MCRD JUNIOR SOCKERS FORMED
The San Diego Sockers and the San Diego Hall of Champions are committed to serving the great military families of the San Diego community. This commitment was illustrated with the announcement of a formal joint partnership between the Sockers and the HOC to form the MCRD Junior Sockers Program.
In an effort to support our military members and their families, the Sockers and HOC are funding and administrating a youth league that was previously funded under wartime budgets through the DOD, but has since seen funding sunset under peacetime budgets.
“Our new MCRD Junior Sockers program will continue to provides a high level rec soccer league for hundreds of military families across San Diego,” said San Diego Sockers Forward, Kraig Chiles. “As the director of the original HOC/MCRD league… I’ve seen that league and its players gain a vast amount of confidence and the soccer skills needed to make the jump to competitive soccer. We hope to do even more for our military families through the MCRD Junior Sockers.”
“Delivering sports to military families and local communities is cornerstone to the Hall of Champions and its ongoing efforts to enhance the lives of San Diegans through Sports,” said Hall of Champions Executive Director Drew Moser, “We are thrilled to partner with the Sockers to ensure MCRD’s league can continue well into the future, and the Sockers’ involvement only elevates the league’s positive reach and influence.”
The partnership is an effort to celebrate, strengthen, support and entertain military members both on and off the field. They will do so by offering specialized youth programming such as structured youth soccer leagues, camps, clinics, and training sessions. The HOC and Sockers will assist in developing transferable work and life skills through volunteering, coaching and internship opportunities. The Sockers through on-field salutes will help link the MCRD Junior Sockers to the larger San Diego sports community.
“To have a professional sports team like the San Diego Sockers sign on to inspire, invest and support our military children is amazing, a true blessing,” said Marry Young, Special Projects MCCS, “We can’t wait to start chanting ‘Go MCRD Junior Sockers Go!’”
The MCRD Junior Sockers program primary services area are Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Base Coronado and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego but any military family is welcome to join.
