Derry's Bradley Brothers Develop Mission In Mass.

Massachusetts Premier Soccer was founded in 2001 by Peter and Joe Bradley with a mission to provide a new player development model for players in Massachusetts.

The Bradley brothers grew up on Creggan Estate in Derry where they learned their game playing on the streets back in the 1970s.

Lessons learned and experiences gained in the Bradley family and in the Creggan community have truly stood by the Irish brothers.

"The troubles were happening around us and our parents did a good job of keeping us focused on football and school," Joe said. "I was the youngest of 5 brothers. My football development came mostly from getting p***ed off being left out of every 2 vs. 2 game in our small garden. Pete was crap back then."

"We played at every opportunity we could get," said Peter. "The good sense of community in Creggan meant that we could be out to all hours and our parents never had to worry unduly about our safety.

"Even with the troubles going on we felt safe on the streets. We played with everything we could get our hands on from empty cans to balls that would have broken your foot. But it was more craic not letting Joe play."

The mission at MPS (masspremiersoccer.com) is to provide players an opportunity to develop as athletes and as people by fostering identity and excellence.

The enhanced experience is for both the young players and the coaches in Massachusetts.

Every summer the camp program registers over 4,000 campers.

Throughout the year the clinic program works with 40,000 players.

"The mission is plain and simple," insists Joe Bradley. "It's player development.

Actually trying to do it as opposed to just talking about it."

The Bradley lads played for the Tristar Boys Club and both went on to play for Derry City at 16 years of age.

Joe played for Celtic Boys Club in Glasgow then signed for Coleraine.

Trials with Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Celtic explain why Joe wants to create a pathway for his young players to grow.

MPS is the only club in New England that has a PDL franchise (MPS Crusaders) and a W-League franchise (MPS Renegades) giving the club a unique structure of being able to cater to a player's development from U-8 through U-23.

Peter left Derry in 1986 for England where he graduated University of Kent at Canterbury.

He remained in Kent where he played semi-pro for Herne Bay and Whitstable then in 1997 he moved to Boston.

The Bradleys can talk the talk when it comes to player development, they've been there and done that.

It's no surprise however that they go back to their youth to choose their fondest moment.

Scoring the tying goal in the Northern Ireland schools semi-final was Pete's fondest memory: "We were 2-1 down with about 30 seconds to go against Cairnmartin and the big man powered a corner home to tie the game.

"We beat them 2-0 in the replay and went on to win the final."

For Joe was representing Northern Ireland as a schoolboy and youth international: "It was funny for a catholic from [the North] to stand for Danny Boy and not God Save the Queen."

MPS has 30 full time staff coaches and over 40 regional staff coaches.

The Youth Development Academy consists of camps, clinics, the School of Excellence Program and the Premier Team Program.

The School of Excellence works out of 13 different locations with players aged U-9 through U12.

Up to 50 coaches per day are placed in the community during the spring and fall seasons.

Creating a style of play that is enthusiastic, entertaining and attacking with the rules of sportsmanship at the forefront of all competition is paramount.

"Knowledge of the game and how to develop the players of the particular age you are coaching," the Bradleys agree is one of the most important things when coaching young players.

The Bradleys both with a United States Soccer Federation A License started their coaching at a young age.

"I started helping out one of the local Irish Football Association coaches at camps when I was 16 as a summer job," Joe said. "I did my IFA prelim one summer home from college. I also spent all my summers in college (Harvard University) doing camps, never fancied doing a shirt and tie internship."

Peter's coach at college in England encouraged him to do the FA Prelim when he was 20 years of age and he has been coaching ever since. "I always felt that teaching was my vocation and it wasn't too big a jump from being a teacher to a soccer coach."

In the club there are coaches from Derry to Belfast and in the New Year 5 new coaches from Donegal to Dublin will join the club.

Goals and plans are in place and the Inner City Initiative project is still on the agenda.

MPS attempts to tap in to the talented communities of Boston, Lawrence, Lowell, Brockton, New Bedford and Worcester.

Providing financial aid for families that don't have the means is under way.

In November 2008 staff coaches Jon Coles and Phil Tait went to South Africa to offer their soccer expertise as part of The TRIAD Trust HIV/AIDS awareness programs.

The coaches worked with local leaders as they shared knowledge in the combat against HIV and AIDS.

Massachusetts Premier Soccer has grown significantly in a fairly short period and improvements are expected next year in all areas of the club. And the Bradleys are not stopping there.

"We plan to open an office in Ireland in 2009 as a base for recruiting staff from Ireland, the UK and Europe," said Joe. "We're looking at the possibility of the MPS staff coaches in this office working with the FAI and Irish clubs in women's and girl's football development. We want to place American student-athletes in universities in Ireland and the UK in a semester/year abroad program. Quality footballers would get a high level environment both on and off the field. We look forward to 2009."