Soccer - The benefits for our youth & community
The effects of Covid-19 on mind & body
ASC United Angus, Alliston United, Brampton North Soccer and MADD 4 SOCCER are committed to running outdoor summer soccer programming for the health of our youth and communities this summer 2021. We will design programs to fit the COVID guidelines and restriction to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our participants.
Since the first reports of COVID-19, worldwide response to the virus has resulted in strict regulations to help control its spread. While necessary, this has had a massive impact on individuals, adults, children, and families. It has significantly impacted the mental health and physical well being of our communities and our youth.
When the environment changes people begin to feel unsafe and anxious, when outbreaks such as SARS have occurred research has shown spikes in anxiety occur (Usher, Durkin, & Bhullar, 2020). Fear surrounding the uncertainty of contracting thevirus, loved ones falling ill, number of cases, the economy, job security and child careraises anxiety in both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing mental healthconcerns (Usher, Durkin, & Bhullar, 2020). “Individuals, families, and communities experience feelings of hopelessness, despair, greif, bereavement, and profound loss of purpose because of pandemics” (Usher, Durkin, & Bhullar, 2020 pg. 29). According toUsher, Durkin, & Bhullar (2020) recovery from the negative impacts of the pandemic need to include ways to address mental health and the increasing social isolation experienced by community members and particularly our youth.
One way of achieving this is through organized sports. Structured appropriately and with safety measures in place regarding COVID-19, organized sports such as soccer can have strong positive impacts on mental health. Organized sports have been shown in the academic literature to provide strong psychological, physiological and social benefits that can improve mental health, quality of life, and be protective against further mental health concerns (Swann, Telenta, Draper, Liddle, Fogarty, Hurley, & Vella, 2018). Youthwho engage in organized team sports show a reduction in social anxiety and an increase in social function, mental health and happiness (Hiremath, 2019).
It is our goal to contribute to the care of our community's mental health as we recognizethe need now more than ever. We are working on developing safety protocols for this summer to ensure the safe participation of our youth in outdoor soccer. We want to beable to provide our youth with a space to get out in a safe way. This means we are looking into changing our structure and systems to incorporate pandemic rules such as social distancing. We are also consulting with mental health professionals including KWMental Health and Wellness to be able to support our youth and their families and design our programs accordingly.
"SOMETIMES IT'S THE SMALL STEPS" KWMentalHealth.com - click above and find the support you need!
2021 Outdoor Registration now open!
Get ready to play !
Soccer will finally resume this outdoor season!
The Vaccine Is Finally On It's Way!
Just in time to get the kids out, get them active and having fun again this summer!
We will still be taking all necessary field precautions to keep our members safe until this virus has been eradicated.
School is in and our 2021 Summer Soccer Season is ON!
Register to play for Alliston United or ASC United (Angus)
$ $ Referees Wanted - apply now $ $
Do you have what it takes ?
- Must be 14 years of age or older
- Have played soccer
- Know your soccer rules
- Be Responsible & Reliable
- Assertive and Energetic
- Confident & Controlled
- Be able to handle difficult situations & conflict
- Willing to Learn and willing to Teach
- Committed & Available Tues., Wed., & Thurs., 5:30 to 9:00 pm
- Must attend ALL free Referee Training Sessions
If this is you - Apply by sending an email and resume to
For Angus: Info@ASCUnited.ca -
For Alliston: Info@AllistonUnited.com
Please put REFEREE in the subject line
ASC UNITED ONLINE - Get Ready For Summer!
SKILLS CHALLENGE ONLINE PROGRAM
ALLISTON UNITED & ASC UNITED (Angus) are challenging all of our Tots and Youth players to keep active, stay healthy and get ready for summer.
To get warmed up and ready for the 2021 Outdoor Soccer program click below.
Our COMMUNITY Partners & SPONSORS
