NEFC
NEFC (New England Futbol Club)
Background
New England FC (“NEFC”) is one of the largest and strongest clubs in New England, having a professional coaching staff and state of the art soccer facilities. There are more than 2,000 players in the club.
NEFC has won six National Championships during the last two years including the US Club Soccer NPL, US Club Soccer National Cup, and US Youth Soccer national titles.
NEFC’s first official season was Spring 2009. In May 2009 the New England Eagles FC and FC PUMA merged clubs and became NEFC while at the same time expanded into the greater metro-west area and the South Shore of Massachusetts.
[The New England Eagles FC was founded in 1992 as Tri-Valley United, “TVU”. In 2002 they merged with the Eagles and changed their name to The Tri-Valley Eagles, “TVE”. TVE merged again in 2006 with Spirit of Massachusetts and were renamed the New England Eagles FC. FC Puma was founded in 1998 and grew to 17 boys and girls NSL teams competing in the age group U10-U18. In May of 2012 NEFC merged with Grasshopper FC (GFC) operating under the name NEFC.]
Players in NEFC can develop from an early age right through high school and stay within the club. With more than 100 soccer clubs in Massachusetts, players often shift between clubs and lose a great deal of continuity – under the NEFC umbrella players can develop as they advance and learn to play at a higher level.
NEFC is a very competitive and intense club. In May of 2014 NEFC and Black Watch Premier Soccer Club merged. This latest merger makes them one of the largest youth soccer clubs in New England with over 2000 players. NEFC teams play in the Northeast Soccer League (NSL), Region 1, and New England Premiership (NEP).
In December 2105 NEFC announced a “partnership” with Boston Breakers. This brings more than 75 girls’ teams into the Breakers Family.
Club Composition
NEFC encompasses eight (8) regions in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
- Central
- Metro Boston
- Metro North
- Metro South
- New Hampshire
- North Shore
- South Shore
- Southeast
NEFC trains at numerous locations throughout each of these regions which allows for convenient accessibility for players/parents.
With more than 100 teams they provide the opportunity for players to train and compete under the NEFC umbrella over a vast geography.
Club fees are ~ $2,500 and increasing; uniforms are on a three year cycle; tournament fees are high and certainly expect to pay handsomely for travel expenses; some of the elite / premier teams travel to Florida, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, etc.
[redborder]NEFC is a big business; critics say they bring in kids with the intent on developing them only to replace them a few years later with more talent; not unusual as they need to support the premier teams both financially and with a greater talent pool. Many believe the lower teams do not get the same treatment as higher-up teams; unless your kid is an Elite or Premier player you may get lost in the shuffle, have 2nd rate coach(es) and have games and practices moved around to accommodate the Elite/Premier teams.[/redborder]
Coaching
Most parents identified coaching as a very critical part of the NEFC experience. Some parents find the coaches to be open and candid and who modeled the behaviors they valued were generally pleased with the experience regardless of their child’s role on the team.
On the other hand, some find the coaches to be unavailable, unwilling to talk, or immature in their management of players and had a lot to say about their disappointment with the competitive soccer experience.
Take the time to speak with the coach either before or during tryouts. Some NEFC coaches are more accessible than others. The coach may be willing to speak with parents at anytime. The coach may establish specific times to talk or specific times when they are not available, such as before games and practices.
Find out how accessible your child’s coach will be to you throughout the year.
Understand their views on playing time, discipline, positions. Understand their expectations around practices, tournaments, and off season activities. Academic demands can create conflicts with soccer practices on school nights. Special school events and projects can create conflicts on weekends.
Watch how the coach runs practice sessions. Are you satisfied with the level of organization, do the players seem to be having fun, are they active and moving and not standing in line waiting a turn, when the coach gives instructions are they clear and specific? Ask other parents about the coach.
Youth Programs
What used to be called the Youth Academy is now the Regional Development Center. This program is a priority for the club as it is part of a long term development plan, providing players the opportunity to maximize their potential. There are 3 different age groups:
- Grasshoppers (U5-U6)
- Pumas (U7-U8)
- Eagles (U9-U10)
There are no tryouts and no players will be cut.
Players train in small groups based on play level and age; this is designed to be fun, but challenging, allowing young players to advance their skills and playing ability.
These are not cheap and range from $250 for a one day seasonal to $1,050 for full year.
Soccer Speed and Agility Clinics
NEFC offers multiple soccer-specific speed and agility clinics. These programs provide a great balance of teaching proper technique to help prevent injuries (e.g. running form, how to turn and explode with your first step, and ladder footwork) and improving individual performance in preparation for the spring season. Cost is ~ $125.
Futsal – there is no formal structured program; depends on the coach / team you’re on. Not a big deal to some as you can always join one of the many futsal leagues that exist.
Tournaments
NEFC hosts the The Massachusetts Fall Classic held in October (Columbus Day Weekend); unusual concept as just for town and intramural/recreational teams only; at Progin Park in Lancaster. The club also has a preseason tournament in March of each year. NEFC hosts an annual NEFC Preseason Tournament; separate ones for boys and girls.
This tournament is one of the top rated tournaments in the area. Games are played on turf and takes place at the youth soccer complex in Lancaster and other locations in the area – you may have a bit of way to travel as this is really spread out!
Facilities
Indoor
NEFC is affiliated with Fore Kicks Sports Complexes located in Marlboro, Norfolk and Taunton. These state-of-the-art facilities are comprised of synthetic indoor turf fields and futsal fields.
Additional facilities available to NEFC at Fore Kicks include fully outfitted weight rooms and aerobic facility, training classrooms, team meeting rooms and shower facilities. Ceiling mounted cameras over each field area allow for coaches to record practices or games for use as an additional training tool.
Outdoor
The Marlboro Fore Kicks location has two synthetic turf game fields fully lighted. Additional outdoor training/game fields for NEFC are:
- Carter Brooks Elementary School – New Bedford (212 Nemasket St., New Bedford, MA)
- Berlin Memorial School – Berlin (34 South St., Berlin, MA)
- TEAMWORKS Somerset – Somerset (732 Lees River Ave., Somerset, MA 02725)
- Bishop Connolly High School – Fall River (373 Elsbree St., Fall River, MA 02720)
- The Omniplex – Fall River (Front St. Fall River, MA)
- Friends Academy – Dartmouth (1088 Tucker Rd., North Dartmouth, MA 02747)
- Dartmouth Regional Park and Trails – Dartmouth (443 Old Fall River Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747)
- Marshall Street Fields – Holliston (150 Marshall St., Holliston, MA 01746)
- The Fields at Progin Park – Lancaster (512 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, MA 01523)
- Fore Kicks Sports Complex – Marlborough ( 219 Forest St., Marlborough, MA 01752)
- Oak Grove Fields – Millis (410 Exchange St, Millis, MA, 02054)
- Fore Kicks Sports Complex – Norfolk (10 Pine St., Norfolk, MA 02056)
- Fore Kicks Sports Complex – Taunton (223 Fremont St., Taunton, MA 02780)
- Freeman Centennial School – Norfolk (70 Boardman St., Norfolk, MA 02056)
- Pond Street – Norfolk (33 Pond St., Norfolk, MA 02056)
Website
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- NEFC’s website is clean and crisp and very easy on the eye – basic blue and red team colors.
- Good information on the history of the club and how it was formed.
Nefc is having financial problem s overextending themselves recently arrived at a shuttered gym.
We fell into this trap and are regretting ever getting involved with this club. Many of the parents on our team are extremely disappointed in the coaching and management. As a mother, I wish my child had never been exposed to such chaos and discord. We had to leave because of the complete mess that this club is in. My husband and I are working on getting a refund. Stay away
NEFC is a complete joke. If you’re planning on trying to have your child develop, look elsewhere. The player development is non existent with coaches leaving the field while children are practicing. Incredibly disappointed with the operational make up of the club. Constant rescheduling of practices, broken promises regarding field and facility availability make it impossible to plan accordingly. Lastly, the constant request for additional monies for aspects of the yearly plan that were initially sold as included leaves all our parents wondering where is the money going. If you are truly serious about your child’s soccer development, DO NOT waste you time and money with these clowns.
The metro south senior teams seem to be very strong. Central used to be but based on their 2001 and 2002 roster it looks as if they took the players that metro south rejected. More than 100 kids at try outs this year for 2001 and 2002 in Taunton for metro south. I know a few decent players who were cut from both teams. The 2002 team is rumored to be very aggressive especially their defense.
So true the 2002 team is very good they went from 64 to 13 in ranks beating NPL and ECNL teams. The defense last season was very strong and it looks like most of them are returning players from last season. only took 8 goals. Last season. No wonder the team was moved to premiership 1. The coach is very good on this team and aside from the kids – he’s the reason for this teams sucess and quality play for sure. You are right about central elite they played in the bottom bracket in the New York showcase while metro south played in the top.
Big changes in the works for the 2017 season for NEFC Metro South! Remains to be seen the future of this region based on organizational changes that have greatly impacted the coaching staff and soccer players.
Quality coaches over the years have been replaced by town soccer coaches, not necessarily the highest quality coaches, but overall effective in building strong playing teams.
Premier and Elite players do get the most attention and those at a lower level are not given the same congratulatory effects as the higher level players. Again, the quality coaching is what helps drive players to the next level and without this in place, the lower level players are just not given the opportunity to rise.
Facilities – can’t complain about the turf fields of Forekicks in Taunton, but due to the increased costs for these fields newcomers will see a larger hit to the wallet because it will only go up until the club can find locations to build club-owned fields.
Uniforms – typical 2-3 cycle or uniforms. Advertisement for a car dealership does not deliver any incentives to decrease the cost to the wallet.
Overall its a good club.
Totally agree.
My daughter doesn’t play for NEFC, but she does play club soccer for another team. I’m not sure why people are so divided on NEFC or any other club team. You get what you put in, it’s really up to the children to put in the effort needed to play at a higher level, paying more is not going to make them better. All Club teams will help your child excell, the coaches do There best to teach and encourage the players. Some children are blessed with talent and pick up on the game faster, others have to work harder to become good players. Good luck to all the children that enjoy playing this great game
NEFC does not develop it’s own players, the coaches are sub par, even top team coaches are often late to practice and are not ready to train the kids. It is not worth the money. They have less than a handful of coaches that know what they are doing. Most are there to collect an additional paycheck and don’t care about “fostering relationship with players that will grow the love of the game.”
If you are looking to develop your kid so they can at least play on a Varsity squad in high school, I would look elsewhere. Most of the coaches are crude and degrading to the kids. I have witnessed this first hand across a number of age groups boys and girls.
if you want your kid to hate the game by the time they are 14, this is the club for you
Amazing club. Has made me such a better player, and the coaching is great. Best club in new england
What upsets me about the criticism and some of the comments on this page, are that it seems like parents expect their kids to become soccer stars simply because they joined a club soccer team. This club is the best in New England. They have fantastic coaches who challenge the players to become the best they can be. They expect a certain level of effort and commitment out of the players and parents and while having fun is a big part of it, they are very serious about the growth of their athletes.
Most times what I find are that the parents are the problem. They may not encourage the kids to practice outside of club soccer or watch college/professional games or even play some FIFA for that matter. If you truly want your child to have the ability to play a sport in college or at a professional level, you have to invest yourself in that sport as well and take pleasure in joining your child in growing their skill and knowledge of the sport. If helping your child get better at something is a chore and you think it is solely the responsibility of the coaches or organization simply because you are paying them money, then you will not get very far with that attitude.
I personally have seen my child’s skill level grow immensely in the matter of a year with this club and a lot of it has to do with our family’s encouragement outside of the program. He makes it to every practice and every game and by us making that sort of commitment, the NEFC coaches are able to help him grow to his maximum potential. TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY and don’t just put all of the ownness on the club and the coaches.
On a side note, they have great facilities in Mendon and Holliston as well as using Forekicks locations throughout the state, NEFC is also A LOT more affordable than other clubs regardless of your current financial status. Also, they have a Jr. Academy which is a good way to gauge whether or not your child is ready for the next level. I would recommend this club to anyone trying to give their child a bigger challenge than in-town youth soccer.
I agree with you buddy
Totally DISAGREE! I was with this club WAY too long…big mistake. WARNING: Don’t make the same mistake I did.
How does it compare to Abbey Villa?
Club is growing quicker than any other club in MA. Top coaches are the best in the north east!
NEFC cheat so badly in the tournaments they host. For the past 2 years we beat one of their teams in the group stage, then all of a sudden you play the same team in the championship game and it is a completely different set of players of a higher standard. How can the parents of the original team put up with their kids not playing in the championship game because of their “win at all costs attitude?” What is that cheating behavior teaching the kids? Pathetic.
this club has several teams even in the same age group , they sometimes even play against each other in tournaments.your team probably played one and met another team in the finals!!
Best club in Massachusetts!
Well, there is no chance that a referee in a youth soccer game was “paid off” to look the other way. That’s simply nonsense. I’m a referee and a referee director/assignor, and that comment is just simply ignorant.
The odds are, sure the game was physical. Soccer is a physical game, period. There is a thing called “parent blindness” (and coach blindness too) where you only see what someone is doing to you/your players/your kids, not what your kids/players are doing to theirs. I see it all the time, where people have distorted views of what is actually going on between players. Bottom line is, NEFC plays club soccer, and club soccer is going to more physical than town soccer. If you aren’t able to enjoy your kid’s game, even if it is physical, then club soccer might not be for you. It may be for your kid, but not for you.
I have ref’d many NEFC games, and have not had any issues with NEFC coaches. In fact I find them to be some of the most personable and knowledgeable coaches, and their teams show it by how well and competitive they play. And, no, I wasn’t paid to say this. This is just my personal experience, having been playing, refereeing and coaching soccer for decades. Take it for what it’s worth.
Everyone I know who has played for or has kids who have played for NEFC has been more than happy with the club. At least equally as happy as with any other top club in the region. There are always some issues for some people. That’s true with any organization.
We had played one of the nefc teams and I guess they train them to play dirty. .Unfortunityly the reffer in the game must of been paid off to look the other way on the nefc team from all the high fees the parents pay to the league organization .. NEFC players were throwing elbows into our players and triing to take our people out at the knees along with just pushing our player ..
If that is the way you want you son to learn the game then have him go here . If you want to have him learn how to play the game like it is suppose to then look at other clubs .
lol looks like a hardcore soccer mom is butthurt that they lost to nefc
This is a good program if your child is place on the upper level teams of Elite or Premier team. If your on the lower Barcelona and United Team are treated as second class (or as cash suppliers to the program). Lots of hidden costs with this program. We did 2 years with NEFC. 1st year we had a horrible coach; late to practices, late to games, constant yelling at kids, was ALWAYS the first to leave practice or games. I looked around and saw there were some good coaches in the system so we tried it again. 2nd year we had a brand new to NEFC coach. He was good, enthusiastic, and organized. But just learned he’s not returning. We have decided to leave this program also..
I think NEFC has grown to large, to quickly and is clearly having organizational difficulties. They move around lower team practices to accommodate upper teams. It is definately a business not a team.
A positive note, their technical training night for Goalkeepers was well run, small group and my son learned a lot.
If you’re a field player, the technical training is not so good because there can be a couple hundred kids on the field at once so you are not really getting any attention, just doing drills.
If your child is an elite player, this is probably the program for you. If your child is average and wanting to get better (like mine) this is not the best program because you are easily lost in the crowd.. Not worth the $2000+ that they charge.
Great Club to suck everyones hard earned money. They will tell anyone there child is great to suck them dry. Best part is they’ll take any talent and place then in the NEP league…
what a joke!!$$$$$$$$
Totally agree! Two of my friends didn’t even try out to get on a team. They just paid the fee and got on the team. It’s a shame really…. NEFC used to be a great club!
As a soccer coach myself, let me tell you what great programs NEFC has to offer. About me… I have an E License from USSF. I’ve coached on the town level for about 20 years, I’ve coached 3 seasons as an assistant Club coach and 3 seasons as a District Select Coach. Our family has been involved with the Fuller Hamlets and FC United. We have had all kinds of experiences. And then we switched last year to NEFC (2013 tryouts for 2014 Spring). And we are delighted, especially with my daughter’s coach, Kim Bohlin. Top notch! She is highly credentialed and extremely talented. Soft spoken but never has any problem getting her players to step up. I’ll go so far as to say this. Even if my U17 daughter had a chance to go to a higher ranked team at any other club, I don’t think we would. Kim is terrific, the entire coaching package. Someone my daughter can emulate, as a coach, as a player and as a person.
In addition to her team and coach, we’ve enjoyed top notch facilities with NEFC, exposure (my daughter got to practice with Kristine Lilly), and special programs (don’t miss the college recruiting process class). Overall, I’m very impressed with NEFC and am sorry we didn’t come here years ago.
The best around
Our team is presently in transition for a coach. Have been with this group for about for years and been very happy. It is a big organization but is run very well. Can’t rate the clinics and camps.
Terrible, that pretty much sums it up
NEFC is a good club if you are in the Metro area or Central area. We were in the south region and the club did nothing for us. I would not recommend this club to anyone living south of the city.