Mass Youth Soccer

Where Every Experience Tells a Story

MISSION

VISION

To serve, educate, and provide safe soccer play for all.

Lead, inspire & unite soccer communities to create environments that support development, encourage dreams and foster belonging.

MASSYOUTHSOCCE R FUN GROWTH

INTERGRITYVALUES

MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION WITH MORE THAN: 327 member organizations and leagues

146,000 players

25,000 coaches, administrators, and volunteers

5 Steps to Make the New Sports Season a Success

1. Get to Know your Child’s Coach

Parents should take a moment after practice to introduce themselves to the coach, thank them for their commitment, and offer support if needed, rather than avoiding the interaction out of fear of seeming overly involved or seeking favoritism. Breaking down these misconceptions helps build trust and strengthen coach-parent relationship.

2. Names, Names, Names

Learn the first names of all the parents and players to build a strong team community, even if it means using flashcards to memorize them. Use this knowledge to engage with new parents during games and encourage players with supportive behaviors.

3.HelpYour Child Set some Goals

Goal setting is a key benefit of playing sports, and helping your child develop this habit can lead to a more successful season. While your child should lead the process, you can support them by acting as a sounding board and asking open-ended questions.

4. Plan a Family Party with the Team

Developing a sense of Community is essential when it comes to our child’s enjoyment of sport, parent and each satisfaction with the experience, establishing trust in the coach-parent relationship, and forming life-long friendships.

5. Come Up with a Plan for Equipment

Having children take responsibility for their sports equipment builds autonomy and discipline, starting with a clear plan for cleaning, storing, and packing their gear. Even if mistakes happen, holding them accountable fosters important life skills and independence.

CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS

GIRLS:

Girls Grade 5/6 D1- Hanover

Girls Grade 5/6 D2- Sudbury

Girls Grade 7/8 D1 - Winchester

Girls Grade 7/8 D2- Milton

Girls Grade 9/10 D1- Needham

Girls Grade 9/10 D2- Sandwich

Girls Grade PG- Weymouth

BOYS:

BoysGrade5/6D1-Marshfield

BoysGrade5/6D2-Belmont

BoysGrade7/8D1-Framingham

BoysGrade7/8D2-Wayland

BoysGrade9/10D1-NorthAndover

BoysGrade9/10D2-WestBridgewater

BoysGradePG-Millbury

Sportsmanship Sportsmanship Award Winners Award Winners

Congratulations to our MTOC Sportsmanship Award Winners! Your commitment to fair play and great attitude set the standard for us all.

Boys

5/6 D1 - Medfield and Marshfield

5/6 D2 - Hanover and Oxford

7/8 D2 - Halifax

9/10 D1- North Andover

9/10 D2- SWOB

11+ - Newton

Girls

7/8 D1 - Tewksbury and Melrose

7/8 D2 - Tantasqua

9/10 D1- North Andover

9/10 D2- Sandwich

11+ - Dedham

Tips for Athletic Success

At Bay State Physical Therapy, we know how important it is for young soccer players to stay healthy and strong. As the Official Injury Prevention Partner of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, we're here to help players, parents, and coaches understand the best recovery strategies. Recovering properly after a game or practice is key to performing well and avoiding injuries. Here are some tips to keep our young athletes in top shape.

Rest: The Foundation of Recovery

Rest is one of the most important parts of recovery. After a challenging game or practice, your body needs time to repair and grow stronger. Make sure to get plenty of sleep each night – around 8-10 hours for most young athletes. Taking breaks during the week is also crucial. It's okay to have a day or two off from soccer to let your body fully recover.

Nutrition: Fueling Your Body

Eating the right foods helps your body recover faster. After a game or practice, try to eat a snack that includes both protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes. Protein helps repair muscles, while carbohydrates refill your energy stores. Good options include a turkey sandwich, a banana with peanut butter, or a smoothie with yogurt and fruit.

Eat a balanced diet throughout the day with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks, as they can cause energy crashes and aren't good for your overall health.

Hydration: Staying Refreshed

Staying hydrated is essential for peak performance and recovery. During exercise, your body loses water through sweat, so drinking plenty of fluids is essential. Aim to drink water before, during, and after games and practices. A good rule of thumb is to drink about half your body weight in ounces of water daily. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, try to drink 50 ounces of water daily.

Sometimes, water isn't enough to replace all the electrolytes lost through sweating. Sports drinks can be helpful after intense exercise but be careful not to choose ones with too much sugar. Coconut water is a great natural alternative.

Injury Prevention: Five Tips to Stay Safe on the Field

Preventing injuries is critical to a successful soccer season. Here are some tips to help stay injury-free:

1. Warm-Up Properly: Always start with a good warm-up before playing. This helps prepare your muscles and joints for activity. Try dynamic stretches like leg swings, high knees, and butt kicks.

2. Cool Down: After playing, cool down with light jogging and static stretching. This helps reduce muscle stiffness and soreness.

3. Strength Training: Building muscle strength can help prevent injuries. Focus on exercises that target the core, legs, and hips. Bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and planks are great for young athletes.

4. Proper Gear: Wear the right equipment, including well-fitting cleats and shin guards. This can help prevent common injuries like blisters and shin splints.

5. Listen to Your Body: If you feel pain or discomfort, don't push through it. Tell your coach or parents and take a break. Ignoring pain can lead to more serious injuries. Have you read our Injury Prevention Guide? Download your FREE copy today!

As a valued and trusted partner with Massachusetts Youth Soccer, our Bay State Physical Therapy team is your resource for any musculoskeletal pain or injuries you or your family may be experiencing. Click here to request an appointment at your nearest Bay State Physical Therapy location.

See You on the Pitch

By following these recovery strategies, young soccer players can stay healthy, improve their performance, and enjoy the game they love. Remember, taking care of your body off the field is just as important as your practice on the field. For more tips and personalized advice, visit us at Bay State Physical Therapy. We're here to support you every step of the way!

Let's keep our young athletes strong and ready for the next big game. Happy playing!

How toHelpYour Child From the Sidelines, Without Being Over-Bearing How toHelpYour Child From the Sidelines, Without Being Over-Bearing

In this latest breakaway from July's webinar with FC CincinnatiAcademy CoachAdrian Parrish, Skye andAdrian are asked an extremely important question - how can parents help their child from the sidelines, without seeming over-bearing - especially when the coach isn't assisting the players as much as they should.

Mass Youth Soccer and our DEIB Committee extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took part in our 3 Annual Donation Drive for Safe Homes during MTOC weekend. We were honored to make about 800 donations on behalf of our members, volunteers, and employees, whose contributions made this initiative possible. Thank you!

SafeSport is a comprehensive program of policies, procedures, and processes created to help participants detect and report abuse and misconduct, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences through education and training.

The United States Congress (federal law) and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), U.S. Soccer and Mass Youth Soccer Policy.

SafeSport Abuse Prevention Training (Yearly Requirement) - There are very few exceptions on who must complete SafeSport Abuse Prevention training, click HERE for to review those exceptions.

U.S. Center for SafeSport Reporting Requirements – There are no exceptions to this other than being the victim of abuse. Adult Participants are Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and are also required to report all Sexual Misconduct, Prohibited Conduct, and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) violations as outlined in the U.S. Center for SafeSport 2024 Code and MAAPP. Additional important policy information is also found in the MA Youth Soccer Athlete and Participant Safety Policy.

For More Information, please review the Mass Youth Soccer Reporting Abuse and Misconduct web page. or contact the Mass Youth Soccer Director of Safeguarding at mrelic@mayouthsoccer.org. CLICK HERE TO REPORT A CONCERN.

y g

Coaches applying for US Soccer D, C, B and A Licenses

All registered coaches are eligible and encouraged to apply for grants, applicants serving underrepresented communities in Massachusetts and/or below Massachusetts Median income levels will be prioritized for grant awards.

For D License Applicants, Dean Conway Grants will cover all course fees and reimburse up to $400 for Travel Expenses per applicant.

For C, B and A License Courses, Mass Youth Soccer Dean Conway Grants will provide up to 50% of course fees and reimburse up to $400 in Travel Expenses per applicant.

Successful candidates for D, C and B licenses will receive grants in the form of discounted course fees

A license grant recipients will receive reimbursement for course fees on successful completion of the course

All expense reimbursements will be distributed after submission of receipts and successful completion of courses

Mentoring

An additional component of the Dean Conway Grant Program is mentorship for grant recipients Mass Youth Soccer aims to partner coaches moving through the Coach Education pathway with qualified and experienced mentors to support their coach education journey

The following is the application window for the Dean Conway Coach Education Grant August 1st - September 15th

(Notification to applicants by September 30th, 2025)

Successful applicants will attend a course within 12 months of notification.

D, C* and B License Courses in Massachusetts

(Please visit: https://mayouthsoccer org/coaches/coach ing-education/ for upcoming course schedules *The joint MA/NH C License course is eligible for a Dean Conway Grant)

All A Youth licenses hosted by US Soccer.

Interested candidates must complete the application linked below with the following documentation.

Coaching resume

Cover letter detailing your experience, passion for coaching and intentions for the future

Most recent tax statement

References from current or previous coaching or youth development roles *

Dean Conway was a pioneer for coach education in youth soccer, building Mass Youth Soccer’s Technical Department and developing a permanent culture and philosophy committed to developing coaches who understand and prioritize the needs of youth athletes.

Mass Youth Soccer is excited to honor Dean by reducing financial barriers to access Coach Education. Formal Coach Education provides individuals with professional development, knowledge and tools to create better soccer environments and empower players and peers in their communities!