Region 29 Kicks Off Its Youth Soccer Season

To a passer-by the scene might resemble a stampede from the movie “Dances With Wolves”--about a thousand youths, ranging in age from 5 to 18, decked out in numbered jerseys, shin guards and cleats running all over Winnetka Park in Chatsworth.

But to those within the American Youth Soccer Organization, it is another season of expanding interest in a sport popular worldwide.

Region 29 of the AYSO opened its 21st season Saturday, 875 players divided into 62 teams in six divisions for boys and girls.

Region commissioner Dave Karchem said he expects player participation to top off at about 950 within the next two weeks.

Soccer interest in Region 29, which comprises Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Reseda and parts of Northridge, has increased steadily the past two years. As of Thursday, there were 875 registered participants, 100 more than in 1989 and 50 more than last year.

Of the six divisions, Division VI, for players ages 5-7, is the largest with 14 boys’ teams and six girls’ squads.

Divisions I through V take part in playoffs with other regions and also play all-star games after the regular season, which lasts about 14 weeks.

Divisions I (ages 16-18) and II (ages 14-15) play a much shorter season because high school teams start organizing practices in mid-November. While Divisions III, IV and V will play through early January, I and II will cease playing by early November.