U12 Boys Green Spring 2010 Roster

We are excited to announce that the Lightning SC U12 Boys Green team has been accepted into the New England Premiership League for spring 2010. The New England Premiership League (NEP) is a new youth soccer league in New England hosting teams from some of New England's most competitive clubs (www.nepremiership.com).

By accepting a position on a New England Premiership team, you are accepting a slightly greater commitment in time and fees than a Granite State League team. NEP teams will compete against clubs from other states in New England, requiring greater travel distances for away games. However, because the level of competition will be higher at these matches, the Lightning SC Board of Directors and coaching staff feel that the NEP represents the appropriate level of competition for this team. 

 NEP League Schedule:
The NEP League schedulers arrange the schedule so that a club plays its farthest competition (in our case Rhode Island and Connecticut clubs) at the double-header festivals, which take place in a central location (e.g. the Seacoast Complex in Epping, NH or Citizens Bank Fields in Lancaster, MA). The “Regional Games” listed below are home or away games against other teams in the league, but are not double-headers.

PLEASE NOTE: We have a team commitment on the final Sunday of school break in April (April 25th). Please take this date into consideration when you make your travel arrangements.

NEP Game Dates:

• Sunday, April 11th – Games #1 and #2 – Location TBD
• Sunday, April 25th – Games #3 and #4 – Location TBD         
• Saturday or Sunday May 1st / 2nd –  NEP Regional Game #5
• Saturday or Sunday May 8th / 9th –  NEP Regional Game #6
• Saturday or Sunday May 15th / 16th –  NEP Regional Game #7
• Saturday or Sunday May 22nd / 23rd – NEP Regional Game #8
• Saturday or Sunday June 26th / 27th  – Games #9 and #10 – Location TBD

Memorial DayTournament:
In addition to the above games your teamwill participate in the Needham Memorial Day Tournament in Needham, MA. Pleaseblock out the date.
http://www.needhamsoccer.com/Default.aspx?alias=www.needhamsoccer.com/tournament

State Cup Tournament:
Lightning is in the process of enrolling the U12 Boys Green team in theState Cup tournament in VT (over 50% of the players are from VT and thereforemust compete in VT state cup versus NH).  If accepted by Vermont Soccer, the U12 Boys Green will participatein the State Cup tournament over several weekends in May and June. If the teamwins the tournament or is granted a wild card, they will represent the state ofVT in the US Youth Soccer Region 1Championships in West Virginia over the July 4thweekend. Playing at the Region1 Championships is not only an incredible honor, but anopportunity to compete against some of the best clubs and players in the U.S. By acceptinga position on the U12 Boys Green team, you are making a commitment to theclub, the team, other team families, and the coaches to potentially participatein the State Cup and  Region 1 tournament.

Head Coach:
The head coach for this team has yet to be named. We aretalking to a number of exciting and qualified candidates. We will let you knowonce someone has been named.

Parent Roles:
Team Manager – We are happy to announce that Kim McCarthy has agreedto continue as Team Manager for the spring. Kim will continue to work with thecoaches and with the Lightning organization to provide answers to any questionsyou have, in addition to keeping everyone informed and organized, at the right placefor practices and games, and with the right gear! If youwant to reach Kim you can email her at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Assistant Coaches– As always, we encourage parents with a soccer background and/or interest incoaching to volunteer to be Assistant Coaches. We hope some of the parents whohelped out in the fall will do so again. New parents who are interested, pleaselet us know of your interest. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Practice Schedule:
Practices for NEP teams will begin in early March at GranthamIndoor (once per week) and move outside once the turf at KUAis cleared of snow (end of March) for a couple of Sunday practices. Regularoutdoor practice schedules begin after the April break. At that time, practiceswill be twice per week, either Mon/Weds or Tues/Thurs. The time and location forpractices will be published early to mid-February.

Spring 2010 Fee:
The Travel Team fee for the spring will be $420 which coversNEP league fees, tournament fees, field rental costs, coaching fees, refereefees and select soccer kit items.

A player designated as an "Alternate" for a NEP team trainswith the team and may be invited to compete in games as space permits (ifanother player is sick or can not make a game). Alternate player fees are$225.