarthmore College’s Scott Arboretum, Media’s Rose Tree Park, Villanova’s Willows Park Preserve, Newtown Square’s Garrett Williamson Farm, Wallingford’s Community Arts Center and a variety of other appealing locations.

CUYS will continue its tradition of supporting Soccer Saturdays and other uplifting weekend fun for families in connection with its Youth Development United programs that introduce new sports, provide opportunities to engage with the arts, and to enjoy other positive forms of wellness and personal development. Please check the schedule for activities and consider supporting such events with a donation of time or money in any amount.