June 15, 2019
Stonington, CT
WELCOME JUNIOR SHARKS!
STONINGTON SOCCER CLUB EXPANDS TO INCLUDE JUNIOR SHARKS PROGRAM
Developmental soccer programming now available for birth years 2015-2005
Stonington Soccer Club (Sharks) is expanding its programming in fall 2019 to include a Junior Sharks program for children ages 4-8. Sharks Soccer programming now includes opportunities for children ages 4-15.
“We've received a tremendous amount of feedback from parents in our town, looking for more opportunities for their kids to learn and play soccer, and it just makes sense,” said Gordon Lord, president of Stonington Soccer Club. “We’re excited to announce the expansion of our program to the youngest soccer players. Not only is soccer a fun sport to play, it gets our kids outside with their friends while teaching them life lessons of preparation, teamwork and communication.
Lord, also a volunteer coach and parent of three Sharks’ soccer players adds, “You'll find our program to be exceptionally well organized, high quality and affordable while your child is having fun and developing both as an individual player and teammate."
The Stonington Soccer Club Player Path
Since the 1980s, Stonington Soccer Club has been developing successful soccer players that go on to excel in high school, club or even college soccer, as well as supporting dozens of children who enjoy the game recreationally. At SSC, players will now begin at the age of four or five, with age-appropriate skills, games and fun at the Junior Shark level once a week, as recommended by US Soccer guidelines.
As players mature and graduate out of Junior Sharks to Sharks, they practice twice a week and play league games through CJSA (Connecticut Junior Soccer Association), the governing body of youth soccer in CT. SSC hosts teams at both the recreational level and a more competitive level, providing opportunities for a wide range of players.
Additionally, some Sharks teams compete in the statewide CT Cup single elimination tournament at the U11 and above age groups. Girls and boys teams from Stonington have won the CT Cup four times since 2012.
By the time players are 13 or 14 and graduating from middle school, they are prepared with the foundations, skills, discipline and knowledge of the game to play high school soccer or compete in other interscholastic sports. Many also will take their soccer knowledge and play in recreational leagues or certify as soccer officials for part-time work during high school, college and beyond.
“While not all of our players will continue playing soccer after they leave Stonington Soccer Club,” says Zenia Morrone, registrar and parent of two soccer players. “We hope that all of our players will learn a love of the game, respect for their teammates, coaches and officials and an appreciation for working together as a team.”
Ryan Durham, a Stonington teacher and a Sharks parent is all in for Sharks. “Our family has really enjoyed our experience with the Stonington Sharks so far and I’m so appreciative of what it has done for my son. He has been playing with the same teammates for years now and has made some great friends—the program continuity is terrific.” Durham adds, “The coaches have been outstanding as well. We couldn’t be happier to have our son a part of such a great program!”
The board and coaches are well aware that beginning soccer players need a very specialized kind of training session tailored to their developmental abilities, and that too much can be, well, too much at a young age. The club’s girls’ coordinator, Coach Pat McCarney, together with boys’ coordinator Coach Paul deCastro has designed a specialized U5-U8 training program based on research and recommendations by U.S. Soccer and considerable experience working with children in this age group. U5-U6 players will meet once a week for 45 minutes, while U7-U8 players will practice for 60 minutes once a week. The U7-U8 players will also have the option to play in weekend CJSA league games.
Volunteer parent coaches are vetted and trained by the club’s Board members, many of whom are professional soccer coaches or have a strong background in soccer. One of the club’s volunteer parent coaches is Kellie Palmer, a fitness professional, mother of three Sharks and a SHS soccer graduate. ”From a coaching perspective I am thrilled to add the Junior Sharks to our Stonington Soccer Club roster. I see the benefits of starting earlier with the foundations of play the way we teach it. Our players will have a better grasp of the game at a younger age, and will work on technical skills sooner, giving them a great advantage when they start playing in CJSA league games.”
Palmer’s fitness expertise gives her an appreciation for the Junior Sharks program as well. “For kids to begin age-appropriate training and fun in a sport like this at such a young age is so beneficial for their physical and emotional health. I am very excited for this, what better way to help your child be fit and happy! I may be biased but we have some phenomenal coaches who have produced some of the greatest players in our state.”
“My daughter had the greatest experience during her first year as a Stonington Shark,” says new soccer parent Jennifer Jordan. “She learned so much about soccer and gained a great deal of confidence over the course of the year, it was just the right program for her at the right time.” Jordan adds,”I am so excited that my little guy will now have the opportunity to have an extra year of soccer as a Junior Shark. I can’t wait to see his confidence and skills grow at an even earlier age.”
For families interested in the Junior Sharks program or regular Sharks, registration for the fall is now open through July 15 at www.stoningtonsoccerclub.com. Unsure of what group your child belongs in? You will be guided to the proper age group by player birth year when you register. Space for Junior Sharks is limited, due to small group size.
JUNIOR SHARKS: PLAYERS BORN 2015-2012
U5-U6 $50 for eight-week fall session + shirt
U7-U8 w/o games $50 for ten-week fall session + shirt
U7-U8 w/games $75 for ten-week fall session + shirt
SHARKS: PLAYERS BORN 2011-2005
Fall & spring practices/league play:
$175 (early bird rate); $200 after June 15
Questions, please contact registrar@stoningtonsoccerclub.com
Fall soccer registration: www.stoningtonsoccerclub.com
