⚽ RAMSoccer – Info for Fall 2025 ⚽

Much of the information here is subject to change. Let’s all stay flexible and keep a positive attitude. 

⚽ “THE PAIN YOU FEEL TODAY WILL BE THE STRENGTH YOU FEEL TOMORROW.” ⚽

The RRHS Boys Soccer Program consists of a Varsity Team, a Junior Varsity, and a C-Team, that play a full schedule of games in the fall, from August to early November. All students enrolled in Rio Rancho High School are eligible to try out if they have at least a 2.0 GPA for the previous semester, no discipline problems, and all of the required paperwork.  (8th graders are exempt from GPA requirement.) 

PARENTS: By allowing your son to play for RRHS Soccer, you are agreeing to abide by and support the decisions made by the coaching staff on behalf of your son. If your son makes a team, you agree to support the teams, the other players, and the coaches, both on and off the field. Remember: playing soccer at RRHS is a privilege and not a right. If you do not trust the coaching staff with your son, please take him out of our program.

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PHYSICALS and REQUIRED PAPERWORK:  

All required paperwork can be found on the RRPS Athletics website and must be turned in before the player can participate.

All players are required to have a current physical exam on file (dated after April 1), as well as other paperwork like insurance, etc. before being allowed to participate in school athletic activities.

• NOTE: Coach does NOT take paperwork. Turn in all paperwork online. 

Athletic Secretary Debbie Garcia can help (debbie.garcia@rrps.net ) 

All Athletics Parents will have to sign and turn in the RRPS Athletic Parent Contract before their athlete can play in a game. (Find the contract on our Expectations page)

EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS:

• Full effort in the classroom

• Excellent behavior at all times, on and off the field

• Attend all team functions (practices, games, meetings) unless cleared with coach

SUMMER TRAINING: 

• Summer Training sessions are OPTIONAL. (Attending summer training will not guarantee a spot on the teams.)

• Summer Training Schedule is on the calendar (Events) and will be regularly updated

• Summer training is an opportunity for our athletes to improve. During the summer, we expect our athletes to improve their FITNESS and their SOCCER. Fitness includes endurance, speed, strength, and agility. Soccer includes technique (skills) and tactics (game play). 

• In June, the athletes will take care of their own endurance work, and the coaching sessions will concentrate on skills and speed/strength/agility. 

• In July, there are more sessions per week, so we will include all aspects of training, with an emphasis on tactics. 

• At tryouts in August, it will be obvious who worked hard in June and July. Tryouts are required. Summer training is optional.

TIME OFF: With the huge number of games and practices for club soccer, it is important to take some time off to refresh yourself and get hungry for soccer again. So, if you are playing club soccer in the Spring (State Cup, Regionals, etc.), we want you to take at least TWO WEEKS OFF before coming out to RRHS training sessions.

NOTE:  Off-season workouts are optional.  Attendance at summer workouts and/or camps does not guarantee a spot on the team. Tryouts are required.

Friendlies: We will have a small number of scrimmages against other schools. These games are by Coaches’ invitation and will provide more playing opportunities. TBA

Scrimmage Week at Cleveland HS (Late July / Early August):

Scrimmages against other schools in the mornings at Cleveland HS. (The full schedule will be posted soon. )

We will use these scrimmages to work out some ideas and lineups for the season. 

These are mostly, but not all, Varsity scrimmages. Players for each scrimmage will be invited by the coaching staff. All other players should come watch and train on their own later. There will be no regular training this week.

NOTE:  ALL games/scrimmages/friendlies are by Coaches’ invitation ONLY. The RRHS Coaching staff will invite players to play in each game. Other players are encouraged to attend and watch, and train on their own later in the day. Some games are designed for Varsity prospects only; others are specifically designed for other groups (i.e. new players, etc.); and some may be mixed. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

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TRYOUTS:

• Tryouts are required for all players. For Fall 2025, Tryouts will begin near or on August 11. (Start date set by NMAA)

• Players must have all paperwork completed and be on the "Cleared Athletes" list from the RRHS Athletic Office (more info HERE)

• Notify Coach Shepard immediately if you will miss any session of tryouts. 505-896-4042  cell, text (identify yourself)

SELECTION OF PLAYERS (for RRHS):

At tryouts, players for the RRHS teams will be selected by the coaching staff based on, but not limited to, the following criteria: 

FITNESS

SKILLS

SIZE/STRENGTH/SPEED

POSITION

DEDICATION

COACHABILITY

CHARACTER

ATTITUDE

🥚 First player who recites the quote from the top of this page ("The pain...") to Coach Shepard at training, gets a nice cold Gatorade. 🥚 

PRACTICES: Every day right after school unless otherwise notified by the coach. Missing practices (especially without prior notification) can result in loss of playing time and possible suspension or dismissal. Players wear school colors at practice.

GAMES: Schedules will be on website Events page (always subject to change)

• Players will be told when and where to report game by game

• Playing time is not guaranteed and will not be equal; support the team

• Be supportive, positive, and respectful… or be quiet!

***All team decisions (including playing time and player selection) are made by the coaching staff. Playing time, position, and other soccer decisions  are made by the coaches. But the players may speak respectfully to their coach about soccer decisions. Any questions or problems that the player did not get solved should be directed to Coach Shepard, (505) 896-4042, john.shepard@rrps.net. But please observe the 24-hour rule.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Parents will provide transportation to practice if necessary (i.e. player does not attend RRHS)

• Players will all ride a bus to most away games during the week.  Occasionally, there will not be a bus (local games on Saturdays or at night), and it will be the “parents’ responsibility” to get the players to the game

SPECIAL ISSUES: Please make the coaches aware of any special needs a player has (allergies, asthma, medications, etc.)

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Regardless of your personal stance on prohibited substances, they are against team and school rules, as well as state and federal laws. And they are certainly bad for athletes!!! There is random drug/alcohol testing in RRPS. Substance use/abuse will result in suspension and/or dismissal from the team.

COSTS: We encourage every player to buy a practice set (shirts, socks, shorts). If you cannot afford the cost, please talk to Coach Shepard and we will make other arrangements.

***Money is NEVER a requirement to participate in RRHS Boys Soccer!!!***

(If you don’t have the money for something – see Coach Shepard and we’ll work it out.)

PARENTS

Parents are a vital part of our soccer program.  We want any and all positive participation we can get.

By allowing your son to play for RRHS Soccer, you are agreeing to abide by and support the decisions made by the coaching staff on behalf of your son. If your son made a team, you will support the program, the other players, and the coaches, both on and off the field. Remember: playing soccer at RRHS is a privilege, not a right. If you do not trust the coaching staff with your son, please take him out of our program.

EXPECTATIONS OF PARENTS:

• Do monitor your son’s academic progress (i.e. Make him do his homework!)

• Do make sure your son is eating healthy and sleeping enough

• Please do not schedule non-essential activities during soccer times (it’s a 3-month family commitment)

• Please do not be negative toward referees, coaches, other spectators, or players from either team. That is poor sportsmanship and does not represent the class we want this program to have.

• Please do not be a “Poison Parent” on the sidelines or at home (You know the one who is always criticizing and second-guessing the coaches and players. “Stupid Shep doesn’t know what he’s doing. He should play a 5-4-1 with my Bobby as the lone striker!” “Bobby, you don’t have to listen to him.”) Shep may be stupid and making mistakes, but undermining coaches just hurts the team.

• 24 Hour Rule: if you are upset about something that happened in a game or practice, wait 24 hours. Speak to your son and encourage him to address the issue respectfully with his coach. If this does not resolve things, then set up a meeting with Coach Shepard to discuss it.

• Let your son try to solve his own problems first (this is a safe environment in which to learn problem-solving skills for life.) Your son can ask his coach about anything, as long as he does so in a respectful manner. No growth happens without some discomfort.

• Participate in our booster and charity activities at your comfort level

• COME TO GAMES and support your son and his team in a positive manner!!! (The years go by fast - try not to miss them.)

All Athletics Parents will have to sign and turn in the RRPS Athletic Parent Contract before their athlete can play in a game. (Find the contract on our Expectations page)

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PLEASE check this website regularly and get on our Team App. These are the best ways to be informed about new events and changes throughout the season!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, problems, suggestions, or donations.

John Shepard (505) 896-4042 (cell)   john.shepard@rrps.net 

Dave Hesser (404) 313-4425 (cell)    dhesser99@yahoo.com  

 ⚽⚽⚽ GO RAMS!!!⚽⚽⚽