Join us in celebrating our seniors at their Senior Nights!
Sten Peeters • September 29, 2024
Girls Senior night - Sep 15 @ 6:30PM ; Boys Senior Night - Sep 22 @ 6:00pm
Join us
Dear Groton-Dunstable Soccer Families, The single most important part of recreational town soccer is HAVING FUN! A warm hello to all families joining us and returning for Spring 2025 Groton-Dunstable Soccer! Team Rosters will be released on Saturday, March 29th. This is when you will know your coaches and then practice times. The first games will be held on April 12, weather permitting . Evaluations for the fall are planned for the week before Memorial Day, so a little earlier, May 19-22. Age group dates and times will be shared as we get closer. NVYSL Game Changes and Referees This season, travel soccer games for grades 3 and up will have two modifications. The first is that the sportsmanship handshake will take place before the game, not after, and will be preceded by a home team coach reading a short reminder about expected behavior from players, coaches, and spectators. The second is that NVYSL will operate under stronger policies to protect our referees. Referee abuse is an issue that’s on the rise. We need more productive dialogue about what is happening and how we can prevent it. The bright future of soccer depends on creating a safer, more inclusive environment where no one feels that his or her well-being is at risk. Lots of details on USSoccer.com https://www.ussoccer.com/rap Referee Genesis Program Is your child interested in becoming a referee? GDYSC’s Genesis Referee Program is an excellent opportunity for 12- and 13-year-olds eager to learn and develop their refereeing skills! Participants are required to attend a mandatory initial training session before starting to referee Grade 1/2 games at Cow Pond Fields on Saturday mornings. During these games, our dedicated referee advisors will provide support and guidance to ensure their success. Sign up here: GDYSC Genesis Referee Training Session . The essential training session, hosted by Mass Youth Soccer and the Massachusetts State Referee Committee, is scheduled for April 1 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Groton Public Library. GDYSC Picture Day Please plan for your team pictures on Saturday May 10th, 2025. More detail to follow with a schedule and costs. https://photosbyjenn.net/events-and-sports-life Second Annual GDYSC Food Drive - May 17 GDYSC will once again be partnering with Loaves & Fishes to collect items for the Summer Kids Bag program. Items will be collected at the Cow Pond Playing Fields on Saturday, May 17. Let’s help Loaves & Fishes score a goal against childhood hunger! GDYSC Annual General Meeting GDYSC is a non-profit ogranziation and we encourage everyones participation, we are planning to have our Annual General Meeting this spring. Be on the lookout for details. Local Upcoming Soccer Camps GDYSC/Elite UK Summer Camp at Lawrence Academy Registration is also open for GDYSC summer soccer camp, this year at Lawrence Academy again hosted by Elite UK. https://www.gdysc.org/training-program-a Elite UK April Vacation Clinic @ Tyngsboro Sports Center Campers between the ages of 5-16 years will be divided into age and skill specific groups and developed within a fun camp atmosphere. Registration details FC Stars April Vacation Clinic @ Millworks Another local opportunity for playing this April break is a full-day camp at Millworks run by the FC Stars program follow this link and look for: Spring - Elite Attacker Clinic - April Vacation Week - Full Day - $355 @ Millworks Nashoba Cup (NCUP) & Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC) Also for our Division 1 teams this year, the Nashoba Cup and MTOC playoffs will be held at the SBLI Fields At Progin Park in Lancaster https://mayouthsoccer.org/progin-park/ on June 15-16 and June 21-23 https://mayouthsoccer.org/events-and-programs/mtoc/ Last but not least, don’t forget to stop by Jeff’s Place for a before and after treat, and thank your coaches!!
 Are you ready to be part of the action, gain invaluable work experience, earn money, and see the game from a whole new perspective? Becoming a soccer referee offers all this and more! It's open to everyone aged 14 and older. If your kids are under 14, don't worry, we have an amazing Genesis Referee program designed just for them. Genesis Referee Program for Kids Under 14: Organized by Michelle McNally, our Genesis Referee program at Cow Pond on Saturday mornings is the perfect starting point for young soccer enthusiasts. Kids can learn the ropes, officiate games, and receive mentoring from experienced referees. For more information, contact Michelle at soccermcnally@gmail.com . Learn more For Ages 14 and Older: To get started, sign up for the US Soccer Grassroots Referee training program through the Massachusetts State Referee Committee (MSRC). Here's the link: Sign Up Once you're certified through the MSRC, you'll have the opportunity to officiate games at GD fields and in neighboring towns. You can even officiate at regional tournaments. Refereeing is a fantastic way to develop your skills and experience the beautiful game like never before. Classes are filling up quickly, so don't delay! View course offerings Why Referee with Us: 🙌 Join the soccer community and become an essential part of youth soccer. 🌟 Numerous opportunities for skill development and advancement. ⚽ Officiate games at local fields and regional tournaments. 💰 Earn money while enjoying the sport you love. Refereeing is not just a role; it's a passion! Start your journey today and be a crucial part of youth soccer in our community. Your support makes the game better for everyone.
Are you considering becoming a volunteer soccer coach? Do you wonder what it takes to be a great coach, even if you have limited soccer experience? This guide is here to help you navigate your journey as a recreational soccer coach. Introduction to GDYSC and the Role of a Volunteer Coach Groton and Dunstable Youth Soccer Club (GDYSC) operates as a town recreational soccer program, dedicated to keeping costs low as a non-profit and relying on the support of volunteers for various tasks, from field maintenance to coaching. GDYSC has been a valuable resource for Groton and Dunstable families since the mid-80s when Cow Pond soccer fields were first installed. Before You Begin: Mandatory Requirements Before you jump into coaching, there are some important requirements to fulfill: Mass Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) Courses: To ensure the safety and well-being of players, you'll need to register and complete two courses with MYSA. These courses cover concussion awareness (from the CDC) and SafeSports training, which focuses on abuse awareness and prevention. CORI and Background Check: You'll be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and a background check. These checks are necessary to guarantee the safety of all participants, and they are a top priority. Credential Badge: After completing the necessary courses and checks, you will receive a credential badge. This badge must be worn whenever you are representing the program. Equipment Bag: As a first-time head coach, consider ordering an equipment bag. It will contain essential items like pinnies, a first aid kit, cones, and an ice pack, which are crucial for practices and games at any level. Preparing for Your Coaching Role Attend Coaches Meetings: Depending on the age group you are coaching, you'll need to attend meetings. For Grade 3 and above teams, you'll attend a meeting with the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League (NVYSL). For all coaches, there is a GDYSC Coaches meeting where experienced coaches will answer questions and provide guidance on coaching soccer effectively. Understanding Team Selection: Below Grade 3, teams are usually formed to ensure a balance of 1st and 2nd graders for a fun playing experience. For Grade 3 and higher, player selection is based on coach feedback and evaluations conducted in the summer following the spring season. These evaluations help place players at the appropriate competitive level. Building Your Team Schedule: Once you have your roster, reach out to the parents and introduce yourself. Collaborate with them to find practice times that work for your team. You can request practice times from the Field Scheduler, and you will be assigned a time slot. Game schedules will also be posted by GDYSC and NVYSL on their respective websites. Conclusion Becoming a recreational soccer coach can be a highly rewarding experience. While this guide provides a basic overview, expect more helpful blog posts to come, covering topics such as effective practice strategies and in-game coaching tips. We hope this information gives you a clearer picture of what to expect as you volunteer your time and expertise to nurture young soccer talents in our community. Thank you for your dedication to GDYSC and youth soccer!
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