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NORTH MANCHESTER - Two new soccer teams may be implemented in Manchester High School's athletic program. The possibility of adding boys and girls combined varsity and junior varsity soccer teams was discussed Tuesday at the school board meeting.
These two teams would raise the number of varsity sports at the high school to 20.
MHS principal Nancy Alspaugh presented information to school board members Tuesday regarding the addition of these two soccer teams.
"Soccer is the only sport we don't have at MHS," Alspaugh said. If students are interested in the sport, she said, it's something the school wants to support.
A survey was conducted and MHS athletic director Steve Shumaker held a call-out to gauge the number of students interested in soccer teams.
"We feel there's sufficient numbers at this time," Alspaugh said.
She said Shumaker reported approximately 20 girls and 20 boys attended the call-out, which would be enough for two separate teams: a boys' team and a girls'. The possibility of one co-ed team also was discussed.
Manchester Soccer Club has already prepared two fields across from the high school and agreed to continue mowing the fields, Alspaugh said. The club also agreed to purchase one of two goals the teams would need and agreed to pay a five-year lease, with the possibility of extending it to 10 years.
Board members asked Alspaugh if she thought the Manchester Soccer Club would disband after implementing the high school soccer teams. She said she hasn't heard anything indicating that would happen. The soccer club also assured Alspaugh that there will be qualified people to coach the two teams, she said.
Each team would compete in 16 games, which is the maximum number allowed by the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Alspaugh said.
Start-up costs for implementing these two soccer teams is estimated at $14,450. Alspaugh assured board members the cost wouldn't be this high the second year. This is the estimated cost for the first year only.
No official decision was made Tuesday. The information was presented purely for discussion on the possibility of including soccer in the high school athletic program.
