In 1974 the Maplewood Parks and Recreation Department contacted Fred Abbott, a British immigrant and local resident, to assist them with developing a youth soccer program.  The first sign up was held that fall and 17 players expressed an interest.  These players recruited additional players and a league, comprised of three teams with 11 players each, was formed.

In 1975 sign ups were held for the second season.  The number of players more than doubled.  In the next couple of years the number of players continued to increase as well as demand for more fields, coaches and referees.

Finally in 1977 the Northeast Soccer Association was formed by Fred Abbott, Allan Eastwood and Gil Leiter to accommodate the growing demand for soccer in this area. Fred Abbott served as NESA's first president.  The role of NESA was to provide players with an opportunity to participate during the summer in traveling soccer.

NESA sponsored two teams in 1977 and increase that number to four in NESA's second year of existence.  Within a few short years, NESA was sponsoring 16 traveling teams for the youth in the area. NESA plays its home games at the Hazelwood Soccer Complex, located in Maplewood. The complex is composed of 4 large soccer fields of which 3 are lighted, 3 soccer fields for the 11 & 12 age groups with lights on two of the fields, and 2  smaller fields for the 9 & 10 age groups.

North East Soccer Association
PO Box 9400
2523 7th Avenue East
Saint Paul, MN 55109
webmaster@nesasoccer.org

NESA field locations (PDF file)..