JACKSON SOCCER GROUP TO WRAP UP SPRING SEASON

The Jackson Area Organized Soccer Association is about to wrap up its spring season.

The kindergarten through second-grade field is on Highway 72, just past the Highway PP intersection. There is a new sign, which follows the same graphics as the Litz Park sign, that has just been put into place. It's a burgundy sign with green pine trees and a sun.

Soccer is a coed sport at the kindergarten level where children learn what to do with the ball and how the game works. Somehow, after a few practices, the children are on the field playing a real game.

The first-graders stay on the same team for fall and spring seasons. One coach, Tim Lappe, likes this idea as do most parents.

Lappe says he'd like to continue to coach the same children, and after a while the coaches get to know the children's personalities and which approach works to get them to play their best and develop as good soccer players.

Lappe is very supportive, positive and encouraging to the boys.

Lappe became a coach last fall because he enjoyed helping kids learn to play the game and give them a boost in self -esteem. He'd like to spend more time at it, but generally volunteers three hours a week between games and practice.

He'll continue to coach as long as he's needed. As a youth ,Lappe participated in football, soccer, basketball and wrestling and would feel comfortable coaching those sports also.

Lappe said the soccer association would be better if coaches taught "all the kids" and didn't just promote the all stars."