The world’s most popular participation sport continues to thrive in Hamilton County, led by the wide presence of Indy Premier Soccer Club. With several facilities – and even a new state-sanctioned school – across the county, major soccer events fill the calendar all year.
This month, the club’s Halloween Classic is in its 33rd year and will once again bring approximately 300 club teams from all over the Midwest to Hamilton County. According to Jake Satchwell, the director of operations and events for Indy Premier, the event brings around $3 million in economic impact to the area. The Halloween Classic features three games for every club U8 to U10, and full tournament for ages 11-16. Off the field, teams are encouraged to show Halloween spirit (within safe soccer rules!) and many players wear paint and festive socks.
“Parents and everyone on the sidelines get involved and we see some cool stuff,” Satchwell said.
Each year, the event’s logo changes and comes from a design contest among the children aged 8-14 who play in the club. This year’s winners were Noblesville’s Leighton Becker and Paxton Shui of Fishers. Local teams will play beginning Friday, Oct. 26 and teams traveling in will play Saturday and Sunday. Everyone is guaranteed three games and the older kids have a tournament on Sunday.
The Halloween Classic is a major event that brings teams from all over, but it’s just one weekend in a full year-round slate for Indy Premier. At Washington Business Park in Noblesville, Premier boasts two full fields and an indoor facility along with its boardrooms and office space. The club now has 26 full-time employees teaching the game and managing the facilities and events. From age 2 with their Super Kicks all the way to placing players on the national team, Indy Premier has the entire pitch covered. There is also a semi-pro team playing in United Women’s Soccer during the summer in Noblesville.
“We have a program for everyone who wants to play travel ball,” Satchwell said.
A little more than 100 kids aged 2-5 learn the basics in Super Kicks, while 1,800 kids across the area play in the Rec+ program. Another 1,200 play travel soccer for Indy Premier, taking their game nationwide.
Satchwell, who moved to the US from England in 2006 and has been with Premier for 18 years, estimates 40-50 players from Indy Premier each year earn a spot on a college roster, at all levels. Some of the up-and-coming names from the area include Ashlyn Anderson, who played on the U16 National Team and is going to Florida State. Another is Palmer Ault, who plays men’s soccer at Butler and was selected by the Colorado Rapids of the MLS.
Indy Premier also hosts the largest TOPSoccer franchise in Indiana. TOPSoccer is a recreational soccer program offering a safe, fun and inclusive environment for athletes with disabilities. Many of the players and staff involved with Indy Premier volunteer in TOPSoccer, which this year will host 79 athletes and their “buddies”.
“A lot of our volunteers have a personal story to tell and it’s a way to give back,” Satchwell said.
The newest initiative is the club’s school, Premier Soccer Academy in Noblesville. It’s a fully-accredited, Montessori-style school serving mostly middle school kids from Hamilton County at this time. In its second year, Premier Soccer Academy offers daily training and individual plans and wellness for the students.
“Our kids knocked it out of the park with their test scores,” said Satchwell. “It’s been a successful start and we are looking to expand our classrooms and programming.”