THE SAINTS MISSION
The Mission of Saints Soccer Academy is to provide the youth of our community an affordable opportunity to play developmental and competitive soccer. Our aim is to bring out the very best in each athlete by providing a high quality training environment with highly skilled coaches that are equipped to teach our youth advanced technical skills and important life skills. As a club our players, coaches and teams compete at the highest level. We have a passion for the world-wide game of soccer and a passion for our community and we’re consistently striving to use both for positive growth.
WHO ARE WE?!
Saints Soccer Academy is a Developmental & Competitive soccer club for players between the ages of 6 and 17. We embrace the cultural diversity of our community, make the beautiful game of soccer more accessible to everyone, and strive to bring a fresh new look to Portland youth soccer.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit and volunteer powered club, we keep our registration fees at approximately 1/2 the cost of other competi- tive clubs. We also aim to provide between 35-40% of our players with scholarships. All of our Head Coaches are licensed through US Soccer and our coaching staff is of the highest caliber. Our competitive level of league play is a reflection of our coaches and players’ passion and dedication to the game.
Our coaching philosophy and club culture is one informed by our partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance; We educate and nurture our players by teaching them both high-level technical soccer skills and important life skills. Giving back to our community through TOPSoccer and the SUN After School program is also an important part of who we are. We also manage to have a lot of fun!
¿QUIÉNES SOMOS?!
Saints Soccer Academy es un club de fútbol para el desarrollo com- petitivo de jugadores entre 6 y 17 años. Celebramos la diversidad cultural denuestra comunidad, hacemos que el hermoso juego de fútbol sea más accesible para todos y nos esforzamos por darle una buena imagen al fútbol juvenil de Portland.
Siendo un club 501(c)(3) sin fines de lucro y manejado al por voluntarios, mantenemos nuestras inscripciones a aproximadamente la mitad del costo de otros clubes competitivos. También tratamos de ofrecerle becas a 35% – 40% de nuestros jugadores. Nuestros entrenadores están certificados por US Soccer y nuestro equipoes del más alto nivel. Nuestro nivel competitivo en la liga refleja la pasión y dedicación de nuestros entrenadores y jugadores.
Nuestra filosofía de entrenamiento y la cultura del club están basa- das en nuestra asociación con Positive Coaching Alliance. Educa- mos y formamos a nuestros jugadores enseñándoles tanto técnicas de fútbol de alto nivel como habilidades para aplicar en sus vidas. Otra parte importante de quienes somos es retribuir a nuestra comunidad a través de TOPSoccer y el programa SUN After School. ¡También nos dedicamos a divertimos!
SAINTS LOOK TO MAKE A MARK ON PORTLAND YOUTH SOCCER
New soccer academy based in North Portland aims to fill a gap in Portland youth soccer
PORTLAND, Ore. – September 24, 2018 – Saints Soccer Academy, a community based soccer club offering developmental and competitive programs for girls and boys brings a fresh new look to Portland Youth Soccer. After a successful start with growing enrollment numbers, a partnership with US Youth Soccer, support from adidas and the Timbers Army 107IST, the young club has just entered its third season with momentum.
The Saint’s Soccer Academy was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2016 out of a need to give more passionate soccer players in the area an affordable opportunity to grow, develop and compete at a higher level. While most of the competitive clubs in the Portland area charge families over up to $2,000 for a year of club soccer, the Saints all-inclusive approach aims to keep their fees at less than half of that cost and strives to offer over 35 percent of their players scholarships. The club accomplishes this through a community driven and enthusiastic group of skilled board members, parents and a highly trained and licensed coaching staff.
The club differentiates itself by working hard to provide a community based, all encompassing atmosphere for both players and coaches. It’s aim of developing high quality soccer players is aided by their group of passionate and experienced coaches, all of which engage in ongoing training and are required to obtain coaching licenses through the US Soccer Federation. Director of Coaching Greg Martin, a soccer coach for over 20 years, and Club President Michael Fitzgerald, a former college soccer player, are providing an environment that encourages development through a dual coaching approach. Informed and influenced by the Positive Coaching Alliance, the club strives to coach both soccer skills and life skills through positive reinforcement, self worth and personal development.
“It’s an exciting time for Youth Soccer in Portland,” says Fitzgerald. “There’s an explosion of interest in club soccer in the city, partially due to the success of our Portland Timbers, but also through the overall growth of the sport in the US. “We’re trying to do something different with our club and put a lot of emphasis on the personal growth aspect of the game. These are hugely formative years for these kids and we like to think of ourselves not just as coaches, but also as mentors.”
In addition to year round development and competitive youth soccer programs, Saints Soccer Academy offers Futsal, skills camps, SDP specialty training, SUN Afterschool program training as well as TOPSoccer, a community outreach program for children with special needs.
SAINTS PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Summer/Fall Outdoor Season, Winter Futsal Season, Winter High School Outdoor Season, Spring Outdoor Season, Saints Premier Player Program, Free Goalkeeper Training, Saints Development Program, Saints Specialized Training, TOPSoccer, SUN Afterschool Program, Saints Free Clinics, Summer Camps, Spring Break Camps and much more…
