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The Troup County Parks and Rec department is planning to bring back 15u soccer teams this fall. After cutting the program a few years ago due to the perceived lack of numbers once the middle school programs got started up, there is now a strong belief that middle school soccer and parks and rec 15u soccer can coexist and be beneficial for the sport continuing to grow in the area.

“We think it will be good for kids to get more time with the ball and on the field,” said April Bunn, Troup County Parks and Rec soccer director. 

With high school and middle school coaches looking for a place for their athletes to play in the offseason and the rising costs of travel soccer, now seemed like a good time to bring the 15u soccer program.

“There was a lot of parents coming in and saying they wanted a place for their middle and high school kids to play in the fall,” Bunn said. “We decided to give them continued access to be able to play even in their offseason was the right thing to do. It will give them more time playing organized soccer on the fields.

”We have also had middle and school coaches say they need somewhere for their kids to play in the fall.”

The next big step? Getting coaches in place,

Bunn believes they will be able to attract quality coaches from our area out: “We have had some middle and high school coaches say that they will come out and help. (LaGrange girls coach) Jon Callahan is coming in to help get it going and hopefully put together some coaches clinics as well.”

The first season will likely be co-ed, but that remains to be confirmed in case the parks and rec department gets enough kids out to form a girls and boys league. The goal is to have enough players to field three or four teams for the first season back. 

Registration will last from July 17 until Aug. 10 with the practice starting around Labor day weekend in September.