Youth & High School

NH club to mark milestone
November 27, 2006


New Hampshire's Lakes Region Soccer Club is set to celebrate its first decade of existence by holding its tenth anniversary dinner at the Wolfeboro Inn on Sunday 17 December. In its short time in existence, the organization has evolved from a fledgling club on the banks of Lake Winnipesaukee into one of the state's powerhouses.

It was a humble beginning in 1996 for Lakes Region. Under the guidance of Terence Stamp, the Founder, President and first Head Coach, the club was formed from adult community volunteers and male and female players ranging in age from ten to fifteen from the several towns and villages around Winnipesaukee.

Intramural games were played indoors during the spring and fall seasons, using the facilities of the various schools in communities such as Alton, Barnstead, Brewster, Brookfield, Effingham, Farmington, Freedom, Laconia, Meredith, Milton, Moultonborough, New Durham, Ossippee, Tamworth, Tuftonborough, Wakefield and Union.

After a few years of intramural play the participants were keen to play a higher level of soccer. The club immediately formed travel teams in all age groups, which were entered in the Seacoast Youth Soccer League. It wasn't long before the Lakes Region Soccer Club teams were making themselves known in the State of New Hampshire.

Since the Lakes Region club was formed through the goodwill of a few willing volunteers, it has grown to now stand as a perennial challenger for trophies each year, both in its own state and further afield. Among the many honors earned by the club's teams are New Hampshire Open Cup Championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004 for the boys team coached by Matt Locke. On the girls' side, Peter Clifford's current under-14 side won Open Cup and state championships in 2004 and 2005.

The club also started an Intramural Adult league from Alton, Brewster, Wakefield and Wolfeboro. This was an opportunity for many adult players to play in a friendly and (slightly) competitive game each week. Today, many of the club's original players are now in their mid to late twenties are now playing in these games. Looking ahead, Peter Clifford, the club's Director of Travel Team Soccer has been busy putting together plans for the spring 2007 season. It is anticipated that teams for both boys and girls will be fielded in the following age groups: Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18.

If you are keen to learn more about the program and how you can help out, please contact Peter at 569-6362.