o    Designed to introduce kids to the game of soccer using lots of fun drills and games

o    Sessions run for about an hour on Saturday mornings at Davis Hill School (directions)

·      Recreation (Rec)/In-Town (Grades 3-12)

o    Similar to the K-2 Program with more age-appropriate drills/activities

o    More casual atmosphere than the Travel Program

o    Games and practices typically run an hour each

o    Weekend games (day depends on grade)

o    Field location depends on grade

o    Weekday practice (depends on grade)

·      Unified Program

o    Teams composed of players both with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) with minimal soccer rules modifications

o    All players of ages 12-18 across mainstream, autism spectrum, and any ID are welcome and should be capable of being an individual                          contributor to a team environment (i.e., without 1:1 support)

o    The program strives to provide meaningful social inclusion for all players and promotes an equal role for all despite different abilities

o    Practices/scrimmages held weekly to develop peer-to-peer friendships through the game of soccer

o    Additional opportunities

• In the fall season, Unified players compete in the Special Olympics State Cup at the Governor’s Academy in Newbury. The event includes team bus ride, opening ceremonies, multiple games, and an awards ceremony.
• Teams can participate in the Special Olympics Unified Fitness Challenge where partners train together on fitness goals and compete in United Through Sports World Virtual Youth Festival.
• In 2021, a league team was formed to compete against other Massachusetts Unified teams. The league offers an additional commitment and challenge for interested players.

o    HYS is pioneering this unique operating model by introducing the Unified sports model into town youth sports

·      TOPS Program

o    The HYS TOPSoccer Program is developed for children with special needs in the age range of 5-14
       and live in the central Massachusetts area

o    It is a volunteer-driven, community-based program that brings the game of soccer into the lives of these wonderful children who might not              otherwise have an opportunity to play

o    Players are given the opportunity to experience, enjoy, and play soccer in a modified version specifically designed to foster a feeling of                      individual confidence and success

o    Sessions are held one hour per week run by volunteer groups of trained coaches (ages 15 & up) to facilitate one to one interaction with each            TOPSoccer athlete.

o    Athletes participate in soccer-specific activities to help them experience a sense of personal achievement.

·      Travel Program

o    This is a more competitive atmosphere for those players looking for more

o    Fall Travel age groups U10-U14
o    Spring Travel age groups U10-U19 (playoffs for U12-U19)

o    Teams play against nearby town teams within the Central Mass Youth Soccer League (CMYSL)

o    Saturday games (High School league is Sunday)

o    Practices are on a weeknight(s) TBD by coach for each team

o    Playoffs for some age groups

o    Games held both in Holden and nearby towns

Travel Waiver: If you are not a resident of Holden but wish to participate in Holden Youth Soccer’s Travel Program, you must first register with HYS and then your resident town must complete a waiver allowing you participate with HYS. Per Mass Youth Soccer rules, the decision to sign the waiver resides with the resident town, not HYS. Any registration fee will be refunded to you if your town soccer program will not grant you a waiver.