Maumee Soccer Club enters agreement to utilize Rec Center

Picture by Jeremy Schneider

By JEREMY SCHNEIDER

IMA SPORTS

As Maumee continues to turn into a soccer town, the growth of the youth soccer programs has left leadership with a good problem to have.

Where do they put all of these new players and teams?

The answer to that question got much clearer recently, when the Maumee Soccer Club announced it would begin holding practices at the Lucas County Rec Center. According to Josh Brown with the soccer association, the process began last year and solidified this year

“We didn't need them at that time, but when we got to this spring and all the rain plus growth, it came back up,” Brown said. “(Maumee coach) Chad (Kain) went over and talked with the Rec Center about availability to use some of the grassy areas. They showed him where we could use and how to reserve it, and what obstacles we might have to deal with.

“The process so far has been pretty straightforward. We are finalizing an agreement with the Rec Center for exclusive use, and then we will go ahead and clean it up for soccer use.”

The biggest issue the group has had so far is that the area hasn’t been used for anything other than dog walking in years.

That’s a small obstacle for a group that’s exploded in growth recently. According to Brown, the Express travel program has grown from six teams to 13 in the last two years. The Maumee Youth Soccer Association, which is for more recreational players, usually brings in more than 300 players. That breaks down to nearly 50 teams competing for practice space and game fields.

“While we have traditionally used the Maumee City School areas for additional training space, those areas are also being utilized by the other youth organizations more often now,” Brown said, referencing use by Girls on the Run, flag football and private schools. “These are great problems to have, but it did make finding training spaces that we can control became a very high priority for the club this offseason.”

Brown said the goal of the relationship with the Rec Center is to further enhance the soccer programs. He envisions games played in a stadium setting, possibly even under lights. It also gives organizers more flexibility for field set up.

He also said the addition of the fields at the Rec Center will take stress off the fields at Rolf Park.

Brown doesn’t see the growth of soccer in Maumee slowing down. With another World Cup approaching in 2026 — played in the United States, no less — growth could reach another level. That’s what makes establishing relationships with local organizations so important.

“These relationships are everything to the club,” Brown said. “Finding local, low cost areas to practice in — and eventually play on — that we can maintain as dedicated soccer fields so our teams can consistently practice without stepping on those other organizations is critical to supporting our growth.

“We are always looking for more of these as well, so if you have a large, flat area of grass in Maumee we are probably going to be contacting you soon.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers

Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com