Free Clinic Details
Portland Hearts of Pine will hold a complimentary soccer clinic in Lewiston on Monday, running from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Drouin Complex on Jefferson Street. The session is open to boys and girls aged 5 to 18 and combines a 45‑minute training drill with a brief meet‑and‑greet with professional players.
Participants will receive a free FIFA‑approved soccer ball and have the opportunity to interact directly with the club’s roster, including Walter Varela and Jay Tee Kamara, alongside Khalid Hersi. Registration can be completed through the Lewiston Recreation Department’s website.
A Homecoming for Khalid Hersi
Khalid Hersi, who grew up in Lewiston after moving from Atlanta at age two, returns to his hometown as a professional athlete. He played high school soccer at Lewiston High, competed at the University of Southern Maine, and joined Hearts of Pine in January 2025. His presence at the clinic highlights the club’s focus on mentoring local talent.
Hersi’s involvement is part of a broader initiative to make soccer accessible across Maine. Gabe Hoffman‑Johnson, Founder and Chief Community Officer of Hearts of Pine, emphasized that connecting young athletes with role models is central to the club’s mission of community engagement and youth development.
Future Vision and Stadium Plans
Beyond the clinic, Hearts of Pine is planning a new stadium in Portland’s West End, slated for completion by 2029. The project reflects the club’s rapid growth since its debut in March 2025 and its ambition to provide a permanent home for the team and its community programs.
The event aims to inspire the next generation of players by showing that professional opportunities can emerge from within Maine’s own communities. Organizers hope the clinic will serve as a model for future outreach efforts throughout the state.