Hot Shots started in 1996. My name is John Wilpers and I founded Hot Shots because the only winter soccer options for girls in 1996 (we added boys in 2024) were extremely competitive and did not focus on developing skills and self-esteem or even having fun, never mind what we’ve added since then: building a love of reading with story times and building parental bonds with 100% required parent participation.

I am retiring this spring (2024) and a wonderful young Marshfield couple — Kelly and Sam Chase — have stepped up to run Hot Shots for the next decade or three! (Details about the succession here.)

Pre-school (as young as 2 at the parent's discretion) through seven-year-olds. Residents of all South Shore towns (NOT just Marshfield!). Kids do NOT need to be on a soccer team or even know how to play soccer, or for the Creativity Club, to know how to dance, paint, or play music. Hot Shots is both a non-threatening introduction to soccer and skills in the art.

For $195, families get10 classes, a T-shirt, and a medal. The fee also covers gym fees, supplies, insurance, staff stipends, and our library of books for the girls to take home every Sunday. Compared to other youth sports programs, we are either on par or less expensive.

No. With no teams and no week-to-week arts skills progressions, you aren’t letting anyone down or missing skill set introductions that will put your child behind.

No. Because the fixed costs of the T-shirts, medals, administrative costs, and insurance coverage represent most of the $190 fee, it would make little sense to return a few dollars. We do offer refunds if you decide it’s not for you after one or two weeks.

For soccer: a soccer ball (size 2-3), water bottle, gym shoes, shorts, shirt. For the Creativity Club, whatever you want, except for dance Sundays when you and your child should wear either lose-fitting clothes you can move around in, or athletic wear appropriate for dance.

Yes. Trust me, you’ll love it. There are two reasons for this: First, by staying, you help us make sure that each child gets individual attention. We show you what to do and then you help your son or daughter understand. We usually have a dozen or more coaches available, but there is nothing like one-to-one instruction, especially from their mommy or daddy. Second, part of the Hot Shots mission is to provide special time for parent-child bonding, a time free of chores and distractions like mobile phones, television, and chores. The time you spend with your son and/or daughter at Hot Shots is fun and makes for memorable moments.

Through the sale of Hot Shots souvenirs, we’ve been able to donate more than $20,000 worth of books to local elementary schools over the last 30 years.

All the kids are invited to do a soccer or arts drawing for the 4th Sunday. We vote by age group and session, and 4-6 of the top vote-getters are printed on the front of that session’s T-shirt. Every child’s name is on the back front.