Belen unveils new youth soccer league

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(Editor’s Note: The village of Los Lunas Parks and Recreation Department reached out to the News-Bulletin after press time with an update on its youth soccer program. The following article contains the new information from the village.)

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Belen

A new option for Valencia County youth soccer players will be available later this summer.

The Belen Youth Recreation Soccer League for boys and girls ages 4-12 has been formed by the city of Belen Parks and Recreation Department.

Shawn Ammons, sports and recreation coordinator for the city of Belen, said the games will be played starting Saturday, Aug. 20, at Eagle Park and end Sept. 27. The season will consist of eight to 10 games with most of them played on Saturday mornings.

Ammons believes the league will help fill a void throughout the county.

“We have the facility and kids are dying to play soccer,” Ammons said.

Parents are encouraged to come by Eagle Park and look over the fields.

“It’s not a big, competitive league,” Ammons said. ”I don’t have a championship. I don’t have playoffs. I just want the kids to get in there, have the experience and have fun.”

Registration closes on Friday, Aug. 5. The cost per player is $65. Volunteers are needed.

For more information contact Ammons at 505-966-2700.

Los Lunas

Young soccer players in Valencia County will have another option this fall with the news that the village of Los Lunas is organizing a coed youth soccer league.

Registration for the Los Lunas Parks and Recreation Youth Soccer League begins on Monday, Aug. 8, and goes through Sept 2.

According to Marcos Castillo, recreation supervisor for the village of Los Lunas Recreation Department, the games will be played on Saturdays from Sept. 17 through Nov. 5. Each team will play eight games at the Los Lunas Sports Complex.

There will be four divisions:  U-6, U-8, U-10 and U-12.  Castillo says U-6 and U-8 will play four on four, with no referees.  U-10 and U-12 will play traditional rules, but with some modifications if needed, according to Castillo.

Registration costs $60, with each player receiving a jersey, socks and a soccer ball. The village of Los Lunas Recreation Department is looking for volunteers.  For more information contact Recreation Coordinator Jorge Venegas at 505-352-7725.

Castillo said the recreation department took action after organizers with AYSO were unable to put a league together.

In addition, Castillo says the Los Lunas Youth Basketball League will be back this winter, with the recreation department in a supporting role.