COLUMBUS — Columbus Soccer Organization is opening its doors again this weekend for rec league players in search of new gear. The Soccer Closet is open to all players registered with CSO and features quality, donated gear that previous players have outgrown, including cleats, balls, bags and other accessories.
“It’s really a simple idea we had but hadn’t gotten off the ground before,” CSO Director Tom Velek said. “If your kids have outgrown their cleats or their ball or shin guards you can donate it to us, we’re a 501c3, and several times a year we put it together and if you’re registered with CSO you can come in and get some gear for free.”
The idea first came to fruition in 2020 and since then has been held regularly at the start of the fall and spring seasons. There is only one big rule, that players have to be present to pick out gear to take home to avoid people taking a bunch of gear home or reselling it.
“We have a ton of stuff, we do it a couple Saturdays in a row each season,” Velek said. “It’s not just cleats either, it’s soccer balls, water bottles, goalkeeper gloves, we even have referee stuff. It takes time but it’s not a complicated idea or process, and it’s good because it can get expensive. Anything we can do to bring that number down and make it more accessible to the community then we’ll do it.”
CSO’s Soccer Closet is housed in the organization’s office, located upstairs at 413 4th Avenue S. in Columbus.
CSO is gearing up for the start of its rec league in two months but also has registration open for Top Soccer, a program aimed to make the sport accessible for kids with special needs.
The CSO rec season begins on Sept. 24, with teams assembled and beginning practice by the end of August. Registration remains open through the weekend of Aug. 16-18.
Registration for Top Soccer remains open through Sept.
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