Dinerpod 40: Anthony Spinks-FHS Youth Soccer

What happens when a baseball-weary kid and a persistent wife inspire a local dad to start a soccer league from scratch? You get FHS Youth Soccer, a program that is currently taking the Wabash Valley by storm.

In this episode, Red Velvet sits down with Anthony Spinks, the driving force behind the rapidly growing soccer scene in Hymera and Shelburn. Anthony shares the "grassroots" story of the league’s humble beginnings—starting with 84 kids and a few bags of equipment—to its current explosion of over 150 players across multiple counties.

In this conversation, we dive into:

The "Good Problem": How the league handled doubling its size in a single season and the constant hunt for volunteers.

Beyond the Rec League: The exciting expansion into Middle School and High School travel teams, giving local athletes a competitive "school-like" environment they didn't have before.

The Power of Community: From "field cleanup days" to local sponsors keeping registration fees at an unbeatable $40, find out how the community rallied to turn old baseball fields into a soccer hub.

Coaching Philosophy: Anthony explains why a "win" isn't found on the scoreboard, but in the smile of a kid who decides to come back for another season.

Whether you're a "soccer junkie," a sports parent, or just someone who loves a good story about community spirit, this episode proves that if you build the pitch, the kids (and the butterflies they chase) will definitely come.

Thank you to our sponsors:Wabash Valley Plumbing RJs Formalwear Ever Haute Co.

#youthsports #youthleague #youthsoccer #soccer #dinerpodsports