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NGS sponsors two soccer programs. Both programs have a developmental emphasis on building skills and camaraderie while having fun. We offer both programs recognizing "one size" does not fit all. The basic program is Intramural (IM) beginning in first grade and extending through sixth grade. It is geared to provide basic instruction and modest competition on a local level. Practices are once a week.

For girls and families interested in a more intensive commitment we offer a Travel program (BAYS). These teams are stratified by skill level based upon coaching evaluations and tryouts. They practice twice a week and "travel" to neighboring towns in the Greater Boston area. (BAYS=Boston Area Youth Soccer). This program begins with 4 teams in the fall of 4th grade and for the fall of 4th grade only has limited availability. From spring of the 4th grade through high school NGS offers, based upon evaluation, placement on a travel team for any girl who wishes to play.

4th Grade

All fourth grade players (as of September 2001) who registered for U10 travel and DID NOT make one of the four teams for the fall were automatically  assigned to a fourth grade intramural team for the fall. There is a tryout Oct. 28th at Brown Jr. High School for those who wish to play for a travel team in the Spring of 2002. Attending the tryout is strongly encouraged.  All girls who register in the fall for a spring travel team will be placed on a spring travel team. There is also be an intramural program for 4th graders in the spring.

5th Grade - U10

Fifth graders (as of September 2001) who tried out for U10 travel and DO NOT make a team were automatically be assigned to a fifth grade intramural team for the fall.  Fifth graders who signed up for U10 and did not make a fall team may try out for a U10 spring 2002 team in October, and will definitely be placed on a spring travel team. There will also be an intramural option for fifth graders in the spring.

5th/6th Grade - U11/12

All fifth and sixth graders who register for the travel program by the deadline and wish to play on a travel team will be placed on a travel team provided that there is ample room in BAYS for all of Newton's teams and that a sufficient number of coaches are available. There will be a fifth and sixth grade intramural program in both the fall and spring.

7th/8th Grade - U14

For seventh and eighth graders (as of September 2001), there is no intramural alternative. All players who register by the deadline will be placed on a travel team provided that there is a sufficient number of coaches available.

Full Year Teams

For all age groups, travel teams stay together for the entire year (i.e., fall 2001 and spring 2002). Coaches and players are generally expected to make a full year commitment to the team, particularly at the division 1 and 2 levels. Approximately 6-7 new U10 teams are added in the spring based upon demand and our ability to place teams in BAYS. At U11/12 and U13/14, the number of teams generally stays the same between fall and spring. Open roster spots created by players who do not return for the spring season are filled by new applicants who did not play in the fall.

U11 and U13 Placement Requests 

Many parents have asked about requesting placement at U11. All players are put in the U12 selection pool, and out of this group of players we form some U11 teams in order to be able to better place our large number of teams within BAYS. Typically, up to four U12 teams are selected prior to selecting any U11 teams. For the first time in September 2001, we will also place a few teams at the U13 level. Similarly, we will select approximately four U14 teams before any U13 teams are selected. Therefore, requests for U11 and U13 are not encouraged and such requests are difficult to consider in the placement process. Approximately 20-45% of the girls in the age group will be placed on the "younger" U11 and U13 teams.

Missed Tryouts 

Unfortunately, there is no "make-up" for the tryouts that were recently completed. After many years of trying to find a good system, we have settled on a random grouping of players playing four 4v4 scrimmages in a one hour time period. Each player is evaluated by 8 individuals with no interest in the age group being evaluated. The results are then factored with coaches' evaluations in order to place players at a level appropriate to their level of skill development. The tryouts have proven to be an excellent predictor of level of play, but it is impossible to duplicate the random nature of the tryout scrimmages at a make-up session. It is understood that players miss tryouts for legitimate reasons, and best efforts are made to place the players appropriately using available information.

Notification

Coaches for next year's teams will be selected by the full travel committee before the season begins. Those coaches may invite a small number of girls for a "callback" scrimmage where the coaches can observe them in game conditions. An invitation to a callback does not necessarily mean a player will or will not make a team. All players will be informed of their team assignment by postcard. Postcards are not sent until all players in an age group are placed. Generally, U10 postcards are mailed by late June, while U12 and U14 teams are not completed until some time in July.