Reading Women’s Soccer Team Celebrates 33 Years

The following was submitted by Jenny Vanasse:

You may pass a Reading soccer field on any given Sunday afternoon and see it filled with two teams of middle-aged women fully clad in soccer uniforms. Who are these “soccer moms” with their children standing on the sidelines cheering them on? Reading Women’s Soccer Team is part of the North Shore Women’s Soccer league. This recreational soccer league formed in 1979 and has existed since that time with three seasons a year (summer, fall and spring) and players from communities across the North Shore of Boston. 

Pat Medina, Reading resident and team historian who has played in the league for over thirty years, shared the thrill she felt when she scored her first goal.

“Joining the team was heaven to me. I was 35 at the time and had never played soccer before. I even changed my work schedule in order to play” shared Medina. The league is comprised primarily of players aged 25 and older although teams are allowed to field players aged 21 to 25 on a limited basis. The average age of most players in the league is in their mid to late thirties. Unlike the Eastern Massachusetts Women’s Soccer League in which players must try-out for the team, the range of skills on the Reading Women’s team is greatly varied with some players new to the game and others more experienced who played in high school and college. While play is competitive at times and the games are refereed, the intent of this league is for women of all playing abilities and skill levels, from beginners to more experienced players to have fun and enjoy the sport.

“We didn’t have a women’s soccer team when I was in high school so I didn’t get the chance to play back then”, shares Jenny Vanasse, Reading resident and player. “It’s a fun sport to learn and great exercise. The Reading Women’s team is very easy-going and I have made new friends across the North Shore through the league.”

The Reading Women’s Soccer Team is currently recruiting new players. Current team members include residents from Reading, Wilmington, Woburn, Wakefield, Andover and Melrose so all interested players from any communities are welcome.

The games are on Sunday afternoons and there is a fee to play per season typically ranging from $45 to $55 to cover field rental costs and paying referees. There are typically ten games a season with half on Reading town fields and half in nearby communities including Andover, North Andover, Peabody, Beverly, and Wenham. If you are interested in learning more about the Reading Women’s Soccer Team, please contact Anne Scott, Team Captain, at atmom1@comcast.net or Jenny Vanasse at 781-942-1281