Rutland Youth Soccer's objective is to provide a soccer organization for the youth of the Town of Rutland promoting participation in the game of soccer and teaching the principles of soccer excellence, sportsmanship, athletic skills,team spirit, character and social interaction. The ideals of enjoyment, fair play, fun, safety, integrity and honesty will be emphasized through age- and ability-appropriate competition and soccer educational opportunities to enable every member, albeit a player, coach, or referee, of RYS to achieve their personal goals.
History of Rutland Youth Soccer
Mr. Art Warg, from Holden, approached Rutland resident Mr. Charlie Campbell, asking him if he was interested in joining him with starting a soccer team in Holden, as he believed there might not be enough kids in Holden. Mr. Campbell then spoke with Mr. John Komenda, and the two of them met with Mr. Warg. On the way home from their meeting, both Mr. Campbell and Mr. Komenda decided that they would rather start their own Rutland team. With Mr. Campbell, Mr. Komenda and Mr. Art McKinley at the helm, Rutland Youth Soccer came into existence in 1972.
The first team was coed and had fourteen (14) kids on it from Rutland. They were on of five teams at the time, with Holden, Sutton, Douglas and Friendly House (Worcester) making up the remaining teams. At the very beginning, the team didn’t have uniforms. Rather, they wore white t-shirts. When they finally purchased uniforms, they were gold with blue trim. Within three to four years of starting Rutland Youth Soccer, Mr. Bob Gardula, Mr. Dick Bieksha and Mr. Paul Youd joined the leadership group of the program.
At some point, the RYS Board switched to the Maroon color we wear now. We don’t know exactly when this switch occurred, but assume it was in the early 80’s.
Mr. Campbell was also responsible for starting soccer programs at Quabbin Regional High School (QRHS), and Wachusett Regional High School (WRHS). He was the first soccer coach at QRHS, leading the Quabbin Panthers to the school's first Western Mass. soccer titles in 1970 and 1971. Additionally, for the first two or three years that the WRHS soccer program existed, they played their home games at Memorial Field in Rutland. As new as soccer was to Rutland in 1972, Mr. Campbell organized a soccer game, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, on Saturday, July 1, 1972, as part of the town’s 250th nine-day anniversary celebration.
Welcome to the fall 2021 season