Dear Club Members,As many of you may be aware,an alternative program to Shepaug Soccer,has arisen within our area.With that potential program,we ask you to consider that our region simply does not have the numbers to support two soccer programs,and that second club will have a negative effect on our area's youth soccer offerings. As a reminder,Shepaug Soccer Club: - Maintains membership in the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association,and competes in the Northwest District Division which features some of the best teams in the area. - Hosts a large spectrum of teams each spring and fall with age groups ranging from U9-U19,and also a Beginner Program for U4-U8 - Provides a professional coach for the older age groups,preparing for scholastic level play - Is working toward providing U.S. Youth Soccer Grassroots training for all coaches - Hosts summer clinics and indoor winter soccer,in order to provide conditioning and opportunity to further develop skills year round - Seeks to accommodate players who are involved in activities beyond soccer -Features a board of directors that welcomes newcomers and always strives to improve our club's mission and protocols -Maitains strong relationships with recreation departments of Roxbury,Bridgewater,and Washington,which allows us access to fields in each town And yet,the real strength of our program goes well beyond soccer.The sense of community for the kids and families is really what makes it special.All of us,who started our children early with the program,are aware of the opportunities that this activity allowed families to make lasting relationships.For many of us living in rural area,without many kids in the neighborhood,this factor has been invaluable.Pizza parties,late Spring night practices are joyous memories.As our club draws largely from the three primary schools,and many of our players have experienced the thrill of entering Shepaug Middle School,knowing a sizeable portion of the students from other towns through soccer.Beyond the core constituency of these towns,Shepaug Soccer Club has had a lasting relationship with countless families from New York and our surrounding towns.We pride ourselves on an open door policy,regardless of zip code.If you ask your child,if he or she would rather see their teamates and friends participating in competing clubs,or all part of a single club,what might they say?It may be worth asking. What can parents do to support the Shepaug Soccer Club: - Register for our spring seasonhttp://clubs.bluesombrero.com/shepaug - Consider volunteering to be a team manager or receive training as a coach.In particular if your child is just starting soccer,it is tremendously rewarding to get invovled early and grow with the program -Make suggestions to better enrich our club We thank you for your committed paticipation and welcome any questions or concerns. Thank you, Shepaug Soccer Club Board
