Soccer doesn’t just teach players how to kick, run and goaltend, it can also teach them how to make friends, come out of their shells and build confidence. 

The sport “helps build a voice,” said Wareham Youth Soccer Club volunteer Dan Janulewicz, who coaches first and second grade players with the organization. 

“For some [players], it’s their first time playing on a team … it’s a great social opportunity,” he said. “And then there’s kids that have been [playing] their whole life, so you have the mentoring aspect of it too.”

On Saturday, Sept. 14, players of all skill levels took to the club’s Charlotte Furnace Road fields for the program’s opening day. 

According to Wareham Youth Soccer Club President Bob Catarius, the group is a co-ed recreational program for kids from 4 to 18. Kids who “want more competition” can also play in one of four travel teams that compete in the South Coast Soccer League.

Catarius also highlighted the efforts of the organization’s approximately 30 volunteers who “put in a lot of time and effort.” 

“It’s almost a full time job,” he said.

This is his 24th year involved with the organization that has been around since 1986, Catarius said.

“I’ve played [soccer] since I was a kid,” he said. “I enjoy the game, but I also enjoy being out here with the people in the community.”

Catarius, who also coaches, said that one of the great experiences of his involvement with the Wareham Youth Soccer Club is hearing “hey, coach” from kids he sees in town. 

He added that now, 24 years later, he’s working with the children of players he taught decades ago. 

“It feels great. It really does,” he said. 

One player learning new skills on the field is 6-year-old Dakota Janulewicz.

Dakota said he has been playing soccer for “a bunch of years” and has learned the rules of soccer and how to make friends. 

According to his dad and coach Dan Janulewicz, Dakota has also learned that “it’s not the end of the world if something bad happens.”

“If someone scores a goal, move on to the next thing and there’s another opportunity,” said Dan Janulewicz.

Dakota added that “it feels really great” to have his dad as a coach.