Information for Incoming Freshmen

Welcome to St. Thomas and congratulations.  You have chosen a fine school, rich in tradition.  St. Thomas enrollment places us in Division 3 for the 5th year.  (This will be the third year we did not petition to play up in Divison 2 because of numbers).  We have been to the play-offs  34 times in our 42 year history.   Last year we had three players receive All-State recognition; One 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.  Our Teams have won seven United Soccer coaches Team Academic awards.  (the most in NH by any team) This strengthened the NHIAA point that being involved in athletics results in better performance as a student.  This past season our team also earned its first Gold Award for Sportsmanship from the United Soccer Coaches.  Adding it to four silvers and one bronze.  Our Coach, Scott Suleski, was award the New Hampshire Coach of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches.

 

St. Thomas has a no-cut policy for Freshmen soccer,  so every Freshman player who goes out for soccer makes the 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 at 2:30 before the afternoon practice to allow players to get to know their classmates and learn what is expected for the season.  If we, as coaches, believe you have the skill to try out for 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.  If numbers allow for a separte Frehmen team then JV Freshmen will be able to play with their classmates in Freshmen games when the schedule allows. Not all Division 3 schools have Freshmen or JV teams, so we also play a number of Division 1 & 2 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.  It is very rare that a Freshmen makes the varsity team. In order to do so the player must have both skill and size.  We don't take a player just to let him sit on the bench.

 

If you want to play soccer you will First need to sign up on Family ID during the enrollment period.  You will also need to have your Physical and Athletic Contract on file with the school.  Show up on Monday,  August 16 at 2:30 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

Important information

Always bring to practice:

Water, soccer shin guards, socks that cover the shin guards, cleats and appropriate practice clothes.  Bring a #5 ball during preseason week.
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 embossed into the guard itself.

There is also a Height marking.  If you are 5'10" you can't wear shin guards marked 5'1" to 5'3".   Unmarked or inappropriate size shin guards are illegal and players will not be allowed to play by the referee.

Players may wear eye 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.
The note from the doctor must be on file with the school Athletic trainer.

Padded soccer head protection is allowed.

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 bag in the boy’s locker room.

Cancellations -

During tryouts, before school opens, the only way of broadcasting a cancelation of practice I have is through my Twitter Account on the web.  If practice is cancelled during tryouts I will tweet it and it will be posted on the 2021 Team Page.  Always assume practice is on.  I don't cancel it, but sometimes the school does.  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.

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

Players must purchase blue & white game shorts, and blue & white team  socks.  These are yours to keep.   For home games we wear Blue shirts, shorts and socks.  For away games we wear White shirts, sjhorts and 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. 

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.

Please be sure to read the Team Rules, Team Mission Statement and the Information on Social Networking page.

 

    Return to 2021 Team Page


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