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.