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SYSL's Fall 2019 season begins Tuesday, September 3 and runs until Saturday, November 2. Travel teams have the option of holding preseason practices beginning Monday, August 19, subject to field availability. 

Here are the descriptions for the different positions:

Toddler (2T/3T) Head Coach
A successful Toddler Head Coach is engaging with younger kids and can keep things fun for them by doing games that sneak in soccer instruction. Ideally, without even realizing they're being trained at soccer, Toddlers will learn to dribble, pass, receive, and shoot the ball using the correct surfaces of the foot, as well as take the ball off someone. Toddler Head Coaches plan, set up, and run weekly sessions. Successful completion of the online HEADS UP to Youth Sports concussion training online course is required of all coaches. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is very helpful but not required for communications purposes.

Time commitment: During the season, a Toddler coach typically spends one hour per week planning the session and communicating with the team and one hour conducting the session. There is no time commitment outside the season.

Toddler (2T/3T) Assistant Coach
Toddler Assistant Coaches help the team's Head Coach with team communication and setting up and running the weekly sessions. Successful completion of the online HEADS UP to Youth Sports concussion training online course is required of all coaches. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is very helpful but not required for communications purposes.

Time commitment: One hour per week during the season, helping conduct the session. There is no time commitment outside the season.

Toddler (2T/3T) Team Manager
Toddler Team Managers help out the coaching staff with communication and organization. They often help organize team snacks if needed. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is a plus.

Time commitment: Less than one hour per week during the season. There is no time commitment outside the season.

In-Town (Pre-K/Kindergarten/Grade 1/Grade 2) Head Coach
In-Town coaches plan, set up, and run one weeknight practice each week. They know the terminology, rules, and basic strategy of the game and teach this to their team. They also are in charge during Saturday games. The head coach also will make sure to communicate regularly with the team using our SportsEngine mobile app or desktop app -- unless an Assistant Coach or Team Parent is handling team communication. Successful completion of the online HEADS UP to Youth Sports concussion training online course is required of all coaches. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is very helpful but not required for communications purposes.

Time commitment: 3 to 4 hours per week during the season. There is no time commitment outside the season.

In-Town (Pre-K/Kindergarten/Grade 1/Grade 2) Assistant Coach
An In-Town Assistant Coach helps the head coach with practice planning, setup, and execution and often manage substitutions during games. They will help instruct players during practice drills and scrimmages and fill in for the head coach when necessary, so a basic knowledge of the game is important. The assistant coach might also help out with team communication. Successful completion of the online HEADS UP to Youth Sports concussion training online course is required of all coaches. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is very helpful but not required for communications purposes.

Time commitment: 2 to 3 hours per week during the season. There is no time commitment outside the season.

In-Town (Pre-K/Kindergarten/Grade 1/Grade 2) Team Manager
In-Town Team Managers help out the coaching staff with communication and organization and can assist on the sidelines with substitutions during games. They message families about practices and games and often help organize team snacks after games. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is a plus.

Time commitment: One hour per week during the season. There is no time commitment outside the season.

Travel Head Coach
Travel Head Coaches plan, set up, and run two weeknight practice each week. Ideally they played soccer at the high school level or above. They should have a strong knowledge of the game and its tactics and be able to teach these to children. Head Coaches should be punctual and are responsible for bringing their coaching credentials, official approved rosters, and player pass cards to all games. They also are in charge during Saturday games. The head coach also will make sure to communicate regularly with the team using our SportsEngine mobile app or desktop app -- unless an Assistant Coach or Team Parent is handling team communication. Successful completion of the online HEADS UP to Youth Sports concussion training online course is required of all coaches. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is very helpful but not required for communications purposes.

Time commitment: 5 to 6 hours per week during the season and 2 to 3 optional hours of work during the optional preseason practices in late March and late August. There is no time commitment in the offseason.

Travel Assistant Coach
A Travel Assistant Coach helps the head coach with practice planning, setup, and execution and often manage substitutions during games. They will help instruct players during practice drills and scrimmages and fill in for the head coach when necessary, so a strong knowledge of the game is important. The assistant coach might also help out with team communication. Assistant Coaches should be punctual and are responsible for bringing their coaching credentials to all games. Successful completion of the online HEADS UP to Youth Sports concussion training online course is required of all coaches. Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is very helpful but not required for communications purposes.

Time commitment: 3 to 5 hours per week during the season and 1 to 2 optional hours of work during the optional preseason practices in late March and late August. There is no time commitment in the offseason.

Travel Team Manager
Travel Team Managers help out the coaching staff with communication and organization. They message families about practices and games and often help organize carpooling to practice and games (particularly away games). Spanish or Portuguese proficiency is a plus.

Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours hour per week during the season and 1 optional hour of work during the optional preseason practices in late March and late August. There is no time commitment in the offseason.

Note: All SYSL volunteers are required to register as adult volunteers with Mass Youth Soccer and complete background checks and online sexual abuse prevention and concussion trainings.

For more information, please email volunteering@somervillesoccer.us