To facilitate the number of interested children, Gridley Parks and Recreation Director Amanda Kaelin said that she still needs coaches for both girl’s 10U and boy’s 10U teams. Photo courtesy of jatocreate_pixabay

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – With an overwhelming number of applicants, Gridley Parks and Recreation is recruiting additional soccer coaches for the upcoming fall season.

To facilitate the number of interested children, Gridley Parks and Recreation Director Amanda Kaelin said that she still needs coaches for both girl’s 10U and boy’s 10U teams, and ideally, an additional coach for the 12-14U boys age bracket.

Teams filled up quickly this season, with many children finding themselves on waitlists until members of the community came forward to coach. Kaelin used the 10-U boy soccer teams as an example, saying that she had 56-interested players register, but only four coaches signed up. Gridley Parks and Rec strives to keep teams smaller, around 11 players, so that everyone has the opportunity to play.

That said, Gridley Parks and Recreation is in need of at least one boys’ 10-U coach and two to three girls’ 10-U coaches.

As an incentive to those considering coaching, Kaelin shares that the department offers free registration for children of coaches and will refund an already paid registration fee for to a parent or guardian of a child if that said individual  would like to coach.

Kaelin is hoping community members will step forward and fill the few remaining coaching vacancies, so that all children interested will have the chance to play this fall.

Currently, registration for the soccer season has closed, but Kaelin says that if additional coaches are found for the 10U teams, she may be able to open a few more spots for players.

For those interested in coaching, please email [email protected], call 530-846-3264 or visit the City of Gridley website activities page at https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/cityofgridleyrec/home.

For those registered for the 2025 soccer season, Kaelin said to expect to be contacted mid-August by coaches for practice. Game schedules and other player information will be available for those registered with Gridley Parks and Recreation through the active community’s site.