Photo by Lisa Riforgiato Pictured above, the 19U girls were champions of their division going undefeated (8-0-2) in a 10 team league. They also won the Wilson Father’s Day Classic Tournament with wins over teams from Buffalo and Rochester area.

Growing up in today’s generation is far different now than it has ever been. Being able to have a community give you a path to maturity is something that isn’t seen as often across the country anymore. But for this community, one program is helping change the way we help raise kids.

The Northern Chautauqua Soccer Association has been around since 1988, and with it, they’ve provided an exceptional soccer organization for all levels of student athletes. The NCSA gives players opportunities, not only to grow as soccer players, but as members of the community. In the summer 1988, the NCSA started with just over 100 participants in their programs. This past year, they had over 800 participants from ages 3 to 18, and they’re not stopping there.

“Across the board we had a vision, and everybody bought into it,” said Director of Coaching Brett Gould. “It’s become a way to introduce people to new areas.”

The Northern Chautauqua Soccer Association has had plenty of programs throughout the years, but the one that stands out is the Concord Football Club.

Concord FC has travel league programs in the spring, summer and fall for soccer players. Up until this past season, the Concord FC had been touring around playing Southern Tier teams on their schedules. But this past season, they made the move to play in the Buffalo and Western New York Junior Soccer League, and it’s safe to say, the move was a huge success.

“I think the move to Buffalo was very important and somewhat pivotal for our club,” said NCSA President Jake Wilkins. “It offered competition against different clubs and that’s always a good thing. I know for some of our families those games are a lot closer than they used to be, too.”

Concord FC had two first-place division winners, the 19U girls and the 11U girls, in their first season. On top of that, the 15U boys finished in second place along with the 13U boys, who also finished second in their respective division.

“We played every single game away,” said Gould. “The parents were awesome, they didn’t miss any games. Hopefully we can get granted some home games for the upcoming seasons.”

That wish was granted, as the Dunkirk and Fredonia communities have been allowed to host soccer games for the upcoming Spring travel season. With that in mind, NCSA is partnering with SUNY Fredonia to be able to play those home games on Fredonia’s turf field. That would make Concord FC one of the only teams in the league to have a turf field accessible to them for the games.

“It’s going to be a big deal [receiving home games],” said Wilkins. “One of the side effects is that it’s more convenient for our players to play home games. We’ve entered a relationship with SUNY Fredonia to potentially use their stadium to play those games.”

SUNY Fredonia and their athletic department want to integrate their campus into the community in more ways, and this is a great way to make that happen.

“It’s going to increase traffic for local youth on campus,” said Wilkins. “It’s potential for a student to find a great experience on campus. It’ll be very impressive for the people who come play with us.”

“Bringing a lot of teams from Buffalo down here in the spring and summer is going to be great,” said Gould. “Introducing them to our area — it can be very beneficial to our program.”

According to Gould, the relationships that the coaches formed with the parents is something that really helped the Concord FC in their move to Buffalo.

“The parents are amazing,” said Gould. “The games don’t happen unless parents change their schedules around for it. The coaches are amazing, it’s great to see how personal they take it in order to have success.”

Concord FC has multiple divisions in which kids play soccer, but while playing soccer is one thing, maturing into young men and women is another, and that’s something the Northern Chautauqua Soccer Association is trying to help with.

“We’re always looking for people that have their hearts and minds into it,” said Gould. “Relationships — every conversation that takes place and even listening to our student athletes — helps us plant the seed that allows them to grow.”

“I think we, as a soccer club, are focused on doing what’s right rather than what’s popular,” said Wilkins. “But we think it’s important to focus on the relationships and that we are spending time on developing those relationships while providing a great soccer experience.”

Concord FC continues to be represented by the kids even during the school season. Just last week during the Chautauqua County Senior All-Star soccer game, three Concord FC kids took home MVP honors in Fredonia’s Hannah Sellari, Maple Grove’s Chloe Kibbe and Fredonia’s Michael Persch. Even when they aren’t playing for Concord FC, they’re representing the organization well.

“It’s my job to help them figure out who they are as kids, said Gould. “As far as soccer, it was an outlet for me to figure out who I was as a person.”

The Northern Chautauqua Soccer Association prides itself on raising these young men and women. One additional thing that they do is ensure the athletes have the best instruction possible, which is why they hosted a couple Coach Education training classes that was put on by NYS West through US Soccer. Coaches from Concord FC, as well as others from as far away as Toronto and New York City, attended the trainings. This is just one of the many things that has contributed to the rise of soccer in the area.

With that, the New York State West Youth Soccer Association recognized Paul Sellari as Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. Paul coached the 19U girls who were champions of their division going undefeated (8-0-2) in a 10 team league. They also won the Wilson Father’s Day Classic Tournament with wins over teams from Buffalo and Rochester area.

That’s just one of the many accomplishments this program is looking to have for years to come.

“We’re becoming a soccer hub,” said Gould. “And that’s a pretty big jump from what it has been.”