Information for Incoming Freshmen

Welcome to St. Thomas and congratulations.  You have chosen a fine school, rich in tradition.  Last year the boys soccer team continued to build its reputation as a Class I power.  We finished the season in first place,  undefeated at 15-0-1.  We went on to play for the State Championship losing in double overtime 3-2 in the first championship game to see more than one goal scored in eight years.  We had five players receive All-State recognition; six players receive Foster's  Dream Team honors; and seven seniors receive the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) All Scholastic Awards for playing Varsity Soccer and maintaining at least a 3.25 grade point average.  Also, for the second year in a row, we received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award--the only team from New Hampshire to do so.  This strengthened the NHIAA point that being involved in athletics results in better performance as a student.

 

St. Thomas has a no-cut policy for Freshmen soccer,  so every Freshman player who goes out for soccer makes the Freshmen team.  Every player  will see playing time, although we don’t guarantee equal playing time.  It is easier for us, under the rules of soccer, to get more players into the game than basketball or baseball.  Playing time depends largely upon fitness and skill.

 

Freshmen players are always excused from practices for school events involving their entire class.   Players are also excused from practice when getting extra help from teachers, but we ask that you let your coach know ahead of time.  Academics always come first at St. Thomas.

 

For the first day of practice we hold a separate Freshmen practice to allow players to get to know their classmates.  If we, as coaches, believe you have the skill to try out for JV or Varsity we will talk to your parents first and ask their permission.  Then you and your parents can discuss it and make a family decision.  There is more of a time commitment and you have to be a strong student to be able to balance sports and studies.  JV Freshmen will be able to play with their classmates in Freshmen games when the schedule allows. Not all Class I schools have Freshmen teams, so we also play a number of Class L schools.  If you choose to stay with the Freshmen team it is not held against you.  Many have made that choice in order to make the transition to high school a bit smoother.

 

If you want to play soccer you will need to have your Physical and Athletic Contract on file with the school.  (These will be mailed to you during the summer in your "incoming student" packets.)   Show up on Monday,  August 17 at 1:00 pm on the field behind the school.   Bring water, a #5 ball, soccer shin guards, cleats and appropriate practice clothes.  Also, always bring sneakers and a mouth guard.  Please don’t think you can sit around all summer and show up and play.  Soccer is a running game and you MUST be in shape. 

Good luck and see you on the pitch!

Coach Suleski & Coach Salvacion.

Important information

If you want to play soccer you will need to have your Physical and Athletic Contract on file with the Athletic Department before you can step on the field.  The Athletic contract will come in your summer mailing.  There is also a form you sign giving permission to have photos taken of your son used on the web. 

Always bring to practice:

Water, a #5 ball, soccer shin guards, socks that cover the shin guards, cleats and appropriate practice clothes.
Also always bring sneakers and a mouth guard.

Some players find running laps in sneakers easier on their feet than cleats.   (Players are given time to change footwear.)
Also t-shirts worn at practice must be appropriate. 

Shin guards for High School players must have the seal or label saying they meet National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standards, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Soccer Rules Committee requires the shin guard to be marked with the NOCSAE seal and height range.  This may be a tag or embossed into the guard itself. Unmarked shin guards are illegal and players will not be allowed to play by the referee.

Players may wear glasses at their own risk.

Players my wear headbands and sweat bands, but they must be the color of our uniform (White or Navy Blue).
No other jewelry can be worn unless it is a medical alert. 

In High School if a player has an arm cast they can play with a Doctor's note and if it is padded to the referees acceptance.

Padded soccer head protection is allowed.

Mouth guards cannot be clear - they must be a color so the referee can see them.

 

Always bring water to practice during the tryouts.  (a 20oz water bottle is not enough for a 2 hour practice.)
Once school starts each team will have a large water cooler for practices and games. Players should just have a water bottle to fill in their bag. Do not share water bottles or mouth guards.

During the season players will be able to leave their soccer bags and ball in the boy’s locker room.

Cancellations -

During tryouts, before school opens, I have no way of canceling practice on the web or with an email.  Always assume practice is on.  Parents, if you are dropping off your son during a heavy rain wait until he checks with the coach.  We may just have a team meeting for 10-15 minutes and go home.

Once school starts - Practice or Games may be cancelled by the Athletic Director during the school day.  If you join the LISTSERVE on the Athletics page of the schools web site you will get emails of game cancellations.  Players must listen to announcements for cancellations.

During the season the most up to date game schedule is on www.Highschoolsports.net  Cancellations and rescheduled events will be on there.  Remember to look under Saint Thomas Aquinas High Saints - Dover (do not get confused with St. Thomas Aquinas School-Derry - Derry)  There is a direct link to the soccer schedules from the team website.

Injuries-

All injuries must be reported to the coach.  St. Thomas has a certified Athletic Trainer on staff.  The trainer will evaluate your son and decide if he can continue to play.  If you take your son to an outside Doctor then you must get a note from that Doctor clearing him to play.  Once a player has been seen by the trainer or a Doctor, coaches cannot allow them to practice or play without proper clearance.

Uniforms will be issued by the school.  You are responsible for washing them in between games

Junior varsity (JV) & freshmen players must purchase blue game shorts, and 1 pair each of blue and white socks from the bookstore.  These are yours to keep.  Varsity players must purchase 1 pair each of blue and white socks from the bookstore.  For home games we wear white shirts and white socks.  For away games we wear blue shirts and blue socks.  We always bring both uniforms as some schools freshmen and JV teams do not have two colors and we may be asked to change.  Some freshmen may make the JV team and be issued both sets of uniforms. (Socks and shorts are the same)

Do not alter your uniform in any way.  It is important that we all look the same as a team.

At no time can uniforms be worn during practice.

 

There is a Transportation waiver on the St. Thomas Athletic Website Forms page that must be filled out if your child is driving or being driven by a student to and from practice.

 

St. Thomas physical form   

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