The Silver Tigers, a Montclair Soccer Club U16G recreational league team, is a great example of what the sport is all about.  The team was formed eight years ago as team of six year old girls. Nearly half of the current team are original players, and new players joined every year, some of them brand new to the game.  Eight of the girls play on their high school soccer teams.

The team progressed every year, and in spring of 2010, the Silver Tigers won the Bladium Under 16 Girls indoor league championship.  It was their first time participating in an indoor league. Last fall, the team was invited  to play in the CYSA Class IV competitive league, which would pit them against more competitive recreational league teams from outside the Jack London recreational league.

Though it was their first time playing in a competitive league,  the Silver Tigers finished the CYSA Class IV U16G Green Division season undefeated, with a goal differential of 21, and only 3 goals scored on them all season.

As a recreational team, the Silver Tigers practice just once a week and the girls are not required to attend practice if they have a conflict.   Without much time to practice, the Silver Tigers have always focused on how  they can play as a team and how they can build on each other's strengths.  The team frequently  gets praised by the refs for their sportsmanship and clean game, something that, players, coaches and parents are proud of.   Although the girls play to win, the focus of the team is on improving while having fun and growing their friendship with each other. 

Coaching takes a lot of time and heartache over the years.  Why does the Silver Tigers’ coach Demetris Papaiacovou do it?  “I grew up playing and loving the game,” Demetris said. “It gives me great joy to help others have that same experience.”