The Huntsville City Schools (HCS) Athletics Department announced the addition of officially sanctioned AHSAA Middle School Soccer for the district at the June 7, 2022, Work Session.
Middle school soccer teams for both boys and girls will start as a spring sport for the 2022-23 school year, with schools beginning their scheduled seasons in February of 2023. The middle school season will run concurrently with the high school season, but for a shorter duration. Tryouts will occur in the fall.
HCS Athletic Coordinator Scott Stapler mentioned at the Work Session that many students play soccer in early recreational leagues and they already have the chance to play for high school teams, but in grades 6-8 there has been a gap where they haven’t had the same opportunity.
“I think we can stand in that gap and offer this opportunity to get them playing this sport, which will also mean more students for our high school programs to choose from,” said Stapler.
The district will utilize an existing agreement with the City of Huntsville Parks & Recreation department to allow teams access to city soccer fields for practices and games if needed, but teams will also be able to use HCS football fields for practice.
Huntsville City Schools will also provide start-up items needed for each team, which will include things like uniforms, equipment, and a fall coaching academy.
HCS is excited to bring this new athletic opportunity to students across the district.