HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Liverpool is one of the most well-known soccer clubs on the planet, but despite being over 3,500 miles from Cumberland, it has a unique connection to Western Maryland.
Liverpool has international academies in 12 states, one of them is in Hagerstown and it includes Sadie Hamilton.
Hamilton is an eighth-grader at Washington Middle School and has trained at the Western Maryland Liverpool academy for several years.
“I’ve known Sadie for three or four years,” Liverpool Western Maryland director Alan Lydiate said. “She’s very respectful, very enthusiastic within the game.”
Hamilton was part of the first group of Americans from Liverpool international academies to travel to England in August and train with the European club.
Hamilton was one of 15 girls in her age group from across the United States to receive this opportunity.
“I was kind of shocked I got picked, I was excited,” Hamilton said. “I was thankful for the opportunity to travel to England and train.”
As one of the smaller international academies, Hagerstown was only able to nominate one player from each age group.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for her,” Lydiate said. “Soccer has a massive cultural following as a sport. The girls’ game has enhanced the last five to 10 years in England. Girls programs are catching up with the women’s pro game over there.”
This was the first year that Liverpool offered the chance for players from their American academies to travel to England and train with the European club.
Part of the experience included a game against Manchester United, which Hamilton’s team won 3-1.
“She’s a leader within the team, she’s very outwards and engages with a lot of players,” Lydiate said. “She enjoys the challenge of more competitive programs. You can tell she has the desire to want to get better and prove herself as a player.”
While this was the first year the opportunity was available, Lydiate said it’s been several years in the making.
“We’ve been planning this for many years,” he said. “COVID-19 kicked in, created challenges. As we got back, this year was the first year to get it off the ground.”
Hamilton was one of two players from the Western Maryland academy to travel to England. South Hagerstown High’s Armando Ardique was chosen among the male players.
“It made me feel honored,” Hamilton said of representing Western Maryland. “I was really thankful for the opportunity.”
The academy was founded in 2010 as Locomotive FC and in June 2017 partnered with Liverpool FC International Academy to become the second official club in Maryland.
Liverpool has two other international academies in Maryland in Potomac and Baltimore. Lydiate said the academies operate under the Liverpool Academy who provide training resources and the structure of the club. The academies represent Liverpool including wearing the logo on the jersey.
“We understand kids in America will likely never play for Liverpool,” Lydiate said. “This is their version to give access to kids the way they do things in England. Bringing a taste of Liverpool to kids around the world.”
Hamilton joined the academy last fall and said she wanted the exposure to other teams and the chance to represent Liverpool.
The academy operates similar to local travel clubs. Teams practice twice a week and play games on the weekend like other teams. The difference is what Liverpool provides in the structure. Lydiate said the educational standards, curriculum and methodology are provided by Liverpool.
“They talk about the Liverpool way,” Jen Hamilton, Sadie’s mother said. “They really stress values and their mission and dedication to being on a team. Not just in soccer, but in life in general. That’s some of the reasons we’ve been going down there and continuing with the program.”
The academy plays in a 10-month season, mostly against EDP (Elite Development Program) clubs throughout Maryland. It’s mostly regionalized for the Hagerstown academy while the Central Maryland academy in Potomac will play on a regional and national level.
Lydiate said Hamilton has good traits, but when asked about her potential, he said she will need to continue to show she’s willing to dedicate herself to soccer.
“We can never tell,” Lydiate said of potential. “It’s down to them, do they love the game, have the desire to do all the extras. Every player has potential if they’re willing to work. She has the attributes and behavior, but there’s a long way to go.”
Sadie said she hopes to play in college and is looking at Penn State and Clemson as potential fits. She likes how big each school is and likes what the soccer program offers.
Other well-known European soccer teams have international academies throughout the United States. Manchester City has one in Columbia, however, Liverpool is the only one in Western Maryland.
Lydiate said having the direct connection between Liverpool and Hagerstown is important for creating lifelong fans of the game.
“To have a connection and feel like you’re part of the club is huge for development and for the love and passion for the game,” he said. “Even if you don’t stay in the game, you’ll probably always have an affiliation for Liverpool.”