—Submitted Photo max becker of Fort Dodge kicks the ball during a Fort Dodge Soccer Association rec game at Rogers Park.

For 30 years, the Fort Dodge Soccer Association has helped develop the skills of local and area players.

This Saturday, the FDSA will hold an anniversary celebration at Rogers Sports Complex.

The FDSA was started in 1995 under the guidance of Bob Paxton and Lori Paxton. Later, the torch was passed to Joe and Linda Ruge.

“We’re excited to welcome back our founding organizers,” said recent president Adam Sankey. “We will also show our appreciation to past board members, coaches and soccer alumni for everything they’ve done to help grow our program into what it is today.”

Sankey, who was a member of Fort Dodge’s first high school team, joined the FDSA in 2016 for field maintenance and painting. He has worn many hats for the FDSA, and was directly involved in setting up the celebration.

“When Lori created the FDSA, she wanted to have her own entity,” Sankey said. “Our volunteers have been able to keep that going and flourishing, even 30 years later.”

Current president Derek Haugland, who has been a part of the FDSA for the past two seasons, knows how much the community has been a part of the association.

“In my short time being a part of it, I’ve been impressed with the willing volunteers who put a lot of time into it,” Haugland said. “That’s a huge component of what goes into an entire season.

“We have a six-week game season, with 40 plus games every Saturday.”

This spring, there are over 500 soccer players from four years old through freshmen in high school.

“There are so many things that move in the background,” Haugland said. “You can go out on a Saturday morning and see 12 games running at once, with dozens of our youth refeering the games.

“At the younger level of youth sports, it’s so accessible to so many families. You can go out and buy shin guards and the right size ball and be ready to go. It isn’t just about being a soccer player — it’s about being involved and growing as a young athlete.”

The FDSA wants to honor everyone who has been a part of the group — past, present and future.

“We want to show love to all the coaches and former players,” Sankey said. “Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Through the years, the FDSA has added participants in many ways. In 2016, the “Chaos” team was formed — a select travel soccer team in the different age groups.

On the recreation side, Webster City, Southeast Valley and Pocahontas Area bring teams to Fort Dodge to play on Saturdays.

“We wanted to include as many people and kids as possible, both from other towns and varying skill levels,” said Sankey, who has also officiated and coached through the years. “Through soccer, kids meet new kids and make friends and continue bonds.

“I’ve been with the same set of families since 2018, so you get to know them all.”

Sankey now has former players at the high school level.

“The kids I’ve coached are now freshmen and sophomores,” Sankey said. “They’ve played together and know each other.”

At the halftime of the U15 10:30 a.m. game on Saturday, Lori Paxton and the Ruges will be honored.

“We have a few area figures coming in to challenge some of the kids as they arrive at the complex,” Haugland said. “We will run some training sessions and have the kids interact.

“What makes it (FDSA) so successful, even after five, 10 or even 30 years, is the volunteers and the families. It’s cool to see how it has grown. It hasn’t lost momentum.”

During Saturday’s celebration, there will be free popcorn, a DJ spinning music, giant inflatable soccer darts, an inflatable obstacle course and a soccer juggling challenge led by experienced players.

“The biggest thing is we want to show that Fort Dodge is a soccer community,” Haugland said. “We have a lot of things planned for the kiddos to do.

“During the celebration, we don’t want the focus to be on just coming out for a game. We want them to spend time out there enjoying the festivities and making those memories.”

Current Fort Dodge Soccer Association officers are Haugland (president), Tara Koopman (vice president), Mary Heldorfer (treasurer), Sankey (referee coordinator, grounds), Mandie Jordison (coach coordinator), Jonathan Moore (risk management coordinator) and Samantha Gray (Chaos). Also serving on the board is Paul Tiara, Wes Beckwith and Emma Minkis.