The popularity of youth soccer has taken off in Minnesota, and playing space is at a premium.

Friday, January 19, 2001

The popularity of youth soccer has taken off in Minnesota, and playing space is at a premium. New legislation, authored by Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, aims to help youth soccer programs in schools and communities find suitable space for practices and games.

Dorman’s bill would allocate $12 million in state funding for a grant program to build new soccer fields across the state.

&uot;Soccer in Minnesota has never been more popular,&uot; said Dorman, who has two boys of his own involved in soccer. &uot;Kids of all ages are getting involved, and as a result, playing space hasn’t kept up with demand.&uot;

Dorman introduced similar legislation last year after listening to soccer parents from Albert Lea and other cities that support soccer programs. His bill funded Youth Enrichment Grants to develop soccer fields statewide.

The response to the bill was tremendous, Dorman said, and 68 communities were awarded the grants to design, refurbish, equip or construct soccer fields or facilities.

Dorman’s 2001 bill would allow the Amateur Sports Commission to make matching grants to political subdivisions of the state such as school districts, counties or municipalities.

These matching contributions may include an in-kind donation of land, access roadways, landscaping or parking. The first $20,000 of a grant must be matched by the recipients.

&uot;I think the grant program would give a boost to a lot of community soccer programs,&uot; Dorman said. &uot;It’s not just finding space that we’re trying to accomplish, it’s real soccer fields. A lot of programs are playing in grassy fields with nets at either end.&uot;

More than 70,000 kids participate in soccer programs in Minnesota, Dorman said.