Volunteers step up to save Cedar Grove Soccer Club

When people heard that the Cedar Grove Soccer Club could come to an end, some of them answered the call to help.

The board members for the club decided against disbanding during a Wednesday night meeting. The future of the organization became clouded when a lack of volunteers stepped forward to fill leadership positions, at least until Wednesday.

“We had several people who were there offered to do whatever it takes to make sure the club stays intact,” President Greg Dilley said. “Which is great.”

Around 15 people came to the meeting at the Robert O’Toole Community Center, according to Dilley.

AROUND TOWN: Co-worker thanks Verona man for lifesaving moments

AROUND TOWN: More school referendums possible for Verona

The president, vice president, and treasurer positions need to be filled, as the current officers either moved out of town or no longer have children in the program, according to Dilley, who moved out of Cedar Grove within the past year.

The next steps for the club will be deciding the responsibilities for each position and perhaps dividing them among a greater number of people.

“I think people are intimidated by 'president,' 'vice president,'” Dilley said. “Those titles are scary and it can mean a lot of work. We will try to break down things to get more people involved in a smaller capacity.”

The all-volunteer club started in 2010 with a handful of members, but now includes between 400 and 500 children between the travel and recreation teams. It includes children ages 5 to 14. The upcoming season will be the first open to athletes outside of Cedar Grove.

If the club disbanded, then youth soccer players would have either needed to look for travel teams outside of the township, or the Cedar Grove Recreation Department would have had to take over.

The club always intended to operate for the autumn season. 

“What we’re going to do simultaneously is use it as a transition period,” Dilley said. “We’re grateful for the people who stepped up and are willing to make sure that soccer stays.”

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com