Athletic Fields:

An Investment In The Future

To the Editor,

We are members of the 1999 Newtown High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team who have undertaken a project, which began in our American Government Class, to try and improve the practice field conditions for the Newtown High School Boys Soccer Team next fall. It began when our teacher, Mr Edward Obloj, told us that this project would give us an opportunity to try and make a difference in something that we felt strongly about. At the time we were very involved with our soccer team and going to Fairfield Hills every day to practice on an uneven and mostly dirt field. We were at this field because our coach felt it was in better shape than the one at the high school. In other words, both fields were in pretty bad condition. Not only were we at a much greater risk for injury but it is very difficult to improve ball control and passing skills when the ball doesn’t roll, it jumps.

When we started to plan this project, we assumed that the fields were in poor shape because no one really cared, especially about soccer. We have since learned that we were wrong and that there is a much larger issue at stake here – the need for more athletic fields in Newtown. We first met with our athletic director, Mr Gregg Simon, who said he would be glad to help in any way he could but that the responsibility for maintenance of the fields was with Parks and Recreation. He referred us to Mr Ron Moffat, head of field maintenance. Mr Moffat was very nice in taking the time to explain things to us and was also very professional. He told us that while there were things we could do to help him and his staff improve the field at Newtown High School (including fundraising to try and get a new hose to water the field, assisting in maintaining the watering of the field on a more regular basis, help with seeding, etc.), the big problem for this field, as well as most of the fields in Newtown, was overuse. There were simply too many players in all different sports using the field. It needed time to rest and regenerate. He told us that he has been trying for years to restrict field use so that they would be in good shape for the different sports at the high school. However, athletics are extremely popular in Newtown for all ages and, with the growth of development in Newtown exploding in recent years, the problem has only gotten worse.

In a time of immense concern about keeping students involved in activities of a positive nature, it seems to us that more athletic fields are a great investment for Newtown’s future! We would like to therefore speak out in support of the efforts being made to acquire more fields for the kids in our town. Only then will we be able to have fields that can be maintained properly and that will be a source of pride for our school and town.

In the meantime, we are doing what we can to help improve our high school field now. We will be volunteering our time to physically work on the field. In addition, we and our teammates will be holding a fundraiser – a car wash – on Saturday, June 3, at Berkshire Motors (which is located across from Newtown High School) from 1 to 4 pm. The money we raise will be used to better the condition of our practice fields. We would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Bret McEvoy

Jared Miller

Seniors – Class of 2000

10 Cobblestone Lane, Newtown

21 Farm Meadow Road, Newtown          May 31, 2000