Concerned about violence and crime in the community, Oscar Zepeda thought a free soccer league for youths as young as age 4 might get both children and their families involved in a constructive activity and moving in a positive direction.
Zepeda, who publishes Puro Futbol, a Spanish-English bilingual weekly newspaper for Lake and Kenosha counties, went to North Chicago School District 187 officials two years ago. They provided funding and the facilities.
La Liga Puro Futbol was born.
Parents talk between games at La Liga Puro Futbol soccer. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)
Opening with a summer league, 350 youngsters between the ages of 4 and 13 registered. The league provides equipment, uniforms, shoes, officials and everything else necessary for the athletes to compete at no cost to families.
“This is about crime prevention,” Zepeda said. “This is to keep kids from getting involved with gangs and drugs. The idea is they’ll come out, play and get involved. The competition is healthy.”
After state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Gurnee, saw the success, she thought a similar league could do the same thing in Waukegan. She took the necessary steps to provide funding through the state.
Registration is underway for Waukegan’s La Liga Puro Futbol for any Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 student between 4 and 13 to play in one of five age-appropriate divisions, with games starting in May for the summer league.
“All of the kids come out of the woodwork to play soccer,” Mayfield said. “They learn sportsmanship, and to lose gracefully. The energy in this program is truly spectacular. It goes beyond sports. It’s about childhood development. It’s about violence prevention.”
With several hundred more than 300 youngsters registered since late March as of Tuesday, Zepeda said he anticipates approximately 500 players in the league’s five age brackets. There will be 12 players on a team, and eight teams per division.
With all teams consisting of both boys and girls together as teammates, Zepeda said age groupings are 4 and 5; 6 and 7; 8 and 9; 10 and 11; as well as 12 and 13. Teams are made as competitive as possible with each other. Once they start playing, other things melt away, he said.
“When the kids start playing they don’t see color,” Zepeda said. “They just see players. They learn discipline, and how to be part of a team.”
Comradery exists between parents cheering on their children. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)
Games and practices will take place at Whittier Elementary School in Waukegan for the new league. He said practices will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and games on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Along with the youngsters playing together with teammates and competing against each other, Mayfield said she has noticed bonding among parents and families in the North Chicago league. She hopes to see the same as the season progresses in Waukegan.
“Parents are involved, too,” Mayfield said. “The parents are energized for this program. It’s truly spectacular to see the energy at the games.”
District 187 Superintendent John Price said getting families involved with a positive activity for their children was the primary reason the schools funded the league. Price said he asked Zepeda how the Puro Futbol newspaper could help.
“He said, ‘Start a soccer league,’” Price said. “It’s really been about family engagement from day one. It’s given us the opportunity to engage in an informal setting with hundreds of our parents every single week.”
Diana Puentes is a North Chicago resident with three children — ages 6, 9 and 13 — in the original league since it started two years ago. She likes what it does for them.
“It keeps them busy,” she said. “It’s better than staying home and watching television. It’s a good experience for them. They are playing and making friends”
“The value of that to our families post-COVID has just gone through the roof,” Price added. “It’s important to make friends and play outside.”
With officials for games between teams in the younger age groups often coming from experienced players in the program, or teens just a little older, Zepeda said he has the opportunity to give young people their first jobs. Referees are paid. That part of the program will move to Waukegan as well.
One of those officials is Alexis Rodriguez, a North Chicago Community High School student. While he said he appreciates the money, there is more to the job than compensation.
“I really like soccer, and being here helping the players,” he said. “I’m helping them learn to play the game and follow the rules. They’re learning how to be respectful to each other.”
