For almost four decades, the recreation soccer program in Washington has drawn hundreds of kids to local fields, giving each child a chance to play competitive soccer and learn the game from dedicated volunteer coaches.

This is hardly soccer country, as football (the American one) and baseball have traditionally been the backbone of sporting culture here in eastern North Carolina. As a result, many questioned the league at first, doubting it would gather much interest among local youth. Of course, dozens signed up initially and once the Optimist Club of Washington became involved, it only continued to grow.

David Jones and Eric Kelder, who played soccer professionally in Canada, began the league in conjunction with the Optimist Club in 1976.

“A lot of people didn’t understand it or thought there was room in the world for soccer,” Jones said. It’s a wonderful, easy sport for children to play. I know at the higher levels it’s a game that requires more skill, but almost every kid can go out there and enjoy kicking a ball around.”

Current Optimist Club Soccer Commissioner Patty Peebles has been involved with the program for 25 years and has witnessed the growth firsthand. A league that once housed 60 children and a four teams in 1976 now boasts 47 teams, 550 players and an assortment of different age groups, including an older 16-18-year-old division and a younger 4-year-old division. In recent years, it’s also added a smaller spring soccer league that focuses primarily on training younger players for the next level.

“We want the kids to have fun. It gives them an opportunity to learn soccer skills and build the high school soccer teams,” Peebles said. “The training they receive now will help them at the high school level in the future.”

The league will draw over 140 volunteers this season, including a collection of soccer aficionados who have coached for decades.

Four years ago, the Optimist Club also established Castle Soccer, a free program meant for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The league has thrived and draws numerous volunteers and teams each season.

Due to an increase in league interest, referee fees and implemented background checks on coaches, operating costs are at an all-time high, which forced the league to raise the registration fee from $25 to $30 this offseason. But the total cost is still half of what it was 15 years ago, as the fields and maintenance costs are now donated by the McConnell family and the City of Washington each season.

While money contributed from sponsors covers most of the operating costs, the Optimist Club holds a raffle to cover the rest, subsidizing registration fees. Items like a GoPro Camera and flat screen TVs will be raffled off this year.

Outside of soccer, the club sponsors teams in a number of baseball, football and basketball leagues around the area each year and works with high school coaches, like Washington’s Jim Kozuch, to help raise money for summer soccer camps.

“The soccer program is a big event to give children something to do to stay off the streets,” Peebles said. “We offer scholarships to players who can’t pay, we provide equipment for kids who can’t afford them, we do a shoe exchange when children outgrow their athletic shoes and we offer scholarships for high school seniors. Last year we offered four $1500 scholarships to high school seniors.”

“If there’s a need regarding children and it’s brought to us, we usually try to help if we have the money to do so.”

The 2014 falls season opens this Saturday at the Susiegray McConnel Sports Complex. The first game is scheduled for 9 a.m.