After finishing its first full season in the new Louisiana PepperPlex, the Iberia Soccer Association is looking forward to 2008-09 and has planned several soccer events to keep the game in the limelight this summer.

Dave Cavalier of New Iberia, who is serving his second year as president of the ISA, announced last week that Soccer Tuesdays starts Tuesday at the Louisiana PepperPlex. He was excited about the association’s new concept that gives ISA players a chance to improve their skills.

Soccer Tuesdays will be held, weather permitting, from 6-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday through July 22. It is open and free of charge to all ISA players who were registered to play this past fall and spring.

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Small-sided games will be played with players assigned to sides in “pickup game” fashion.

“What we’re trying to do in the summer time is give our younger soccer players some touches in a more relaxed setting. It’ll be like a pickup game in the neighborhood,” Cavalier said.

ISA officials and coaches will organize the matches and assign players to fields in age appropriate groups, he said. Mesh jerseys of different colors will be provided to identify the teams, he said.

A successful and popular event returns July 14-18 to the Louisiana PepperPlex. The Keep’em Kick’n Soccer Camp is for players ages 4 to 13.

Cavalier said, “Once again we are excited for Kevin Mooney to come in and do a camp at the PepperPlex. It ties into our focus on developing skills in the summertime so when we begin play in the fall we have players who are more confident about the game.”

Mooney, he said, is a USSF A Licensed coach who is director of coaching for Cajun Soccer Club. He has coached on the professional level, also, he said.

The camp fee is $85.

Cavalier also noted that ISA registration for 2008-09 began June 1. Registration deadline is July 26.

“We want to encourage people to register as soon as they can because that helps us in our planning for the fall,” he said. “Our main focus is to make sure we’re rolling with our registration for the fall season.”

There were 850 players playing in 2007-08 and this year’s ISA goal is 1,000, Cavalier said.

Registration is $55 per player, $130 per family (three or more players). The registration fee covers both the fall and spring seasons, he said.

There are several ways to register, he said, noting people can register online at www.iberiasoccer.com, or by mail at ISA, P.O. Box 10241, New Iberia, LA 70562, or in person at the Louisiana PepperPlex on July 8, 15 and 22 (6-7 p.m. on those Tuesdays) and July 12, 19 and 26 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays).

For more information call 364-8200, then leave a message for a return call.