We’ve been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice. […]
We’ve been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
LOCH SHELDRAKE- The National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) has awarded a $2,000 NJCAA Opportunity Grant to SUNY Sullivan’s athletics program. This competitive grant will directly support the development of the College’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs beginning in Fall of 2025, helping to expand athletic offerings and increase student participation in collegiate sports. The […]
LOCH SHELDRAKE- The National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) has awarded a $2,000 NJCAA Opportunity Grant to SUNY Sullivan’s athletics program. This competitive grant will directly support the development of the College’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs beginning in Fall of 2025, helping to expand athletic offerings and increase student participation in collegiate sports.
The NJCAA Opportunity Grant aims to enhance equity and access in two-year college athletics by providing financial support to programs that are building or expanding sports opportunities for student-athletes. Its initiatives include funding scholarships, supporting program development, and promoting equity and access in collegiate athletics. The grant will assist SUNY Sullivan with essential resources needed to launch and sustain the soccer teams.
“The NJCAA Foundation is excited to further support the growth of NJCAA member colleges and the sport programs they offer through the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant,” said Andrew Givens, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “The ability to provide this funding is a testament to the importance and growth of two-year collegiate athletics. The NJCAA Foundation looks forward to this initiative’s impact as NJCAA member colleges continue to create opportunities for student-athletes across the country.”
Collegiate athletics play a vital role in higher education by promoting student engagement, academic success, and leadership development both on and off the field. Athletics also serve as a cornerstone of campus life, fostering school spirit and pride within the community.
“I am very excited to see the addition of both Men’s and Women’s Soccer at SUNY Sullivan,” said SUNY Sullivan Interim Director of Athletics Simon Clement. “This is an extremely popular and fast growing sport in Sullivan County. Offering Soccer will provide a new pathway for student-athletes to enhance their education and playing career at their local community college.”
Breadcrumb Trail Links Local News FC Edmonton Joe Petrone was the brains behind FC Edmonton, Aviators and Drillers. His name was synonymous with soccer in the city Published Jun 21, 2025 • Last updated 9 minutes ago • 3 minute read Joe Petrone, director of soccer operations for the FC Edmonton soccer club, at Foote Field […]
Joe Petrone was the brains behind FC Edmonton, Aviators and Drillers. His name was synonymous with soccer in the city
For decades, Joe Petrone’s name was synonymous with soccer in Edmonton, whether he was coaching a high school team or managing a professional franchise.
Petrone lost his battle with cancer on Thursday. He was 78.
Petrone was 12 when his family arrived in Edmonton from Italy. A young soccer phenom, he made it to the Canadian national team, playing at the 1967 Pan Am Games.
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He then distinguished himself as a coach, mentor and booster of a game that had always trailed the so-called “Big Four” in North America. He was an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University, the same school were Sorrentino’s restaurant chain founder Carmelo Rago played his college soccer. He coached the Edmonton Drillers of the North American Soccer League. He was director of soccer operations for the Edmonton Brickmen of the Canadian Soccer League, and the director of soccer operations for FC Edmonton when the team made its debut in the second iteration of the North American Soccer League.
“Joe was the driving force behind professional soccer in this city. He always believed it would work here,” said Jeff Paulus, who served as assistant coach, academy coach and finally head coach of FC Edmonton. “He knew everything about everybody when it came to soccer in this city.
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“So many young players got their chances because of him. So many coaches got their chances because of him. And that includes me. Joe gave me a chance.”
Antonio Rago played for FC Edmonton from 2011-13. His dad, Carmelo, and Petrone were friends for 50 years, since they played together for Edmonton’s famed Ital Canadians club.
“Joe had four daughters and a son. But my brothers and I were like four sons to him, too.” said Rago. “I know that when I made my professional debut, it was a proud moment for him.”
Petrone also loved the other type of football. In fact, in 1971, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. Legend has it that Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry flew to Edmonton to get the deal done. It was time when NFL teams were starting to seek out soccer-style kickers. Still, it was a big deal that an Edmontonian was getting a shot in the Big D.
But after the preseason, Petrone returned to Edmonton and bought a house with the signing bonus. Rago recounted what has become family legend: When he was in Cowboys’ camp, his teammates made him sing “O Canada” in front of them. Petrone didn’t like being the outcast, the butt of the joke, so he came home.
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Rago said, even a few months before his passing, Petrone was still working the phones, trying to get Edmonton players tryouts with European clubs.
“That was Joe, always using his connections. He’s helped a countless number of players,” said Rago.
Former FC Edmonton owner Tom Fath said Petrone left a real mark on the soccer community.
“He was just so knowledgeable about the sport, and about people,” said Fath. “And the thing is, he cared a lot. And that meant a lot to me.”
“He was instrumental in getting so many young players to the Canadian national team and to colleges, where they could get scholarships.”
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Scott Nickerson Elmore Autauga News Prattville’s boys’ soccer team had one of the best seasons in the history of the program. The Lions won the Class 7A Area 5 Championship over Thompson, Hillcrest Tuscaloosa, and Tuscaloosa County. The Lions went 18-4-1 with a whopping 13 shutouts in 23 contests. The Lions defeated Hoover in the […]
Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Prattville’s boys’ soccer team had one of the best seasons in the history of the program. The Lions won the Class 7A Area 5 Championship over Thompson, Hillcrest Tuscaloosa, and Tuscaloosa County. The Lions went 18-4-1 with a whopping 13 shutouts in 23 contests. The Lions defeated Hoover in the Class 7A Playoffs and advanced to the Class 7A quarterfinals. They finished the season ranked as #3 in Class 7A in the final post-season poll, ranked only behind the two teams that competed in the state championship. Further, Prattville was ranked #5 in the “Super Poll,” which includes teams from all seven classifications in the state. As a result of that success, Elmore Autauga News has named Head Coach Trevor Ledkins as the Autauga County Soccer Coach of the Year.
“I am honored to be selected as Coach of the Year,” said Ledkins. “The senior leadership and my assistant coach, Colin Salle, were a huge part of our success. Knowing when I challenged my players during training and games that they were going to step up to the challenge, it made it a really fun team to coach. Coach of the Year is definitely a team award and having great players, great assistant coaches, and great parent support were all key components to our success.”
Four of Ledkin’s players were selected to the All-State teams by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Ben Green was named to the 1st Team Super All-State, made up of all players in the state regardless of class. Adam Green was named Class 7A 1st Team All State, and Austin Ledkins and Levi Smith were both named Class 7A 2nd Team All State.
The Lions were led by a strong senior class. And their successes on the field resulted in a record eight seniors signing college scholarships to continue their soccer career beyond high school, a testament to the strength of the soccer program.
“Having eight senior college soccer signees is amazing,” said Ledkins. “These signees have also had great coaching and training in club soccer to develop them for the college level. These players set a standard of excellence for our program that all of our underclassmen can strive to achieve. Not only did they reach high athletic achievements, but also high academic achievements. I am extremely proud to have been able to coach these outstanding young men.”
Another incoming Penn State women’s soccer freshman Marlee Raymond is representing the stars and stripes this summer. Hailing from Cumming, Georgia, Raymond was selected to the U17 U.S. Youth National Team this summer. Another new Nittany Lion headed for the BIG STAGE
So excited for Marlee Raymond to represent the Stars and Stripes with the U17 […]
Another incoming Penn State women’s soccer freshman Marlee Raymond is representing the stars and stripes this summer.
Hailing from Cumming, Georgia, Raymond was selected to the U17 U.S. Youth National Team this summer.
Another new Nittany Lion headed for the BIG STAGE
#WeAre | #PSWS pic.twitter.com/DdEB2nKnka
— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) June 19, 2025
A defender, Raymond reclassified to join Penn State in 2025. She is one of the seven incoming freshman this season.
Fellow incoming freshman Hannah Jordan earned a call up to the inaugural U.S. Soccer Women’s College ID Camp on Monday.
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A pair of incoming Nittany Lions earned a high honor on Friday.
US Soccer announced last week that they are launching a committee called the NextGen College Soccer Committee (NCS). Its primary purpose is to integrate the college level more broadly into the US Soccer ecosystem. The NCS will have members from diverse backgrounds, including higher education, sports, business, and philanthropy. Based on the announcement, the committee […]
US Soccer announced last week that they are launching a committee called the NextGen College Soccer Committee (NCS). Its primary purpose is to integrate the college level more broadly into the US Soccer ecosystem. The NCS will have members from diverse backgrounds, including higher education, sports, business, and philanthropy.
Based on the announcement, the committee has two goals to work on. First, they aim to publish a white paper that will include recommendations for men’s and women’s college soccer. The goal is for this paper to be published by the beginning of the 2025 college season.
The NCS’s second goal is engagement. The committee intends to work with the colleges that are interested in the solutions the white paper comes up with. The timeline for implementing this second step is the 2026-27 season.
The committee will include 17 members with Dan Helfrich as the committee chair. Helfrich is a US Soccer Leadership Advisory Group member and a former CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP.
This announcement preluded the start of a new Women’s College Talent ID camp run by US Soccer, which is currently in its fourth of five days.
This recent announcement shows US Soccer is interested in investing more time and money into growing the college pathway. This could benefit not only the players, but the entire sport in the US, from coaching, scouting, and on. This could provide a massive benefit to American soccer, as the college soccer space is extensive.
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