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U.S. Soccer’s Girls Development Academy in 2017
U.S. Soccer is starting a Girls Development Academy that is shaking up the girls’ soccer world. ECNL is in turmoil since losing its commissioner and is struggling to define itself. Will top players leave ECNL now that it’s downgraded a level to NPL? Will the top female soccer players turn, instead to the U.S. Soccer’s Girls Development Academy?

U.S. Soccer started its Development Academy Program for boys in 2007 and the program, which currently consists of 152 clubs across five age groups, serves as the elite player development model for the country and has significantly improved the everyday environment for players, coaches and clubs. The Girls’ DA will be structured with many of the same principles and will begin play in the fall of 2017. The application process for clubs interested in being part of the new program will open in May of 2016.

The guidelines for members will feature increased training requirements with fewer, but higher quality games. U.S. Soccer’s technical standards have been designed to benefit players and coaches, and allows clubs to work directly and collaboratively with U.S. Soccer technical staff and Youth National Teams. The overall focus of the program is to assist in developing world class players, coaches and referees by prioritizing training and player development within the team concept.

From the start, the program will feature three combined age groups in the Girls’ Development Academy: U-14/15, U-16/17 and U-18/19. Clubs will be expected to train a minimum of four times a week. The players in the Girls’ Development Academy clubs will play exclusively within the Academy program and will not play in any outside competition, such as ODP or high school. The use of combined age groups will require clubs to form teams with a balanced roster of players from two distinct birth years. The games will be scouted by U.S.Soccer and the program will serve as a pathway to U.S. Soccer’s Youth National Teams. from Soccer Wire

Part of the issue with ECNL was the uneven level of teams. Former ECNL coach and club executive in Connecticut, Anthony DiCicco, notes the challenges the ECNL Connecticut teams faced:

We didn’t win as many games as most of you.

Connecticut was tough – that’s another post for another time – but while the ECNL’s Northeast regional league benefited from two clubs who could serve as travel partners, it probably stretched the player pool too much. What’s going to happen now? Where are all these players going to come from to make up another top-tier league?

The bottom line is where will college coaches recruit from? With two leagues ECNL versus U.S. Soccer’s Girls Development Academy, can they cover twice as much territory? Anson Dorrance, college coach at University of North Carolina will follow the talent:

Assuming the new U.S. Soccer Girls Academy and the ECNL are dividing up the youth talent, we’re going to have to genuflect to both organizations if we want to effectively recruit.

We’re going to have to follow where the best players are wherever they happen to be. We’re going to have to make that adjustment as collegiate coaches, unquestionably.

While the FC Boston Scorpions are not going to pursue U.S. Soccer Girls Academy and stay with ECNL it seems, their ECNL teams are not ranked top 3 in Massachusetts (ranking from GotSoccer.com). And, Division 1 coaches don’t necessarily recruit by which league a player plays in; they recruit by going to certain tournaments.

What the top girls’ soccer teams in Massachusetts? The newest standings (September 2016) are here.

U13:
1. SOUTH SHORE SELECT U13 ELITE
2. GPS-MA NPL GIRLS 02/03
3. AZTEC SOCCER GIRLS 02 NPL
4. NEFC ELITE U13 GIRLS
5. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS GU13 ECNL
6. FC STARS OF MASS ECNL
7. NEFC PREMIER NORTH U13 GIRLS
8. FC STARS SOUTH UNITED 02/03
9. CSU U13G NPL ELITE
10. GPS MA METRO NORTH ELITE RED GIRLS 02/03
U14:
1. SOUTH SHORE SELECT U14 ELITE
2. NEFC ELITE U14 GIRLS
3. GPS-MA NPL GIRLS 01/02
4. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS GU14 ECNL
5. FC STARS OF MASS ECNL
6. NEFC PREMIER NORTH U14 GIRLS
7. FC STARS OF MASS WEST UNITED 01/02 GIRLS
8. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS NORTH U14 ELITE/NPL
9. GPS MA METRO NORTH ELITE GIRLS 01/02
10. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS GU14 NPL
U15:
1. NEFC ELITE U15 GIRLS
2. SOUTH SHORE SELECT U15 ELITE
3. AZTEC SOCCER GIRLS 00 NPL
4. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS ECNL 00/01
5. GPS-MA NPL GIRLS 00/01
6. FC STARS OF MASS NORTH UNITED
7. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS GU15 ECNL
8. SPIRIT OF LIVERPOOL 2000 G REDS
9. NEFC PREMIER NORTH U15 GIRLS
10. CSU U15G NEP ELITE
U16:
1. NEFC ELITE U16 GIRLS
2. GPS-MA NPL GIRLS 99/00
3. NEFC PREMIER NORTH U16 GIRLS
4. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS ECNL 99/00
5. AZTEC SOCCER GIRLS 99 NPL
6. NEW ENGLAND RUSH G99-00 RUSH
7. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS NPL
8. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS GU16 NPL
9. GPS BAYERN NATIONAL
10. CSU U16G NEP ELITE
U17:
1. NEFC ELITE U17 GIRLS
2. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS ECNL 98/99
3. AZTEC SOCCER GIRLS 98 NPL BLACK
4. NEW ENGLAND RUSH G98-99 RUSH
5. SOUTH SHORE SELECT 98/99 ELITE
6. NEFC PREMIER NORTH U17 GIRLS
7. NOVA PREMIER SPARKS
8. GPS-MA NPL GIRLS 98/99
9. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS NPL 98/99
10. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS NORTH GU17E
U18:
1. GPS-MA NPL GIRLS 97/98
2. FC BLAZERS GIRLS 97/98
3. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS NPL 97/98
4. AZTEC SOCCER GIRLS 97 NPL
5. FC BOSTON SCORPIONS NORTH GU18E
6. SOUTH SHORE SELECT 97/98 ELITE
7. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS ECNL 97/98
8. NEW ENGLAND RUSH G97-98 RUSH
9. WESTERN UNITED PIONEERS FC RED 97/98
10. FC STARS OF MASSACHUSETTS CENTRAL UNITED
The question is what teams in Massachusetts will be invited to join the U.S. Soccer’s Girls Development Academy in 2017? My guess would be Breakers Academy’s new affiliation with NEFC indicates that NEFC would be chosen. If a second team is selected, it looks like South Shore Select would in contention as would GPS/NPL if they chose to switch leagues. But, who knows? Soccer is game of politics, after all!
April 19, 2016
Free Seminar: “Downsizing Made Easy”

Susanne McInerney of the Mass Estate Team at RE/MAX Leading Edge and Newton Senior Center, Present Free Seminar, “Downsizing Made Easy” 5 Step System Helps Senior Citizens & Families Navigate Complexities of Moving.

As the population ages, more and more senior citizens and their caregiver families are faced with the challenges of “downsizing”: usually a move for the elder from the traditional family home into a smaller apartment or an assisted living community.

To help Newton and area seniors and their families accomplish this life transition with the most ease, local real estate agent Susanne McInerney of the Mass Estate Team at RE/MAX Leading Edge, has teamed with The Cabot Park Village Community to provide the free seminar “Downsizing Made Easy” which will be held at Cabot Park Village.

This casual – yet educational forum – will take place on April, 23, 2016 from 12:00PM-1:30PM.

Cabot Park Village

280 Newtonville Ave

Newtonville, MA 02460

Refreshments will be provided as well as a tour of the Cabot Park Village Community.

The seminar will include presentation and discussion of The 5 Steps to Downsizing Made Easy along with topics including: questions to consider before making a move, senior living options in the Newton & surrounding area, questions for touring senior living communities, tips for hiring various professionals related to the moving process, guidance on estate sales and estate auctions, and many other pertinent topics.

April 18, 2016
Open Arts Day 2016 at Arsenal Center for the Arts

Arsenal Center for the Arts Hosts

Open Arts Day 2016

The Arsenal Center for the Arts hosts its annual Open Arts Day, a Watertown favorite, this year as part of ArtWeek Boston!

This family-friendly, free event takes place on Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. The drop-in open house features visual and performing arts workshops taught by the skilled arsenalARTS & Watertown Children’s Theatre staff.

Participants can experiment with Clay (handbuilding and pottery wheel), Printmaking, Mixed-media and other art activities for the whole family. This year’s event will again feature a very special outdoor Steamroller Printing Project where artists will carve printmaking plates, ink them up, and then roll over them with an industrial steamroller to create Relief print masterpieces!

Watertown Children’s Theatre will present workshops and performances highlighting music, movement and more. Watertown Children’s Theatre and resident Theatre Company New Repertory Theatre will also reveal their 2016-2017 seasons.

The day will also feature a special check presentation from Whole Foods Market for the funds raised on the Arsenal Center’s 5% Community Giving Day (happening May 4, 2016 at the Newton and Newtonville Whole Foods Market locations.

For more information, visit www.arsenalarts.org or call 617-923-0100. Open Arts Day is made possible in part by the Belmont Savings Bank, the Belmont Cultural Council, and the Waltham Cultural Council – supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Spring ArtWeek Boston (April 29 – May 8) is a tri-annual 10-day collection of events throughout the city that features unexpected and creative experiences that are interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to artists or the creative process. ArtWeek Boston’s mission is to be a champion for nonprofit innovation in Boston and provide arts and entertainment to the greater community.

April 17, 2016
Nationwide T-Shirt Art Contest for Kids

Life is Good® Inspires Optimism in Kids Through Nationwide T-Shirt Art Contest

Kids are invited to draw what makes their life good for a chance to win a college scholarship and have their design join the new Kid’s Tee Collection all to support kids in need.

Positive lifestyle brand Life is Good® announced today the launch of its first t-shirt art contest for kids, encouraging them to focus on the good and spread the power of optimism. Every time kids draw and share “why life is good” they’ll help make life better for kids in need.

“The world today can be an intense, complex and challenging place – but as humans we have a choice to focus on what’s right in our lives rather than what’s wrong,” said John Jacobs Chief Creative Optimist & Life is Good co-founder. “The amazing thing about young kids is this comes naturally to them. Our goal with this contest is to celebrate and inspire that raw sense of optimism, to remind people of the simple things that make life good, while also raising money to help kids overcome poverty, violence and illness.”

Beloved for over 20 years for its fun, positive message apparel, Life is Good is dedicated to inspiring people to choose optimism to positively impact their life and the lives of others.

Now through April 29th, 2016, kids from the ages of 3 through 12 are encouraged to hand draw what makes life good for them, then have their parent (or legal guardian) scan or snap a photo, share on Instagram using #LifeisGoodbecause or submit through www.lifeisgood.com/artcontest. For every entry received, Life is Good will donate $1 to help kids in need. Three grand prize winners will have their drawing featured on Life is Good t-shirts (with net profits donated to support kids in need) and be awarded a $2,000 scholarship as part of the prize package.

All original art submitted will be reviewed by the official Life is Good team, including Bert Jacobs (Chief Executive Optimist & Life is Good co-founder) and John Jacobs (Chief Creative Optimist & Life is Good co-founder). Entrants’ art will be shared in an ever-growing gallery of inspiration at www.lifeisgood.com/artcontest.

The campaign comes on the heels of the release of Life is Good’s new 2016 Kids Collection. Featuring 24 unique styles in sizes ranging from toddler to Kids XL, the line includes original art and messages of empowerment and positivity to help build confidence in kids and spread optimism to all. The tees are made with 100% USA grown cotton, are garment washed for softness and feature double-needle stitching.

April 16, 2016
Cambridge Science Festival: Science Activities for Kids

It’s the 10th Anniversary of the Cambridge Science Festival held this year from April 15-24 in a variety of locations. I’m looking for science activities for my 11 year son, so I’ve selected these events:

Saturday, April 16

Noon to 4pm

Paper Circuits in the Idea Hub

MIT Museum

265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

Using copper tape and LEDs, create your own artistic light up cards, paper models, and more. This program uses small button batteries and is not suitable for young children. Cost: FREE with museum admission. Drop in.

Saturday, April 23

10 am to 4:00

Rocket Day

Danehy Park, Sherman Street, Cambridge

Build and launch rockets, build parachutes, and launch stuffed animals into the air. Note: bring at least one empty 2-liter or 1-liter soda bottle and a tennis ball to participate. Cost: Free. Weather-dependent. Drop-in.

Saturday, April 23

1:00 to 3:00

Young Makers Pop-Up Space

Teen Central and Children’s Libraries

Boston Public Library

700 Boylston Street, Boston

Have you ever wanted to create an electrical circuit from paper and tape or take apart the kitchen fan to see how it works? Come to get your hands on dozens of STEAM activities designed to ignite the curiosity and inventiveness of teens and young children.

Cost: Free. Drop-in.

April 15, 2016
Bomb Threat at Newton South

Another round of bomb threats were called in to Massachusetts high schools which included Newton South High School, Andover High School, Arlington High School, Arlington Catholic High School, Acton-Boxborough High School, Brookline High School, Danvers High School, Littleton High School, Marblehead High School, Melrose High School, Needham High School, Peabody High School, the Page Hilltop School in Ayer and Shawsheen Tech in Billerica.

For the second time this week, several schools confirmed receiving bomb threats via robocalls, according to officials. At least one school said it received a threat from a live person. From WCVB Channel 5

As of this writing, we are aware of 32 schools in Massachusetts that have received robo-call bomb threats today. The response to the threats is being handled, variously, by local police and fire departments, the State Police Bomb Squad, State Police patrols and K9 units, and the office of the State Fire Marshal. The threats are being tracked by State Police at the Commonwealth Fusion Center. For each threat, a risk assessment is performed and authorities are responding accordingly. No hazardous devices have been found at any sites as of this time. From MA State Police.

April 14, 2016
BC Vacation Soccer Camps for Girls

Boston College Women’s Soccer – 2016 April Vacation & Summer Clinic Dates

April Vacation Clinic

Dates: Tues April 19 – Fri April 22

Time: 9am-3pm

Ages: 6-14 years

Location: Newton Campus

Cost: $295

Summer Session I

Dates: Tues June 28 – Fri July 1

Time: 9am-3pm

Ages: 6-14 years

Location: Newton Campus

Cost: $295

Summer Session II

Dates: Mon July 18 – Thurs July 21

Time: 9am 3pm

Ages: 6-14 years

Location: Newton Campus

Cost: $295

Summer Prospect/Elite

Dates: Fri July 8 – Sun July 10

Time: Overnight

Ages: Grade 6+

Location: Newton Campus

Cost: $495/$395 (commuter)

All sign up and registration information, including details on how to register, can be found by visiting our websitewww.bcwomenssoccer.com or by clicking here

If you have any questions, feel free email soccercl@bc.edu or call 617.552.0982

Thank you

Boston College Women’s Soccer

April 14, 2016
Book Event for Kids at the EMK Institute

EMK Institute celebrates spring with Rose’s Garden!

Author and illustrator, Peter H. Reynolds, will join us for a reading and signing of his book, Rose’s Garden on

Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the EMK Institute in Boston.

Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

(next to JFK Presidential Library)

210 Morrissey Boulevard

Boston, MA 02125

The signing will be followed by paper flower making, where participants can write how they want to “make a difference” on their flower petals which will be planted in Rose’s Garden at the EMK Institute.

Please RSVP. This event is for all ages and is FREE to the public.

If you can’t make it Saturday, paper flower making will be available at the EMK Institute throughout April school vacation week (4/16/2016 – 4/23/2016).

April 13, 2016
7 Valeo FC Boys Invited to US Soccer Training Centers

Valeo FC Boys Invited to US Soccer Training Centers

The United States Soccer Federation has invited 7 Valeo Futbol Club players to upcoming US Soccer Training Centers.

The U.S. Soccer Training Centers are a critical element in the U.S. Soccer development model. They are designed to improve talent identification, evaluation, player development and coaching development.

It provides players a unique opportunity to train under the direction of the US Soccer Youth National Team staff and give the coaches a chance to evaluate young talented players for future consideration for the national teams.

The Valeo players who have received invitations are:

● Matthew Goncalves
● Youmy Telmaque
● Max Johnston
● Zachary Sardi-Santos
● Patrick Leal
● Morris Matthews
● Liam Carpenter-Shulman

About Valeo FC

Valeo Futbol Club (VFC) is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit soccer training organization focused on developing competitive athletes, outstanding citizens and strong leaders.Valeo provides a challenging and rewarding environment that teaches the virtues of Teamwork, Discipline, Hard Work, Commitment, Respect and Leadership.

April 12, 2016
NNHS Receives Threatening Call AGAIN

The threatening calls continue. Someone doesn’t like Mondays?

April 11, 2016

At 8am this morning we received a threatening phone call to the main office. At this time we have asked teachers to keep students in their classrooms and for teachers to inspect their classrooms for anything unusual or out of place. The Newton Police Department is here working with school officials to inspect common spaces and ensure the safety of our students. As always, student and staff safety is our utmost concern.

We will update you once we resume a normal schedule this morning.

Thanks,

Amy Winston

Vice Principal

8:40am

We have completed our search of the building and have asked students and teachers to resume a normal Monday schedule. All doors of the building are now opened. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mr. Aronson or myself.

Thanks,

Amy Winston

Vice Principal

April 11, 2016