FC Monmouth Is Teaming Up With Monmouth-Ocean Soccer Association To Further Grow The Game

October 22, 2024

FC Monmouth is teaming up with Monmouth-Ocean Soccer Association (MOSA) to further grow the game at the Jersey Shore.

Restructured in 1992 by Ben Curci and Jeannine Willis, MOSA has since grown to be a competitive travel league for clubs across the greater Monmouth and Ocean County areas. The league has experienced steady growth over the years. In 2024, there are approximately 575 teams from 47 clubs with athletes competing from as young as the age of seven to as old as eighteen.

“MOSA plays an integral role in the growth of soccer in Monmouth and Ocean County,” Says FCM general manager James Davis. “The league is composed of hundreds of hard-working individuals that introduce travel soccer to hundreds of thousands of youth athletes each year. Not only teaching young soccer players important skills on the field but often life skills for the first time as well.”

MOSA is currently led by league president Bill Smith, who started out as a club representative in 2013. He then became involved on the MOSA board serving as league secretary from 2017-2020, to him then becoming president to this present day.

Smith is incredibly excited for the future of soccer in the area especially with what is to come on both the national and international level in the next few years.

“Soccer in Monmouth and Ocean County is currently in a strong and stable position. We're hopeful that the excitement of the upcoming FIFA World Cup will inspire more kids in the area to take up the sport. This growth would not only strengthen our member clubs but also lead to more teams participating in MOSA” says Smith.

MOSA currently are in the midst of their fall season, which ranges from the first week of September to the MOSA Cup Finals, which take place on November 16th at the Vanderberg Soccer Complex in Malboro.

“I'm excited to attend the MOSA Cup finals and witness these talented young players compete in the championship matches. It's a privilege to hand out the medals and trophies, and seeing the kids' passion for the game and love for competition is exactly why I volunteer. Most of the 47 MOSA Member Clubs are run by volunteer board members, and I’d estimate that 85-90% of the coaches are volunteers as well. These dedicated individuals give their time to ensure kids have the opportunity to play the game they love. Even the MOSA board is made up entirely of volunteers. It’s the passion and commitment of these volunteers that help soccer thrive in our community. My favorite part of being involved with MOSA, without a doubt, is driving by the soccer fields on a Sunday and seeing all the kids out there playing. Knowing I played a small part in making it possible for them to enjoy the game is incredibly rewarding,” Smith explained.

FC Monmouth would like to extend our thanks to all of the volunteers in our soccer community. The club will be on site on November 16th supporting our finalists as we continue to grow the game at the youth level at the Jersey Shore. As well as throughout other events during the fall and spring seasons.

To learn more about MOSA, you can visit their webisite here.

To keep up with all things FC Monmouth make sure to follow the club on all socials @WeAreMonmouth and visit us at FCMonmouth.com.

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