Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs has announced the launch of a new seven-week youth soccer league at Voke Park, opening play for boys and girls aged 6 to 13 on Saturday, September 12. The co-ed league aims to rebuild municipal recreational programs following community momentum generated by recent summer events, according to city officials.
The league runs on Saturday mornings through October 24, offering an accessible entry point for local youth regardless of prior experience. According to the City of Chelsea, the program requires a $25 registration fee per player for the entire season.
Voke Park Schedule and Age Divisions
Matches are split into three distinct age groups to accommodate developmental differences among participants. According to municipal scheduling details, games for 6- and 7-year-olds begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by the 8-to-10 age division at 9:00 a.m., and the 11-to-13 age bracket at 10:00 a.m.
The host venue is Voke Park, situated along Washington Avenue between Springvale Road and Annese Road in the Prattville neighborhood. Because municipal bulletins list minor variations in street numbers for the park—referencing both 540 and 546 Washington Ave.—city organizers advise first-time attendees to navigate directly to the park name rather than relying on street numbers.
Registration and Community Involvement
Families can register participants online through the Chelsea Recreation portal or in person at the Williams Building, located at 180 Walnut Street. The registration office operates Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Inquiries regarding sign-ups are handled by the recreation department at 617-466-5233.
The initiative builds on efforts to expand local sports access in a community where approximately 94% of residents play soccer, as noted by Charles Giuffrida, the city’s director of Athletic Infrastructure, during summer program evaluations. Organizers are actively seeking volunteer managers and coaches to support the Saturday morning games, noting that adult availability often dictates program capacity rather than youth interest. The league also features branding from Soccer Without Borders, reflecting ongoing collaborative efforts to engage immigrant youth through athletics.
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