PORT ORCHARD, WA—On a dark, drizzly January Sunday night in downtown Port Orchard a group of key soccer operators met to talk about coordinating efforts in the Port Orchard soccer scene.
The Party / Banquet room on the second floor of Brick House 714 Bar & Grill was the site where folks from South Kitsap Soccer Club, South Kitsap High School Men’s Soccer and Port Orchard FC exchanged ideas for over two hours.
Getting Together
Tyler Brown, connected to all three groups, arranged the meeting. Matthew McDaniel (SK United) and Jeff Colby (SK Rec.) spoke for South Kitsap Soccer Club youth organization. Wade Schmidt added input as both part of SKSC and South Kitsap High Wolves Soccer. Bill Conley represented as the new head coach of SKHS Men’s Soccer. David Falk and Peter Zastrow attended as founders of POFC.
The Big Question
The big question out there was, “How can we help each other to build our programs as well as soccer in general in the Port Orchard area?” All three groups use Kitsap Bank Stadium’s Ed Fisher Field. Together the three see and serve players from the very beginning all the way to adulthood in their community. So much in common that it only makes sense to pull in the same direction.
Supporting The 4A Wolves
There were plenty of good ideas and solid connections made. Both POFC and SKSC expressed desire to help the Wolves build and elevate their 4A soccer programs. They are the only school in Kitsap County at that level, due to large enrollment.
There was plenty of talk about fostering a culture at the high school making soccer valued and important to both students and the community. Seeds were sown for interaction between South Kitsap Soccer Club’s coaches and kids and what is happening with soccer at Port Orchard’s only high school.
POFC Eager To Assist Youth And High School
Port Orchard FC expressed willingness to help both programs whenever called upon and confirmed the club’s connections to SKSC. POFC hopes to interact more with the Wolves in 2024. POFC will honor the 2009 WIAA State Champion South Kitsap Wolves Men at a home match this season. The club will also look for ways to support and promote Wolves soccer as part of a general supportive approach to all high school soccer in West Sound.
