Dear Newton Girls Soccer Family,

The sky is blue, the grass is green(ish), and the lines are painted (mostly). It’s finally time for soccer!

As the new President of NGS, I’d like to officially welcome everyone to the start of spring 2013 soccer season. A few reminders before we start:

Good sportsmanship and Zero Tolerance Rule for Referees:

NGS strives to be a leader in the promotion of good sportsmanship and building character. Parents and coaches, please remember to be role models for your daughters, their teammates, and the opposing team at all times. At no time are coaches or parents allowed to direct any comments at referees, especially negative ones. Parents should limit themselves to supportive cheering from the sidelines and leave coaching to coaches. Derogatory comments, taunts or trash talk directed at the opposing team by players, parents or coaches are strictly prohibited.

NGS Nights at the Boston Breakers:

We are planning two Newton Girls Soccer nights at the Boston Breakers, who are helping launching the new National Women’s Soccer League with a young, star-studded lineup that includes current and former US Women’s National Team players Sydney Leroux, Heather O’Reilly and Cat Whitehill, Australian superstar striker Kyah Simon, and Canadian international sensation Rhian Wilkinson.

NGS has purchased a limited number of discounted tickets for the April 14th home opener against Ali Krieger and the Washington Spirit. Normally $18, for adults and $15 for kids 16-and-under, tickets can be purchased through the league for $10 each. To reserve yours, send an e-mail to “events@newtongirlssoccer.org.”

We are also planning a big NGS Night at the Breakers for June 5th, with tailgating, giveaways and other fun, and Newton girls will also get a chance to be player escorts and ball girls. More details on both nights to come.

April Vacation Camp with the Boston Breakers:

If you are in town for April break, you’d be crazy to miss the our exciting soccer camp. NGS is teaming up with the Boston Breakers to offer a half-day camp based at Weeks Field. The camp runs Tuesday through Friday, April 16-19 from 9 AM to noon.

Sessions will be lead by experienced coaches and Boston Breakers players for girls in the Grade 2-8 IM or U9-U14 Travel Programs, using a curriculum designed to develop players of all ages and abilities. The cost is $175 and all participants will receive a t-shirt and a ticket to a Breakers game. For more information and registration please visit the NGS website: newtongirlssoccer.org.

NGS/Breakers Summer Camps:

Newton Girls Soccer is in the process of finalizing our summer camps, which will also be held in partnership with the Boston Breakers. More details to come soon.

The Lady Eagles Soccer School :

Our friends at the Boston College Women’s Soccer program are also offering full-day camps for this April vacation and the summer. The Lady Eagles Soccer School is offering a Tuesday-Friday April Vacation camp from 9 AM to 3 PM. The cost is $295 and more details are available about this camp and their summer camps at: http://www.bceagles.com/camps/bc-w-soccer-camp.html

Tournaments:

Spring is a big time for tournaments, especially over Memorial Day weekend. For travel teams, BAYS has made it especially easy this year by not scheduling regular season games over the holiday weekend. There is even a tournament later this month designed especially for Intramural Program teams. We will make more information available soon on the NGS website.

OK, let’s play some soccer. Work hard. Respect each other and the game. And have fun!

Ralph Ranalli

President, Newton Girls Soccer