about Meriwether Soccer

Our Mission & Vision

 This is our 23rd year of Soccer Ministry. Our mission is to model the life of Christ to our community.  One way we do that is to lovingly serve our community.  The soccer program is one of our gifts to our community. Our commitment to meeting unmet recreational needs goes back to the mid 1990’s.  In the late 1990’s, a church member,  Phillip Greene, had the vision for providing a soccer league for children and youth. At the same time the Manchester Recreation department, under Vic Dowis’ excellent leadership, also decided to begin offering soccer.  We successfully collaborated for several years.  However, in the last several years First Baptist has administered the program as a free standing ministry. The cost is so extremely low because this is a ministry to our community.

Members of the church have been the league administrator through the years.  The pastor, Bob Patterson, is filling that role currently. Coaches are volunteers from the community and are mostly parents.  Volunteers from the church and community do many behind the scenes jobs that make the league operation work.

Philosophy & Style of Play

We will have these age divisions, which could change depending on the number registered for each group based on their age on 01 September  2023 :
3-4 years old, they use a number 3 size soccer ball.
5-6 years old, they use a number 3 size soccer ball
7- 8 years old, they use a number 3 size soccer ball
9- 10 years old, they use a number 4 size soccer ball
11- 13 years old, they use a number 5 size soccer ball
14 – up years old, they use a number 5 size soccer ball

Teams are assigned based on age. Our goal is for each child to enjoy this experience.

A child can play up an age group if their size and soccer skills make that more appropriate. Generally a child can not play down an age unless a medical or developmental issue makes it practical.  If you think your child could play up please speak to Bob Patterson and the team coach.  Their decision is final. We want players to be safe yet challenged to improve their skills.