OUTDOOR SOCCER INFORMATION

Outdoor soccer consists of two seasons, Fall and Spring, which are approximately 8 weeks in duration. The Fall season runs from early September to early November; the Spring season runs from early April until early June. Our program is affiliated with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and the Essex County Youth Soccer Association (ECYSA) and consists of the following age-specific programs:

U-6 Instructional -- This program is for boys and girls who are in kindergarten. The focus is on skill development and fun. Boys and girls are mixed on the same teams and team shirts are given to all participants. A #3 soccer ball is used.

U-8 Intramural -- The U-8 program is for children primarily in 1st or 2nd grade. Skill development is stressed and playing strategy is introduced with the primary emphasis on fun. Teams play 3 v 3 in the fall season and 5 v 5 (4 field players, plus a goalkeeper) in the spring season with team sizes generally from 8 to 11 players. Teams are balanced with an equal mix of first and second year players, and with an equal mix of player skills. Team shirts are given to all participants. A #4 soccer ball is used.

U-10 Intramural -- The U-10 intramural program is for children primarily in 3rd or 4th grade (plus age-eligible 5th graders). Teams play 6 v 6 (5 field players, plus a goalkeeper) with team sizes generally from 10 to 12 players. Teams are balanced with an equal mix of first and second year players, and with an equal mix of player skills. Team shirts are given to all participants. A #4 soccer ball is used.

U-10 Travel -- The U-10 travel program, open to a limited number of U-10 players, participates in the Essex County program, which is non-competitive (neither scores or standings are recorded). Teams play 6 v 6 and are organized by player skills. A county-wide Friendship Tournament is held at the end of the Spring season. A #4 soccer ball is used. Click here for more information on U10 travel.

U-12 Travel -- The U-12 travel program participates in the Essex County league. Teams play 8 v 8 and are organized by player skills, rated as division 1, 2, or 3. A #4 soccer ball is used. League standings are kept with the top 2 teams in each group participating in a county-wide playoff with the county champions proceeding to a state championship.

U-14 and up Travel -- The U-14 and up travel programs participate in the Essex County program. These teams play 11 v 11 (full-sided) and are organized by player skills, rated as division 1, 2, or 3. Divisions 1 and 2 are considered competitive, while Division 3 is considered recreational. League standings are kept with the top 2 teams in each group participating in a county-wide playoff with the county champions proceeding to a state championship. A #5 soccer ball is used.

U-16 and U-18 Travel

The U-16 and U-18 travel programs occur only in the Spring season.  The only restriction at this level is that players may not be dual rostered, for example club/ODP players cannot be rostered on a U-16-U19 ECYSA travel team.

General Travel Information -- The BAA participates in the Essex County travel league. Teams participate in their appropriate age bracket for players who are "under 12" through "under 17" as of August 1 prior to the Fall season. Uniforms are required and cost approximately $50 for a shirt, shorts, and socks.

REGISTRATION-- Boxford's soccer registration system is available on-line prior to each fall and spring season. Click here for details or click on the red "Soccer Registration" button at the top of this page to go directly to the registration system.  Please note: Players will not be assigned to a team until all registration information for that player has been received! 

TRYOUTS -- Information on the program's tryout policy and procedures is available by clicking here. Tryout have already taken place for the 2008-2009 soccer seasons.

INDOOR SOCCER and TOURNAMENT PLAY

Indoor soccer and most tournament play are not part of the BAA Soccer program.

REFEREE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

A youth referee development program, which provides officials for the intramural U-8 and U-10 games, is part of the Boxford soccer program. Players who are interested must register and take a short referee training course. For more information, contact Soccer_Referee@BAASports.net.