Tryouts for the Northern Peninusla’s newest soccer team will be held on March 8 at Sequim’s Albert Haller Playfields.

The new team, called the Northern Peninsula Football Club, is a new semi-pro soccer club started by soccer enthusiasts from Jefferson County.

Joost Besijn, who has been involved in Jefferson County’s recreational soccer teams, is leading the new team as manager.

“There’s been a few pick-up soccer groups in Jefferson County over the years,” he said. “I know the one in Port Townsend has been around for 30 years. But we wanted to take the next step.”

So Besijn and a few other rec soccer players applied to join the Western Washington Premier League, an elite amateur men’s soccer competition with teams from all over the western part of the state, including Seattle, Lacey, Bremerton and others.

“If you’re an adult and you want to play at a higher level, there are few options out there,” Besijn said.

This team is an opportunity for soccer players of all ages and from across the Peninsula to flex their skills.

However, while most rec soccer teams are co-ed, the new club is only for men.

“I wanted it to be co-ed,” Besijn said. “But currently the Western Washington Premier League is only a men’s league.”

Still, the new club is looking to fill an entire roster, including starting line-up, bench and reserve positions. There are many spots to be filled, and Besijn hopes to see a lot of people show up for tryouts.

“I really want it to be an inclusive club,” Besijn said. “We wanted to make it as low-cost for players as possible.”

The tryouts will be held at 1 p.m. on March 8 at the Albert Haller Playfields in Sequim. It costs $30 to try out and another $35 to join the team.

The team's home base will be Memorial Field in Sequim, where they will have five home games during the 2020 season, which kicks off on April 25 and goes through July 11.

The rest of the team's costs will be covered by sponsors. So far, they already have one team sponsor, Henery Hardware, but are on the search for more. They are also doing some online fundraising with a GoFundMe page. Those who want to learn more can visit the league’s website, at northernpeninsulafc.com.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Recreational soccer isn’t just for adults. Jefferson County Parks and Recreation offers spring youth soccer for kids Pre-K to sixth grade each spring.

“This is our biggest youth spring program,” said Chris Macklin, director of the county’s recreation programs. “We get teams from Port Hadlock, Quilcene, Port Townsend and even down in Brinnon sometimes.”

In rain or shine, each division will practice their soccer skills starting April 13 and concluding at the end of May. Children on teams will have the chance to play against other rec-league teams. Games and practices will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for Pre-K to second grade, and 5:30 p.m. for third through sixth grade. Registration for spring soccer ends on March 6. Go to countyrec.com for more information on how to register, or call the rec center at 360-385-2221.

Correction: A previous version of this article referred to the Northern Peninsula Football Club as a league. The new club, which is holding tryouts for their team on March 8, is the first Jefferson County team to join the Western Washington Premier League.