Soccer is one of the world’s most popular sports, if not THE most popular, with a massive fan base spanning across the continents. Locally, its appeal is undeniable, with around 300 kids participating in the Two Harbors Soccer Club (THSC) programs, proving soccer’s strong foothold here as well.
“It’s pretty big,” said Ashleigh Swanson, president of THSC. “We have kids from the North Shore area, some Duluth players, all the way up to Silver Bay and Grand Marais. We see significant growth every year, around 10% or so.”
THSC is in its 30th year as a club and is part of the Arrowhead Youth Soccer Association. AYSA is an organization serving northeastern Minnesota soccer clubs and helps with coordinating teams, referees, coaches, practice times, field maintenance, etc. According to Ashleigh, “It’s difficult to coordinate 100 teams. They do good work!”
Ashleigh has served as president of THSC for just over a year, after having been a board member for years prior. Before stepping into her current role, she was the marketing coordinator.
“It was kind of a natural transition to a little more leadership responsibility,” said the former soccer player, who played for the Agates not too long ago.
As president, Ashleigh says her responsibilities span “A to Z.” She handles administrative work, marketing, fundraising, coordination, and more. She also coaches the U12 girls team. Part of the club’s growth, she believes, comes from soccer’s accessibility. The financial burden is lower compared to other sports.
