Holley schools to make Woodlands soccer fields available for community teams

HOLLEY – The school district will allow community youth soccer teams to use the Woodlands soccer complex.

Holley’s youth teams have played their home games at the JP’s fields off Route 31 near the Holley Business ark. But the Holley Soccer Club is growing with more teams, said Harris Reed, the club president.

The club reached out to the school district about having use of the Woodlands fields. Those fields are considered among the nicest in the area, and even hosted the state soccer tournament in the late 1990s.

Brian Bartalo, the school district superintendent, said the two full-size fields will be available for the community youth soccer program. There will also be some tree-clearing at the site to remove some dead ash trees.

There are 150 kids in the Holley Soccer Club, Reed said. The club only has one full-size field at JP’s and several other smaller fields there. The Woodlands complex gives the program more options for scheduling games.

“Our Soccer Club is growing and we want to keep it growing,” Reed said. “With the Woodlands now we can accommodate more teams and games.”

Holley will use Woodlands for games only, Reed said. He appreciates the district making them available for the club soccer program.

“This will mean a lot to the kids,” Reed said. “That is a one-of-kind field. It’s out in the woods.”

The Holley Soccer Club also is raising funds for the program, including a first-time chicken barbecue on May 20 at the JP’s site. Those tickets are available pre-sale only. Contact a soccer player or check the club’s website for more information.