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Soccer

Class A and B on Field 1 - Class C and D on Field 2

vs. Thirds

Varsity Soccer

Scrimmage

Our soccer program assists in the development of strong, confident and capable student-athletes whose technical, and tactical aptitudes will lend themselves well to whatever level each player's ambition leads them. We value accountability, resiliency, hard work, loyalty, selflessness, and respect as we strive to create a team environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Our League Affiliations

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class C New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women's Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker's is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

 

The junior varsity team is an integral part of the soccer program at Walker's. While most players on the JV team work hard to develop the skills necessary to eventually play at the varsity level, there are also opportunities for athletes looking to learn the game for the first time.

The JV soccer team provides an outlet for physical activity in a fun yet competitive environment. The team has practices designated to working on skills that will help them win games, and also spends time working with the varsity team to incorporate the entire program into an afternoon workout.

Student athletes on the JV soccer team come away from their season with not only a more fundamental understanding of soccer, but also a better understanding of what it means to be a part of a team and a program.

Our Varsity League Affiliations

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class C New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women’s Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker’s is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

 

Student-athletes on the Middle School soccer team are taught to learn and love the game. Our students from grades six through eight spend their practice time understanding the fundamentals of soccer and the skill sets that will allow them to become better players in the future.

The Middle School soccer program encourages participation for each player, and with that participation comes the growth of a competitive spirit and a joy in playing the game of soccer. Each season, the team competes against other middle school teams, both hosting visiting teams and traveling to opponents’ schools.

Our Varsity League Affiliations

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class C New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women’s Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker’s is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

Colin Griggs

Colin R. Griggs

Class A/B & Class C/D

Postponed from 10/5 to 10/6

Scrimmage

Kenzie Hine '16

Kenzie Hine '16

Program and Development Manager for Horizons at The Ethel Walker School

Scrimmage

Our Soccer program assists in the development of strong, confident and capable student-athletes whose technical, and tactical aptitudes will lend themselves well to whatever level each player's ambition leads them. We value accountability, resiliency, hard work, loyalty, selflessness, and respect as we strive to create a team environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Our League Affiliations

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class C New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women's Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker's is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

 
Colin Griggs

Colin R. Griggs

Colin R. Griggs entered the coaching ranks at Walker’s during the fall of 2022 when he took on the role of Head Coach for both the varsity soccer and squash programs. Prior to arriving at Walker’s, Colin spent time as the head coach of the Black Rock FC Residential Academy team at High Mowing School from 2019-2021 and was at Hebron Academy from 2010-2019. At Hebron, Colin coached over 400 athletic contests in soccer, basketball and tennis and reached the NEPSAC Final in all three sports over the course of those nine years. As a coach, Colin is an enthusiastic supporter of his athletes and tries to always find the best opportunities for them to succeed both on and off the fields and courts. During his playing career, Colin played both soccer and tennis at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. From a personal standpoint, Colin has attended five World Cups and is an avid Liverpool FC fan. He grew up in Guilford, CT and now resides in Granby with his wife, Sarah, and two sons, Raleigh and Henry.

The junior varsity team is an integral part of the soccer program at Walker's. While most players on the JV team work hard to develop the skills necessary to eventually play at the varsity level, there are also opportunities for athletes looking to learn the game for the first time.

The JV soccer team provides an outlet for physical activity in a fun yet competitive environment. The team has practices designated to working on skills that will help them win games, and also spends time working with the varsity team to incorporate the entire program into an afternoon workout.

Student athletes on the JV soccer team come away from their season with not only a more fundamental understanding of soccer, but also a better understanding of what it means to be a part of a team and a program.

Our Varsity League Affiliations

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class C New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women’s Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker’s is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

 
Colin Griggs

Colin R. Griggs

Assistant Director of Admission

Colin R. Griggs

 860-408-4204

B.A., Franklin & Marshall College
M.A., Ohio University

Colin R. Griggs joined the Walker’s community during the summer of 2022, and he comes to Simsbury with more than 15 years of experience working in the New England boarding school community. After spending the first four years of his professional life in Connecticut at Indian Mountain School and Marianapolis, Colin moved to Maine where he spent nine years at Hebron Academy. While at Hebron, Colin coached over 400 athletic contests in soccer, basketball, and tennis and earned more than 200 victories as a head varsity coach. Colin also spent time in the Alumni and Development Office, Dean of Students Office, and as an Assistant Athletic Director among many other positions. During 2019, Colin moved again with his family to High Mowing School where was was both the Director of Athletics and Residential Life and the head coach of the girls’ team for the Black Rock FC Residential Academy. Colin lives in Granby with his wife, Sarah, and their two sons, Raleigh and Henry.

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Walker’s Sport and Leadership Academy is for athletes who want to take their game to the next level and who aspire to have a leadership role on their team. The Academy offers girls a dual-focused learning environment that centers on their athletic and leadership development. Walker’s Sports and Leadership Academy is tailored to meet the specific sport and leadership training needs of its participants.  

Athletically, girls will work on the technical and tactical sides of their game while also learning how proper warm-up and cool-down routines help with injury prevention and overall recovery. Additionally, Walker’s Sports and Leadership Academy teaches athletes how to be effective self-leaders. Topics covered include:  responsibility, accountability, and commitment.

We are running concurrent clinics for Field Hockey and Soccer, and you may indicate which sport you will be participating in when you fill out your RSVP. The clinic is open to girls in grades 6-9.

Walker’s coaching staff and members of the varsity field hockey and soccer teams will lead the session where you will learn new skills and make some new friends!

Field Hockey:

Please bring your field hockey stick, shin guards, mouth guard, goggles, and water bottle. If you need to borrow a stick, please let us know. 

Soccer:

Please bring a soccer ball, shin guards, and water bottle.

Please know that our on-campus events follow COVID safety protocols, including physical distancing, limiting the number of participants, and requiring face coverings. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Director of Admission Amy Paul P’16, ’18 at apaul@ethelwalker.org or 860-408-4207.

Field #7

Our Soccer program assists in the development of strong, confident and capable student-athletes whose technical, and tactical aptitudes will lend themselves well to whatever level each player's ambition leads them. We value accountability, resiliency, hard work, loyalty, selflessness, and respect as we strive to create a team environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Our League Affiliations:

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class “C” New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women's Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker's is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

 

The junior varsity team is an integral part of the soccer program at Walker's. While most players on the JV team work hard to develop the skills necessary to eventually play at the varsity level, there are also opportunities for athletes looking to learn the game for the first time.

The JV soccer team provides an outlet for physical activity in a fun yet competitive environment. The team has practices designated to working on skills that will help them win games, and also spends time working with the varsity team to incorporate the entire program into an afternoon workout.

Student athletes on the JV soccer team come away from their season with not only a more fundamental understanding of soccer, but also a better understanding of what it means to be a part of a team and a program.

Our Varsity League Affiliations:

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class “C” New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women’s Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker’s is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

 

Student-athletes on the Middle School soccer team are taught to learn and love the game. Our students from grades six through eight spend their practice time understanding the fundamentals of soccer and the skill sets that will allow them to become better players in the future.

The Middle School soccer program encourages participation for each player, and with that participation comes the growth of a competitive spirit and a joy in playing the game of soccer. Each season, the team competes against other middle school teams, both hosting visiting teams and traveling to opponents’ schools.

Our Varsity League Affiliations

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class C New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women’s Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker’s is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

Student athletes on the Middle School soccer team are taught to learn and love the game. Our students from grades six through eight spend their practice time understanding the fundamentals of soccer and the skill sets that will allow them to become better players in the future.

The JV soccer team provides an outlet for physical activity in a fun yet competitive environment. The team has practices designated to working on skills that will help them win games, and also spends time working with the varsity team to incorporate the entire program into an afternoon workout.

At the most basic level, the Middle School soccer program encourages participation for each player, and with that participation comes the growth of a competitive spirit and a joy in playing the game of soccer.

Our Varsity League Affiliations:

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class “C” New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women’s Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker’s is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

Our Soccer program assists in the development of strong, confident and capable student-athletes whose technical, and tactical aptitudes will lend themselves well to whatever level each player's ambition leads them. We value accountability, resiliency, hard work, loyalty, selflessness, and respect as we strive to create a team environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Our League Affiliations:

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class “C” New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women's Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker's is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

The junior varsity team is an integral part of the soccer program at Walker's. While most players on the JV team work hard to develop the skills necessary to eventually play at the varsity level, there are also opportunities for athletes looking to learn the game for the first time.

The JV soccer team provides an outlet for physical activity in a fun yet competitive environment. The team has practices designated to working on skills that will help them win games, and also spends time working with the varsity team to incorporate the entire program into an afternoon workout.

Student athletes on the JV soccer team come away from their season with not only a more fundamental understanding of soccer, but also a better understanding of what it means to be a part of a team and a program.

Our Varsity League Affiliations:

Walker’s soccer program competes in the Class “C” New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and also the Women’s Western New England Preparatory School Soccer Association (WWNEPSSA). Walker’s is also a member school in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.

Ben Barker

Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, Visual Arts Faculty

Ben Barker

 860-408-4263

B.Sc., University of East Anglia, England

Ben Barker earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia in England and is a graduate of the Connecticut Film Industry Training Program from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Ben spent over 20 years in the environmental industry conducting laboratory analysis, mobile laboratory site investigations and indoor air quality studies. He is a State of Connecticut Department of Health Services-certified Environmental Laboratory Director. After leaving the scientific arena, Ben pursued his life-long love of photography and film by working in locations management for film and television productions in New York City and Connecticut. He is also a seasoned and qualified soccer coach, having coached the game for 15 years. Over that period he has coached all youth ages from two to 18 years old.

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