Freshman Welcome Letter 2024

Greetings to our incoming 9th graders and their parents!!!

On behalf of our coaching staff, current players and families, I'd like to welcome you to the boys soccer program and to Camden Hills Regional High School! Some of you are no doubt a little worried about the transition to high school. To many of you our program will be your first introduction to the high school community and we hope to ease any fears you may have. Take a deep breath...and relax! We'll do our best to take care of you!

This summer we have provided lots of opportunities for your son to play soccer if he chooses to. We have 3 Friday evening 7 v 7 games for our 9th (that's you!) and 10th graders to play against other players that are the same age Home in Camden. Additionally, we have 10 summer soccer games for all players Tuesday and Thursday evenings right here in the mid-coast area. Our summer programs are strongly encouraged but strictly voluntary, we urge our players to pursue whatever their passion is this summer as long as they are active and come to pre-season (August 14th,  2023) fit and ready show themselves in the best possible light during tryouts.

August 3rd - August 18th is what is known as the "Hands Off" period where coaches are not allowed to have contact with players.  If you are planning a family vacation these two weeks are a great time to do so!  The start of pre-season on August 14th is the start of our Season - it is a full time commitment and attendance at all practices is required!  

We have two practices a day for the first week of pre-season.  During the try-out period we will conduct 7 different skill and fitness tests which, in addition to observing your son's level of play and work ethic, help us to place them on the appropriate practice and game squad.  Our squads are not fixed for the entire year, based on work ethic, attitude and improvement we move players up and down all year so they can play as much as possible.  Our program is currently one of the best in the state of Maine.  We generally have between 40 and 60 players trying out each season.  It is highly competitive and demands an incredible amount of dedication, hard work and perseverance from our players.  The typical player path in our program is to play on the Freshman team as a freshman, JV as Sophomore's and Juniors and Varsity as a Senior.  Your son will need your support and positive reinforcement to continue to work hard each and every year, to do their best, to enjoy the game and to become a positive and supportive team member. 

A few words about our Fall program. We are very fortunate to have a First Team program here at Camden Hills so there are no cuts for Freshman. The goal of the First Team program is to allow your son the opportunity to continue to develop his soccer skills, to have fun, and to learn to commit themselves to a team and to our program.  In addition to the First Team we have a J.V. and Varsity team. Although we have separate game schedules in the fall we do our best to remind our players that we are one program and are essentially one team. Our program is centered on the belief that our players effort level, in all things they do not just soccer, is ultimately what determines their level of success. This belief guides a lot of what we do. We also place a heavy emphasis on sportsmanship during contests. We want our players to celebrate our team successes and to compete fiercely to achieve their goals but to do so with dignity and class. We should act and look like the champions we are at all times!

My name is Ryan Hurley and I'm the head coach for the program. This is my 25th year coaching soccer and 15th season at Camden Hills. Prior to coaching here I coached travel soccer in Virginia and high school soccer at Yarmouth, Winslow and Maranacook High Schools.  I live in Lincolnville with my wife Julie, children Oren and Eva, and our dog Rainey. Please feel free to call me (931-5015) or e-mail (ryanzhurley@yahoo.com) with any questions or concerns you might have.

Trevor Vadas is a Varsity Assistant and the Junior Varsity team coach.  Trevor is entering his 7th year with the program.  He teaches Math at CHRHS and is also an avid fisherman.  Coach Vadas can be reached at:  trevor.vadas@fivetowns.net

is a Varsity Assistant and our First Team coach.  Colby played four years of soccer at Camden Hills and in addition to holding the title of "World's Nicest Human" he is a talented musician

We look forward to getting to know you and your son – All the Best from the Entire Camden Hills Soccer Family :)