Youth Soccer returns to Breckenridge after three-year hiatus

June 23

10:30 2023

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By Nathalie Wilhite/Breckenridge Texan

Breckenridge Youth Soccer is back! With only two weeks of games left, the members of the Soccer League Board reflect on this year and share hopes for next year. It has been a season of learning for all involved, but the main objective has been achieved: to have fun playing soccer.

History of the League

The league was originally established in 2015 by Gustavo Saucedo. Ninety kids played that first year, but interest caught on quickly and by the following year 250 kids were involved in Spring soccer. There was also a board of six members to share the load of orchestrating sign-ups, organizing teams and coaches, getting team sponsors, ordering jerseys and setting up the game schedule. By 2020, Breckenridge soccer was running like a well-oiled machine. Registration was completed and jerseys had been ordered, and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit in full force and the kids were not able to play.

There were attempts to bring soccer back to Breckenridge through the school district in 2021, as soon as restrictions were lifted. When that fell through, the Soccer League Board was dissolved.

Then, Katie Kessler and Michelle Wimberley both approached Cory Wimberley — a former board member — about restarting the soccer league, but it wasn’t until Fall of 2022 that they all committed to organizing a season in Spring 2023.

The Breckenridge Youth Soccer league has two more Saturdays of games scheduled, June 24 and July 1. The games are played on the soccer fields on East Walker Street in the Breckenridge City Park. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite/Breckenridge Texan)

2023 Season and Beyond

After two years of talk, everything finally came together, and Breckenridge Youth Soccer sign-ups were posted in March 2023.

It took longer than expected to round up volunteers to coach all the teams and enroll soccer players, but practices were under way by early May. With 180 kids aged 4 to 17 enrolled, there are 17 teams in four different age groups. Their coaches are mostly parents, many with little experience leading a soccer team, but they all come with a love for the game and a willingness to learn.

Jenny Robertson, coach of the Crusaders (7U), congratulates her team on a win. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite/Breckenridge Texan)

Michelle Wimberley admits that starting the league was somewhat chaotic, with many unexpected delays. “I had no idea what all happens behind the scenes,” she said with a laugh.

Her main goal was for the kids to have fun learning a new sport and to love playing it. She ended up learning a lot about the administration of a soccer league and now feels better prepared for the future.

For the coming year, Wimberley plans to get the sign-up process done faster and start games in early Spring in order to be finished before the heat of summer. She would also like for more people to join the Soccer League Board, which currently consists of its three founding members. She also has a long-range goal of adding a Fall league, but that may be a couple years in the making.

Despite the difficulty COVID-19 restrictions caused the soccer league, this season has been a good start to rebuilding a healthy and fun sports organization.

“Soccer is a tough sport, so seeing the kids come together, playing as a team, scoring a goal – it’s awesome,” Michelle Wimberley said. “Their celebrations and smiles, I love it!”

Click here to see a Photo Gallery from some of the 2023 Breckenridge Youth Soccer games.

Upcoming Games

All games are played at the soccer fields on East Walker Street, near the Breckenridge City Park (aka Miller Park).

Saturday, June 24

Field 1
8:30 a.m. Intensity VS Crusaders (7U)
9:15 a.m. Kickaroos VS Gators (7U)
10 a.m. Los GoalBusters VS Vipers (10U)
11 a.m. Hot Shotz VS GoalStoppers (10U)

Field 2
8:30 a.m. USA VS Predators (12U)
9:15 a.m. Bucks VS Patriots (17U)

Field 3
8:30 a.m. Little Rascals VS Sharks (5U)
9:15 a.m. No Hands VS Bby Bucks (5U)

Saturday July 1, 2023

Field 1
8:30 a.m. Hot Shotz VS Strikers (10U)
9:30 v GoalStoppers VS Los GoalBusterrs (10U)
10:30 a.m. Vipers VS Strikers (10U)

This season, 180 kids aged 4 to 17 enrolled in the Breckenridge Youth Soccer. League organizers put together 17 teams in four different age groups. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite/Breckenridge Texan)

The Breckenridge Youth Soccer teams Hot Shotz (10U) and Los GoalBusters (10U) congratulate each other on a game well played. Click here to see more photos from the league’s recent games. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: The Kickaroos (7U) and Intensity (7U) try to get to the ball in a recent Breckenridge Youth Soccer game. This season’s final games will be played on June 24 and July 1. (Photo by Nathalie Whilite/Breckenridge Texan)