Stuart Smith sees huge improvements in his players during the winter months.

Photo Credit: Patrice Athanasidy

Stuart Smith runs soccer programs at Armonk Indoor year-round.

Photo Credit: Patrice Athanasidy

Stuart Smith, field sports director at Armonk Indoor Sports Center, knows he is lucky to have a job he loves to do each day. Creating soccer programs and coaching several girls’ teams, Smith enjoys watching his players grow as they participate in the sport.

“That is the ultimate for me,” said Smith, a native of England. “To take a player and see her develop and see her go off to play at college, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise science in 2001, Smith began coaching in the United States. This means that his players are just starting to hit the college ranks, and he already has a couple former pupils on rosters.

He pointed out that soccer is looked at differently in the United States. In England, most kids who play the sport aspire to be pros. Here it is only one among many activities. According to Smith, other sports like baseball and football are given more pro attention.

The climate also contributes to a different attitude about the sport. When Smith played in England they had a very long season that stretched from fall through spring. “It’s not easy in the northeast,” said Smith. “Soccer seasons come and go so quickly.”

Armonk Indoor, however, provides an advantage for those wanting to focus on soccer. “I enjoy the change of pace in the winter,” said Smith. “It is smaller and faster indoors, which means players don’t have that much time on the ball.” He added, “I see a big improvement in them when they are indoors.”

Smith said he also loves the opportunities soccer can provide. Last year he took a team of players under 12 years old to compete in Sweden. With 70 countries represented, the girls played with teams from all over the world. They ended up making it to the semifinals.

Smith said the trip provides an example of how small the world is. While on the field, one of his players looked across and saw a young lady she had attended camp with in Maine two years before. The American and Swede held a mini-reunion right on the field.

For Smith, many relationships stem from soccer. He even credits it as the way he met his wife, Catherine, who played in college. They now have a one-month-old, Callie, and some are already asking when she will begin kicking the ball. Smith said the sport will be part of her life, but it will be her choice. He jokingly wondered if she would pick up ballet shoes rather than cleats.