Woodland Middle School technology teacher and now girls’ soccer coach Jeff Flanagan talks with his team. Woodland has one of five teams in a newly-formed regional league including schools from Vancouver to Castle Rock
The five teams that make up the recently-created middle school girls soccer league pose for a group shot during a Jamboree Sept. 12 in Woodland.
Woodland Middle School hosted the season’s first soccer jamboree for the first-ever middle school girls soccer league in Clark and Cowlitz counties Sept. 12, with teams from Castle Rock School District, King’s Way Christian Schools, Ridgefield School District and Woodland Public Schools.
The idea for creating a middle school girls soccer league came together as a joint effort when the local athletic directors discussed the need to get more girls interested in school athletics at one of their regular meetings earlier this year.
“At first, we didn’t know if we would have much interest in girls soccer at the middle school level,” Woodland Middle School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Angela Campbell said. “The response was amazing — almost immediately, we had more than 30 girls sign up in Woodland alone.”
In Ridgefield, girls’ interest in soccer was so overwhelming, the middle school created two teams to accommodate all the student athletes who signed up.
“Soccer is an incredibly popular sport in Ridgefield, and an interest survey conducted earlier this year indicated that our girls had a desire to participate in the sport for their school because they already played outside the area,” Ridgefield School District Athletic Director Debbie Bentler said. “When Woodland also expressed an interested in adding a team, it made sense for the athletic directors to join forces and create our own middle school league for Clark and Cowlitz counties.”
Woodland’s success in starting a team in just a few months stemmed from collaborative teamwork throughout the district.
“Our high school program has been incredibly helpful by lending us equipment and uniforms to get going, and our district maintenance team has been amazing getting the field ready by painting lines and performing grounds maintenance,” Campbell said. “Right now, we’re fundraising for new goal posts and all kinds of equipment including balls, uniforms, and much, much more.”
Jeff Flanagan, an avid athlete himself and a teacher at Woodland Middle School since 1998, jumped at the chance to coach his school’s team after promoting the idea for a middle school team for years.
“I asked our school to consider adding a girls team four years ago when I was head coach of the high school team in order to increase interest in girls soccer at a younger age,” Flanagan said. “At the time, there were too many obstacles to put a league together, but the timing was perfect to start one up this year.”
For Flanagan, his adoration for coaching comes from his love of teaching and the game of soccer.
“I love the game and I really enjoy being with our amazing athletes,” he said. “Watching students progress and develop both as players and as individuals is truly fulfilling both as a coach and as a teacher.”
Student interest in a girls soccer league is nothing new to Woodland Middle School. Some students pushed for a team by reaching out to the school’s administrators.
“I started playing soccer in kindergarten and I thought a team at the middle school would be a great addition to the school,” said seventh grader BrookLynn Donald. “Last year, I wrote a letter to the principal and assistant principal to let them know that sports are important for girls because they offer a different avenue of participation than traditional girls activities.”
Student reaction to the start of the league has been positive.
“We’ve been asking to have a soccer league for a long time, so now that it’s actually happening, we’re really pumped and excited,” seventh-grade student Jaylee Graham said. “I’ve always loved soccer since I started playing when I was six. I like how soccer is both a fast-moving and a mental game.”
Team captain and Woodland Middle School eighth-grade student Bella Mattison agreed with Graham.
“Soccer is really fast, really fun and a lot more physical than other sports,” Mattison said. “As both team captain and the ASB president, I like how sports teach leadership and the importance of working together.”
Campbell also touted the proven importance of school athletics and extracurricular activities in students’ academic careers.
“Athletics and other extracurricular activities are instrumental in instilling self-confidence in our students and also teaching them valuable leadership skills,” Campbell explained. “In addition, after-school activities motivate students to perform well in school since students have to maintain a certain grade point average and submit weekly grade checks to ensure they’re qualified to participate.”
Woodland Middle School plans to add a second team next year to accommodate the ever-increasing level of interest.
“With more than 30 girls this year, we could have had two small teams, but we decided to go with one big team in order to gauge interest and test the waters,” Campbell said. “We're definitely hoping to have two teams next year.”
Those interested in supporting the middle school girls soccer team in Woodland can give donations at the Woodland Middle School main office located at 725 Park St., Woodland, and get more information by calling 360-841-2850.
— Source: Woodland
Public Schools
