By Gary Curreri
Editor’s Note: SABR’s Soccer After School and Summer Soccer Training programs provide a development pathway for more than 1,200 players annually. The final April/May session of the school year and the June summer training sessions are now open for registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at: sabrsoccer.net/training-programs/#soccer-after-school
Flexible and Focused: A Parent’s Perspective
Boca Raton mom Simone Chin has enrolled her two sons in the SABR After School program over the past year—and says it checks all the boxes.
“It was a couple of things that led me to the program,” Chin said. “My boys really wanted to do soccer, so we signed them up for SABR’s recreational league. Before that even started, I saw they could begin practicing through SABR After School.”
Chin appreciates the flexibility: “You can choose one or two days a week, and you don’t have to commit to an entire semester.”
Small Groups, Big Impact
SABR After School is open to players from Under-5 to Under-19. Training is conducted in small groups—between 6 and 8 players—for 2- to 5-week sessions. Players meet once or twice a week for one-hour sessions focused on skill development and small-sided play.
Sessions are led by Director of Coaching Carrie Barker, who joined SABR in 2021 after an international search.
A Program Born from Vision and Demand
Barker was hired to launch the After School program originally envisioned by SABR’s Board in 2020. She organized the first session by April 2021—and it sold out to nearly 150 players.
Thanks to overwhelming demand, she introduced Summer Soccer Training with two-hour sessions across two weeks.
“The ideas were already in place,” Barker said. “I just built on the framework, and it’s gone really well. Last year we had 1,200 participants. That’s a big number for a nine-month program.”
Skills and Confidence: Measurable Growth for Players
Chin says her sons—Tenzin, 13, and Devan, 9—have improved noticeably.
“They’re more comfortable and confident with the ball,” she said. “Their ball-handling has definitely improved. It’s been a win-win.”
She enjoys being able to tailor sessions around their family’s schedule.
“I might do two weeks here, three weeks there, then maybe a four- or five-week session,” she said. “It’s recreational, so I don’t want to lock the kids in for too long.”
A Warm Welcome for Beginners
Deerfield Beach mom Jasmine Coyle enrolled her three daughters—Lillian (12), Alyssa (10), and Anora (7)—to give her youngest a soft start.
“We started because my youngest wanted to try soccer but had never even kicked a ball,” Coyle said. “The after-school program was a great introduction.”
Coyle praised the small groups and coaching.
“Carrie Barker is the best part of the program,” she said. “She’s organized, knowledgeable, friendly, and really cares about the kids. We love her.”
Alyssa agreed: “I made a few friends. Before, I didn’t know how to play soccer. Now I do.”
Support from SABR Leadership
Art Turpel, SABR’s longtime Director of Player Development, explained the club’s vision:
“The program was especially created for younger age groups like our 5s and 6s. They only practice once a week, so this gives them an extra opportunity to play and learn.”
A Program That Adapts to Players’ Needs
Barker said participation comes in waves—some join before the season to prep, others during for extra touches. Players aiming for Team Boca often train multiple times a week.
“It’s about what’s best for each player,” she said. “We keep it affordable—around $15 per session.”
She staffs 5 to 8 coaches depending on the season and groups players by birth year:
- 5–8-year-olds in one session
- 9–12s in another
- Teens in a separate group
“I try to hit every age group,” she said. “Across a five-week program, I offer 42 different time slots to give families flexibility.”
The Play, Practice, Play Approach
SABR follows the U.S. Youth Soccer Play, Practice, Play methodology:
- Start with small-sided games
- Transition to drills and repetition
- Finish with game play to apply new skills
Coaches then gather feedback to reinforce what players learned.
“With our diverse coaching staff, we encourage a variety of teaching methods,” Barker said. “But most use Play, Practice, Play—it works.”
