The Fall-2000 season marked the 30th year of the youth soccer program in West Hartford. Under the leadership of Don Horner, a group of six soccer enthusiasts organized the West Hartford Boys Soccer League in 1970. Eight teams of boys of the Junior Division age level took the field for the first season. A year later, this same group helped get the girl's league started for the same age group. The Seniors were added during the 1970’s. The coed Mites were formed in the mid-1980’s, under the presidency of Scott Franklin. The Training Division was organized in 1990.
Now incorporated as ‘The West Hartford Youth Soccer Association’ to reflect its coed status, there are currently 72 Recreational, 12 Travel and 6 Premier teams, many of which play a spring and fall schedule.
About 1400 youths are registered to play in WHYSA alone, plus another sizable number of girls in the West Hartford Girls Soccer Club. They now play a Spring and Fall Schedule, too.
The West Hartford soccer community recently joined together for Field of Dreams, a fundraising effort to benefit the construction of a new community soccer field at Eisenhower Park. Field of Dreams is a joint effort of the W.H. Youth Soccer Association, W.H. Girls Soccer League, and the W.H. Women's Soccer Club.
Combined, the three leagues boast over 2,200 players, and award West Hartford the most soccer players of any town in the state.
Field of Dreams raised over $100,000 through two benefit events and grants. Spearheaded by Helen Rubino-Turco, President of W.H. Women's Soccer Club, Field of Dreams garnered the overwhelming support of the community, local businesses, and the W.H. Town Council. This beautiful soccer field has become available this fall.
Thank you to all for your support of this truly 'grassroots' endeavor. The W.H. Youth Soccer Association, the W.H. Girls Soccer League, and the W.H. Women's Soccer Club appreciate your support of Field of Dreams.