– From staff reports

Seacoast United Maine will enter teams in the National Premier Soccer League and Women’s Premier Soccer League for the 2012 season.

According to a statement from Iain Scott, Seacoast United’s director of soccer operations, the addition of the teams “will provide a platform for our elite players to remain with the club to help them develop further as well as provide exciting opportunities for players not currently under our umbrella.”

The rosters of both teams, which will be known as the Seacoast United Mariners, will be made up of players of college age and older.

“Seacoast United is fully committed to long-term development and these teams complete the soccer pathway for these players,” Scott said.

The NPSL is the successor to the Men’s Professional Soccer League. Originally based in the western United States, the semi-professional league has expanded to include 49 teams in 19 states.

The WPSL is an independent national league focused on the development of highly competitive amateur women’s teams.

The two new teams will play 10-game regular-season schedules from May through July.

Tryouts for both teams will be held in the next two weeks at the Seacoast United Indoor Arena in Topsham.

Tryouts for the women’s team will be from 3-5 p.m. Thursday and 1-3 p.m. Jan. 10.

Tryouts for the men’s team will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday and Jan. 15.

The Portland-based Seacoast United Maine is a nonprofit organization designed to advance the physical and social well-being of children and adults through competitive soccer.