Portage Youth Soccer Club

What the club offers

PSC runs Northwest Indiana Soccer League (NWISL) programming described as rec-plus: scores and standings matter, divisions are competitive, and trophies go to first through third place in each division, but there are no tryouts and players are not turned away for skill level alone. Roster limits or a shortage of volunteer coaches can still prevent placement. Teams are built with same-age, same-grade grouping when possible, and “Show Up & Show Out” placement sessions help balance teams fairly. The league sets schedules and division placement using past results, club input, and gold-through-lower division bands so every ability level gets appropriately matched games.

PSC also promotes an in-house soccer track aimed at local practices and games with lighter travel; when that season is open, practices meet at Columbus Park in Lake Station and games run at PSC fields on Lute Road (3280 Lute Road), with U8 through U14 style bands and often coed teams. Winter training enrolls whenever PSC opens that program block in Blue Sombrero.

Typical league seasons include eight regular-season games plus an end-of-season tournament in spring (single elimination across about two weekends, often into early June); fall play follows a school-adjacent start without that same spring tournament format. About half of home-and-away sets are hosted at the Portage Soccer Complex (Imagination Glen East); the rest rotate among NWISL partner clubs across Northwest Indiana, with opponents such as Munster, Griffith, Valparaiso, Crown Point, Lowell, Duneland, and Hobart appearing often depending on the year.

Practices, fields, and game rhythm

Practices usually run two or three nights per week for about one to one and a half hours, set by each head coach around field availability. Common training sites include Imagination Glen East, fields along Lute Road, and Portage High School’s north Lute Road complex (6450 U.S. 6). Game days are overwhelmingly Sundays, with Saturdays held for makeups; spring sometimes adds more Saturday matches. Game lengths run two 25-minute halves at U8 and U10, two 30-minute halves at U12, and two 35-minute halves at U14. Ball sizes are size 3 for U8, size 4 for U10 and U12, and size 5 for U14.

Registration, fees, and uniforms

Families register and pay online through Blue Sombrero (Sports Connect); card payments include a non-refundable 3.4% processing fee, and refunds the club issues are mailed by check when policy allows. Returning users log in through Blue Sombrero; new families create an account before adding players and choosing programs.

A detailed youth league package has been offered at $195, covering NWISL and Soccer Association for Youth registration, a full uniform kit (home and away jerseys, shorts, and socks starting Spring 2026), weekly practices, an eight-game season plus tournament where applicable, certified coaching support, player insurance, club events, and placement-day activities. Payment plans are available. Completing registration requires full payment, uploaded birth certificate and current player photo, and meeting a $30 minimum fundraiser participation per season for roster eligibility. Late registration may be possible during an announced late window but placement is not guaranteed.

Travel registration runs $150 for returning players and $225 for new players (broken out as $160 registration plus a $65 uniform kit for new players), with every player uploading a birth certificate and photo, full payment and documents required before rostering, and a $35 minimum fundraiser participation. Travel play keeps all games on Sundays with Saturday makeups. Program registration hardship assistance exists on a case-by-case basis for financial need; families submit the club’s Google Forms scholarship application for consideration.

Mission, values, and coaching

PSC’s mission is to lead in the local soccer community by keeping soccer accessible—especially for children in Portage and surrounding underserved areas—through fair, positive, meaningful experiences that build growth, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The vision is an inclusive, engaging, supportive environment where every child can participate regardless of background. Core values include sportsmanship, inclusivity, player development, community engagement, and volunteerism.

Coaches are volunteers, many with soccer background and ongoing learning each season; the club asks families to remember the volunteer context when raising concerns and to loop in board members for playing time, conduct, or safety issues.

How to reach PSC

Stephan Hutchins serves as club registrar at registrar.psc.in@gmail.com. Bryan Gomez serves as club representative at clubrep.psc.in@gmail.com for broader club questions, volunteer roles beyond coaching signup, and coordination. Fundraising and sponsorship questions are directed to the fundraising coordinator at miguelflores.psc.in@gmail.com. Late registration or wait-list questions can go to registrar.psc.in@gmail.com.