Our Mission

The Sharon Soccer Association (SSA) is a non-profit, member-run organization promoting soccer in the Town of Sharon. The SSA is organized under the auspices of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and is authorized by the MYSA to administer the town of Sharon's travel soccer teams. The mission of the Sharon Soccer Association is to promote athletic excellence, good sportsmanship, fair play, individual effort and collective teamwork among the children of Sharon, within the context of competitive soccer. The SSA tries to promote these values in an atmosphere that is at once fun, educational, and competitive. We hope that our players will learn both how to develop their individual skills and how to work cooperatively as team members. Please review our Code of Conduct to see how you and your children can help us maintain a safe, fun and respectful environment for all involved.

Though the SSA is independent of Sharon's town and school administration, the Association attempts to cooperate with town organizations to achieve its goals. In particular, we run the Sharon's noncompetitive Recreational Soccer program and cooperate with the Sharon High School Girls and Boys Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman soccer teams.

What is Sharon Recreation soccer ("rec soccer")?

The Sharon Soccer Association provides an in-town recreation program in the fall and spring for children from pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. This program is designed to provide a basic foundation of skills for the developing player, while not losing site of the ultimate goal, that is, to have fun. The program is non-competitive; scores and standings are not tracked. Coaches are volunteers mostly parents with help from high school varsity and junior varsity players. Instruction is also provided by trainers from the Major League Soccer program.

What is travel soccer?

Traveling or travel soccer is competitive youth soccer played in organized leagues between teams representing different towns. Travel soccer generally begins at age 8 or 9 (Under-10 or U-10 teams) and continues at least through high school (U-19). 


My kid's not a great player... yet. Can she play travel soccer?
Parents should note that children do not have to be superstars to participate in travel soccer. For players at younger ages, the SSA attempts to be as inclusive as possible. As children progress, team selection becomes more competitive; but those who enjoy the game and practice their skills will, in turn, become more capable.

How are teams organized?
Following the rules of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA), Sharon's travel teams are organized by sex and age. There are separate teams for boys and girls. Additionally, teams are organized by age grouping. At younger ages, the groupings span two years of age (i.e., U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16); at older ages (and in some more competitive leagues) groupings may span only one year (e.g., U-17, U-18, U-19). It should be emphasized that while age and grade are highly correlated, state and national rules use birth date, not grade, to determine eligibility to play on a particular traveling team. Leagues monitor age-appropriateness closely. Pictured ID's are issued to each player at the start of each season. The referee checks these ID's against the team roster at the start of each game. To ensure compliance with age requirements, SSA collects a copy of the birth certificate for each player.

How are teams selected?
Selection to teams is by tryout. SSA holds its annual tryouts in late spring of each year; player selections are announced shortly thereafter. Teams formed each summer remain largely intact for one year as teams may play outdoors in the fall, indoors in the winter, and then outdoors again in the spring. For younger teams playing 6-on-6, MYSA limits team rosters to 14 players. For older teams playing 11-on-11, the roster limit is 18 players.

How are the coaches selected?
The SSA Board of Directors appoints coaches for Sharon's traveling teams. A coach is almost always the parent of a player. Selection is often based on the observation of a coach's earlier performance in the town's recreation program. Some coaches may have played soccer in high school or college, but most have not. In its selection of coaches, the SSA puts primary emphasis on the individual's ability to foster a positive experience for the players and promote the mission of the association, including sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork. Knowledge of the strategy, tactics, and skill of the game is helpful but ultimately secondary. Children learn to play soccer mainly by playing, and they won't play if the experience isn't rewarding.

Don't Sharon players need experienced soccer coaching?
The SSA recognizes that a strong youth soccer program depends on knowledgeable direction from coaches. Consequently, the SSA sponsors clinics and licensing courses for its coaches. All coaches of U-10 travel teams are required to complete an 8-hour course to earn the MYSA's "F license;" coaches of U-12 and older traveling teams are required to earn the "E license."
To help ensure the safety of Sharon's children, the SSA also requires all coaches to participate in the "KidSafe" program.

What league does Sharon play in? 
Sharon plays in the South Shore Soccer League (SSSL). The SSSL includes teams from 17 nearby cities and towns: Abington, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Hanson, Holbrook, Quincy, Raynham, Rockland, Sharon, South Boston, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, Weymouth and Whitman. Within each grouping of teams by sex and age (e.g., U-12 Girls), teams are divided into as many as three divisions (i.e., Div. I, II and III) and two subdivisions (A & B) based on competitiveness, with Division IA being the most competitive. SSL officials classify teams into divisions based primarily on past performance.

So when do they play their games?
The SSL's main competitive season is the spring. The 9-game season begins in early April and continues through early June. Each team has one scheduled game per week. For a given grouping, all games are scheduled for the same time and day of the week, Saturday or Sunday. For example, all games for U-12 Girls may be scheduled at 1:30 on Saturday. Roughly half of the season's games are played at home fields in Sharon; half are played away – hence the term "traveling." The regular season ends with playoffs to determine champions in each grouping. League champions compete in the MYSA's Tournament of champions to determine state champions in each grouping.

Sharon's a fairly small town. How well do we compete in the SSSL?
Larger cities and towns (e.g., Braintree, Quincy, Bridgewater, Weymouth) certainly have some advantage in South Shore Soccer League competition due to their large populations. But small towns have proven that they can compete. Whitman once had a dominant program for girls.  Easton's girl’s teams are currently extremely competitive. Sharon has had a U-16 Boys team that won a state championship as well as a U-12 Girls team that won the South Shore Soccer League Championship and played in the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions. What matters most to the success of a team is the dedication of the players, parents and coaches.
 
Are there special rules for SSSL travel soccer games?
Town teams play in uniform. Sharon’s uniforms are maroon. Players must wear shin guards and cleats. It is strongly recommended that players wear mouth guards. Players must not wear jewelry (or any other objects that may cause injury). Travel games are closely refereed, following modified international FIFA rules. Most games have licensed and uniformed referees. For older age groups, there may be two linesmen. Currently in the SSL, U-10 teams play 6-on-6; older groups play 11-on-11. U-10's and U-12's play with a Size 4 ball. U-14 and older teams play with a size 5 ball, the same as adults. Games take from 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on age. U-10's and U-12's play two 30-minute halves. U-14's and U-16's play two 35 and 40-minute halves, respectively. U-17 and older teams play two 45-minute halves, the same as adults. Time runs continuously except, at the discretion of the referee, for injuries and other major delays.

What is "club" soccer?

Club soccer refers to an organization or team created for purposes of playing at a competitive level above inter-town competition. Teams are typically comprised of players from different towns, and even regions, and most clubs participate in the Massachusetts Premier League (known as "Maple"), which is sanctioned by the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association ("MYSA"). Information regarding the Maple league and a listing of member clubs can be found at www.maplesoccer.org.

How does “club” soccer differ from town “recreational” soccer and town “traveling” soccer?
The recreation department in a town, such as Sharon, may organize an in-town program for its youngsters. Such a “rec” soccer program normally encourages wide participation by the children of the town, so there are no tryouts. Usually participation is limited to town residents.

Separately, a private non-profit organization, such as the Sharon Soccer Association (SSA), may organize one or more “travel" teams to compete against similar teams from other towns.  Broad participation may be encouraged, especially at younger ages, but participation in the teams is by tryout. MYSA sanctions and governs the leagues in which these travel teams compete; and it recognizes only one affiliated organization, such as SSA, to represent each town.  For this reason (and not because of any formal connection to town administration) participation in a MYSA-affiliated travel program is usually restricted to residents of the town with which the association is identified.

Clubs are formed to organize “premier” level teams to compete against similar teams from other clubs.  Participation in these premier teams is by tryout only and normally the tryouts are highly competitive. There are several levels of the Maple league, separated by age, and the league is structured as a pure meritocracy – teams advance in the divisions based upon their past success, and teams from lower divisions can advance by successful results in their division.

Maple league play starts at the U11 level and goes to the U18 level. At the U13 level and above, the divisions are more structured, with Division 1, Division 2, and typically several levels of Development or "D" level plays and the teams complete for a Statewide Cup Championship.  Winners represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in U.S. Soccer, Region 1 Championship play. 

Who should participate in “club” soccer?
SSA encourages its players to participate in club soccer if they desire a higher level of competition, more training and exposure to a more professional level of coaching.  Many club coaches are highly trained and paid by the club for their efforts. There is a substantial commitment involved. Tryouts are in mid to late June and from there clubs typically train from late summer through early the next June, with two outdoor training sessions per week typical when weather and light permit.  Maple has both a Fall and a Spring season with all games on Sundays.  The times vary, and games can be anywhere around the state. The State Cup Tournament, for which teams seek to qualify throughout the year, is in early June. In past years it has been held at UMASS Amherst. Most clubs train and/or play during the winter with varying level of degree. In addition, many clubs play in regional tournaments throughout the year (particularly on Columbus Day and Memorial Day), and some of the more elite level clubs travel to tournaments nationally. Fees vary widely and can range from $500 to $1200 per year, depending on the leagues and tournaments in which the team participates.

Will club soccer conflict with town soccer?

MYSA permits a player to be rostered both on a town “select” traveling team and on a premier “club” team, at least until U-15, so dual rostering is not prohibited. There will be some inevitable scheduling conflicts between club and town soccer.  Practice times may conflict.  Games may also conflict, especially considering travel times.  Nevertheless, nearly all players who elect to join club teams continue to play with their town teams, and SSA is committed to working with the players and coaches to work through conflicts.  It almost always works out.  For girls, who play spring South Shore League games on Saturdays but club games on Sundays, there will be few if any conflicts between games.

What about other questions?
Several SSA coaches and parents have children who have participated in Maple and club soccer over the years and would be happy to speak with you about this subject. Feel free to contact Paul James (pmjsharon@comcast.net) or Clark Yudysky (y4us@aol.com) with questions.

SSA Indoor Soccer Policy and Information

The Sharon Soccer Association supports boys and girls travel soccer teams play a session of indoor soccer, however, it is not considered mandatory. The goals of playing indoors are:


1) Have fun
2) Keep player’s soccer skills sharp during the off season
3) Development of skills transferable to outdoor play.

It is important that each coach use prudent judgment on deciding on the number of indoor sessions his/her team will participate in. As the length of the soccer season has increased to multiple seasons, it is important the coach be aware of soccer burnout, especially going into spring league play.

There are multiple indoor facilities a team may choose from including: ForeKicks in Norfolk, the Bridgewater Sports Complex and others (there are also a few additional facilities in the discussion and/or construction phase now). Most facilities run three, seven game sessions plus playoffs or two, ten game sessions plus playoffs. U12 and up coaches must also be aware of roster size limitations. Each facility has its own set of rules defining roster size or number of players allowed to attend each game.  Typically the number of players allowed on the bench for a game is limited to thirteen or fourteen players.  Some teams have rostered the whole team and created a rotating play list of 11 or 12 players per game.

Session costs vary based on the facility. MYSA does not offer insurance coverage for indoor league play, and insurance is typically arranged through the indoor facility. Consult with the indoor facility for details and cost. The fee charged by the Sharon Soccer Association to travel players does not cover the cost of playing indoor soccer. Payment to the facility and collection of fees from players is the responsibility of the head coach.

Indoor soccer facilities offer various age brackets and levels within each age bracket. Make sure you speak with facility personnel to determine placement in the appropriate age bracket and competitive level. Placement is important. The soccer experience for a team is dependent on proper placement. Be proactive and make sure to register your team early, as space is limited. Facilities fill their slots quickly. Indoor league registrations start in early August and continue through the fall for the late fall and winter sessions.

For more information on indoor soccer or if you have any questions please contact Paul James at paul.james@hklaw.com, 781-784-0140

Player Priority and Multiple Rostered Player Guidelines (MYSA)

Mass Youth Soccer recognizes that certain players may compete on two different teams. In doing so, conflicts arise as to which team takes priority in the event there are game, tournament or practice conflicts.

In attempting to resolve those conflicts, a comprehensive set of guidelines was developed. Players, coaches and parents are urged to familiarize themselves with these guidelines. The guidelines were developed to allow the player to continue his or her development and play at the highest possible level. At the same time, Mass Youth Soccer recognized the need to provide guidance to resolve conflicts. The player priority guidelines are spelled out in detail in Section 342 of the Bylaws.

In general, the player priority guidelines come into play for:

1. ODP (state team) players of any age who are also on another team roster
2. Players under age 14 who are multiple rostered.

The player priority guidelines do not apply to a player who is age 14 or older and who is not on an ODP team.

The player priority guidelines establish player priority expectations in the following categories: major tournaments; state team (ODP) tryouts; regularly scheduled League games; make-up games; and practices.

To review the actual rule, read Section 342 from the Consitution and Bylaws below:

Section 342. Priority Guide for Multiple Rostered Players

These “priorities of play” are for players who are multiple rostered. These priorities:

• Apply to all State Team players – regardless of age - rostered on any other team.
• Apply to all multiple rostered players aged U14 and younger; but,
• Do not apply to non-State Team players age U15 and above.

These priorities provide players, coaches and parents with a set of expectations for players rostered to multiple teams.  They have been developed to enable players to rise to their highest level of soccer while affording them access to all levels of play.  It was developed with input from representatives of all types and levels of play within the state.  They have been developed to eliminate such questions as "Who do I play for?, which practice should I attend?, or “what team should I play with on a tournament weekend?” These priorities are to be respected and adhered to by all of the various soccer interests that compete for a player's attention and time. 
In general terms, a player's priorities are as follows. 

1. Major Tournaments:
• Regional ODP Tournament (after Memorial Day)
• State Cup
• MTOC and Qualifying Games
• On a major national holiday weekends:
• Memorial Day – priority to Premier (MAPLE) Teams
• Columbus Day – priority to Town Teams
All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of scheduled conflict

2. State Team Tryouts (except Sunday afternoons during MAPLE seasons)
3. Regularly scheduled League games
4. Make-up games
5. Practices

However, there exist variations in priority based on the playing season. So please read and understand each category and how they interrelate.

Soccer Activity Priority List:

1. Regional ODP Tournaments
2. State Cup Tournament
3. MTOC and Qualifying Games
4. State Team Tryouts in summer, fall (other than on Sunday afternoons) and winter seasons only.  Try-out dates must also be established and available through the State Office at least one month in advance.

5. All Games:
• State Team – Summer only
• Premier (MAPLE) Teams – all year for any games scheduled from 11:00 a.m. on Sunday until dusk
• MTOC Eligible Town Teams – all year for any games scheduled from Friday afternoon to Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
• State Team 
• Non-MTOC Town, or any fall teams other than Premier or winter teams
6. Tournaments:
• tate Team – (summer only) 
• Premier (MAPLE) Teams – priority for Memorial Day Weekend only
• Town Teams – priority for Columbus Day weekend only
• All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of conflicts.
7. Practices:
• State Team – priority during the Spring season.  State Team practice dates must be established and available through the State Office by at least March 15.
• Premier (MAPLE) Team – Division 1 only
• All other teams – players are to alternate attendance in event of schedule conflict

MLS Coaches' Profiles

Daniel Boult
Date of Birth: 3/22/1980
Email: danielboult1@hotmail.co.uk
FA Coaching badge level 1, Community Sports Leader Award, Goalkeeper Academy. Soccer coach for 4 years working in the community also coaching in a school as a stand in teacher and after school clubs. Daniel is also a qualified youth worker, and has been running a youth center for the past 2 years. Daniel has been playing soccer since he was 8 years old, from school teams to college and now for his local team. He has played mostly as a goalkeeper but also enjoys playing right full back. He is also manager, captain, and goalkeeper for an 8-aside soccer team, which he has been organizing for the last 3 years.

Why he likes to work with kids: To be a positive role model, pass on my love and enthusiasm for the game of soccer, develop their soccer skills, and help increase their confidence through sport.
Why he likes to work in soccer: Because I think that it is the best sport in the world.

Why he likes to work with MLS Camps: They provide good opportunities to further my coaching abilities, they are a professional organization, and I also get to travel.

Hobbies and Interests: My main interest is playing and watching soccer. I also really enjoy basketball, NFL, water sports, personal fitness, golf, films, reading, socializing with friends, music, going to music gigs and festivals.

What he likes to eat: Most meat, vegetables, pizza, soup, all fruit, most healthy foods. Not really fussy.

Sharon Wates
Date of Birth: 5/4/1968
Email: shazussoccercoach@hotmail.co.uk
First 4 Sport Level 1 Certificate (2/07). Emergency First Aid (2/07). American Heart Association – Heartsaver First Aid & Healthcare Provider. Ripley Boys U10 Derbyshire (Asst Coach, 6/07). Sharon Soccer Association – Spring & Fall '07 Seasons. Summer Camps throughout Mass - 2007. Sharon played soccer at Mickleover Secondary School ('79-'84, 1st team) and at Wilmorton College ('84-'85). Before Sharon joined MLSC, she worked in Sports Retail for 19 years, 17 of those in Management and the other 2 she was in Visual Merchandising. While in Sports Retail, she trained & developed other members of staff in all aspects of the job.

Why she likes to work with kids: Fun – To Educate Them – To Help Them to Progress in the Sport – To show them that Soccer is Enjoyable – To help Train & Develop from an early Age – Pass on Knowledge of the Game.
Why she likes to work in soccer: I love the sport and to be able to coach the game to children in the U.S is a dream come true.

Why she likes to work with MLS Camps: For me, they are the number one company for coaching in the U.S. I love their coaching philosophy – Connected – Optimistic – Accepted – Compassionate – Humble. I think using green cards are a fantastic idea for kids. From my experience last year, they loved it.

Hobbies and Interests: Soccer – Tennis – Basketball – Traveling – Reading – Internet – Video Games (Wii, PS, Xbox ) – Meeting People – Making New Friends – Sightseeing – Starbucks – Live Sporting Events

What she likes to eat: Like all foods apart from seafood. Willing to try new foods that I haven’t had before.