The weather is warmer, the grass is greener and the SoDak Spurs Soccer Club is out and about with a big Spring in our step.

“After four or five months of hibernation at our Indoor Soccer Facility, it’s great to get outside and play some real soccer,” said Club Director Paul O’Brien. “Having the ability to train year-round is brilliant, and our coaches have done a fantastic job over the winter period by keeping our players focused, motivated and prepared for playing outdoor once the weather has changed.

“Since mid-March, we have been in Kansas and Omaha twice, as well as the Twin Cities and Iowa with our teams. Our boys’ and girls’ teams have represented themselves and the club in stellar fashion. Most, if not all, of our teams have been finalists or champions at all the different tournaments we have attended.”

The SoDak Spurs had nine teams compete at the Kicks For A Cure Tournament in Omaha and both the 2012 Boys and the 2012 girls won the championship. The 2014 Boys, 2013 Boys, 2011 and the 2009-10 Boys were each finalists at the tournament.

The High School Girls team won the Rush Champions Cup in Des Moines and the High School Boys team was a finalist at the Emerald Cup in Kansas City.

“A number of the events we have attended have been pretty high level,” added O’Brien. “Some have had upwards of 200 to 400 teams and attract clubs that have memberships of 800 or more players, which indicates they have really strong squads. So for us to not only compete at that level, but also to play in the finals of these events, speaks volumes for the progress of the club and the players, as well as the dedication of our coaching staff.”

Spurs Executive Director Reece Weber added, “Over the last year or so it’s been fun to watch the growth of the club and the huge difference in the level of our teams’ play, as well as the big change in level of the players themselves. Without question, having the ability to train year-round, combined with having an experienced Soccer Director who talks about nothing else but soccer, have been game-changers. The days of going to tournaments just to participate are long gone, as evident by the number of social media posts I relay about our teams’ successes after each event we attend.

“The sheer excitement that is around the Soccer Club right now is second to none. We held our first ever Goals & Gratitude Banquet back in February, and the sold-out event was an even greater success than we expected. The high praise we received from people that attended the event was amazing, and already I have people asking about next year’s event as they don’t want to miss out. So yes, we for sure have a spring in our step!”

The SoDak Spurs Spring & Summer season will continue with teams attending tournaments in Yankton, Sioux Falls, Minnesota and our very own Fishback Classic at the end of May. This includes the State Cup in Sioux Falls, where four Spurs teams will be competing to advance to the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regionals.

The Spurs are also preparing for their 2024 Competitive ID Clinics that will be held May 13-16th. The SoDak Spurs ID Clinics is where players will be selected for teams for the 2024/25 Competitive Season. All 2006-16 birth years are invited to attend for an opportunity to join the SoDak Spurs Competitive Program. More information can be found on the SoDak Spurs website.