Stansbury Park's first year youth soccer club includes 540 children registered to play in the recreation program, along with one competition team.

The children play on Saturday mornings.

"We try to be done by 11 a.m., but some games don't get through until noon," said club president Mark Augustine.

Not only are there children from Stansbury Park, but the club also includes children from Erda, Lake Point, Overlake, Tooele and Grantsville. The teams practice throughout the week with coaches deciding on how long their team practices.

"The younger children practice for shorter time periods, while the older children practice longer," Augustine said. "Kids eight and under practice once a week, and those 13 and under can practice up to twice a week."

The most important part of the club is making sure the kids have a good time, he said.

"The soccer board believes we have a commitment to our neighbors and their children to provide a club that is based on fun, learning and improve the social wellness of it's members," he said.

The Stansbury Soccer Club mission statement: "The goal of Stansbury Soccer Club is to provide children throughout our community with a fun learning experience with soccer. Along with the fun of soccer, we will help youth develop skills, overcome challenges and develop self-knowledge through a positive playing environment, a love of team participation and physical activity."

The soccer board is in the stages of putting together a special needs soccer program, Augustine said.

"This program (the special needs) will focus on children who need something a little extra," he said. "We hope to enroll them into Special Olympics and other events that help bring fun to all kids."

Augustine added that it is important that all children have the opportunity to play.

Abby Palmer: apalmer@tooeletranscript.com