After years of watching out-of-town players converge on West Oakland parks for practices and weekend games, youngsters in West Oakland now have their very own club under the Jack London Youth Soccer League.

The league has about 7,000 kids ages 6 to 18 playing for eight soccer clubs in Oakland, Alameda and Piedmont.

West Oakland youngsters have been showing up for Wednesday practices at Wade Johnson Park ever since Ken Gibson gave informational fliers to principals at local schools a few months ago.

Gibson said the turnout and interest in the community has been great. There are enough youngsters for two teams of players ages 8 and under, one for girls and one for boys. The club is now recruiting kids ages 6 to 18 for league play that starts next fall and again the following spring.

The divisions are divided by age: under 8, under 10, under 12, and under 14. The under 8 division practices and plays games on fields in West Oakland. The other divisions practice in West Oakland, but many play on fields anywhere in Oakland, Alameda or Piedmont. Practice is usually one day a week, after school, and games are on Saturdays. Each season lasts about 10 weeks.

Registration will take place Wednesday, May 12, and Thursday, May 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cole Middle/Elementary School, 1011 Union St.

Club registration fees for West Oakland residents are $70, and credit cards cannot be accepted on registration night. Reduced registration fees are available based on need.

A copy of the child's birth certificate or passport showing name and date of birth is required for registration. Kids registering for the under 10 category or above should bring a 1-inch square photograph that shows the player's face.

For more information contact Ken Gibson at 531-5441 or e-mail## kennethtgibson@cs.com .

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email