Annandale Club Provides Positive Life Experiences for Youth

If you visit any park in Annandale that has a soccer, baseball or football field, there's a chance that one of the league teams is part of the Annandale Boys and Girls Club. The Annandale Boys & Girls Club, or ABGC, was established in 1959 and created by Everett G Germain Jr. to encourage youth participation in community and sports activities in a wholesome environment.

Managing Director Greg Germain said the second-generation family-run club is the oldest in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Everett G. Germain Jr.'s vision to build community through sports led to the addition of sports such baseball, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, boxing, lacrosse, wrestling and football to the club. One of the unique sports offered is T-Ball, a modified version of baseball created by Germain.

As soccer grew in popularity, Germain brought the ABGC team in contact with other teams across the nation and entered them into competitions where they won awards. Moreover, as stated on the ABGC website, Germain's leadership led to the creation of the first Club Apprenticeship program. The Club Apprenticeship program gives players the opportunity to maintain a college curriculum whilst being immersed in professional level soccer training.

Technical Director and Coach Bo Amato said enrollment in ABGC has steadily grown over the last few years from 1,800 to 2,700 participants. The number of traveling teams has also increased from 18 teams to 45 teams. Amato believes their enrollment has steadily increased because of their reasonable rates. Amato explained that there are boys teams and girls teams, ages range from nine years old to 18 years old.

"There is high competition and a lot of college exposure. Traveling is fun," said Eric Schmidt, a member of the ABGC soccer team, about the program. Schmidt said apart from soccer, being in the club was an overall good experience because you learn that in life, things don't always work as planned. His teammate Rhys Howard agreed, stating  "you learn many values useful later on in life" and adding that ABGC was a great club to be involved with because of the great coaching.

Much of the club's advertising is done by word-of-mouth, according to Amato. The kids tell their friends and family about their experiences.

Annandale Boys & Girls Club also has some affiliated youth programs like Kung Fu, fitness programs for adults such as Tai Chi, Jazzercise and Zumba, and for the younger children, there are recreation soccer programs for Pre-K to fourth grade.

ABGC sports are year-round, winter sports or spring sports. The club plays against other Northern Virginia teams in local fields and activity centers.

For more information about the Annandale Boys & Girls Club or to learn how to enroll in one of their programs, visit the club's website.