GPS NORTH SHORE

NEWSLETTER EDITION # 9 — 2015/2016

Game results—week one pg4

GPS NS girls pg5

GPS NS boys pg6 Player profile

Who is Seamus O’Keefe? pg7

www.NORTHSHOREUNITEDSOCCER.com

Get to know GPS NS coaches

Nate Lamar pg8

April vacation clinic pg3 Spring success stories pg2

Skills 11 pg3 Team of the week pg9

Host a coach pg10

2

Spring Success StoriesSpring Success Stories

GPS NORTH SHORE

The U12 Boys Select came in second

after an exciting PK shootout in the final

at the Seacoast tournament.

The U12 girls had a great Seacoast

tournament and brought the trophy back

home to the North Shore.

The U11 boys took home the silver at

the Seacoast tournament in March.

The U9 boys from Marblehead won their

U10 indoor league at DIS even though

the team is really a U8 team.

3

GPS NORTH SHORE

April Vacation ClinicApril Vacation Clinic

GPS North Shore will continue it’s popular Skills 11 clinics this

spring. The sessions will be in the hands of our very own

professional soccer player, Coach Roman. He will have the kids

work on ball mastery where individual technique is the primary

focus. These sessions are open to both GPS player and non-

GPS players who want to fine tune their ball skills. The sessions

begin on April 23th and will run every Friday until May 27th. The

U9-U11 sessions are 4:30pm-5:30pm and the U12-U14 sessions

are 5:45pm-6:45pm. All sessions will be held at Manter Field in

Byfield. For more information, please email Mike Bettencourt at

MBettencourt@globalpremiersoccer.com or click here to sign up.

Skills 11Skills 11

April vacation is coming up and it’s the perfect time to spend some

quality time with a soccer ball at your feet surrounded by great

coaches and players at GPS North Shore’s April Vacation Clinic. This

year the clinic will be held at Latitude Sports Club in Peabody. The

clinic is open to both GPS players and non-GPS players and it runs

from 9am to noon. If you need any additional information, please

email Mike Bettencourt at MBettencourt@globalpremiersoccer.com or

you can click here to sign up.

4

GPS NORTH SHORE

Game Results Game Results -- Week 1Week 1

Want live scores, updates, and pictures?

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

BU12 Elite vs GPS NH ............................. 6-1

BU12 Select vs GPS ME ............................. 2-2

BU13 Select vs FC Boston Bolts ............... 0-4

BU14 Elite vs FC Boston Bolts .............. 0-2

BU14 Elite vs NEFC North Elite .............. 2-0 STATE CUP

BU16 Elite vs FC Stars West ................. 0-1

BU18 Elite vs GPS Vermont Synergy .. 0-2

BU18 Elite vs Lightning SC Storm ........ 4-0

GU12 Elite vs Seacoast Benfica ............ 2-3

GU13 Elite vs FC Mass ............................ 4-1

GU15 Elite vs FC Boston Scorpions .......1-2

GU16 Elite vs FC Stars of Mass ............. 0-0

GU17 Elite vs GPS Metro North ............. 1-0

GU18 Elite vs GPS Boston Elite ............. 1-5

Do you have pictures or stories to share?

Email them to GPSNS@globalpremiersoccer.com

GPS NORTH SHORE

GPS North Shore Girls GPS North Shore Girls U10 Girls Elite:

Played two Seacoast United teams this weekend, one from NH and the

other one from Maine. The games were evenly matched and opportunities

during the games fell to both sides. The girls looked skillful, strong and

more confident with the ball. As the girls get more playing time together

they’ll learn how to play off each other and their cohesion and

effectiveness as a team will continue to improve.

U12 Girls Elite:

Played a great game against Seacoast Benfica. At times they were able to

string together several passes and developed several scoring

opportunities. Unfortunately, not enough of those chances translated to

goals. The girls finished the game strong and if they had a few more

minutes of playing time, they would have tied up the game.

U13 Girls Elite:

Travelled to Gill, MA to play FC Mass. The girls did a great job of keeping

possession of the ball and changing the point of attack. It was great to

see players receiving the ball with their head up and creating space to

receive. Players off the ball were quick to support their teammates and

ultimately FC Mass could not keep up with our girls.

U15 Girls Elite:

Played hard throughout the game. Conceded a goal early but created

some good scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert. At half we were

down 2-0. Second half we played with more purpose and enthusiasm and

made it 2-1. Had our

chances but needed to

finish. Defensively the

girls were strong and

were able to limited

shots on goal and

slowing down the

attack when needed.

U16 Girls Elite:

Another dominating performance but only resulted in a tie. Effort and

intensity of the girls was good and by linking several passess together on

many occasion the team was able to produce multiple scoring

opportunities but the ball simply did not want to go in the back of the net.

U17 Girls Elite:

Some last minute absences and injuries played a part in the starting line

up this weekend. The girls played down a player in the first half. At half,

one of our goalkeepers arrived from another game, allowing our other

goalkeeper to take the field in the second half. Great effort and the girls

showed a lot of heart and determination by allowing very few scoring

opportunies and finally putting in a great shot in the second hafl to win

the game.

U18 Girls Elite:

Started their season this weekend with a challenging game against GPS

Boston. After a tough first half, our girls played much better in the

second half. A little more luck in front of the goal and the game could

have been quite different.

5

GPS NORTH SHORE

GPS North Shore BoysGPS North Shore Boys U12 Boys Elite:

Started their season with a solid win against GPS NH. Our boys were

simply “too much” for the opposition. Our team was very compact around

the ball and well organized defensively. We pressured them all over the

field the entire game, making it very difficult for them to get any

momentum. We created many scoring opportunites and we had some

amazing goals.

U12 Boys Select:

Had their season opener at home against GPS Maine. The boys showed

some great ball movement and confidence in building their attack from the

back, using both high target players as well as wide players to keep

possession. We created come great goal scoring opportunites that should

have ended with additional goals but two scrappy goals from the opposition

tied up the game in the end.

U13 Boys Select:

The team applied the last three weeks of practice topics to their game with

great execution. We built out of the back, changed the point of attack

through the midfield and served through balls at will. All of which led to

many scoring opportunities but we did not capitalize on any of them.

Decision made in transition to attack cost us four goals. It was a day

where the better team didn’t win and the scoreline does not accurately

reflect the quality of the team.

U14 Boys Elite:

Played FC Boston Bolts away this Sunday. The game was evenly matched

and ultimatily came down to which team would capitalize on its chances.

Our boys dominated majority of the play but two set pieces resulted in

conceeding two goals. The Bolt’s can thank their goalkeeper who had the

game of is his life, saving shots and breakaways that on a regular day

would have ended in the back of the net.

U14 Boys Elite—State Cup:

Saturday, the boys had their play-in game for State

Cup against a tough NEFC North Elite team. It took

our boys a good 10 minutes to find their rhythm as

NEFC started pressing well from the start. As the

game went on, our boys gained confidence and

started playing their game. We opened up the opposition by using the

width of the field and some great display of ball movement, as well as

being quick to counter. The U14 boys advanced to the next stage of the

Cup with a good 2-0 win.

U16 Boys Elite:

Travelled to Westfield to play FC Stars. They battled and played hard all

game. Both teams missed good chances to score until the Stars put in

the only goal of the game midway through the second half. We increased

our pressure and got very close on a couple of occasions to equalize but

unfortuntatly didn’t find the back of the net.

U18 Boys Elite:

Had their second game of the season this weekend and put forth a strong

performance against Lightening SC. Great possession and lots of linking

up playes. Our build up from the back was fantastic and the high

pressure we applied on them forced them into errors that we were able

to capitlize on. With strong players missing the team really stepped up

their game, which was great to see.

6

7

Player ProfilePlayer Profile

GPS NORTH SHORE

Full name: Seamus O’Keefe

Age: 12

School: Pentucket Regional Middle School

Which GPS NS team: Boys U12 Elite—Stefano

How long have you been with GPS NS: Since Fall 2015

Other Soccer Teams: Pentucket Boy’s 7-8 grade A team

Favorite Position on the field: Center mid

How long have you played Soccer: Since age 4

Juggling record: 53

Favorite Professional Soccer team: Bayern Munchen

Favorite Professional Soccer player: Romelu Lukaku

What kind of cleats to you wear: Adidas ACEs

Favorite music/band: Drake

Favorite Movie: Hunger Games

Do you play any other sports: Lacross, basketball, and running

Most memorable soccer game and why: Played a tournament in snow and it was difficault to see

the lines on the field.

Favorite Meal/food: Reese’s

Do you have a game day ritual/superstition and then what is is: I always have an egg and cheese

breakfast sandwich and listen to music.

What‘s your favorite thing to do at soccer practice: Work on shooting

Why do you play for GPS North Shore: The players are good to play with and the coaches are

always trying to make you a better player, both individually and as a team.

8

GPS NORTH SHORE

Get to know the GPS NS CoachesGet to know the GPS NS Coaches

Q: Who is your favorite soccer player in the world? A: Thierry Henry the French international who played with teams like Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, and New York Red Bulls. Q: What is your favorite soccer team?

A: I am an Arsenal Gunners fan through and through. However, I find myself often rooting for Barcelona because I love the way they play. Q: What is your fondest memory of your playing career?

A: I'm not sure I have a fondest memory as a player but when I close my eyes and think about my coaching career, hundreds of faces smile back from the pitch. However, one face that stands out was a player that scored the winning goal in overtime of a state cup game after we were down three nothing in regulation. Her jubilation as she sprinted toward the sideline will forever be etched in my memory. Q: What is the one thing you enjoy doing on your off time?

A: Time off? What's that? I have three kids! But if that is the question, then I would say I enjoy being with my wife and kids. Q: What is your day job? A: I am a house principal at Malden High School. Q: How does it relate to coaching soccer? A: Both my parents were teachers and working with students has always been a part of my life. I approach coaching the same way I approach teaching; there is an objective that I want every player to walk away with and every thing that the practice or game does should always tie in to that objective. And every player should leave a practice or game knowing more about the game than when they arrived. Q: Why you do coach and why do you coach at GPS NS?

A: I've always worked with students and coaching is an extension of who I am. I've been coaching for over 20 years and the last 14 have been with GPS NS. When I first started we had 2 girls teams and I've been thrilled to be a part of the growth. Players that I coached are now coaching and that is a whole new special experience.

Q: What is some advice you would give to all GPS NS Players?

A: Never forget that the mind needs to be trained just as the body needs to be trained. We can focus on our bodies to the determent of our minds. Q: What is the one thing our families at GPS NS do not know about you?

A: I've been around so long that most people know my story but some may not know that in 2001 I hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. Q: Is there a difference in coaching boys or girls? A: Of course there is but how do I answer this question without getting in trouble! I will try with this anecdote. If boys show up for a practice and there is no coach, just two trash cans and a ball, they would have no problem just starting a game. If the same happened for girls, they would want to know why there was no coach, whose ball was this, and why were there trash cans on the field! Both approaches (just playing and being mindful of why we play) are important to becoming a successful soccer player; they are just different. And we as coaches need to be aware that when coaching boys we sometimes need to remind them to be thoughtful in their approach to the game and sometimes with girls we need to remind them to just play! Q: What is the one thing you are looking forward to in 2016?

A: I'm excited for the transition to teams going by birth year. I know that it is going to be difficult but I enjoy a challenge. Change is always tough but I think that we as a club have always worked hard to make any change or transition as smooth as possible for the players. And I don't think this change will be any different.

NATHAN (NATE) LAMAR has been with GPS North Shore

for years and currently coaches the U12 Girls Elite team.

We met up with Nate and asked him a few quesions.

9

GPS NORTH SHORE

Team of the WeekTeam of the Week

10

GPS NORTH SHORE

Host a coachHost a coach

GPS MA is excited to welcome 40 new coaches to the United States this month in preparation for the spring season. As the GPS family continues to grow, GPS is on the lookout for host families for our new coaches. There are some fantastic coaches arriving from all over the world. The Host Family program has been successfully running since GPS began back in 2001. In the past year, GPS has had over 70 families host coaches and these coaches have become a part of the family dynamics. Hosting a coach is a fantastic, rewarding experience for any family. All GPS staff are international coaches looking for a warm, family environment to help them settle and assimilate to life in the US. For many of them, this is their first time living abroad and the hospitable environment of host families really help them adapt to the US culture. In addition, GPS MA provides a financial assistance to families who host coaches. Host families are NOT expected to provide transportation of any kind. Agreements between families and the coach to share family cards are acceptable at your discretion. The coaches are either provided with their own car or they share a car with another coach near by. Currently there are two coaches looking for host families right here on the North Shore. For more information and an opportunity to host a coach, please contact Sokhara Goodall as sgoodall@globalpremiersoccer.com.