People are probably wondering how to prepare for their upcoming sports season in the fall, whether they are training for soccer, field hockey, football, or even cross country. Fall sports have always been an exciting, yet stressful topic of conversation. While athletes at Scituate High are eager to impress their coaches and earn a valuable spot on the team, they also realize that they will need to train hard over the summer to help bring their team to victory.

According to Ms. Paster, the new varsity field hockey coach, tryouts begin Aug. 22 for all those interested in playing for the high school team. Freshmen tryouts run from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. and players must bring proper equipment, including cleats, sneakers, goggles, and a mouth guard. For returning players, the same rules apply except that tryouts go from 4:00-6:30 p.m. It is advised that all players try to stay in shape by taking part in summer training camps or working out on their own time. Not only is there a summer league in Hanover on Wednesday and Thursdays in Canton, but team week is set to take place from Aug. 4 to Aug. 7 at Plymouth North. Starting at 4:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m, team week is a great way for field hockey players to train with their future teammates before the season starts. In addition, Ms. Bird is having a camp at the end of June for those who cannot make the camp in Canton or Plymouth North, and others who are looking for more training opportunities. Others interested in participating in scrimmages during the summer should come to the scrimmage at home against Plymouth North Mon., Aug. 26 and the scrimmage against Norwell Wed., Aug. 28. Players should also consider playing in the Jamboree that will be happening Aug. 30 from 1:00-9:00 p.m.

For anyone interested in joining the cross country team next fall, pre-season practices start on the Monday of August 26. According to coaches, Ms. McCarthy and Brian Stewart, who head the cross country team at Scituate High School, practices that week will vary from morning and afternoon, depending on the teachers’ work schedule. While there are no tryouts in the fall, it is recommended that athletes work out whenever they can, so that they can perform well in the upcoming season. In response to a question regarding cross country, Jenna Baker, a junior at Scituate High, said “I’m excited because cross country is a low key sport that is both fun and relaxing.” Similarly, sophomore Erin Duffy responded that she really enjoyed cross country and liked the fact that you could choose your own workouts, depending on how you felt each day. Not only is cross country is a great way to get outside and improve your running skills, but it will help you stay fit and enjoy a healthy life.

Rob Williams is the new head coach for the girl’s soccer team, at Scituate High School. During the soccer meeting that took place June 4, Mr. Williams emphasized that all players should stay fit over the summer and train with a soccer ball as much as possible. Coach Williams said, “It usually takes around seven or eight weeks to get fit for soccer, so it’s a good idea to start training now.” According to the new coach, there are plenty of opportunities to stay in shape during the summer, including camps like Keene State and Team Week. Keene State is an overnight camp that runs from July 28 to August 2, and allows both new soccer players and returning ones to practice as a team before the actual season starts. Team Week for soccer is similar to Keene State in the sense that it gives players the opportunity to practice with their future teammates and prepare for the season ahead. Another great way to train for the soccer tryouts that are happening from Aug. 22 to Aug. 24 is to attend workout sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays over the summer, starting July 15. These sessions will take place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Cohasset Sports Complex and will run as late as August 14, for all those who are interested.

The football season brings a lot of excitement each year. According to Coach Devine, the varsity football coach, practices begin August 19 for all new and returning players. Although there are no official tryouts for football, players must prove themselves in practice in order to earn their spot on the varsity team.  Not only is it important for football players to train over the summer, but there are plenty of workout sessions available for those who want to improve their game. For example, summer sessions start June 10 at the high school either inside or on the turf. They usually take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the summer. These workouts vary from running practices to lifting workouts, depending on the position of each player. When asked about the upcoming fall season, Coach Devine said, “I think this year we as a coaching staff have a great group of kids coming back… If they work hard in the summer, then it will definitely pay off in the fall.”

There are even more fall sports, including cheerleading, which is coached by Ms. Hayes, and golf, which is coached by Mr. Chisholm. While it’s important to enjoy summer as much as possible, people interested in participating in a fall sport should try their best to prepare for their upcoming season by working out on their own, or attending certain training camps. Coach Burkhardt presents a great opportunity for all athletes by running workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the high school. In addition, for anyone interested in playing a sport next fall, physicals must be turned in by August 6 and 7, as well as concussion forms.