Business Details
19 Years
experience
Youth Soccer Development Programs in Lawrence, MA
Founded in 2007, Beyond Soccer Lawrence began as a grassroots initiative to address opportunity gaps in youth sports and education. Our organization was created when a mother-daughter duo recognized the absence of girls' soccer programs in Lawrence and launched the city's first travel team with just 12 middle school girls. Over the years, we've evolved into a comprehensive youth development model that integrates soccer with academic support, health education, and leadership training. Our programs now serve over 8,000 youth annually through school partnerships, summer camps, and community initiatives.We maintain a strong focus on teamwork, perseverance, and community impact, as demonstrated by our alumni who return as coaches and mentors. Our holistic approach combines sports with critical life skills, creating pathways for young people to thrive both on and off the field. We measure success through transformative stories like Oriagna Inirio's journey from program participant to Communications Manager. Today, we stand as a proven model for using sports to combat systemic inequities and build brighter futures for Lawrence's youth.
Services
Youth Soccer Programs
Health & Wellness Classes
Academic Support
Leadership Development
Summer Camps
Futsal Leagues
Travel Soccer Teams
In-City Leagues
College Readiness
Nutrition Education
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer year-round soccer programs with structured seasonal schedules.
- Our holistic model combines sports with academic support and leadership training.
- We provide nutrition education and fitness classes alongside athletic development.
- We maintain strong school partnerships to integrate sports into educational settings.
- Our alumni mentorship program creates positive role models within the community.
What people say
Increased her soccer skills
Great experience
Improvement with friendships
Made all the difference
Gained many skills
Services
Youth Soccer Programs
Our soccer programs provide structured athletic development for children aged 4-22 through travel teams, in-city leagues, and summer camps. We focus on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship while creating pathways for competitive play. Our experienced coaches mentor players to excel both on and off the field.
Health & Wellness Classes
Year-round fitness initiatives include nutrition education, cooking courses, and physical activity programs designed to promote healthy lifestyles. Our certified instructors teach practical skills for maintaining wellness through sports and proper nutrition. These programs address childhood obesity and promote lifelong healthy habits.
Academic Support
We offer homework help, college readiness workshops, and career preparation programs that complement our sports activities. Our staff provides individualized academic support to help students improve grades and develop study skills. This component ensures participants maintain academic eligibility while pursuing athletic goals.
Leadership Development
Our leadership programs include junior coaching opportunities, mentorship roles, and the Resilient Girls Project. Participants develop communication skills, responsibility, and confidence through structured leadership activities. We emphasize community service and peer mentoring to build character.
Summer Enrichment
Summer programs combine sports training with academic enrichment and wellness activities during school breaks. These full-day camps provide structured development in all three core areas while keeping youth engaged during summer months. Thousands of hours of programming are offered annually to prevent learning loss.
People
Stephanie McArdle
Founder
Co-founded Beyond Soccer Lawrence with her mother Ellen in 2007 after recognizing the lack of girls' soccer opportunities in Lawrence. Former University of Michigan women's soccer team captain who helped establish Lawrence's first travel soccer team.
Ellen McArdle
Co-Founder
Co-founded Beyond Soccer Lawrence with daughter Stephanie in 2007. Served as Stephanie's youth coach before their joint initiative created Lawrence's first girls' soccer programs and development model for youth athletes.
Oriagna Inirio
Communications Director
Original member of Lawrence's first girls' soccer team who returned as a coach and mentor. Earned her degree from St. Anselm University through program opportunities and now serves as the organization's first Communications Manager.
Johnny
Contact Person
Main point of contact for organizational inquiries and donations. Manages community outreach efforts and coordinates program logistics for Beyond Soccer Lawrence's various initiatives.
Chris
Soccer Director
Oversees soccer program development and team placements. Makes strategic decisions about player advancement based on performance metrics and commitment levels across all competitive soccer programs.
Questions
What age groups can participate in your programs?
Children aged 4-14 (Pre-K through 8th grade) can join our Lawrence Youth Soccer programs.
Do you offer financial assistance for program fees?
Yes, we provide fee waivers and help with equipment costs based on family needs.
What's included in your soccer program uniforms?
Grades 1-8 receive jerseys and shorts; Pre-K-Kindergarten receive jerseys only.
How do players move between in-city and travel teams?
Coaches evaluate attendance, commitment, and skills to determine travel team placements.
Do you offer summer soccer programs?
Yes, we provide summer camps and clinics as part of our year-round development programs.
How do you communicate program updates to families?
We use WhatsApp groups and email updates from our Communications Director for real-time information.
