Development
Development Director: Matt Mancini
Fundamental Program for Preschool* to Grade 2
Our Development program operates under the guidance of Mass Youth Soccer. Mass Youth Soccer is the official representative of US Soccer, the national governing body for soccer in the United States, and US Youth Soccer in Massachusetts. This program has been designed and developed in collaboration with these professional soccer organizations to offer age appropriate activities in a supportive, child-centered, positive learning environment.
The program's main goal is to instill a passion for the game of soccer in young children. This passion is vital to keeping players participating in the game throughout their life. It is our shared passion for the game that impels us to help young players experience the joys of the game in a healthy and positive youth soccer experience.
Pre-K & Kindergarten Program
The Pre-K and Kindergarten programs are on Saturday mornings. Pre-K runs for 45 minutes and Kindergarten for 1 hour. There are no mid-week practices. The sessions are structured for players to engage in a series of skill-related games followed by an intra-squad scrimmage.
*Players must be born on or before 8/31/2019 to be eligible to participate in this program.
Grade 1 & 2 Program
Grades 1 and 2 will be combined into one league. There will be a mid-week practice (times and location TBD) and one game on Saturday mornings. This is still an introductory age group with games refereed by coaches and no score is kept.
Additional details:
One practice mid-week and one game on Saturday Morning
5 v 5 Games with no goalies
Game days open with 15 minutes of warm-ups drills followed by two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute half time.
25 x 35 yard field
Separate Girls and Boys divisions if we have at least 4 full girls teams
Seasons
Development seasons are eight weeks long and have independent registration periods. Fall seasons run from September to November and spring seasons run from April to June.
Spring 2024
Play will begin on April 20th, 2024
No games on May 25th, 2024.
Note: Seasons are subject to change based on field availability.
Schedule
Development players are grouped by grade and randomly placed in groups led by volunteer coaches. These groups meet by grade to play together on Saturdays.
Spring 2024
Pre-K: 9am - 9:45am
Grade KG: 9am - 10:00am
Grade 1 & 2: 10:30am - 11:30am
Note: Times are subject to change based on enrollment and field availability.
Schedule for grades 1 and 2: Will add grid when season gets closer.
Boys- Grade 1 & 2
Girls- Grade 1 and 2
Fields
Development fields are located at a central location in the city.
Spring 2024
Haverhill High School
Lawn signs will be placed adjacent to each midfield line to help identify fields.
Spectators are asked to sit behind the fence to allow children enough room to play.
Sitting behind goals is prohibited.
Pre-K and K Field Map (Above)
Grade 1 and Grade 2 Field Map (Below)
Equipment
Development players must have the following to participate in training sessions:
Jersey - Included with Registration Cost.
Athletic shorts - Other clothing is allowed based on weather.
Soccer socks - Must cover shin guards.
Shin guards - Mandatory for safety.
Footwear - Sneakers are fine, but soccer cleats are recommended to avoid bad spills. However, shoes with toe cleats (baseball) are not allowed.
Soccer ball - Size 3.
*TIP* - Consider visiting the HYS Soccer Swap Before you buy new equipment for your player. You can get cleats, shin guards, and soccer balls at no cost.
Sports bottle - Players should bring plenty of fluids with them.
Updated April 1, 2024