Sharon Soccer - Sponsorship Opportunities!

Parents -- Ever wanted to see your business's name in lights right here in Sharon?  Now is your opportunity to sponsor a team in the youth recreation soccer league.  We have over 300 children enrolled in our programs every year.  We pride ourselves in being a 100% volunteer organization, and thrive on teaching the value of teamwork, focus and fun to our kids.  To learn more about the Sharon Soccer Association, please visit our website at www.sharonsoccer.org.    

It is that time of year again where we are looking for sponsors for our Spring 2014 season.  Your support entitles you to sponsor your business on the jersey of each team member, a plaque with a team picture, an adult sized team replica jersey, and a link to your website placed on our home page.  We are hoping you will consider sponsoring a team this Spring, or potentially adding additional teams to your stable.  

Look in the documents section at this link for a copy of our sponsorship application form.  You can sponsor one team for $250, or additional teams for a lower amount.  If you have any questions, or can commit to sponsoring, please contact Sara Barbera at smhbarbera@gmail.com in the very near future.  Thank you for your consideration.  

Sincerely,

Sharon Soccer Association

Thoughts on Coaching from Sharon Soccer Coaches

We recently asked our coaches about their experiences coaching and why they loved doing it.   Here are some of their answers:

Question: Why do you love coaching?

"Because I can do my best to inject good values into a new generation of kids"
- Phillip Ibrahim

"It became part of my life from the 1st time I set foot on the field with my daughter and continues today with my son. I can't imagine not doing it and will miss it when it comes to an end. Soccer is such a great game and being able to helping the young men and women play the game with passion and commitment gives the greatest satisfaction.'
- Scott Director

"Seeing kids 'get it' and be excited"
- John Lydeard

"I enjoy teaching what I love.'
- Rose

"A few reasons: 1. I love the game of soccer; 2. I treat the kids as fairly as I can trying to focus on both winning the game (which is very important to them) and being fair and getting everyone to play and treat their teammates with respect. 3. Its a good bonding experience for me and my son."
- name withheld

"It reminds me of when I was kid and the lessons I learned."
- Thomas N. Farkas

"To be positively involved in soccer.
Give the opportunity to players to develop and express themselves. Make a difference to a players ability/technique/understanding of soccer. To pass on my passion and love for soccer. See players come through and develop and mature as a player. Be able to be involved in soccer that I have always played and know of."

- Robert James Cross. Academy Development Coach, Challenger Sports

"It's a great opportunity to play an important role in your kids childhood."

- Brian Rothbaum

"I feel as though sports is an important part of keeping kids happy and healthy!"

- name withheld

"I am looking forward to sharing my son's first experience playing on a team. I love soccer and I think it will be a blast to help kids learn how to enjoy playing the game."

- Edward McGushin

"Help be a positive influence on others' lives. My father was a soccer coach for years and I directly felt the impact of this, both personally and now professionally. Help bring out the best in someone and teach them to believe in themselves, win or lose."

- Justin Hill

"Helping kids gain confidence in playing team sports, teaching them to play as a team, watching the kids improve over the season, and having my son see me as someone who can teach kids new lessons and skills."

- Adam Binder

"Watching a group of kids gel as a team. regardless of their ultimate finish in a league or tournament, and to give back as a volunteer."

- Barry Rosenblum

"Overall, coaching has been a very rewarding experience. I enjoy working with the kids on their skills development, teaching them the mechanics, and imparting my passion for playing sports on what will be our town's future athletes. Also, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a player who struggled at the beginning of the season, but through encouragement and instruction, was able to develop to the point where he was not only having fun, but also wanted to continue playing soccer. I believe the longer these kids stay in the system, the more they will benefit from the experience later on the life."

- Rob Shone

"Dedicated time with my children where I am really making a difference for the community!"

-name withheld

Wanted: Age Group Coordinators (AGCs) for this Spring!

Interested?  Please contact the Rec League Coordinator, Travis Wiebe, at travisywiebe@gmail.com or 617 512-4598.  Position details are below:

Recreation Soccer Age Group Coordinator Guidelines

Revised: Spring 2014

The SSA is looking for several Rec Soccer Age Group Coordinators to act as the main contact between the coaches and the Rec Coordinator and Board of Directors of the Sharon Soccer Association (the “SSA Board”).   Most of you are also coaches as well, and the Board very much appreciates your extra time and effort.

These guidelines are intended to give you an overview of your responsibilities.  They are by no means intended to be all-encompassing.  If you encounter any situation which is not covered by these Guidelines and you are not sure how to proceed, please feel free to contact the Rec Coordinator or, if the Rec Coordinator is unavailable, contact any member of the SSA Board.

NON GAME DAYS

1)      You must communicate with your coaches (usually be email) each week BEFORE game day to remind them which drills are to be run that week, and to go over any issues from the previous or upcoming week.  You will also need to pass along any pertinent information that you receive from the Rec Coordinator.

GAME DAYS

1)      In case of cancellation due to weather, you will be contacted by the Rec Coordinator and must contact all your coaches, so they can contact the players in a timely manner.

2)      You and the coaches should be the first ones to arrive at the field.  You should arrive at the field at least 15-20 minutes prior to the start time.  You need to make sure the field is ready for play (safe conditions, goals and cones available and set up, etc.), BEFORE the players arrive.

3)      You should make sure every team has an adequate number of coaches (or designated parents) at the field to handle the team.  If necessary, you may have to jump in and help out.

4)      You are responsible to make sure that the coaches follow the guidelines set up for them by the board:   teaching the designated training drills, using the correct number of players in the scrimmages, making sure all players get equal playing time and instruction, and that the more talented players on each team are ‘reigned in’ to make the games competitive and fun for ALL the players.

5)      You should address any questions/concerns from parents, and keep them outside the fence (at facilities that have a fence) or well away from the field.  You should also answer any questions from the coaches, and intervene if there is any problem between a coach and a parent (or player).  Any major parental or player issues should be referred back to the Rec Coordinator or any other SSA Board member.

6)      You should NOT get involved in the actual coaching of any team (unless a team is short-handed, or is your team), either the drills or the scrimmages.   If there is an issue/concern with the coaching, take the head coach aside for a moment and discuss it with them.  Unresolved issues should be referred back to the Rec Coordinator or any other SSA Board member.

7)      You and the coaches should be the last to leave the field, making sure the equipment is put away (if needed), the field is picked up.  Take any left-behind clothing equipment to the Lost & Found in the concession stand, and make sure that all players have a ride home.

ALL THE TIME

1)      Support and thank your coaches – they are volunteers putting in their time and effort.  Help them with any issues that arise.  Deflect any parental problems away from the coaches onto yourself; let the coaches concentrate on coaching.

2)      Keep the SSA Board informed of any issues or problems.  They are there to support you, so use them.  Any major problems should be referred back to them.

3)      Make sure that your primary concern is always for the players to have fun.

New Rec League Coordinator - Travis Wiebe

The SSA would like to introduce Travis Wiebe as the Spring 2014 Rec League Coordinator.  Travis recently joined the SSA board and has been coaching for us since 2011.  If you have questions, ideas, or just want to have a discussion on Rec soccer in Sharon, feel free to contact him at 617-512-4598 or travisywiebe@gmail.com.

Save the Dates for Travel Team Tryouts!

Dates for the travel team tryout have been set.  Specific schedule to be announced.

First Tryout Date:  Sunday June 1st, 2014

Second Tryout Date:  Sunday June 8th, 2014

 

Registration will begin at 8:30 am with a 9:00 am start on both dates

 

PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION

Recreation Soccer Important Pre-Season Dates Available

Late fees start		Sunday, March 23, 2014
Coaches meeting		Thursday, April 03, 2014
Opening Day		Saturday, April 12, 2014
Registration closes		Sunday, April 20, 2014

SSSL Brackets Available.

Check it out!

While full travel schedules are currently unavailable, league brackets have been formed and are available at this link:  http://sssl.sportspilot.com/Scheduler/Public/contests.aspx?header=on

Web Update: 2013-2014 Travel Team Rosters and Coaches Published to The SSA Web Page

Sharon's 2013-2014 travel team rosters have been published to the web on our page "Travel Roster".  Also, the our travel team coaches have been published to the web on our page "Our Coaches".

New Recreation Soccer Format

The Sharon Soccer Association is pleased to introduce its new recreation soccer format.  In response to vital feedback from past and present participating families as well as a group of past and present coaches, the new format is designed to provide practical coach training to our adult volunteers and appropriate practice duration for our youth, as recommended by Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association.  We look forward to demonstrating a more nimble town soccer program, and welcome you to register for Spring 2014 Recreation Soccer at http://sharonsoccer.sportslinkii.com/Registration.aspx. 

Sharon Recreation Soccer Times Annouced

Saturday's this spring is Recreation Soccer time.   Please note that we have shifted the times from prior season to focus on age group rather than gender to align with out new training plan.  More information to follow on these exciting changes.  Hurry, register today at http://www.sharonsoccer.sportslinkii.com/Registration.aspx

Gavins Pond Road Fields
			Begins		Until
	U5 Co-ed U6 Co-ed		8:30	Coaches' Practice Plan review	8:50
			9:00	Players' Clinics	9:30
			9:30	Games	10:00
	U5 Co-ed U6 Co-ed		9:30	Coaches' Practice Plan review	9:50
			10:00	Players' Clinics	10:30
			10:30	Games	11:00
	U5 Co-ed U6 Co-ed		10:30	Coaches' Practice Plan review	10:50
			11:00	Players' Clinics	11:30
			11:30	Games	12:00
East Elementary Fields
	U10 Co-ed		12:00	Players' Clinics	12:30
			12:30	Games	1:30

Wanted: U14 Boy to Play Travel Soccer This Spring

Here's a great opportunity for the right person.  The U14 Boys team coached by Lenny Rabkin has got a spot on their roster for you.  This is the perfect time to join a team as the Spring travel season doesn't begin until April.  No experience necessary to play.  You get to join a great group of guys and be a member of the town travel team.  Meet new friends and play a world renown sport!  All you (or your child) needs is a desire to play and be born between August 1, 1999 and July 31, 2001.

For more information, contact registrar Scott Chun at ssaregistrar@gmail.comor, to register, go to Sharon Soccer’s website (http://sharonsoccer.org/) and click on the Registration link.

Updated Spring 2014 Travel Rosters

Changes to spring travel rosters have been posted here: http://www.sharonsoccer.sportslinkii.com/TravelRoster.aspx.  Please contact Scott Chun, ssaregistrar@gmail.com, or Travis Wiebe, travisywiebe@gmail.com, if you see a name misspelling or a typo.

Coaching Tips page updated...

Check out the new Coaching Tips page on the SSA web page.  It's filled with great information for new and returning coaches.  Be sure to check it out and check out the great links to coaching plans from MYSA.

We're looking forward to having the coaches back in the spring.  You are how this program keeps going.  Thank you, coaches!

Also, if you're thinking about coaching, remember...

The Sharon Soccer Association ALWAYS needs new coaches.  It doesn’t matter if you played or if you’ve never even kicked a ball.  All you really need is the desire to help kids learn a sport.  Coaches get a chance to fall in love with the game, the players, and the activity.  If you’re signing your child up to play soccer, please consider signing up yourself.  Start as an assistant coach and you’ll see that you can do this.  And you won’t regret it.  Besides, it’s much better than hanging out on the sidelines!!!

Registration is OPEN for Spring 2014 REC soccer

Registration is OPEN for Spring 2014 REC soccer.
https://www.sportspilot.com/Register/RegBegin.asp?ASOID=106011

All boys and girls born after August 31, 2003 and before August 1, 2009 are eligible.

Also all parents are eligible as coaches. No experience required! NEW...Coaching clinics every week before your practice to better prepare you!
Opening Day will be April 12th.

Spring 2014 Recreation Soccer Schedule Announced!

The dates for our Spring 2014 rec soccer program will be as follow:

April 12	Week 1	Opening Day
April 19	NO SOCCER	School Vacation
April 26	Week 2
May 3	Week 3	Picture Day
May 10	Week 4	(Rain date for picture day)
May 17	Week 5
May 24	NO SOCCER	Memorial Day
May 31	Week 6	Medal Day
June 7	Week 7	(Rain date for medal day)
June 14	(If Necessary)	(Contingent make-up date in event of 2 cancelled sessions)

Specific times by age group will be announced in the near future.  The SSA encourages you to save these dates for your child to join us on the soccer field.  And this is the perfect for you to get on the field and take part by coaching!

Registration for Sharon Spring 2014 Recreational Soccer will be available shortly.  Please encourage your friends and neighbors to take part!

Web Page Maintenance

We're back at updating the web page and your feedback can help.  If you see anything out of date or wrong on the page, please contact Travis Wiebe (travisywiebe@gmail.com) or Shahin Tajalli (stajalli@gmail.com)  We have a list put together and will be working through it.  But, your eyes may find something that we missed.  Just send us a note when you get a chance.  We appreciate your patience as we make changes.  Thank you! 

New Sharon Soccer Association Facebook Page

The Sharon Soccer Association has a new Facebook page.  We’re looking to build our online community and need your help.  You can start by liking the page.  Then you can share one of our posts.  Finally, put a comment or a soccer photo on the page.  We’re hoping the site helps connects the families, players, and volunteers of the Sharon Soccer community.

Here is link to our Facebook presence: https://www.facebook.com/SharonSoccer

OLD POSTS

Friday June 7 | updated 8:46pm

New Sharon Soccer Gear

Have you been eyeing that sweet Sharon Soccer sweatshirt that Bob across the street wears? Feel out of place at your kid's soccer games because you don't have the right gear? Say to yourself, "I want to be like Bob. I want to be the ultimate Sharon Soccer Fan"?

The Sharon Soccer Association is proud to introduce the Sharon Soccer Association Affinity Wear Online Store! For BOTH adults and children. Not only have we revamped our branded gear, you don't even have to drag yourself to Gavins to make a purchase! Please visit the Home page icon orhttp://www.wegotsoccer.com/storeitems.aspx?bc=sys and shop for the right gear for you at your leisure. The website is managed by We Got Soccer, a locally owned business, and some of the monies spent on the website support our recreation and travel soccer programs. Better yet, if you have questions, you can ask for help via the website, and We Got Soccer will work with you immediately to make your visit a success.

Just think, you and your family are just a few clicks away from wearing your funky, fresh Sharon Soccer Affinity Wear and having Bob across the street wonder, "Why can't we dress like them?"


Tuesday, May 28 | updated 1:14pm

 The Sharon Soccer Association wishes to congratulate the following scholarship recipients for  2013:  The  Ian Summerhayes Scholarship to David Goodman. The Kathy Lawler Scholarship to Kevin Bartas, Ian Beach, and Sarah Cotton.  We wish to thank all our recipients for their volunteer service to Sharon Soccer and wish them well as they continue their education!

Sunday, May 12 | updated 9:55pm

Have you been eyeing that sweet Sharon Soccer sweatshirt that Bob across the street wears?  Feel out of place at your kid's soccer games because you don't have the right gear?  Say to yourself, "I want to be like Bob.  I want to be the ultimate Sharon Soccer Fan?" 

The Sharon Soccer Association is proud to introduce the Sharon Soccer Association Affinity Wear Online Store!  Not only have we revamped our branded gear, you don't even have to drag yourself to Gavins to make a purchase!  Please visit  the Home page icon or http://www.wegotsoccer.com/storeitems.aspx?bc=sys and shop for the right gear for you at your leisure.  The website is managed by We Got Soccer, a locally owned business, and some of the monies spent on the website support our recreation and travel soccer programs.  Better yet, if you have questions, you can ask for help via the website, and We Got Soccer will work with you immediately to make your visit a success. 

Just think, you and your family are just a few clicks away from wearing your funky, fresh Sharon Soccer Affinity Wear and having Bob across the street wonder, "Why can't we dress like them?""

Tuesday, April 9 | updated 9:54pm

Spring Challenger Coach Clinic Returns!
Join our resident Coaches, Stephanie Ashworth and Carl Wilson, at Gavins Pond for additional training.
Spring Challenger Coach clinics will be held every Monday (except 4-15-2013 for school vacation week) through May 20, 2013.  Recreational players and U10 travel players practice from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm and the U12 and above players practice from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  The clinics are a great opportunity to get specialized instruction from our professional Challenger Coaches; Carl and Stephanie.  We hope to see you there!


Tuesday, March 19 | updated 10:04pm
Yeah, I know there is still snow on the ground.  In fact, we had school cancelled today because of snow.  But it is time to think about SUMMER!

Sharon Soccer Association has once again teamed up with Challenger Sports to offer a great week long soccer camp this summer.  For every registration Challenger Sports receives you will get a FREE soccer jersey shipped out to your home immediately for your child to start wearing.  We are excited as this will do two things :

    1) Help you the best bang for the buck on any soccer camp.

    2) Help us as a Soccer club get the word out about our camp.

Please support our program and our community and by registering now.  Each player gets a ball, a camp T-shirt and an individual player evaluation.   Don’t forget the FREE jersey shipped immediately to be with you within a week as long as you have registered 45 days or more prior to the camp start date.

Click on the links below to register!

Sharon Soccer Association / Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp : August 19th - 23rd, 2013

Thanks for your support,

Sharon Soccer Association

Tuesday, March 19 | updated 9:47pm
Attitudes Are Contagious
Mass Youth Soccer has developed and produced an outstanding video titled Attitudes Are Contagious focusing on the issues of sideline behavior of adults, and specifically on how that behavior is affecting the retention of young referees. The videos can be viewed at these links: Attitudes - Part 1, Attitudes - Part 2.

Tuesday, December 4 | updated 3:00pm
Challenger Coach Friendly
Thanks to all who participated in the Challenger Coach friendly on Sunday Nov 4 at Gavins.  It was a great send off for our Challenger Coaches.  No ESPN highlights and only one minor "injury."  Everyone also gave a hand closing the fields for the season.  Only five months until the opening weekend of the Spring season!