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Winter Newsletter 2023 Progress & Possibilities

We’re Moving a lot this Winter!

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https://www.beyondsoccerlawrence.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Full-size-pic-newsletter.png 763 681 stephanie http://www.beyondsoccerlawrence.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BYSLogo.png stephanie2023-02-15 17:13:332023-08-16 11:35:42Winter Newsletter 2023 Progress & Possibilities

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18 Nov

A #SundayShare about 2 alums, who w/their teammates, made history @NorthernEssex. Angel & Michael were part of the @NECCKNIGHTS ⚽️ team's historic season, earning a national ranking of 6, plus a 1st-ever Region 21 & Northeast District Championship⚽ 🧡💙🏆

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Succeeding on and off the fields and courts through the sport of soccer ⚽️🧡💙 #sportsbasedyouthdevelopment
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A #FeelGoodFriday post highlighting our partnershi

A #FeelGoodFriday post highlighting our partnership with the Lawrence Public Schools 🏫 bringing soccer and team building to kids where they are! Here’s Issandel (far right), one of our most committed Sr. Coach Mentors (long time, former player, too!), getting this 7th & 8th grade Guilmette School crew warmed up with the tic tac toe game--one of our favs! The #feelgood highlight was Director Chris updating us yesterday that because of this in-school effort, a group of these students have already joined or attended our #BeyondSoccer winter futsal programs and leagues. 👏, Issandel, and Chris!

It’s why we do it – bring sports to where the kids are to inspire them to want more play and connection--outside of 🏫. Yes, transportation can be a deterrent, but we’re addressing that with our sports friends and removing other access barriers. #Allin #teameffort #sportsmatter #LawrenceMA #BeyondSoccer ⚽🧡💙

This 📷 reminds us #WeAreAllinWednesday for girl

This 📷 reminds us #WeAreAllinWednesday for girls-in-sports in 2025! We have been quiet, but not behind the scenes. January marks the 2nd year of our #Beyond Resilient Girls programming effort, thanks to @womensfundec's investment through its #ResilientGirls Project. What does that mean? We are now editing and expanding our sports-based youth development curriculum for girls developed with @chjsorg and implemented last fall! Because of player, parent, and coach-mentor feedback, #CHJS will enhance program & support components for specific age groups and, for the first time, expand the curriculum, support, and messaging for 9th-12th graders. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, we are engaging more girls on the courts, like this crew 📸'd during winter futsal and appropriately hosted at the female-focused @ywcanema! #staytuned #girlsinsports #onthefield #offthefield ⚽🧡💙

It's a #SundayShare with 7 hours of programming ah

It's a #SundayShare with 7 hours of programming ahead, highlighting some of yesterday's day-long connections. As you can see, our leadership- through-sports efforts are in full force in 2025. In these 📸's, we've got Osvi, Josiah, Steven, and Isabella heading up some 1st & 2nd graders. Together, they have 33+ combined years in #BeyondSoccer as players and now as important role models. They are now refereeing our many futsal games, assisting Chris as Jr. Coaches & now #CoachMentors, and earning wages. Thanks, @ MassHire, for helping us with this important wage support. #brokenrecord alert! These opportunities are the heart ❤️of our year-round work. #Allin #play #connection #leadership #sportsbased #youthdevelopment ⚽🧡💙

It's a #TekkersTuesday post full of young people b

It's a #TekkersTuesday post full of young people benefiting from technical skills and indoor fitness. First up were the 1st and 2nd graders, which ⚽Director Chris thought would need to be split into two separate groups as we advanced and word spreads of the fun. Yes, fitness and foot skills can and should be fun, too! The older players showed up from 6-8 pm, and their session also included more footwork using our turf ladders plus some rollback, roll forward, no hands sit-ups. Yes, it's good for balance, especially for developing strong core muscles. Again, with Chris at the helm and his New Year's resolution for #BeyondSoccer, which is to help new and current players get and stay on healthier paths, there will be a lot more of this! 🎉 #Allin #youthsports #healthykids #happykids #sportsbased #youthdevelopment #yearound #play #fitness #connection ⚽🧡💙

It's our first #SundayShare of the New Year! 🎉A

It's our first #SundayShare of the New Year! 🎉And in true Beyond Soccer fashion, we're off and running, or rather playing! It was a full day yesterday at the Lawrence YWCA, and today will be another full day of games, too. Here's ⚽️ Director Chris doing what he does best: instructing kids and ensuring more young people fall in love with the sport! Also, as usual, many former & current players are assisting Chris as #CoachMentors and jr coaches, with many also earning wages through our fantastic partnership with MassHire! #TogetherIsBetter in 2025! #youthsports #healthykids #happykids #allin #onthefield #offthefield #leadership #throughsports #SBYD ⚽🧡💙

A #ThrowbackThursday share from ⚽ Director Chris

A #ThrowbackThursday share from ⚽ Director Chris' final evening of soccer, fitness, and footwork --or rather "tekker" sessions--from Monday night, just 48 hrs before 2025! The weather was well above freezing, or 49 degrees at 6 pm, meaning young people would get the chance to play during their out-of-school time with Chris at the helm--or verbatim through What's App, "we should not waste a beautiful December evening!" It included a few indoor learning sessions for younger kids and an outdoor Pavilion at Riverwalk session for 8th grade and up. He made a good call, don't you think?! Happy New Year, friends and families, and here's to 2025 with a lot more #play! #youthsports #happykids #healthykids #yearround #sportsbased #youthdevelopment ⚽💙🧡🎉

It's a #MotivatingMonday when our team wants to en

It's a #MotivatingMonday when our team wants to ensure every last minute before the holiday little break gets used up--for players' benefit. Here's ⚽ Director Chris providing solid instruction and feedback with a few fun remarks to some 3rd & 4th graders in our #BeyondFit space. A Jr. coach, Nolan, too -- we spy a future #CoachMentor👍. Up later will be Futsal Tekker & Fitness for Gr. 1 & 2, followed by Gr. 8-12, but they will be indoors--it's not above freezing, and there's snow! ❄️Also, for those, including Beyond's Director, who didn't know the term tekker, it's used in "football" to describe a player's skill, technique, control, and touch with the ball. It can refer to the ability to do something well -- we have some "tekker-in-progress" sessions :) But you have to start for even a chance to get good at it! ⚽🧡💙

#WhatMattersWednesday! It's when former players, t

#WhatMattersWednesday! It's when former players, then junior coaches, to #coachmentors, then college students make sure we're top on their Christmas (visit) list!🎄Mostly, that they stay connected as alumni. Here's Andrea visiting with Chris @ the Pavilion during Monday night's (⬆️freezing) ⚽session. Remember, Andrea was an Austin Prep #studentathlete who was part of #Beyond for 7 years. Today, she's in her 2nd year at Coastal Carolina University. As for most, it's been a demanding transition, but Andrea is working hard toward her psychology major! Go, Andrea. Here are a few blast-from-the-past 📸's of Andrea helping lead our camps and rec leagues, including wearing Halloween costumes to the PreK-K practices.😊 Gosh, what a great female role model and tie-in to our #Beyond Resilient Girls focus! #studentathletes #leadershipthroughsports #girlsinsports #LawrenceMA #BeyondSoccer ⚽🧡💙

This #MondayMashup highlights how we continue to s

This #MondayMashup highlights how we continue to stay busy, active & festive this winter! Yes, when the temp is right (⬆️freezing), we continue to be outside on the turf. In fact, tonight, there's an outdoor session for 7th-12th graders. But as backup, we continue to run skill sessions indoors on our turf! There's also been some baking with a pie leftover from the generous holiday meal giveaway. Plus, thanks to our pals @GoodSports we've organized hundreds of donated sports and apparel items for play in 2025! That includes several dozen futsal balls and goals. Also, 100 fitness kits from that donation are to be distributed to girls in our #Beyond Resilient Girls program ---Gosh, it's also beginning to feel a lot like Christmas--oh wait--& look like Christmas, too. And that's thanks to Iris, Programs & Partnership Manager, who decorated our space for all the continued activity this holiday season! #yearround #play #connection #onthefield #offthefield #sportsbased #youthdevelopment #BeyondSoccer ⚽🧡💙🎄🥘❄️📦

It's a much-needed #FeelGoodFriday share about ste

It's a much-needed #FeelGoodFriday share about stepping up, being a doer, and fully committing yourself to something new!

Yes, this is Johnny #Beyond's Operations Manager holding his Eastern Mass High School Referee of the Year Award. 🏆He received it last month during the high school all-star game in Concord Carlisle. To explain this journey and honor best, we stole some lines from Johnny's Instagram: "Life's a funny thing. Soccer has, in some ways, become my life, and those of you who know me best know that's quite ironic, especially when this journey started after Stephanie essentially called me out on the sidelines while attending a youth soccer match 10 years ago."

Yes, Johnny was called out in 2014 for a sideline complaint, and he stepped up. Today, having never played soccer, he's now refereed almost 900 youth and high school ⚽games. It was important because there was--and continues to be--a referee shortage with too many folks fussing on the sidelines and not fully appreciating what it takes to be a referee--it's a very fast-moving game. So he did it, totally went #beyond, now with goals to referee college and restart a #BeyondSoccer grassroots referee program for middle schoolers with Essex County Youth Soccer so more youth in our program get the proper training and support to become Jr. referees #leadershipthroughsports Overall, be nicer on the sidelines-- just saying, or step up and referee! Here's to more doers #onthefield #offthefield #yearround #feelgoodfriday ⚽💙🧡 @johnnypokerpro @wolverinesteph24

#TeamworkTuesday - Many #team activities are happe

#TeamworkTuesday - Many #team activities are happening at the Guilmette Middle School thanks to the leadership of Director Chris and Issandel (former player & CoachMentor). Again, we love being back in the schools, bringing weekly sports enrichment programming to middle schoolers who cannot always get to us after school. Here's the "capture the prize" warmup game with the one person outside trying to capture that prize---or the designated person with that 🏆 on their back. The rest of the team must move around in a unit to protect the prize. Of course, it only works when everyone responds and communicates as a cohesive unit. The smiles are priceless and worth much more than any prize! #teamwork makes the #dreamwork #Allin #inschool #enrichment #partnerships #play #youthsports #healthykids #happykids #BeyondSoccer #LawrenceMA ⚽🧡💙

It's a #SaturdayShare that embraces all the holida

It's a #SaturdayShare that embraces all the holiday flair! 🎄🎁 🎶 Post-season get-togethers are a must, and the Grade 8 Wolverines were up last night. Soccer Director & Coach Chris did the grocery store run and sent a WhatsApp message that inspired the above rhyming. 🎶It was "a fun-filled night full of cookie and brownie delights. They baked and sweetened and, of course, enjoyed eatin', all while their team bonds deepened. #BeyondSoccer is the obvious spot to gather this holiday post-season!" Ha! The girls enjoyed some team-building and movie-time, too, plus William, long-time Academic Program Coordinator (& more), showed up to help. He loves cooking! #team #togetherisbetter #bonding #offthefield #girlsinsports #sportsbased #youthdevelopment #LawrenceMA ⚽️🧡💙🎄❄️🍪

#WeRememberWednesday - We are saddened to share th

#WeRememberWednesday - We are saddened to share that long-time Beyond Soccer leader, champion, and friend Paul "Lefty" Wennik recently passed away.💔Paul tirelessly paved the way for so many, in so many immeasurable ways, whether through sports--professionally, collegiately, or in-city recreational leagues or through an impressive career of connection and mentorship in the music industry. He was a #rockstar advocate for us, and as a long-time board president, he fundraised and advanced our work on every level. Paul made lasting impressions wherever he went, including on the field with our players. As many know, our first annual scholarship, “The Outstanding Character Award,” was inspired by his actions and approach of not holding back when a cause was near and dear to his heart, especially when equity, access, or fairness were on the line. Our first two scholarship recipients, Eliany and Luiz, 📷'd here, were chosen because they share his renowned ability to engage others with a natural charisma and infectious enthusiasm and to approach problems and opportunities with compassion and determination.

We will miss you #Beyond measure. Our hearts will be forever with you. Your Beyond Soccer family loves you and will continue to improve lives through sports because of you. 🧡💙⚽️

A #MondayMemory from a post-season outing for the

A #MondayMemory from a post-season outing for the Grade 5 Lionness squad over the weekend. You probably recall that team events or outings are a must-do for our program. Our Coach Mentors organize these off-the-field get-togethers to bond and celebrate their players' efforts. This event was extra meaningful as they saw Moana 2 --a great movie🎬 about an adventurous female who likes to help others --and a handful of moms led the charge, helping coach Freddy. There's been a lot of bonding this season for this girl's group. Plus, a handful of younger brothers (also part of #Beyond) tagged along for the "adventure." Here's to more important get-togethers this winter. #offthefield #youthsports #girlsinsports #team #bonding #healthykids #happykids #BeyondSoccer #LawrenceMA ⚽🧡💙

It’s a #ThankfulThanksgiving share, letting our

It’s a #ThankfulThanksgiving share, letting our family, friends, and supporters know how much they mean. Also, because of YOU-our wonderfully generous network, we could give away 30 meals to our #BeyondSoccer families. Here’s ⚽ Director Chris and longtime #CoachMentor (& former player) Issandel with all the donated bags full of food, including grocery store gift cards, thanks to our Tri-Town community friends from St. Vincent’s de Paul. We have worked with them for over a decade, and they continue to come through for so many around the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and here’s to more generosity and connection on and off the field. #youthsports #sharingiscaring #teameffort #feelinggrateful #offthefield #beyondfamily #LawrenceMA ⚽🧡💙🦃

It's a #TeamEffortTuesday share when we see photos

It's a #TeamEffortTuesday share when we see photos in the older team What's App groups after an evening of practice and play. We all know it's go-time for our Soccer Director when the weather is above freezing, but again, that play can only happen because of this beautiful @riverwalkpavilion facility. Before futsal ramps up this off-season, our team is especially committed to making sure 7th-12th grade boys & girls keep playing, and yes, this ties into our #Beyond Resilient Girls efforts. Right now, the numbers are still skewed--with a lot more boys participating than girls. That's requiring another #teameffort to ensure play and connection year-round – when it's above freezing, of course! #Allin #teamwork #youthsports #happykid #healthykids #resilientgirls #onthefield #offthefield #facilitiesmatter #LawrenceMA ⚽🧡💙

It's a #TeamworkThursday share highlighting a trem

It's a #TeamworkThursday share highlighting a tremendous visit by our @NBGivesback friends earlier this week. About 40 volunteers representing the company, near and far, spent an entire afternoon with us, tackling lots of behind-the-scenes projects!

There was an extensive apparel project where generously donated #NB staff gear was sorted and inventoried, so we're better repping in the community. This awesome crew also organized hundreds of in-city and travel uniforms while a crew of about 15 probably saved #FUSE parent Fifa 20 hours of work by meticulously prepping, cutting, and removing logos for rec league jerseys! An important cleat-organizing project was even fit in thanks to @gearup.ahs leaders, and finally, it would only be right if we included some play time on Pavilion Field! Hard behind-the-scenes work deserves some soccer, too! #TY to all! #togetherisbetter #Allin #ItTakesAVillage #teameffort #youthsports #healthykids #healthycommunities #LawrenceMA ⚽💙🧡

It's a #SundayShare about #BeyondSoccer alums who,

It's a #SundayShare about #BeyondSoccer alums who, together with their teammates, have made history @northernessex. Angel Lopez, a sophomore, and Michael Villaman, a freshman, were part of the @knightsmsoc team's historic season. They finished with a 14-4 overall record, including a 14-game winning streak, and earned a national ranking of 6! The team also clinched its first-ever Region 21 and Northeast District Championship and made its first appearance in the national tournament. Although their journey ended this week against 3rd-seeded Mohawk Valley (NY), their achievements are a source of pride for us all. They're also doing well in school and staying involved with us as #CoachMentors this fall and winter. #youthsports #highschoolsports #collegesports #leadershipthroughsports #feelingproud #LawrenceMA⚽ 🧡💙🏆

#WeAreAllinWednesday is all about working together

#WeAreAllinWednesday is all about working together to bring sports to more kids. This time, it's with the Arlington Middle School. Here's ⚽Director Chris capturing some 📸s and🎥 and videos of a 5th/6th-grade group and a 7th/8th-grade group benefiting from futsal after school on Thursdays at no cost. The goal is to make sure play is more accessible and, yes, next up, to find more creative ways for those interested and wanting more play to join our teams and leagues after school and on the weekends. We're working on that. But, for now, let's play and move after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Arlington--the Guilmette, too! #wegotthis #allin #togetherisbetter #youthsports #healthykids #happykids #onthefield #offthefield #LawrenceMA #BeyondSoccer ⚽🧡💙

Our end-of-season celebration #SumsUptheSeasonSund

Our end-of-season celebration #SumsUptheSeasonSunday in the best of ways. Last night's get-together brought together more than 400 players and parents and is becoming a consistent tradition that's only thanks to our growing #FUSE group (Families United through Sports Experiences). Many are in this smattering of 📸s, including during food service of the generous meals our families provided.

Of course, players received certificates🥇and a group of travel players received their Get #REAL Awards (Respect, Effort, Attitude & Leadership). Also, there was a special recognition of #CoachMentor Esmeralda of the Gr. 4 Wolves. Director Steph reminded the large crowd that Esme was also a former player over a decade ago. Finally, a first-ever recognition of an in-city coach, Jeffrey Lopez, by a mom who took great time to articulate how much he impacted her son and other players this fall wrapped up the night. Stay tuned for more on that front—we sense a new award or scholarship on the horizon! #TY to all, and enjoy just a few photos.

#youthsports #healthykids #happykids #happyfamilies #onthefield #offthefield #celebration #togetherisbetter #LawrenceMA #BeyondSoccer ⚽🧡💙

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