NH Club Soccer - Family moving

[Unregistered]

Hello,
My family and are planning on moving to Bedford, NH. All three kids are involved in youth soccer where we currently live (Long Island, NY). Two oldest (10 and 11) are involved in competitive club soccer programs.

Can anyone provide some advice on NH Club Soccer programs. GPS shutting down is something we didn't anticipate (obv). Ideally we are looking for something relatively close which will hopefully allow the kids to make friends in the area as well as continue their soccer development.

Thank you!!!
Concerned Dad

[Unregistered]

Hello,
My family and are planning on moving to Bedford, NH. All three kids are involved in youth soccer where we currently live (Long Island, NY). Two oldest (10 and 11) are involved in competitive club soccer programs.

Can anyone provide some advice on NH Club Soccer programs. GPS shutting down is something we didn't anticipate (obv). Ideally we are looking for something relatively close which will hopefully allow the kids to make friends in the area as well as continue their soccer development.

Thank you!!!
Concerned Dad

Welcome.

Seacoast United, based out of Epping (30-35 minutes away) recently purchased what was left of GPS-NH. They use their fields for some activity and base some of their teams there. They are, due to attrition as much as anything, the leading club in NH. They offer boys and girls programs that are above any level that anyone else offers in the state. I am not making the argument the levels are the highest in the country...someone else can have that discussion.

You also have in the area Aztecs (a Mass-North Shore-based team now operating out of Nashua [I think]). They have a long history of first being Nashua World Cup (first "club" team in the state) then NEFC-North and now Aztecs. The shirts keep changing but the personnel seems to move with the club. I personally found their parent club to not be very good.

Next (these are not in a specific order) is FC Stars-NH (Manchester, NH). Also somewhat mixed, they offer a few decent teams, but their benefit is they are a child of what I view as the top girls club in New England. The problem is the parent club is based in Lancaster, MA which getting to isn't ideal for many parents. As your child improves, and if they (and you) want to climb that ladder it becomes an issue. I believe many kids from GPS-NH have ended up there.

Bedford Athletic Club still operates out of the town. It's not the highest level and I won't get too deep into the weeds with negativity, but it's local and many kids from town play there so it's worth at least a look.

There are many other clubs that are more town-based that offer various levels at different costs. All can offer something...it really depends on what you are looking for, costs, time, travel, goals, etc. I think you need to weigh all that along with the intent to get kids to be meet others on the pitch.

[Unregistered]

Thank you! Very much appreciate the information. I'll look into all options provided. Family has a passion for the sport, but given the ages I think my wife and I are prioritizing transitioning well and meeting new friends close to home, so will definitely take a look at Bedford Athletic Club as well as the other more dedicated programs.

Do you know if there are club teams that allow town play in addition to their scheduling? This was a problem for us a year back when choosing which way to go.

Thanks again, really helpful.

[Unregistered]

Thank you! Very much appreciate the information. I'll look into all options provided. Family has a passion for the sport, but given the ages I think my wife and I are prioritizing transitioning well and meeting new friends close to home, so will definitely take a look at Bedford Athletic Club as well as the other more dedicated programs.

Do you know if there are club teams that allow town play in addition to their scheduling? This was a problem for us a year back when choosing which way to go.

Thanks again, really helpful.

I think it depends on the leauge rules. For example, if you were in the Development Academy you couldn't play for anyone else. That is no longer, and the replacement league is a little more flexible. The issue becomes each wants them to be the priority.

I just saw a FB post from Seacoast at their Bedford Fields. There appears to be some pre-season activity going on there and likely are legacy GPS-NH players. If so, many of them could be Bedford residents. The person in charge of the Seacoast-Bedford "club" are legacy GPS-NH management.

I'd give both a shout and take in a training or two.

[Unregistered]

http://bedfordac.gotsport.com/clubsite/?p=23110

http://seacoastunited.com/clubs/soccer-club/seacoast-united-bedford-nh

[Unregistered]

Thank you! Very much appreciate the information. I'll look into all options provided. Family has a passion for the sport, but given the ages I think my wife and I are prioritizing transitioning well and meeting new friends close to home, so will definitely take a look at Bedford Athletic Club as well as the other more dedicated programs.

Do you know if there are club teams that allow town play in addition to their scheduling? This was a problem for us a year back when choosing which way to go.

Thanks again, really helpful.

How would you play town play and club? Club usually practices 2-3x per week with 1-2 games. If they are good enough to play club, you most likely would not want to play for BAC. Nothing against them, but it is very low level.

[Unregistered]

How would you play town play and club? Club usually practices 2-3x per week with 1-2 games. If they are good enough to play club, you most likely would not want to play for BAC. Nothing against them, but it is very low level.

Poster is new in town and while I wasn't trying to give my personal opinion on the level (that's for them to decide), at that age it's pretty evenly split that kids are playing BAC (travel or rec) or GPS[now SU-Bedford] (travel or rec).

Let them take in a training session and decide.

[Unregistered]

I see lots of kids playing both travel and club. It usually comes down to the flexibility of the travel coach since the club is the primary team. I'm guessing more so this upcoming season than ever.

[Unregistered]

I see lots of kids playing both travel and club. It usually comes down to the flexibility of the travel coach since the club is the primary team. I'm guessing more so this upcoming season than ever.

Name an example please, it just doesn't happen with any player that is decent.

[Unregistered]

Name an example please, it just doesn't happen with any player that is decent.

It happens much more than you think. Kids play for their clubs but also want to play with their friends and represent their community. Also some of them are very good players
I just wanted to mention that before you go and insult children that you have never seen play.

[Unregistered]

It happens much more than you think. Kids play for their clubs but also want to play with their friends and represent their community. Also some of them are very good players
I just wanted to mention that before you go and insult children that you have never seen play.

Agreed. Especially at the younger ages. Our daughter played club and for town team and NH ODP. Her main reason for wanting to play for town team was because she wanted to play with her local friends/girls she will play with on Middle School/High School team someday. And she just truly loves the game of soccer and will take any opportunity she has to play. Coaches were fine with it; we talked to both coaches before registering for town team. Very few conflicts since her town team was NHSL with Saturday games and club team was NEP with Sunday games, but whenever there was a conflict between club/town games, she played for her club team.

[Unregistered]

Name an example please, it just doesn't happen with any player that is decent.

My HS age child plays with the FC Stars ECNL and for the town travel team. While the talent and competition level is very different playing with good friends you've played with since starting soccer is for enjoyment, plus it supports the town. Historically the conflicts are not too bad since the travel starts later and is often delayed due to wet fields. ECNL is usually just about complete by then

[Unregistered]

Name an example please, it just doesn't happen with any player that is decent.

daughter and her friends did it all through first year of high school

[Unregistered]

My HS age child plays with the FC Stars ECNL and for the town travel team. While the talent and competition level is very different playing with good friends you've played with since starting soccer is for enjoyment, plus it supports the town. Historically the conflicts are not too bad since the travel starts later and is often delayed due to wet fields. ECNL is usually just about complete by then

My kid is in middle school—also plays ECNL and town. According to a previous poster, our kids can’t possibly be “decent” players. Lol.

[Unregistered]

Play Both

Check out Aztec NH - they have several competitive teams in that age group with Bedford families participating. They play both Club level and State level soccer. They also allow town play (with club the priority), understanding that many kids want to play with friends at that age....and should. Check it out...Lots of good options provided (Aztec, Seacoast, BAC) above...good start on your relo anyway you decide to go!

https://www.facebook.com/aztecsoccernh