Who We Are:
The NASL is the North Alabama Soccer League. The league was
founded on May 7th, 1995.
We are a league (although
the state would prefer that we be considered an association
of clubs) composed currently of seven clubs and many teams.
We are centered mainly in Huntsville and until recently almost
all the games took place in Huntsville. In recent years
the outside communities of Madison, Decatur, Florence, Guntersville,
Fort Payne, Cullman have developed outstanding soccer facilities
of their own which has led to a tenfold increase in soccer
in North Alabama.
Here are some statistics based
on the most recent Fall 2003 season:
In the 2003 fall season NASL
had 87 total teams - 57 Boys teams and 30 Girls teams.
Breakdown of players:
23 Teams at U10 and U9 (figuring 13 players per team) = 299
players
74 teams at U11 and older (figuring 17 players per team) =
1,258 players
Total estimated players 1,557 players
Considering that at least
40 - 50 players are dropped and added during the season, I
would figure that the NASL has about 1,600 players registered
to teams that are actually playing in the league. That does
not include some teams such as Ft. Payne, Cullman, Florence,
Scottsboro, Fayetteville that play in our area but are not
part of the league or the huge number of rec players associated
with clubs and leagues that are part of NASL.
As far as clubs
we have seven clubs represented - Kicks, HSC, NAU (CDS, Samba,
Banzai, Scorpions Cullman Crew), DYSA (River City Raptors,
Decatur Revolution, Decatur United), Florence (Shoals Soccer
Club), Madison Soccer Club (Shockers), Valley Futbol Club.
In fall 2003 the
NASL has scheduled between 600 and 700 fall games through
Craig Hardwick (club) and Mike Costello (refs). This does
not include tournament games and State Cup games, ODP Training,
etc.
What
are the goals of the NASL?
The Purpose of this League shall be to develop, promote, and
administer the game of soccer among boys and girls under nineteen
(19) years of age (as defined by USYS under 19 aged players)
without regard to race, creed, or national origin and to insure
the enjoyment of the game by the maximum number of children
possible while fostering the physical, mental and emotional
growth and development of Alabama's youth through the sport
of soccer.
