Somerville Youth Soccer is proud to introduce the Won World Soccer Camp, which is a one-week event that not only develops soccer skills but provides the opportunity for immersion of different language, geographical and cultural concepts that promote a diverse experience for underrepresented youth in the Somerville community entering Grades 1-4 this Fall.

Combining expert soccer training from college and high school coaches & players, Won World will also introduce participants to new academic and cultural experiences that help facilitate a sense of community.  It’s not just about playing the game of soccer—we’re looking to help kids begin to play the game of life!

Activities that include basic language skills, storytelling, drawing and learning about other countries help promote a diverse background that will serve all attendees well. Studies in academic settings show that sports-based programs foster a sense of belonging. Kids who feel part of a community are more likely to participate in athletics and educational programs as they grow.  That’s our mission.

About Coach Benjamin

Scott Benjamin has nearly four decades of coaching experience at the youth and collegiate levels.  A youth soccer coach since the 1980’s, he has an Advanced National Coaching Diploma from United Soccer Coaches Association.  Coach Benjamin has been a part of SYS for the last five years and served as the head coach of the Bunker Hill Community College men's soccer team for 17 years that won 10 regional championships, earned two final four finishes, and a runner-up finish in the NJCAA national championship tournament.  A longtime camp counselor and clinician, Coach Benjamin is certified as a speaker for the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Additional Camp Information

Campers will receive official SYS gear from our partners at PUMA.  Lunch will be provided throughout the week.  An athletic trainer will be present at all times, and multiple cooling stations will be set up for all attendees throughout the session.

Registration is now open for the Won World Soccer Camp by visiting https://somervillesoccer.sportngin.com/register/form/182594138.  Financial aid assistance is available upon request.

If you have questions or would like more information, please email executivedirector@somervillesoccer.org.  Registration is open through Friday, August 12th.

When:  August 22-26, 2022, 9:00 am-2:00 pm each day

Where:  Conway Field, 560 Somerville Avenue

Camp Director:  Scott Benjamin, former Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Bunker Hill Community College & SYS Grade 4 Girls travel coach

Who Can Attend:  Boys & Girls entering Grades 1-4 this Fall

What To Bring:  T-Shirt, Shorts, Socks, Shin Guards, Water Bottle (Lunch will be provided)

Cost:  $175.00 per attendee/$325.00 for two siblings (Financial aid available)

Registration:      https://somervillesoccer.sportngin.com/register/form/182594138

As the spring season comes to an end, SYS has begun planning for the Fall 2022 season. We have received many inquiries about field evaluations for our travel teams, and we appreciate your patience as we’ve worked to finalize the session schedule.

SYS takes the responsibility of constructing travel team rosters incredibly seriously. Our process is rigorous and relies heavily on data, which we gather from multiple sources. Every player who will be on a travel team in the Fall receives an evaluation from each of their current team coaches and a separate evaluation from an academy instructor. Each evaluation includes 12 numerical scores covering technical, tactical, physical, and mental attributes. Coaches and instructors also provide written feedback on each player. 

Field evaluations are the final component of our data gathering process. They are important, because they provide an opportunity for us to see all the players in a specific age cohort together.

All players entering grades 3 through 8 in the fall are strongly encouraged to attend field evaluations. It is SYS policy that no player’s overall assessment score ever decreases as a result of field evaluations, but these sessions do provide an opportunity for players to increase their assessment score.

It is important to remember that SYS does not conduct tryouts. Every player who registers in a timely fashion is guaranteed a roster spot. Instead of tryouts, we use field evaluations as one component of our rigorous process intended to place every player on the most appropriate roster.

Please remember that players should attend the evaluation for the grade they will enter this Fall. For example, a player currently completing 4th grade will attend field evaluations for the 5/6 grade cohort. To be clear: the grades and cohorts listed in the following below do not refer to your current team, but the team for which your child will play in the Fall.

The Fall 2022 Field Evaluations schedule is as follows:

• G3       Tuesday, June 14    5:00-6:30 pm     Capuano Field
• B3        Friday, June 17        5:00-6:30 pm     Capuano Field 
• G4       Tuesday, June 14     6:45-8:15 pm     Capuano Field
• B4        Friday, June 17         6:45-8:15 pm     Capuano Field
• G56     Sunday, June 12      4:30-6:00 pm     Hormel Stadium (Medford)
• B56      Sunday, June 12     6:15-7:45 pm     Hormel Stadium (Medford)
• G78     Monday, June 20    5:30–7:00 pm    Dilboy Stadium
• B78      Tuesday, June 21    5:30–7:00 pm    Dilboy Stadium

Please do your best to attend the indicated session. We will likely hold an additional field evaluations in August, but this will be primarily directed at players who are new to SYS, and initial rostering meetings will take place before any August field evaluations are conducted.

We will send additional information closer to the date of your field evaluation, but if you have any questions on our rostering process, please contact Jim Seavey directly at executivedirector@somervillesoccer.org. Thank you for your continued support of SYS. We look forward to seeing you on the field!