The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast has spent the last six years working with one of the most successful clubs in New England.
South Shore Select Director of Coaching and Girls Academy Director Brendan Hamilton joined host Matt Langone in studio for a fascinating discussion about South Shore Select, which is based in Hingham, Mass., and how it has grown and maintained a strong presence in the region’s club ranks.
Hamilton is a native of North Attleboro, Mass., who went on to play as a goalkeeper for Division 3 Nichols College, where he also served as the program’s goalkeeper coach after graduating.
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Here are some highlights from our discussion with Hamilton in the latest episode of ‘The Goal”:
On the culture that South Shore Select believes in:
Hamilton: “It’s beyond soccer. So everything we do, it’s all related back to our core values — trying to keep a very family-oriented, tight-knit group. The relationships we build with the players on the field are even better off the field when we get to hang out with them, do classroom sessions, do some different types of team-bonding activities that you don’t normally see in a sport-driven club.”
On how South Shore Select has grown over the years:
Hamilton: “I was kind of seeing from a distance, before I even got there six years ago, they were really focused on the players and really focused on how they can grow properly and grow in the correct way. Obviously, at some larger clubs, at some different states, you get 100 different regions, you get thousands and thousands of different players. But organically, I think select has grown in the proper way, and it’s created a great tight-knit environment from staff and from families.”
On the competitiveness of the club soccer scene in New England:
Hamilton: “We are definitely focused on our path, on our road, on trying to make sure that we’re doing whatever we can to create great pathways for our players. It’s funny, when we train over at some of the complexes, there’s six other clubs that train at those complexes, too. So it’s good to see that — a lot of these clubs in Massachusetts, in particular, are growing and making it so that the club soccer scene, hopefully in the most positive direction, continues to grow. We wouldn’t want this to be a competitive thing where it becomes too conflicting and becomes too negative.”
On how 2022 has been going for the club:
Hamilton: “It’s been off to a great start. Our travel is basically done until we go just for one showcase in North Carolina, then we don’t travel again until June. So, we’re home the rest of the season. It’s good for our families to have that. Hopefully, we’ll get nicer weather in the spring.”
“The Goal” podcast is brought to you by the Hoosac School and University of Nebraska High School.
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