Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Philosophy of the League
The NEP is designed to provide the most appropriate environment for game play to assist the clubs that are able to provide the full scale model (U-11-U-18) for both boys and/or girls in New England and provide the optimal development environment for their players through a licensed full time DOC, Licensed coaches, an appropriate developmental curriculum, and appropriate facilities.
2. How will Membership be limited?
Membership is limited to clubs who meet the league’s criteria for participation. Applications are welcome from clubs across New England who share the League’s philosophy of player development. Clubs will also be granted a grace period to get certain aspects of their application up to standard.
3. Why is this better than our current league?
The NEP is designed to complement the player development that is happening at your club. It has been designed for player, coach and club development using the following format:
4. Is there a plan to address the amount of travel involved between clubs?
The U10-U12 teams will have 4 play dates through the season in a “festival” format with 2 games per day. For U13-U18 teams, clubs will be expected to travel – each club will have an even number of home and away games.
5. How are you going to secure the best referees in MA?
The NEP will pay premium referee rates. The NEP hopes to establish a pool of top level referees who can commit for the entire season and provide them with a better environment, more notice for scheduling purposes etc.
6. Will this be an MPS run league?
The League will be a member run organization with each participating club having a seat on the Board of Directors. The NEP Board of Directors will dictate the direction of the league and who performs league administration.
In July 2011, the NEP hired a League Director. Candidates applications were reviewed, finalists were interviewed, and the BOD offered the position of NEP League Director to Sean Carey. He is a non voting Board Member unaffiliated with any of the NEP clubs.
7. How will NEP cater for our “B” teams and “C” teams?
Assuming all applicants have “B” teams, the NEP will provide a “B” section of the league to cater for those clubs. “C” teams are unlikely but as per above if its something all teams want and can fulfill then it can be put in place.
8. How will the new league address recruiting and tryouts?
The League will establish a code of conduct for recruiting and tryouts between the clubs who participate in the NEP.
9. What is the system for maintaining standards and criteria?
The League plans to establish a 3-pronged quality control system; self analysis, peer review and “external body” review. The league will provide surveys at the end of each season so clubs can evaluate themselves and their peers. The league will also contract a 3rd party “external body” to attend game and training days to report on standards being maintained.
The NEP is designed to provide the most appropriate environment for game play to assist the clubs that are able to provide the full scale model (U-11-U-18) for both boys and/or girls in New England and provide the optimal development environment for their players through a licensed full time DOC, Licensed coaches, an appropriate developmental curriculum, and appropriate facilities.
2. How will Membership be limited?
Membership is limited to clubs who meet the league’s criteria for participation. Applications are welcome from clubs across New England who share the League’s philosophy of player development. Clubs will also be granted a grace period to get certain aspects of their application up to standard.
3. Why is this better than our current league?
The NEP is designed to complement the player development that is happening at your club. It has been designed for player, coach and club development using the following format:
- No promotion or relegation
- Appropriate numbers-a-side per age group
- License requirements for coaches
- Better and more consistent refereeing
- Clubs playing clubs at 1 location – easier for DOC’s to watch games and manage their program – also creates a sometimes missed club atmosphere with teams playing back to back games
- Minimum standards for facilities – better playing surfaces
- Review system by an external source to ensure clubs are living up to their commitment to player development
- College Showcase dates for all U16/U17 games at one location
- Better ratio of practices to games creating a better development environment and contact time
4. Is there a plan to address the amount of travel involved between clubs?
The U10-U12 teams will have 4 play dates through the season in a “festival” format with 2 games per day. For U13-U18 teams, clubs will be expected to travel – each club will have an even number of home and away games.
5. How are you going to secure the best referees in MA?
The NEP will pay premium referee rates. The NEP hopes to establish a pool of top level referees who can commit for the entire season and provide them with a better environment, more notice for scheduling purposes etc.
6. Will this be an MPS run league?
The League will be a member run organization with each participating club having a seat on the Board of Directors. The NEP Board of Directors will dictate the direction of the league and who performs league administration.
In July 2011, the NEP hired a League Director. Candidates applications were reviewed, finalists were interviewed, and the BOD offered the position of NEP League Director to Sean Carey. He is a non voting Board Member unaffiliated with any of the NEP clubs.
7. How will NEP cater for our “B” teams and “C” teams?
Assuming all applicants have “B” teams, the NEP will provide a “B” section of the league to cater for those clubs. “C” teams are unlikely but as per above if its something all teams want and can fulfill then it can be put in place.
8. How will the new league address recruiting and tryouts?
The League will establish a code of conduct for recruiting and tryouts between the clubs who participate in the NEP.
9. What is the system for maintaining standards and criteria?
The League plans to establish a 3-pronged quality control system; self analysis, peer review and “external body” review. The league will provide surveys at the end of each season so clubs can evaluate themselves and their peers. The league will also contract a 3rd party “external body” to attend game and training days to report on standards being maintained.
