Outlaws Program
The Oakmont Outlaws Soccer Clubs ("Outlaws") was established in the fall of 1993 to provide an organizational structure for the promotion of competitive traveling youth soccer teams for players from the Ashburnham and Westminster area. Organizationally, the Outlaws are not associated with Oakmont Youth Soccer Program which operates the in-town youth soccer programs. The Outlaws are affiliated with the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League ("NVYSL") as well as the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association ("MYSA"). Through these affiliations the Outlaws Soccer Club has access to organized league match play, tournaments, and championships sponsored by both organizations.

The Outlaws Organization
The focus of the Outlaws is to establish and maintain an organizational structure that provides talented players from the local area, principally Ashburnham and Westminster, the opportunity to compete against some of the finest soccer players in Massachusetts.

The Teams
The Outlaws will select, organize, and enter teams in divisions appropriate to their skills in a league affiliated with the MYSA. The Outlaws will provide the coaching to develop the skills necessary to effectively compete at this level of play. The Outlaws entered 19 teams in the NVYSL for the 2002 Spring season, an increase from our original 9 teams.

The League
Briefly described below is the organizational hierarchy to which the Outlaws belongs.

FIFA: The Federation International de Football Association is the international organization that governs soccer throughout the world. FIFA establishes the rules of the game which are used from World Cup to Youth Soccer.

USSF & USYSA: The United States Soccer Federation and its youth division, the United States Youth Soccer Association, organize and promote soccer in the United States. They also are the governing body for national and international representation.

MYSA: The Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association not only provides representation to USYSA, but also offers tournaments, coaching licenses and liability and medical insurance to its members. MYSA provides the rules that all member leagues and teams must adhere to in order to be eligible for state tournament participation.

NVYSL: The Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League provides an organization of over 20 Massachusetts towns and organizations which compete together in Spring and Fall league play. The NVYSL Spring champions represent NVYSL in the MYSA Tournament of Champions held each June to determine state champions.

Play in the NVYSL
The rules of play in the NVYSL are FIFA rules except as otherwise noted in the NVYSL Handbooks. Copies of the Handbook are given to all members of the Outlaws. Under 10 Teams play 6 vs 6 games, have no offside, and have some specific non-FIFA rules about the size of the fields, the penalty area, goal kicks, etc. All other teams play 11 vs 11 games and follow standard FIFA rules.

Make up of the Teams
Generally speaking NVYSL teams are not mixed gender, i.e. the teams are usually comprised of either all boys or all girls. The teams are grouped by ages (Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, Under 18, Under 19) and are placed in Mass.Tourn. Of Champions, Nashoba Cup, or Recreational divisions. There are no league champions declared for U10 and Recreational.

The policy of the Outlaws is that all players play within their age groups. Any player who wants to play in an older age group must submit a written request to the Oakmont Outlaws before teams are selected for the upcoming season. Since NVYSL does not have any Under 8 teams at present, Under 8 players may play on Under 10 Teams.

NVYSL Teams
Towns that participate in the NVYSL along with the Oakmont Outlaws are: Ayer-Shirley, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Chair City (Gardner), Chelmsford, Clinton, Dracut, Fitchburg, Groton-Dunstable, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Maynard, Nashoba United, Northboro, Pepperell, Shrewsbury, Stow, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westboro.

Divisions
The NVYSL has three Divisions: MTOC, NCUP, and Rec.

MTOC (Mass. Tournament Of Champions): These teams are typically comprised of very experienced players and clubs with a considerable amount of tournament and/or league playing. The teams in the older age groups often are made up of members that have played together for many seasons. Some players on these teams also play on Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE) teams.

NC (Nashoba Cup): These teams typically are comprised of very experienced players or highly skilled players who don¹t have as much playing experience.

Rec (Recreational): These teams typically are comprised of skilled younger players. This is a large division in NVYSL and while the level of competition may vary, it will generally be very good to excellent.

Tournament of Champions and Nashoba Cup
The Mass. Tournament of Champions (MTOC) is played each spring in order to determine the MYSA State Champions in each age group. NVYSL MTOC Division Under 12 and older teams are eligible to participate in this tournament. First and second place teams qualify to represent NVYSL at the MTOC. They will compete with league champions from across the state.

The Nashoba Cup is sponsored by NVYSL.. Four or Eight teams (depending on the Age Group¹s NCUP division size) will compete in a post season tournament . Regular season records will determine which teams qualify and how they are seeded in the tournament.

The Referees
NVYSL strives to have only certified or licensed referees to officiate matches. There is one referee for U10, U12, and U14 Ncup/Rec games (who may ask spectators to be line judges). U14 MTOC, U16 and older games have a licensed referee and two line judges. The referee always has the final decision on a call.

The Matches
Attached is a game information table that provides the day, time, and match duration for each boys and girls age group / division. NVYSL publishes a schedule sometime in March. There are usually 8 matches. U10 - U14 play on Saturdays while U16 - U19 play on Sundays. Typically teams have 4 home games and 4 away games. Makeup games are usually scheduled by the coaches of the teams involved. Outlaws home games are played at the TRW field (across from Wachusett Ale) with Monty Tech / Oakmont as backups.

Practices
There are a few indoor practices. Regularly scheduled team practices will begin in March. The board will coordinate practice schedules with coaches.

Insurance
Coaches, players and officers are registered with MYSA and through such registration are afforded insurance coverage through MYSA policies.

Softball, Little League Schedule Conflicts
In the past, the Westminster and Ashburnham Little League Board of Directors have worked with the Outlaws to reduce or eliminate game schedule conflicts to allow players to participate in both sports.

Responsibilities
The Board: to develop and maintain a program that allows our teams to be competitive and a credit to our communities. The Board will always consider the development of the players as students first, citizens second, and athletes third in setting direction for the program. In short, the Board is to ensure that the Outlaws is a quality program and that the kids have fun.

The Coaches: to prepare our players by teaching skills and tactics required to field competitive teams. To act as role models and motivators insuring that the highest standards of sportsmanship and fair play are demonstrated. To insure that all players participate equally and have a positive / fun experience as a member of the Outlaws.

The Players: as students first, maintain eligibility by achieving reasonable standards of academics and conduct. As players, to practice hard and play hard. To support the needs and goals of the team. To show at all times respect to the coaches, teammates, opponents, and referees. To have a great time.

The Parents: To set and enforce reasonable standards of eligibility regarding academics and conduct. To get the players to practices and games on time. To support the coaches and referees. To emphasize the values of sportsmanship and fair play. To support the Outlaws via fundraising activities and/or committee participation.

Behavior
NVYSL has adopted a "Zero Tolerance" policy. Coaches and parents are not to communicate with the referee during a game except for matters relating to safety. The Outlaws will always consider and act toward the referees as Honored Guests. Under no circumstances will unsportsmanlike behavior by players, coaches, or spectators be tolerated by the Outlaws toward the referees or opponents. All disputes will be written down and submitted to the Director of Referees. Confrontation with or abuse of a referee will at least earn a player or coach an ejection without warning from the match (red card for players). Coaches will be ejected without warning from games for unsportsmanlike behavior from spectators or coaches. Any ejection of a player or coach will also result in their suspension from play in the next match as well. Two ejections in a season will result in a suspension from the league for the season. The Outlaws support this policy 100% and will enforce it. Any ejection will be reviewed by the Board. Depending on the circumstances, the Board may choose to immediately suspend the player or coach for the remainder of the season. In summary, "Outlaws" is our club name, not our behavior. Outlaws will at all times exhibit the highest standards of sportsmanship and fair play or they will not be Outlaws for long.

Eligibility
Parents will establish eligibility levels for their children in terms of academics and conduct as students. The coaches will support these standards at all times. Players are expected to attend games and practices. Any situation in which a player does not meet his/her obligations in this area will be a matter subject to the discretion of his/her coach.

Teams for each new season will be selected based on a player¹s tryout and past performance. Tryouts for the fall season (U10 and U12 only) are normally held in June while tryouts for the Spring season are held in late October or early November.

Fees
Current Registration fees are: U10 - $55, U12 & U14 - $65, U16 & U18- $80. Uniform fees: $40.00 (for shirt, shorts, and socks)

Fund Raising
The Outlaws will sponsor a number of fundraising activities in order to keep the registration fees to a minimum while adding depth to the program, such as certification of coaches, player clinics, and non NVYSL tournament participation. We are looking for ideas and participation for these types of events. Please contact Frank Bovenzi if you can help!

Thanks and Thanks Again!!!
We wish to thank all the people, parents, coaches, school administrators, organizations, and volunteers who have worked so hard and have supported this effort. We are not just about win/loss records, but we proudly point out the accomplishments of all our players and the potential for their development in the future. Win or lose, we will have fun, be good sports, and be a credit to our towns and the Outlaws Soccer Club. For those of you who have supported us and those who are joining us we have two messages:

Thank you, and.........Go Outlaws!