Forsyth Soccer Kids Celebrate “The Beautiful Game”

It’s called “The Beautiful Game." Just ask anyone closely associated with the game, and they’ll have their own reasons as to why. Whether you call it soccer or futbol, its beauty is in its simplicity.

The soccer program in Forsyth County has grown so large over the years that approximately 4,000 kids actively participate each spring and fall season, making this the largest youth participation sport activity in the county.

Without a doubt the county and residents have also greatly benefited from “the beautiful game." As a result of this phenomenal soccer growth, Forsyth County and its Parks and Recreation Department have allocated funds over the years for more multi-use parks and green space just to keep up with the demand, beautiful Fowler Park being the most recent addition to our park system.

In 1999 soccer was just beginning to take hold in Forsyth County when Bob Duffie started coaching here. When not shuttling passengers around the skies for Delta Airlines, Bob dons his all too familiar ‘doo rag’ and steps into the role of youth soccer coach--a passion he’s enjoyed for more than 12 years since becoming a Cumming resident. Back then Bob recalls, “Facilities for the kid’s were non existent, we had to scrap to share football fields in what few parks existed within the county at the time."

Jay Holloway, another transplant to Forsyth County was former Director of Games Scheduling and Facilities for the Forsyth Rowdies as it was formerly known and states: “Scheduling games was a nightmare as the program took hold and with its growing popularity there was virtually no end in sight. We simply did not have enough usable field space."

Coach Duffie adds, “Facilities have since improved greatly as we’ve added Central Park in 2001, followed shortly afterward with the South Forsyth Soccer Complex, the Polo Fields, and now Fowler Park this year."

Another vast improvement Duffie cites, “Our Boys program has always been fairly strong, but our Girls program sorely lacked in direction and coaching which sent many of the better players out of the county to more established Select teams in Gwinnett and Fulton counties." But now all that has changed. “Most of the girls today remain in the county. On the Select side, teams now have professionally licensed coaches and trainers.”

Yet despite the extraordinary interest and growth in soccer in Forsyth County, there is a direct benefit that both Bob Duffie and Jay Holloway agree on.

On the Select level Duffie claims “My purpose for coaching girls is to have them fall in love with the game. It’s helped them develop in life, especially as they become teenagers. It’s an incredible character and self-esteem building experience that has taught them not only the importance of good sportsmanship; that winning can be important but has better equipped them to deal with the disappointments of the game and life as well."

Duffie also notes “The vast majority of the girls through the years have done very well in life; they’re all good students and have stayed out of trouble.” All in all he reflects “Soccer has helped many pay for college, they’ve had the opportunity to travel to places most don’t get to go . . . it’s definitely a good growth experience.”

Holloway also coached Forsyth County kids, but on the recreational level. “Not all the kids I saw go through the program had the talent or interest to play up to the more competitive ‘Select’ level, but they loved the game nonetheless. They too have played an important role in Forsyth soccer as they help augment the five county varsity and junior varsity high school programs along with the off-season Select Club players."

Youth soccer in Forsyth County has evolved over the years and has left its mark. The Forsyth Rowdies grew into Forsyth Fusion and once competed against county rival ASA (Atlanta Soccer Academy). Now the two have merged into what is known today as Forsyth’s own United Futbol Academy.

There is no doubt that thousands of Forsyth kids along with their families and Forsyth residents have reaped its ultimate benefit--a great athletic program for kids and an excellent recreational park system for Forsyth County. For what youth soccer has meant to this county and its residents, “The Beautiful Game” has truly been a blessing on many levels.