Hampden soccer teams eye debut under the lights

Bill Cattelle and Jim Tinkham are two of the lucky ones.

Every time their daughters suit up in the Purple and White of the Hampden Academy girls soccer team, the two proud fathers get to be there to root them on.

Many parents don’t get that chance, though.

While their sons and daughters take to the field at 4 p.m. for a varsity sporting event, some parents are still at work.

That was one of the reasons that Cattelle and Tinkham joined forces to spearhead a campaign to bring nighttime soccer to Hampden Academy.

This Friday, beginning at 6 p.m., the Broncos boys and girls take to the Hampden football field for a doubleheader soccer matchup under the lights.

The HA girls will face the Old Town High School Indians at 6 p.m. with the boys matching up against the Brewer High Witches immediately following.

It will be a chance for some of those parents to get to see their children play.

“I’m fortunate enough that my job allows me to take some time off,” Tinker said. “Some parents don’t get to any of the games. I think parents need to get involved more.”

In addition to getting more parents, the later starting times also could draw more students to the games. While other practices are often still being held at game time, Friday night will be showcase the soccer games.

For the students, having their parents and friends there is only half the fun.

“We’ve been talking about this for four years and we finally have the chance,” said Amy Cattelle, Hampden’s goalkeeper and Bill’s daughter. “It’s just the fact that you’re playing under the lights. I don’t know how to describe it. The team thinks its great.”

“From a player’s perspective, they’re very excited about it,” girls coach Randy Dodge said. “Hopefully, it will draw a big crowd. It’s a Friday night, so it gives the parents a chance to watch an entire game. Other kids won’t have to worry about practices or homework. We’re hoping a lot of fans will come out and support a night game.”

The idea started when Dodge talked about having his team travel to Castine to play under the lights on Maine Maritime Academy’s new articially surfaced Ritchie Field.

“Instead of driving clear to Castine, we figured why not have one in Hampden?” Tinkham said. “Our interest in the soccer programs in general sort of got the thing going.”

In addition to having the girls team play under the lights, Tinkham and Cattelle approached Hampden Academy Athletic Director Bill Connor about having both squads playing in a doubleheader.

Those behind the drive are now hoping that playing under the lights can be a yearly event for all the fall sports teams.

“We’re approaching it as a yearly event where we might be able to have a game per team there,” Tinkham said. “We’ll continue to pursue it. The field sits there for half the (football) season without being used. Why not give everybody the opportunity to use it?”

This Friday, though, it will be the soccer team’s turn to turn on the lights for a game.