The North Shore Moms have been working with Anthony since he began Soccer Shots Metro North three years ago. I’ve had the pleasure of attending Soccer Shots classes for all ages and watching as his business has grown and introduced thousands of children to the joys of soccer. I’m thrilled to be able to check in with Anthony now that he is both a business owner and a dad and I know you’ll love learning about his passion for youth sports and parenthood!
Where are you from originally and what town do you live in now?
I grew up in a military family and had the opportunity to travel throughout North and Central America and Europe as a child. I was born in North Carolina, and today I live on the North Shore in Beverly, Massachusetts.
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have one son, Charlie Ezra Desroches, who is two and a half years old.
What’s your favorite family activity on the North Shore?
I was never a big beach person, but that completely changed after becoming a dad. Our perfect day usually starts at Delphine’s Kitchen in Beverly—Charlie and I grab a crepe, a London Fog for me, and a cookie for him before heading to the beach to spend the day making sand castles and relaxing. In the fall, the highlight for us is heading over to Salem during October. The Halloween season there is something special, and exploring the spooky streets together has become one of our favorite traditions
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop on the North Shore?
As I mentioned earlier, our favorite place to eat is Delphine’s Kitchen. Delphine, Rob, and their family are some of the kindest people I’ve met, and it’s really become a second home for Charlie. From private baking lessons and helping at the front desk to Thanksgiving potlucks with their friends and family, it’s more than just a restaurant to us. The food and desserts are incredible, but it’s the sense of community and hospitality that truly makes it special.
We first interviewed you back when you began your Soccer Shots business in 2023. Tell us about how your business has changed and grown in the last 3 years.
When we first launched in 2023, we operated in one territory—Metro North—serving about four public programs and roughly ten school partners. After our first year, we expanded into Metro West, which allowed us to grow significantly. Today, Soccer Shots Metro North & West works with more than 50 locations and serves over 2,000 children and families each year.
Our programs originally included Minis, Classic, and Premier for children ages 2–8. This year, we also launched a new program for children as young as 18 months, which we’re very excited about. As we’ve grown, our team has expanded as well—from two full-time staff members and six coaches to four full-time team members and more than twenty coaches.
Through all of that growth, our focus has remained the same: providing a positive experience for families and continuing to improve our programs each season.
How has becoming a father impacted your business?
One of the biggest reasons I started this business was to create a better work-life balance so I could be present at home. I’m happy to say that goal became a reality, and I’ve been enjoying every single day of being a father to my son, who is now two and a half.
I also chose Soccer Shots because I’ve always been passionate about working with kids. In our first year, I coached at nearly every location—partly out of necessity, but also because it’s hard to pull me away from Soccer Island. As the business has grown and I’ve become a dad, I’ve had to restructure my role a bit by hiring additional staff to help manage daily operations. That means I’m not on the field as often as I used to be, which is tough, but I still make it a priority to get out there with our team and connect with the families whenever I can.
Where does Soccer Shots Metro North & West offer classes?
Soccer Shots Metro North & West offers programs at a variety of public fields and partner schools throughout the region. Our public programs currently run in communities including Acton, Bedford, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Lancaster, Lexington, Lynnfield, Northborough, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Weston, and Winchester.
We also partner with a number of schools and early childhood centers, offering programs in communities such as Arlington, Bedford, Burlington, Melrose, Sudbury, Maynard, North Reading, Woburn, Medford, Saugus, Westborough, Marlborough, Sterling, Weston, and Malden.
Our goal is to make it easy for families across the Metro North and Metro West communities to access fun, engaging soccer programs for young children close to home.
What age kids can sign up for Soccer Shots Programs?
18 months to 8 years olds
Can kids play soccer with you year-round?
Yes! Soccer Shots offers programs year-round to give kids consistent opportunities to stay active and continue developing their skills. Our Winter season runs from January to March and takes place indoors, followed by our Spring season from April to June and Summer season from June to August, which are typically held outdoors. In the fall, we offer our Fall season from September to October, and then wrap up the year with Fall 2.0 from November to December, which is also held indoors. This structure allows families to keep their children engaged in a fun, active program no matter the season.
What makes Soccer Shots different from town/rec sports?
Soccer Shots is designed specifically for young children, focusing on age-appropriate coaching that blends soccer skills with character development. Our trained coaches follow a structured curriculum that emphasizes not just physical activity, but also important life skills like teamwork, confidence, listening, and respect. Sessions are intentionally small and engaging so every child feels included and successful. For many families, Soccer Shots is their child’s first introduction to sports, so our goal is to create a positive, encouraging environment where kids can learn, build confidence, and most importantly—have fun.
Your coaches stand out for their kindness and ability to make soccer fun for all ages. What kind of training do they receive prior to stepping on the field?
We dedicate a lot of time to recruiting the right coaches. For us, that doesn’t necessarily mean finding the best soccer player—it means finding people who truly understand our audience and share our mission of positively impacting children’s lives. We look for individuals who genuinely enjoy working with kids and bring energy, patience, and fun to every session.
Once hired, new coaches train alongside one of our senior coaches for a full season, learning our curriculum and coaching approach through hands-on mentorship. Our coaches receive ongoing evaluations and support throughout the year—including myself as the owner—so that every season we continue to grow as a team and provide the best possible experience for the families we serve.
What is the best piece of parenting advice you ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received came from a group of dads I regularly talk with—we support each other through the ups and downs of parenting. They often remind me to truly enjoy the first five years of your child’s life because it’s such a unique and precious time, and it passes in the blink of an eye.
My own father was a Marine, and while I love him dearly, a lot of my childhood he missed because of work. Running Soccer Shots has given me the flexibility to be present in ways I deeply value—helping with bath time, going to playgroups, reading books at night, and taking my son on little weekday adventures. I try to be fully present in those moments, because I know how quickly this stage of life goes by, and I feel incredibly lucky to experience it with my son.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me” time?
I have two guilty pleasures. The first is gaming—I’ve always been a gamer, and getting to hop online with friends, whether they’re in Europe or different parts of the state, is something I really enjoy and is definitely part of my identity. My second is skiing. Getting out on the slopes is a great way to have fun, unwind, and clear my head.
Find out more about Soccer Shots Metro North & West at www.soccershots.com/metronorth and check out their Spring Class Schedule, with classes beginning in many North Shore locations later this month. Follow along with Soccer Shots on Instagram @soccershotsmetronorthma and on Facebook @soccershotsnorthwestma.
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This post is sponsored by Soccer Shots Metro North & West but all opinions present are my own.