With World Cup coverage all over you televisions, your kids might suddenly find an interest in the sport of soccer, or as it’s called in Europe, football. Getting a young child started in a sport will teach them the ideas of teamwork, self-discipline and responsibility. Soccer is a great sport because it promotes these ideas as soon as the player enters the field. Are your kids constantly looking for opportunities to kick a soccer ball? Here are the best kids soccer leagues and camps to get your child started.

Most towns will have their own clubs that are part of the leagues listed below. Give your local recreation center a call and see what kind of soccer programs they offer in your area. Some programs don’t start until the end of summer or the beginning of fall, so plan accordingly.

Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS)

bays.org

This soccer league is home to more than 20 local clubs and organizations in the Greater Boston area, servicing towns from Brookline to Wrentham. This league plays in the fall and spring and offers age groups from 9-19 years old for both boys and girls.

Coastal Youth Soccer League

coastalyouthsoccer.org

Servicing towns along the coast of Massachusetts, including Hull, Duxbury and Pembroke, the Coastal Youth Soccer League offers plenty of time for players to expand on their skills. They have optional play in the fall and a full season in the spring, and offer age groups for boys and girls ranging from 10 years old to 19 years old.

The New England Premiership

nepremiership.com

This league services the entirety of New England, giving players the opportunity to play against teams in different states. Massachusetts clubs and teams include the FC Greater Boston Bolts and FC Stars of Massachusetts. The league offers fall and spring play for boys and girls from 10-19 years old.

Region 1 League

region1.com/clubsite/?p=5517

Is your teen already a soccer star and looking to expand her abilities? The Region 1 league is highly competitive, bringing together top teams from all over the Northeast region of the United States. This league offers regular play against these top teams and puts an emphasis on skill building and personal development. The Region 1 League services boys and girls ages 14-18.

Arsenal Soccer Schools USA

www.playthearsenalwayusa.com

Legendary 13-time English league champions Arsenal are bringing their soccer skills to the United States! Learn to play the Arsenal way with help from official Arsenal coaches from England, and hone your technique with drills, practices and scrimmage games! The weeklong camp session is held at the St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA.

Boston Soccer Academy

bostonsocceracademy.com

Don’t want to feel pressured into joining a league right away? Want to work on your technique first? Boston Soccer Academy offers instructional programs and camps for players of all ages and skill levels. Each camper is given the opportunity to hone their skills with highly skilled instructors and one-on-one practice and attention.  The Academy also offers private training and club groups in the fall.

Terrier Training Soccer Academy

terriertrainingsoccer.com/home.php

This all-girls training camp looks to provide quality training and programming for girls that develops and refines their technique, while still challenging them and pushing them to the next level. The coaching staff at Terrire Training Soccer Academy is there to assist girls in their development as players. This camp is located at Boston University and geared towards girls in high school, from grades 9-12.

Holy Cross Soccer Camps

goholycross.com/fan_central/camps/msoc

Offering soccer camps for boys and girls, the College of the Holy Cross gives players an opportunity to develop and challenge their skills as soccer players. Under the watchful eyes of experienced coaches, players will learn to work hard and play hard in a safe, fun environment situated on the school’s campus in Worcester.

Tell us where you send your child for soccer camps or leagues in our comments section!