Erie FC

What the club offers

Programming scales from recreation through junior work for U5–U8 (Gunners), a Youth Academy band for U9–U10, and club teams from U9 through U19. Black “Premier” teams target athletes ready for a year-round curriculum focused on soccer IQ, technique, conditioning, and mental preparation, with travel and cost expectations above lighter travel options. Erie FC Red is the club’s entry travel tier: paid, licensed coaches run two training sessions per week, travel stays comparatively local, and teams usually play in PA West Soccer Association leagues with about one to three tournaments a year depending on age and level—aimed at players stepping up from recreation toward Premier commitment.

ERSC is an in-house skill-development program for third through eighth graders who want extra technical and tactical work alongside school soccer. It runs two soccer activities per week, uses games against similarly skilled groups, and does not add travel. An optional Kick Off Camp each August helps U9–U15 players and teams reset before the fall.

Gunners (U5–U8)

Gunners blends weekly skill work with game play. U6–U8 players typically attend one or two weekday practices plus a Saturday game; U5 players keep everything inside weekday practices with no separate weekend game. The main school-year season has run roughly late August through late May, with an eight-week summer block as well. Enrollment stays open during the season so families can join or step back with dues adjusted accordingly. Practice slots rotate between Erie Premier Sports West on West Ridge Road and Erie Premier Sports Pennbriar on Pennbriar Drive—both turf indoor facilities that allow sneakers, indoor shoes, or molded outdoor cleats, not metal studs.

Monthly Gunners dues for the 2025/26 cycle are $50 for one practice per week or $80 for two (U5), and $80 for one practice or $100 for two (U6–U8). Families may pay monthly or in full for the season, and paying in full at the start earns a 5% discount. Uniforms are purchased separately through the club’s Capelli team store once players are set up for the year.

ERSC and club-team registration

ERSC charges a $50 registration fee plus $95 per month for the August–May season, includes a shirt in the registration fee, and also uses EPS Pennbriar. Like Gunners, it keeps open enrollment with prorated dues if a player joins or leaves mid-season.

Players who want U9–U19 club teams must be evaluated and placed before they register. If evaluations are missed, families reach out to Erie FC directors for mid-season options. Uniforms for club teams are ordered through the same team store after teams are loaded each year. Annual tuition for Black Premier and Red sides is broken out by birth-year groups and program track, with bracket-specific amounts rather than one flat club-wide rate.

Tryouts, seasons, and where teams meet

Younger club ages (U9–U14, birth years illustrated for 2025/26 from 2017 through 2012) have used two tryout evenings in early June at Fields at McKean (5220 West Rd, McKean, PA). High-school ages (U15–U19, birth years 2011–2007 in the same cycle) have used a single Sunday block in November at EPS Pennbriar in Erie. Attendance at both grade-school tryout sessions is expected when both dates are offered. Families complete the club’s pre-registration Google form before tryouts for the band they are pursuing.

Grade-school club teams calendar an August-through-June season (about ten months), while high-school club teams often run November through June (about seven months). Premier sides aim for PA West State Cup and/or US Club Soccer Western Pennsylvania/New York State Cup pathways alongside other local, state, and regional league play.

Mission and philosophy

Erie FC’s mission is to deliver quality programs for players, coaches, and families with emphasis on safety, fun, fair play, communication, and development, while building character and civic responsibility. A five-part philosophy stresses integrated access to every level of play, coach-driven development, disciplined fee value through scale and partnerships, balanced individual growth at each tier, and a family-centered culture.

How to reach the club

General registration and administration questions go to eriefcinfo@gmail.com. Gunners families can contact Brian Holdford at bholdford@msasoccer.com. ERSC questions can go to Gary Kagiavas at gkagiavas@pennwest.edu. Sporting directors share direct addresses such as pedro@eriepremiersports.com, jperkins@msasoccer.com, jsmith@msasoccer.com, and stojaga@gmail.com. Social media coordination uses eriefcsocialmedia@gmail.com.