A unique playing field has been installed at Loma Verde Elementary School in Novato.
The soccer mini-pitch serves as a play space for students enrolled in a Marin YMCA after-school program. The $130,000 field was funded through a donation to Novato Unified School District from the MetLife Foundation as part of the “Safe Places to Play” program in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
The pitch is the only structure of its kind at 17 after-school locations run by the Marin YMCA, said Andrew Ward, senior executive director.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s goal is to get these mini-pitches out to as many communities as they can across the country,” Ward said. “They work with donors, funders, schools and nonprofits to identify any space that would benefit from a mini-pitch to make soccer more accessible.”
Installed in late July, the pitch has been a hit with students and locals, who are also welcome to use it.
“It’s fabulous,” said Tehniat Cheema, the school principal. “It was in use as soon as it was complete and there was no construction tape around it.”
The 110-by-55-foot enclosed field is smaller than a typical soccer field, but has two goal cages. The cages appeal to young players who are used to playing on open fields where goals are marked by orange cones.
“The sound when you score a goal, it just sounds nice,” said Sebastian Mazariegos, 8, a third-grader.
Jules Mohr, 9, a fourth-grader, also likes the new setup.
“I really like playing with my friends,” she said.
Joe James, Marin YMCA associate director of youth development, oversees the after-school programs at Loma Verde and Hamilton School.
He said Loma Verde’s program is a mix of soccer play, soccer instruction, homework help and other enrichment activities.
“It’s been wonderful,” James said of the pitch. “The kids absolutely love it.”
James said a lot of the young students already know how to play soccer, while others are just starting out.
“We’ve got a lot of different athletes at different levels,” James said. “So we both do soccer as a group game in a free-play style, and then we also teach some skill-building as well through structured activities, practicing soccer skills.”
Ward said Loma Verde was an ideal location because the school grounds already were serving as a park for the community.
The pitch “adds security, structure and safety to make soccer more accessible,” he said.