Waltham, 29^th April, 2011; Mass Premier Soccer is delighted to announce fresh additions to the club curriculum for each program in the player development pyramid.

The club has committed to the creation and implementation of a new Goalkeeper Academy curriculum developed by recent hire Stephen Bermingham and returning staff member Monica McGuirk out of MPS Headquarters in Massachusetts.

The club has also added a new Soccer eyeQ component to the club curriculum which presents a range of innovative exercises, which train and develop the essential skills and habits required for expert field vision.  Soccer EyeQ is designed to increase awareness on and off the ball and teach players to "see the game" more clearly - enabling them to anticipate the play, make better decision and do the right thing at the right time.

“At MPS and our sister franchises, we seek to set the bar high and continually update our curriculum and methodology by incorporating new ideas and innovative programs,” said MPS Director of Coaching, Peter Bradley.  “The addition of a new goalkeeping program and a Soccer EyeQ component is designed for the betterment of all players within the club, with the underlying goal being that when a player exits the club they have fully maximized their potential over the period they were an MPS player.”

These changes will impact the curriculum each level of the unique MPS Player Development Pyramid which allows a player to enter the club at aged U8, as part of the MPS Junior School of Excellence (JSOE), and graduate through the MPS School of Excellence Program (U9-U12), the MPS Premier Team Program (U13-U18) and the MPS U19/U20 Program as part of the clubs comprehensive player pathway. 

At age U8, players are eligible to enter the MPS JSOE which focuses on introducing and developing the core skills of soccer to aspiring young soccer players. The JSOE program is a fun and challenging environment for players and acts as a great introduction to the MPS School of Excellence (SOE) Program.

The MPS SOE is a tiered program with playing opportunities in the SOE Academy and the SOE Elite programs.  The SOE Academy provides skilled and motivated players (aged U9-U12) with the opportunity to train and play alongside similarly talented peers in a development focused environment in geographically convenient locations. The SOE program works in conjunction with town programs and provides a supplemental, as opposed to replacement, program offered by the player’s hometown.

Players aged U10-U12 that show a consistent high level of play, attitude and commitment to the game are placed within the MPS SOE Elite program.  This program offers top level players an accelerated learning program at a centralized geographic location.

The MPS Premier Team program offers serious and talented players (aged U13-U18) the best coaching available in a professional, elite player environment.  This program helps foster an identity of excellence and is designed to help the players develop technically, tactically, physically and psychologically.

The MPS U19/20 teams offer graduates of the MPS Premier Team Program the opportunity to return to the club during the summer months of their collegiate years and continue their development under the MPS umbrella.

“At each and every level of the organization, MPS deliver a club curriculum which is continually updated by the MPS Technical Department to ensure that our players are constantly challenged and forced to play out with their comfort zone,” said MPS School of Excellence Director Justin Capell.  “As part of our philosophy, we continually look to identify and develop players with PACE – Personality, Attitude, Creativity (Confidence for Goalkeepers) and Excellence.  The MPS SOE program has developed two US U14 National pool players in the last two years and we are very excited about some of the talent in our club currently which has emerged from our SOE Elite Program and Inner-City Initiative Program.”

As well as a development focused practice environment, MPS places teams from all levels of the organization in competitive game play which is conducive to maximizing player development.

The SOE Academy teams will play in the club’s internal league where no standings are recorded which ensures no emphasis is placed upon winning and losing.  This format allows the MPS coaching staff to rotate individuals throughout playing positions and allows coaches to introduce and implement the standardized MPS system and style of play at all age levels.

All MPS SOE Elite and Premier teams compete in the external New England Premiership (NEP) which is a development focused league structured so that each age group plays in a format best suited to player development.  U10s play 6v6, U11s and U12s play 8v8 and U13s and above play 11v11.  The NEP is open to clubs who have demonstrated a commitment to player development and does not operate a promotion / relegation system unlike other leagues in Massachusetts.

“The game day experience at MPS allows and encourages players to implement the previous week’s session theme in a live game situation without fear of coach reprisal,” said MPS Premier Team Director Phil Mitchell.  “At MPS we have installed systems and style of play all age levels which our coaches will implement to ensure a consistent approach to player development.  As part of our mission statement, we commit to preparing players to compete at the highest levels of the game and we are confident that any player who joins our club will leave us as a better player at the end of their MPS career.”

For more information on the MPS School of Excellence Program please contact SOE Director Justin Capell on 781-891-6900 ext 20 or jcapell@mpsbr.com  For more information on the MPS Premier Team Program please contact Premier Team Director Phil Mitchell on 781-891-6900 ext 28 or pmitchell@mpsbr.com