Our Lady of Guadalupe soccer program begins eighth season

More than 220 children ages 5 to 15 gathered May 31 at the Boys and Girls Club soccer fields on Belvidere Street E. in St.Paul for the opening ceremonies and first games of the Soccer and Scouting Our Lady of Guadalupe Soccer program. The non-competitive league, designed to get the children of the parish out of the house to get some exercise in the summer, is in its eighth season.

“We started as a competition league, but after four summers we changed to a friendly league where the idea is not competing, but learning skills and playing together,” said Father Kevin Kenney, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. “It truly has been a wonderful and inspirational league.”

The parish has teamed up with sponsors The Boys and Girls Club and the Boy Scouts of America to keep the program going. After each game, players are encouraged to stay for various Scouting activities. The program runs from May 31 through July 27.

Photos by Dianne Towalski