August 20, 2022, marked my two-year work anniversary as League Director for the New England Premiership (NEP). As I compose this column, the current state of the NEP is, well, not great. Our member clubs have left the NEP to join the New England Club Soccer League (NECSL). We have no clubs or teams. … [Read more...]
Coach’s Perspective: Fall success starts with careful planning
It seems like only a short time ago, I was discussing the end of the fall 2021 high school soccer season. Fast forward to now, and we’re only a little more than a month away from the start of our upcoming fall 2022 high school season. As we ramp up for another highly anticipated season at Pembroke … [Read more...]
Coach’s Perspective: The soccer referee crisis is upon us and needs to be addressed
The game of soccer is experiencing a referee shortage. This issue is facing our youth, club and adult leagues here in New England, and elsewhere across the country. This crisis is not isolated to the game of soccer, as sports such as hockey are experiencing the same issues. Here in New England, we … [Read more...]
Coach’s Perspective: Mass. coaches, players grapple with new tourney system
The United States Soccer Federation provides a "Profile Of The Grassroots Coach" for all of the Coach Education Grassroots courses that they run. Coach candidates learn the importance of "Evaluating and Reflecting" as they coach their teams throughout a given season. The evaluating and reflecting … [Read more...]
Coach’s perspective: High school coaches amped for normal return to the game
The fall 2021 high school soccer season should be a welcome one for players, coaches, referees, parents and athletic programs after working through unprecedented challenges during the past academic year. Last fall, our region experienced a much different type of season, as the COVID-19 pandemic … [Read more...]
We face a referee shortage, and it’s on all of us to fix it
Over a recent holiday weekend, I found myself perched at the soccer field in tournament play. While the tournament was not a successful one in terms of results for the U14 boys team I coach, I left the event more focused on an issue that came about in a game that did not even include our team. This … [Read more...]
