Blackbear United Families and Players;

Thank you for a wonderful year.  Our teams showed that players from the Eastern Maine region can battle with the southern teams and talented teams from New England and other states.  Teams were very competitive in leagues and tournaments, and we had our best year yet in the state cup tournament.  We entered 10 teams with 8 advancing out of their group, and 6 in the championship game.  We finished with 3 state champions (most ever), and 3 runner-ups.  Congratulations to the 14 Girls (3peat), 16 Girls and 16 Boys.

Blackbear United captured countless tournament victories and titles including; the Narragansset 7v7 Indoor Tournament, the Maine Metro Winter Freeze, the Seacoast Invitational, the Glastonbury Tournament, Needham Memorial Day Tournament, the Coastal Challenge, and sent 3 teams to the Region I tournament held in Barboursville, West Virginia.

Our continued success comes from dedicated and committed families, players, hard working team administrators, and of course a great coaching staff.  Please take the time to thank your coaching staff and team administrators for their time, dedication, expertise, motivation, and knowledge.  We have a great staff that truly have the player’s best interest in mind and continue to improve and develop soccer in our region.  Thank you coaches and team administrators.  A special thank you goes out to Cheryl Stokes for her countless hours and dedication to Blackbear United.  Most of her work goes unnoticed but is truly appreciated.

From a club perspective, THANK YOU players and families for your hard work, commitment, continued travel and perseverance through the winter trainings and outdoor season.  We face challenges each year and continue to battle them and conquer them.  Without you, our club could not be successful - so thank you.

I know it’s hard to believe but tryouts are just around the corner so mark your calendars for Sunday, August 8th.  We will host tryouts at HO Bouchard Fields in Hampden off Coldbrook Road.  We will host two other tryouts in September and October with a November makeup date if needed.  Players are asked to attend 2 tryouts if possible.  Players can pre-register online for tryouts. 

Tryout Times and Age Groups

12-1:30pm:  U10, U11 and U12 Boys and Girls

1:30-3:00pm:  U13, U14 and U15 Boys and Girls

3:00-4:30pm:  U16, U17 and U18 Boys and Girls

Many clubs have merged and are in the midst of tryouts now and will try to recruit players from this area as they have seen our success.  We ask that you stay true and loyal to Blackbear United.  There is much uncertainty out there but know that Blackbear United will continue to improve our programming and continue to offer great programs for children ages 4-18.  We will continue to add to our great staff and our administration.  Changes and updates will be sent out and posted on our website.  Our goal is to increase our staff working with players, our academy, and increase efficiency on the administration side.

Thank you once again, congratulations on a great season, and enjoy your summer. We look forward to seeing you on August 8th at tryouts and on the field this fall for your respective teams.

Feel free to contact me anytime this summer with questions, comments or suggestions.

MJ Ball - Blackbear United Club Director

(207) 991-8940