Soccer should be a school-based sport at GEMS, not just a club but an official team. Many middle and high schools already have school-based soccer teams, so why shouldn’t GEMS have one too?

Having soccer at GEMS would benefit students’ health in many ways. Playing soccer improves heart rate and blood pressure, which is especially important at this age. It engages multiple muscle groups, strengthening the legs, core, and upper body. Soccer also helps build stronger, healthier bones. Overall, it promotes fitness, teamwork, and discipline.

In fact, GEMS once had a competitive soccer team about three to five years ago. The team played against other schools in the FISAL League. Unfortunately, the league only had two or three participating schools, and when some schools dropped out, there were no teams left to compete against. As a result, the program ended.

So, why don’t we have a soccer team at GEMS now? According to Mrs. Mullen, “We don’t have school-based soccer teams at GEMS because GEMS is part of the FISAL League, which is made up of 14 middle schools from the surrounding area, and soccer is not one of the sports offered. The league and athletic directors from each school vote on the sports and rules for those sports.”

Could that change if enough students showed interest? Mrs. Mullen explains, “Ultimately, we would have to get approval from Mrs. Fernandez and the district to see if starting a soccer team is even possible. However, if we don’t have other teams to play against or a league to join, it may be difficult to justify having a soccer team.” The process would include researching other middle schools in the area to see if they would be interested in forming teams, and then creating a plan to present to administration.

Students are also eager for this opportunity. Eighth grader Julita says, “Yes, I would try out, and I think it would help me because I could get more conditioning and build stamina.” Many students share her excitement, believing that having a school-based soccer team would help them improve physically while doing something they love.

So, could GEMS have a soccer team again? Many students believe it is time. Soccer is not just fun; it is healthy, motivating, and brings people together. Students from seventh and eighth grade agree that soccer should be more than a club at GEMS. It should be an official school sport.