Magic SC’s Youth Development Programs Now Offered in Ligonier
LIGONIER, IN, March 2021 – Magic Soccer Club, the Ligonier Parks Department, and the Ligonier soccer community are joining forces this spring to offer Magic SC’s comprehensive youth soccer development programming to the Ligonier community. Magic SC’s programming provides opportunities for Ligonier youth to play soccer at multiple levels.
Programming will begin this April at Woodlawn Park with Magic SC’s Pre-Academy, a soccer program designed for children ages 5 to 8. It will then expand to offer soccer programming for older children in the fall. For its competitive travel program, Magic SC plans to combine Ligonier players with its existing players to field more competitive teams and compete against the best in the state and region.
“The Ligonier Parks Department is excited to be partnering with Magic SC to bring a year round soccer program for the children of Ligonier and the West Noble Community,” said Travis Brimhall, Ligonier Parks Director.
“We are hoping to not only get more children involved in outdoor activities,” Mr. Brimhall added, “but also to grow the West Noble Chargers soccer program in the future.”
Vincent Baltazar, the executive director of Magic SC, is eager to get started. “With the generous support from the Ligonier Parks Department,” he said, “we are thrilled to be joining the Ligonier community.”
Mr. Baltazar believes that small communities need to come together in order to provide quality programming and do what’s best for youth in the region. By expanding its reach into Ligonier, Magic SC is now able to bring together players from throughout Elkhart and Noble counties.
Ligonier’s soccer community agrees with Mr. Baltazar. Justo Pedroza of Ligonier Youth Soccer, and Abel Zamarripa, head coach for the varsity boys at West Noble, helped spearhead the initiative.
Zamarripa, who will serve as Vice President for Magic SC, is excited about the new plan and looking forward to working with Magic SC. He said that, together, they can bring West Noble’s youth and high school programs to the next level.
“I want to thank Vincent Baltazar for working with me to reach this goal I’ve had my whole life,” said Mr. Zamarripa. “For many years, Ligonier and its surrounding areas have produced raw talent in the sport of soccer,” he explained, “but it was missing some guidance.”
“I believe we can take it to another level,” he said, “and this partnership will aim to do that.”
Founded in 1995, Magic Soccer Club is a nonprofit organization with the mission to promote the growth of soccer in the community and provide all children, regardless of economic circumstances, with the opportunity to develop to their full potential both on and off the field. The club features a comprehensive player development pathway with Recreation, Rec+, and travel programming, from ages 4–19. This year, more than 600 youth players participated in Magic SC’s soccer programs.
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For more information on Magic SC’s soccer programs and to register your player, please visit Magic SC’s website at magicsoccerclub.com.