Strikers United East

CCYS has partnered with the Strikers United club of Acton for the fall 2024 season and beyond. Strikers United has a unique coaching and education partnership with the New England Revolution Academy. Under this partnership there will effectively be two clubs operating under the Strikers United banner: ABYS Strikers and CCYS Strikers. We believe that this partnership will make us an even stronger program, and allow us to continue offering a fun, convenient, and player-focused club to players of all ages. Strikers United is a program presented by Acton Boxborough Youth Soccer and Concord Carlisle Youth Soccer but is open to all players regardless of where they live.

Partnering with a neighboring town club will allow for some key benefits such as:

  • Joining age groups across towns for any ages/genders where numbers are too low to field a team. This allows more kids/families to enjoy the convenience and camaraderie of our local club offering.

  • Supporting each other with players being able to be cross-signed, so on short notice players can play for the same age group in the other town as needed.

  • Sharing coaching resources and ideas/plans, and supporting/promoting relevant camps and clinics. Strikers United have a unique coaching and education partnership with the New England Revolution Academy, enabling players, parents and Strikers United's coaching staff access to the highest levels of professional development, training and education

Club Program

The Strikers United East club program is organized by birth year (not grade). It is intended for girls and boys with birth years from 2016 to 2006 who are passionate about soccer and possess the maturity, ability, and drive to participate in year-round training under the guidance of professional coaches. Participation on the Club team is by invitation only and is based on coach evaluations and tryouts. There are two available programs – Strikers Junior Academy and Strikers United East Club.

Strikers Junior Academy

Who is it for?

The program is aimed at players (primarily 2nd graders) who are looking to enhance their soccer skills and techniques.  The program is open to soccer players from all towns. The academy is a stepping stone in the preparation for players that would like to progress to the Club Program. The sessions will be heavily skills based with an emphasis on the players having fun.

What is it?

The Junior Strikers program is a “year round” program covering fall, winter and spring. Sessions are typically structured as follows; Fall - 10+ weekly outdoor sessions, Winter - 10+ weekly indoor sessions weekday evenings January - March, Spring - 10+ weekly sessions.
 

PLEASE NOTE:

  1. Additional program and events (not included in the registration costs) may be added throughout the year (e.g. Futsal, friendly games, jamborees, etc.)

  2. Players joining the program during winter or spring will have their fees pro-rated.

  3. Festival style games and/or Friendly matches may be added with parent support possibly on days other than the regular practice. These optional events may or may not have an additional cost. 

Who are the coaches?

Mark Thomas, Concord-Carlisle Youth Soccer and Strikers United East Director of Coaching, will oversee and deliver the program. 

What are the costs?

Cost per player for the Strikers United East Junior Academy is $900 per year for a skill based, challenging, fun and structured development program. A Training Uniform kit (approx. $120) is also required of program participants.

If your child is interested in the Strikers United Junior Academy, Strikers United holds try-outs in late May. If your child has missed the try-out period, please contact Strikers United Director of Coaching, Mark Thomas.

Strikers United East Club Program

Who is it for?

The Strikers United East Club program is a program for boys and girls from 3rd grade to high school. It is a soccer development program aimed at providing a professional and structured pathway for committed players who are passionate about working at developing their skills, enhancing their techniques, learning game strategies and improving their fitness levels under the guidance of professional coaches. The club aims to develop players both off and on the field with a huge emphasis on the players having fun.

What is it?

The Strikers United East program is a “year round” program that will consist of two practices per week with CCYS Pro Coaches or New England Revolution Academy Coaches in the Fall and Spring and one midweek practice during the Winter. Games are played on Sundays in the Fall and Spring. 

Who are the coaches?

Mark Thomas, Concord-Carlisle Youth Soccer and Strikers United East Director of Coaching, will oversee and deliver the program. 

What are the costs?

Cost per player for the Strikers United East Club program is $2200 per year. A Training Uniform kit (approx. $250) is also required of program participants.

If your child is interested in the Strikers United East club program, try-outs are held in late May. If your child has missed the try-out period, please contact Strikers United Director of Coaching, Mark Thomas.

Our Director of Coaching

Coach Mark Thomas

Coach Mark Thomas played professional soccer for Wimbledon F.C. (EPL) for five years.  He went on to coach with both Wimbledon F.C. and Crystal Palace F.C. academies in the U.K., as well as at the American School of London (ASL). Mark also served as the Assistant Manager for the Molesey F.C. (a semi-pro team in England) for two years and Head Coach for Merton F.C. (amateur soccer club of men's, women's, and youth teams) for seven years. Coach Thomas has coached for Coerver Coaching in California, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Oklahoma.  Since moving to the U.S., Mark has coached for Lexington P.D.A. and for the Boston Breakers women's professional soccer team. He currently holds a UEFA B coaching license. 

In addition to Mark's experience as a player and coach, he has worked for many years in the business side of sports with companies such as Octagon Sports Marketing (Sales Director Asia, VP Business Development Europe), Team 2012 (U.K. Olympic Team sponsorship), Norwich City (English Premier League, Head of Business Development), and President of Business Operations with the Boston Breakers. Mr. Thomas is a graduate of King College Wimbledon. 

Currently, Coach Thomas is the Director of Coaching for CCYS and Director of Strikers United East. Coach Thomas lives in Concord with his wife and three children.

Any questions can be directed to: info@ccysoccer.org