About Patriot Soccer club
Founded in 1990 by Howard Hughes who had a vision and desire to create an opportunity for local youth to participate in soccer on a competitive level. This foundation has grown to become the Patriot Soccer Club which consistently places more than 200 players on teams during both fall and spring seasons. Additionally, the club runs foot skill and goalkeeper sessions throughout the summer months, provides ball people for the high school teams and supports GNG recreation department soccer programs.
The Patriot Soccer Club (PSC) is a volunteer-based, 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization who's mission is to create and maintain a competitive soccer program for the youth of Gray / New Gloucester communities.
More information can be found here
Quick Overview of PSC
Practices and Games
During our Fall season players will typically train twice weekly for approximately 90 minutes per session starting in early August, except U13 or U14 teams. Their number of practices depends on the number of players committed to school teams. All teams compete in games on the weekend, usually on Sundays. Approximately half the games are “away.” Most games are within thirty minutes travel time of Gray.
The players also compete in the Cumberland “Just for Fun” Tournament on Labor Day weekend, the Crossroads Challenge during Columbus Day weekend, as well as in a season-end tournament or festival.
How are Teams Formed?
The PSC works diligently to field teams in each age bracket (U9 to U14) for both boys and girls. Teams are separated by gender and age, and play only like teams.
In the event of having multiple U9, U10 or U11 teams; each team will be equal in overall skill, there will not be any differentiation. U9, U10 and U11 teams play in “non-results” oriented games.
The U12, U13 & U14 teams are competitive and players are selected based upon their skill level. The U12, U13, & U14 teams play in “results oriented” games.
No age appropriate child will be bumped from a team by a younger, more skilled player. If necessary, “cuts” will be made if there are not enough players to field a team.
Coaching Staff
While our coaches are all volunteers, many of them have coached and/or refereed for years. Others have played at the high school or college levels.
Each team is required to have two licensed coaches, and each coach is required to hold at least his or her Youth Module License (for U9, U10 and U11 level teams) and his or her USFF “E” license at all other levels (U12, U13 and U14).
Scholarships
The Patriot Soccer Club believes that no child should be denied participation in the our club due to financial hardship. In the case of financial hardship, the club may waive in whole or in part, the assessment of any Patriot Soccer Club fee.
In order to qualify for a scholarship, a player's parent must submit a completed scholarship application to the Patriot Soccer Club’s President at the time of registration requesting consideration for either full or partial scholarship. It is not normally required that a person submit financial records.
Letters should be mailed to:
Patriot Soccer Club
P.O. Box 120
Gray, Maine 04039
or emailed to: president@patriotsoccerclub.org
Please refer to the Patriot Soccer Club Bylaws for a formal description of the scholarship process.
College Scholarships
Each year PSC awards deserving high school seniors second semester cash scholarships. The application is available with the high school guidance office and should be completed and submitted to PSC by the deadline specified.
New to Soccer?
New to Soccer ?
WHY SOCCER?
POPULARITY
Globally, FIFA reported roughly 265 million soccer participants, which makes it the most popular sport from a participation and fan base standpoint. An ESPN poll revealed that second to China, the United States has the highest youth participation rate in soccer with roughly 24.5 million players. And, within the country, soccer is the second most popular sport for youth, trailing only behind basketball.
Helpful links:
10 Data Points That Prove Soccer Has Finally Made it in America
Soccer is Here For Real This Time
COST
Soccer is inexpensive to get started. Cleats, shin guards and soccer socks are the only necessary equipment purchases prior to joining a team. Depending on whether a player is joining a recreational or competitive team, participation costs can run anywhere from $50-$1,500.
Helpful links:
The Cost's of Youth Soccer
Cost of Minor Sports Varies Greatly
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Soccer is one of the easier sports to learn. Due to the of infrequent stoppage in play, there is a lot of time and space for free play and creativity. There are only a couple of major tactical regulations ,such as offsides, that need to be learned before jumping into the sport.
Helpful links:
What Are The Rules?
How Long Does it Take to Learn Soccer?
GLOBAL REACH
Soccer is known to be the most popular sport in the world, and one of the few that is played in nearly every country. To get a gauge of fan base popularity, in 2014 there were nearly 111.5 million people who tuned in for the Super Bowl and 1 billion who tuned in for the FIFA World Cup Final.
Helpful links:
The World Cup Reminds Us That All The World's a Soccer Field
Top 10 List of the Internet World's Most Popular Sports
INJURIES
The most common injuries in soccer are sprains and strains of ankles and knees. Although there are other major injuries, such as concussions and ACL tears that can be prevalent mostly at the higher levels, severity and recovery time for soccer injuries tends to be low.
Helpful links:
Preventing Soccer Injuries
8 Tips to Avoiding Soccer Injuries
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Soccer requires a high fitness ability, specifically endurance and agility. On average, a soccer player will run a total of 7 miles per game, depending on level of participation and position played.
Helpful links:
Fitness Components for Soccer