Contact:

Trip Wadleigh, President
PO Box 754

West Tisbury MA 02575

E: info@mvsoccer.org
URL/Website: www.mvsoccer.org

Founded:

1982

Mission:

Friends of Vineyard Soccer d/b/a/ Martha's Vineyard Youth Soccer and Martha's Vineyard United provides island kids ages 4-18 with the opportunity to play recreational and travel soccer. We currently have over 400 children in the program. We are 100% volunteer-based. Ou goal is to provide children with a fun, safe and positive experience learning the game of soccer.

Major Programs:

Mini Kickers:  Fall & Spring
Eligible Ages: Under 5, Under 6 (Must be a minimum 4 years old) 4v4 or 6v6, Teams are co-ed.

The Mini Kicker program is often a player’s first introduction to soccer. It is designed to teach the basics of soccer: dribbling, passing and enjoying the game. Games are played on small-sided fields in order to provide more touches on the ball for the players. This is our least competitive division: no scores or standings are kept, and the emphasis is having fun and learning the basics of soccer.

Under 8 House League: Fall & Spring
Eligible Ages: Under 8, Under 7 (Grades 1 & 2) 4v4 or 6v6. Teams are co-ed.

The Under 8 House League is a small-sided league, which emphasizes beginning to learn passing, moving in space, and continued improvement in ball skills such as using all surfaces of the foot. Throw-ins are introduced, as well as goal and corner kicks. Competition is not as highly emphasized in U8, since scores and standings are not kept, however the games are more competitive than Mini-Kickers. Rules are enforced, but only in order to provide teaching points about the rules.  The last 2 weeks of U8 are played on full-length fields in order to prepare players for transition to U10.

Under 10 House League: Fall & Spring
Eligible Ages: Under 10, Under 9 (Grades 3 & 4). Teams are co-ed.

The Under 10 House League is played 8v8. At this age group, players will continue to develop dribbling, passing and team play (maintaining shape, etc). They will also be introduced to set pieces on corner kicks, free kicks, goal kicks. They will be expected to execute proper throw-ins, and rules will be strictly enforced. Goaltending is introduced as well, with marked penalty areas. (We should consider standings for U10…). The U10 league is of a higher competitive nature than U8.

School League: Fall Only.
Eligible Ages: Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14 (Grades 5-8). 8v8 .Teams are not co-ed.

The School League is comprised of (where possible) a Varsity and Junior Varsity team for each island School: Charter, Chilmark (Up-Island), Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury. Home schooled kids are also eligible to play. This is the most competitive On-Island league offered, as a result of the naturally occurring loyalties to town and school. In this league, standings are kept, there are playoffs, and a boys and girls champion are awarded the School League Cup. The School League program (along with the Travel League) is a natural progression for players hoping to play at the High School level. Many School League players participate in the Travel program.

Travel League: Spring Only
Eligible Ages: Under 10 – Under 12: 8v8, Under 13 – Under 19, 11v11.

The Travel League provides players with the opportunity to play competitive soccer against South Coast Soccer League teams on the Cape and Southeastern Massachusetts both home and away. The Travel League exposes players to the highest levels of coaching, opponents and experience. Most of the High School Varsity players have played on Travel teams, since the skills and experience gained in this division have provided these players with the proper tools to succeed at the higher levels. Martha’s Vineyard teams have had a great deal of success in this league, including multiple league championships and appearances at the Mass Tournament of Champions. Rosters for Travel Teams are finalized in the Fall due to league deadlines. Travel teams typically practice indoors beginning in January, moving outside until their season begins in early April. Travel teams are also eligible for play in off-island tournaments which provides an opportunity to compete against teams across New England.

501(c)(3)? Yes

Form 990 Filed? Yes

Basic Financial Information: As of December 31, 2008:

Total Income: $44,262           Total Expense: $57,o73

Total Assets: $21,043             Total Liabilities: $12,811

Board Members:

President, Trip Wadleigh
Vice President, Richard Andre
Treasurer, Susan Parker
Secretary, Peggy Stone
Registrar, Beth Campbell