Solar Soccer Club coach Eugene Tremblay and his son. Photo courtesy of Carolina Tremblay.
East Dallas native Eugene Tremblay’s time as a soccer coach started in 2013, when his son, then a student at Lakewood Elementary, wanted to play soccer.
There was just one team of boys, who played through the YMCA.
The coaching slowed as Tremblay’s job demanded more attention, and then it stopped when COVID-19 began. But close to two years ago, Tremblay, who graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, ramped up coaching again.
Now, more than five dozen boys over a range of ages play for teams Tremblay coaches through Solar Soccer Club. The Allen-based club is much larger than just Tremblay’s teams and welcomes boys and girls, but Tremblay brought the program to East Dallas.
Many of the boys attend local schools such as Alex Sanger, Mockingbird and Mata, and they practice at Bishop Lynch High School.
“It’s just so popular now. I don’t know if it’s because of the World Cup that just happened or what, but the kids are really loving the sport, and it’s just growing in our neighborhood,” said Carolina Tremblay, Eugene’s wife.
Tremblay is the only licensed coach, but several dads help run the practices. The teams play throughout the year, often at tournaments in Plano and McKinney, though they occasionally travel out of state.
The suburbs are where many of the club teams in North Texas practice, too. But because of Tremblay’s teams, East Dallas residents don’t have to travel far to join a competitive team.
Tremblay wants everyone to be able to participate, which is why he sometimes takes players to and from practice.
This year, he’s starting a 2011 team, which is the oldest age group he’s ever coached. Interested athletes can come to a practice at Hyer Elementary starting at 6 p.m. any Friday from May 5-26.
“You put a ball in front of a kiddo, and they come out and have a great time,” Carolina said. “It’s so fun to watch.”
