Augusta FC keeps expanding

In an attempt to elevate the level of soccer in the area, as well as to make it more accessible, the Augusta Futbol Club will open a new set of recreation fields in Staunton, Club officials said.

The Club will also be adding futsal in the winter — a variation of indoor soccer.

The preexisting rec fields are located at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.

“Staunton’s a solid location,” said Augusta FC President Britt Becker. “We’re just taking over the maintenance.”

Continuing its trend of expansion, Augusta FC is also starting a youth futsal program for the winter. Soccer is a two-season sport — spring and fall. With futsal, players will not have winter too.

“It allows us to get kids playing soccer in the winter months,” Becker said. “Right now there is no youth futsal in the area.”

Futsal is essentially indoor soccer. There are generally two teams of five who play on a basketball sized court. The league will initially be open to U-11 through U-18. If the turnout is more than what is expected, two leagues will be formed and a second place to play will have to be found, Becker said.

As of now, the only place that has agreed to allow court space to be used during basketball season is Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro. A second place is being sought in Staunton, Becker said.

Any proceeds taken in from the futsal will be split with the school.

“As we grow we have the opportunity to offer much more,” Becker said.

And grow the group has.

Former in 2007 by a merger of the Blue Ridge Soccer Association, Staunton Steam and the Woodrow Wilson Soccer Club, Augusta FC has gone from about 300 kids playing rec ball to roughly 600, according to its Web site.

During the summer, Augusta FC will be conducting different soccer camps for players who want to further their knowledge and abilities. Varsity players from both Wilson Memorial and Waynesboro high schools will be there to help coach and interact with the kids. Any proceeds that may be taken from these camps will be divvied up three ways - each of the schools will get a third.

Improving the level of play that the kids are capable of wouldn’t take the league very far if the coaches couldn’t keep up, Becker said, so the Augusta FC is also offering coaching camps during the summer season.

Becker said although the improvement won’t be seen immediately, improving the level of coaching ability will eventually produce better players in the future as well as stirring up more excitement for the sport.

“We want to be a part of the community, instead of just feeding off it,” Becker said.