Warminster Soccer Club Tryouts Have Begun

WARMINSTER, PA — The Warminster Soccer Club has announced the beginning of tryouts for the club's spring season.

The local non-profit sports club "is dedicated to the development and education of the sport of soccer in our community," according to their website. Offering oppurtunities for players of all ages to enjoy the game, the club is once again open for tryouts.

As of last week, the club has approximatetly 350 players registered for tryouts for the club's travel team, representartives of the Warminster Scoocer Club told Patch. Just those players alone range from ages nine to 17.

"Last year we had 20 total travel teams, an equal number of boys and girls teams, and expect to field at least that many again this fall," Steven S. Kurz, Sr., the club's Director of Communications, told Patch.

According to Kurz, the club has seen up to 400 people try out for various teams, but the club is happy with their current numbers given the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on their operations.

"None of it has been easy for any club or youth sport but for us one of the biggest challenges over the past two years has been the uncertainty of field availability."

Many of those trying out are put on travel teams, which are for experienced soccer players who are more advanced than the intermural players. In 2020, travel teams still met and trained virtually and resumed in-person training in the fall of that year. It was the intermural teams that were affected the most.

"We rely heavily on Centennial School District fields so as the school shut down, particularly in 2020, it squeezed our available options for hosting this many teams for practices or games."

One prioirity for the soccer club in past few years is their annual Al Perlini Memorial Tournament, which is held on Labor Day weekend. The tournament will include four boy's team games on Sept. 3 and four girl's team games on Sept. 4. The club anticipates up to 300 teams participating in the event this year. Al Perlini's family regularly attends the event and hands out awards to players.

(The Perlini family with Club President Jason Scanlon)

The past few years have seen the tourmeneant injected with restricitons related to the pandemic, including field restirctions and safety adjustments. The club had to cap the number of teams that could play in the past to years overn safety concerns related to social distancing.

However, the club hopes to have an incredible tournament this year.

"It takes a tremendous amount of planning and volunteer support from our membership but the reward is seeing so many smiles on kids engaging in sport after a difficult two years for everyone," Kurz told Patch.

Last year, the soccer club parterned with Soccer Shots Philadelphia, which provides soccer programs for all players year round, Kurz told Patch. "The relationship has been fantastic, the programs have continually sold out, and we look forward to the continued partnership as it helps us develop the future stars of Warminster Soccer Club."

Those interested in registering can do so on the club's wesbite.