Boys soccer regular season game last fall vs. Malden High School.

By Harry Kane

Sports provides an opportunity to develop and display talents through competition with the goal of achieving an athlete’s potential. Winning is important and gives Highlanders a sense of validation. And becoming a team player, learning leadership skills and practicing good sportsmanship helps build self-esteem and a foundation for lifelong fitness habits that will help students prepare for the future.

The Autumn offerings at Somerville High School include: football, co-ed golf, competitive cheerleading, girls and boys soccer, girls and boys cross-country and girls volleyball.

“We have a wide range of offerings for all of our students,” said Director of Athletics Stanley Vieira.

Vieira has seen some things change since COVID, particularly from a sports medicine standpoint with a focus on safety.

The sports medicine department has two trainers, which is helpful for speeding up recovery from injuries and keeping kids healthier, he says.

Michelle Kelly is the Head Athletic Trainer and District Concussion Specialist. Gabrielle Vieira is the Assistant Athletic Trainer.

The trainers are available for injury evaluation, prevention, rehabilitation, first aid, nutrition and concussion management.

More than 1400 students attend high school and half of them play sports, according to Vieira.

Girls Soccer team photo in Fall 2023.

Preseason for Fall sports started on August 19, and the season continues until November 2, except for the Thanksgiving football game and any team qualifying for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament.

The coaches work with the Director of Athletics Stanley Vieira and Assistant Director of Athletics Indira Evora as well as the athletic trainers to regularly communicate the needs of individual players.

“These days we really have to make sure that our coaches know each individual athlete and know how to motivate each one,” Vieira said. “Every student is unique. It is a job that requires a lot of hands-on attention.”

Coaches play a huge role in the development of athletes, helping students realize the benefits of athletics, and act as mentors to assist Highlanders reach their potential.

Freshman sports provides opportunities for participation and introduces players to the sport, covers fundamental skills and introduces various strategies and game situations. Every player receives some game time in order to develop and improve on skills and critical thinking.

The Junior Varsity teams implement strategies and game play reflective of the goals of the varsity programs. JV prepares players for varsity experiences and expectations. Playing time is determined by the staff based on skills and development from practices and ability to transition those skills to live competition.

Varsity teams set the tone for the program and all levels of play. This includes setting an example for community service, sportsmanship, pride and dedication. Players strive to improve daily and compete with one another in order to improve the team.

Boys Ice Hockey 2023-24 season in a game against Swampscott High School. ~ Photos courtesy of SHS Sports

Playing time during contests is not guaranteed and will be determined by the coach, according to the 2024 Student Athlete Handbook.

“It’s an amazing thing to watch teams come together especially with sub-varsity teams,” Vieira said.

Now in his sixth year as Director of Athletics, Vieira said that the soccer program is “well-established” in the city.

Somerville Youth Soccer will have their Second Annual SYS Day at Tufts University, which will take place on Sunday, September 15, at Bello Field.

Last Fall, the boys and girls soccer teams and the boys cross-country team were all named Greater Boston League Champions.

“We were also awarded four MVPs for our Fall sports in boys and girls soccer, cross-country and golf,” Vieira said.

And last Fall, the boys and girls soccer and cross-country teams made it to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament.

“As a proud Somerville alum, it’s been amazing to see how far our athletic program has come,” said Assistant Director of Athletics Indira Evora. “As I enter my fourth year as the assistant athletic director, I feel especially rewarded to be able to work alongside such a dedicated staff with strong camaraderie. I consider myself lucky to work with our incredible young athletes and witness their growth and development both on and off the field.”

Youth sports offers numerous mental and emotional health benefits including lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher confidence, decreased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, reduced stress levels and increased life satisfaction, according to recent studies.

Last year, The Somerville Public Schools Athletics Department started the Unified Sports program for Somerville students with intellectual disabilities.

The program launched with the SHS Unified Basketball Team. The team allows students, who are typically excluded from participating in sports, to enjoy competing on a team. In the Springtime, the SHS Unified Track & Field Team will be added to the program.