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The EPIC (Eastern Panhandle Inter-County) soccer club, founded in 1994, is the premier sanctioned travel soccer club in the Eastern Panhandle. EPIC offers competitive soccer opportunities for the area's children at a level not available in the recreational soccer leagues. Experienced coaches, challenging league play and tournaments, motivated teammates, excellent sportsmanship, and above all, fun! This is the EPIC experience.
Children who start playing on EPIC teams at a young age begin learning the footwork, teamwork, strategy, and other skills that help them succeed throughout their soccer-playing careers, including high school and college. Older children joining EPIC teams can develop and hone their skills in a challenging environment that will prepare them for more competitive play in high school and beyond.
EPIC teams represent the state and region in several area leagues, including the Old Dominion Soccer League (ODSL), based in northern Virginia; the National Capitol Soccer League (NCSL--boys), based in the Washington metropolitan area; Washington-Area Girls Soccer (WAGS), and the Frederick County Soccer League (FCYL). They participate in tournaments across the tri-state area, including the West Virginia State Cup, where several teams have won state championships and gone on to represent West Virginia in national tournaments.
EPIC stresses the development of excellent sportsmanship as much as the development of excellent soccer skills. Players learn a love of the sport and the importance of teamwork as well as respect for their opponents and the rules of the game.
EPIC teammates form close friendships through their love of the game, the pleasure they share in increasing their skills and abilities, and their encouragement and support of each other on and off the field.
EPIC holds tryouts in June for its U9 through U14 teams. Once formed, these teams play both the fall and spring seasons. Some coaches may continue to look for players throughout the year and announce this on the EPIC Website or in area newspapers. High school aged teams (U15-U18) play only the spring season, with tryouts in November. Players are expected to practice hard and challenge themselves to grow as athletes, teammates, and sportsmen/women. They earn their playing time rather than have a set amount of guaranteed playing time per game. Coaches are concerned with individual player development, so they provide all players with chances to prove themselves at practices and during games.
Costs and time requirements vary by team.
Costs. Costs generally include the EPIC club fee, West Virginia Soccer Association (WVSA) registration fee, field fees, league (e.g., ODSL, NCSL, FCSL) fees, and uniforms (most teams keep the same uniform for a couple of years) and typically average $250-$300 a year. Most teams hold fundraising activities to offset costs of tournaments and other expenses, such as equipment. EPIC fees are far less than those of other area clubs.
Time. Most coaches have at least two required practices per week; some have more. Practice locations vary by team and are in parks and fields in Jefferson and Berkeley counties. Fall practices begin in August and end in November. Spring practices begin in March and end in June. Some teams play indoor soccer once the fall season ends, and practices for this season depends on the indoor schedule.
Games are primarily on Sundays, with occasional Saturday games as well. Because EPIC teams participate in leagues in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., the locations of the games range throughout these areas. Most games are about 1.5 hours to 2 hours away, though some are less than 1 hour’s distance. Weekend tournaments that teams select can be in the tri-state region or further afield. Optional winter indoor leagues are in Germantown, Westminster, Frederick, and Winchester.
Most coaches are volunteers. Some are parents, with children on their teams, and some are not. All must pass a background check through WVSA and have at least an E coaching license. EPIC provides coaching clinics and other opportunities for coaches to increase their skills. Many coaches played youth soccer, and several played at the college level and beyond. One thing they have in common: a love of competitive youth soccer and a dedication to developing player skills and sportsmanship.
For players to improve and excel in their soccer skills and field play, they need to be committed to making as many practices and games as possible.
For the EPIC soccer club to succeed in its goal of providing quality soccer to all its teams, parental support is key. The EPIC soccer club is an all-volunteer organization led by an elected board comprising parents and community members. EPIC meetings are held monthly, with dates posted on the club Web site, and all parents and interested parties are encouraged to attend so they can support club activities, air questions or concerns, and keep abreast of club matters.
EPIC has tax exempt status and welcomes businesses and individuals that would be willing to provide financial assistance to help offset the cost of running the club and teams.
Photo Gallery
| Title | Description | File Type |
|---|---|---|
| Constitution and Bylaws | Adobe Acrobat | |
| IRS 1050 | IRS documentation indicating that EPIC Soccer Club is recognized as a not-for-profit organization - 501(c)(3) | Adobe Acrobat |
| Policies and Procedures | Adobe Acrobat |
| Title | Description | File Type |
|---|---|---|
| Board Minutes 2007-03 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2007-04 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2007-05 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2007-07 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2007-09 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2007-10 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2007-11 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2008-01 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2008-10 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2008-11 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-01 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-02 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-03 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-04 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-05 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-06 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-08 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-09 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-10 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2009-11 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2010-02 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2010-03 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2010-04 | Adobe Acrobat | |
| Board Minutes 2010-05 | Adobe Acrobat |
| Title | Description | File Type |
|---|---|---|
| Application to Host | This form is required to host a tournament or games. | Adobe Acrobat |
| Coaches Application | Application to be a coach or assistant coach for the EPIC Soccer Club. | Adobe Acrobat |
| Coaches Responsibilities | Short list of minimum requirements for coaches in EPIC Soccer Club | Adobe Acrobat |
| Incident Report | Use to report yellow or red cards to players, parents or coaches. To be filled out and emailed to EPIC Board for each incident. | Microsoft Word |
| Kid Safe Form | All coaches, assistant coaches, and board members are required to complete the Kid Safe forms. Failure to complete the Kid Safe form will result in suspension from the club. Kid Safe forms are to be renewed every year. | Adobe Acrobat |
| Medical Incident Report | Use to report any injury that occurs either at practice or during a game that requires treatment. To be filled out and emailed to EPIC Board for each medical incident. | Microsoft Word |
| Medical Release | This form is required to be filled out every year and must be notarized. | Adobe Acrobat |
| Permission to Travel | The Permission to Travel form is required to travel out of state for league play and tournaments. If filed 30 days or more in advance there is no fee. Within 30 days of the event fees start at $20. | Adobe Acrobat |
| Request to Board for Player Playing Up | This letter must be submitted to the Board for any player wishing to play outside of their age group. Coaches must also submit a recommendation to the Board. | Adobe Acrobat |
| Sportsmanship/Web Release Form | This is a combination form required every year and is an agreement between the coaches, players, and parents to abide by the EPIC Soccer Club good sportsmanship policy, and allows EPIC Soccer Club to post player information, including names and photographs, on the EPIC Website. | Adobe Acrobat |
| WVSA Player Team Status Form | The form must be completed by all players or teams requesting permission to play with a state association other than the state in which they reside as well as by any player moving from one state association to another during the Seasonal Year. This form must also be completed by any West Virginia player or team requesting a drop, release, transfer or guest player permission. | Adobe Acrobat |
EPIC Soccer Club
PO Box 342
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443
304.725.EPIC (3742)
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Copyright 1994-2009 EPIC Soccer Club, Shepherdstown, West Virginia ~ a 501(c)(3) Organization
Site Design by Stephen Walker