I've gone to "the bubble" for years for soccer games with my kids (winter league) and also for two years with one in their club soccer program. Regarding the latter, personal experiences with John Smith himself always fun, positive and entertaining - however rest of club experience was very disappointing, your mileage may vary, but I'm certainly not a fan based on my experience. This is a review of the facility being a venue for (winter) soccer league games, and this comes from many years of going there with two children for just that reason. If you have not been, the place is basically a large bubble\dome (think tennis bubble but much larger) that holds two walled turf fields built like hockey rinks with walls on all sides, and then PlexiGlass shields and nets in others designed to keep balls in play and away from spectators. Each field has metal grandstands on one side of the field for spectators. Amenities-wise, there is a small bathroom area, a tiny shop up front where you can buy basic soccer stuff, and\or uniforms if you are in the club program. They also have an inflatable play area suitable for young (under 10?) kids. At times they have also set up an inflatable laser tag game but I haven't seen it recently. Most of the time I'm there I see kids playing soccer or training for lacrosse in the two turf fields. There is also often a large contingent of local Ecuadorians playing volleyball on a side field. Lots of activity. The facility wasn't really 'nice' when I first started going years ago and if anything has gone downhill a bit since. It's always seemed kind of beat up and dirty inside. Their parking lot is dangerously unlit, and feels unsafe at night, especially in winter. You can't see the ground well, nor easily catch sight of the kids darting from the parking area to the front entrance. There isn't even an illuminated sign at the entrance that makes it apparent where to turn in for parking. The have changed food options several times over the years. For a couple years they had a snack bar that had a good selection of food and seemed to be staffed by really nice people. But it was often not open for night games. Then this winter I went in and was dismayed to find it was closed down, replaced by a row of (mostly I think) drink machines. One last thing - on one field spectators and players are on same side and can see the scoreboard clearly. But on the back field players and spectators are on opposite sides, and they hung the scoreboard so that the players can see it but spectators cannot without getting down from the stands and waking a few feet away to turn and loop up at it. It's really annoying that I pay for and drive my kids to the games for years, and I can't even see the score half the time. I've asked JSS staff about this, they don't care, and generally my impression of them is that they are really not very customer oriented. This is a shame because the location is perfect for serving the surrounding towns, and the kids really like playing indoor sports, but the facility is in desperate need of an overhaul and maybe a change in management. read more

Really disappointed with their customer service. The playzone itself is very simple but was loads of fun for the kids, and I think it is a great feature in the facility for kids to play while their siblings are in sports practice. We live 30mins away, had a Groupon for their playzone that we were saving for a special rainy day treat. Brought 5 kids to the play zone and they had a blast. Their website said they were open until 8pm, but after being there for an hour from 2-3pm they announced they were closing. I politely showed the website hours & was told they didn't have time to update the website yet, so I asked for a voucher because we were disappointed and I felt it was unfair & poor customer service. We were told no, and that she told me they were closing at 3 upon check-in (which nobody remembered hearing). I have never written a yelp review before but felt this was such poor customer service, really disappointed. It's not the money, it's the customer service. Would have made a big difference to show compassion & understanding in this situation. read more

We came here recently after driving to the Southwick Zoo and learning it was closed for the season. Bummed but determined our 4 year old should have a fun activity late Sunday afternoon, we were so pleased to discover this indoor gem! Our son loved the huge play area and its slides. He ran through it for an hour. The staff was friendly, the facility was clean and very affordable. I'm sure we'll be back some day. We also bought a soccer ball which he can stop playing with (maybe it was the grown ups playing soccer that had inspired him). read more

My son has attended many classes at John Smith, and we've been really pleased with all of them! He attended at age 3 (2 & 3 year old classes) and age 4 (4 & 5 year old classes) and had such a great time! He's learned the basics of sports, and we will continue to sign him up. Definitely recommend this over Milford Sports Center, was very unhappy with class there. read more

Best sports center, and soccer league, ever! I grew up at the bubble and soccer camps and can tell you I will be bringing my children there too! Everyone cares a great deal and put their heart and sole into this place and try to make everyone happy. Its family owned and everyone works really hard! read more

Our boys have played with JSSA for over 3 years. We've tried other clubs, but feel JSSA cares more about each players' individual talent. At JSSA we feel our boys get the development, time and attention to increase their individual level of play. Each team has its own coach and that coach is who comes to their games. We didn't find this happened often at other clubs. Our boys love the camp at Olin College and are already asking to go again next year. I highly recommend this soccer club to anyone who wants their child to be more than just a number at a soccer club! read more

It's been just about 100 years since I've been to the bubble and to go this past weekend was a bit of a trip. When you walk in everything looks exactly the same. Upon going into the arena, it's completely updated. Lots of fields for little ones playing soccer and even a play area. It's not nearly as dirty as it used to be. read more

John Smith was once Kicker for Patriots and ex-soccer professional player from England. His sports center - as you would imagine - consists of mostly two indoor soccer fields. You can wear cleats. Does have a kids zone and laser tag and can accommodate birthday parties. They continue to invest in the place and offer a clean and fun experience. If you go in the winter as a spectator dress warmly. read more

New renovations look great. All nets open things up and makes it much better for viewing. Nice new turf. Our kids have taken classes over the years and now play in the soccer club. The staff and club are friendly, professional and very soccer oriented. We like the family atmosphere and organization after playing in less organized clubs that seem to be more after your money than interested in player development. read more

So my review is for a birthday party experience not sports league or camp. First I should say that the people working here all seem fairly nice. That being said they are disorganized at best. My son just had his birthday here and I felt getting in touch with people by phone was near impossible. No phone calls were ever returned or emails. Going in person was the only way to actually speak to someone. My husband was lied to once about someone calling me back which never happened. Maybe parties are not their big money makers, but they are important to little kids and their parents. Also the girl running my party was so sweet and did her very best, but she had them doing games that were not age appropriate. I know from speaking with the person i booked this with that these were not the games they were supposed to play. I don't blame her though because i feel as though she was used to doing an older group and was a fill in for the party planner lady that was on vacation. I could have told her a million games she could have done, and in retrospect wish i had done the party myself. On a more positive note the Zig Zag Zone option in the beginning is great bc people always show up late, All the kids loved this. Also for the price you get a good amount of party time and their party room is one of the better ones I have seen at these type of party places. They have all tableware including forks, knives to cut cake, candles, napkins, matches, and a large Fridge. That was pretty convenient. If they could get a bit more organized and tied up some loose ends I would most likely recommend this place. read more

Beware of John Smith Soccer!!! Have taken two classes there and have had issues both times. A couple years ago I signed my 2-year old up for a class that was supposed to be for 2 & 3 year olds ONLY. They took my money and we showed up to find that they decided to merge the class with 4 & 5 year olds. Because my son was 2 - he had much different needs than a 5 year old and was constantly confused and left out because it was too technical for a 2 year old. We didn't go back until just recently signing my 3-year old up for a 2 & 3 year old class. His class was held during a busy Friday afternoon in which there are multiple other games going on at the same time. At the last class I stepped away to use the bathroom - Wesley was safe in the care of the teacher (or so I thought). I came back to find Wesley wandering with a woman who just found him walking all by himself in the midst of tons of other people who were there for other games. The class wasn't over but the teacher let the kids get their drink cups and just started the class right back up not even caring that Wesley didn't return. Then this last Friday his class was cancelled due to the blizzard. Despite saying on their website that they will allow a class missed due to snowstorm to be made up they are telling us that there will be no refund and no makeup class or other voucher. John Smith only cares about taking your money at any cost and not about child safety or about good customer service!!! If you have the choice - Use the Milford Sports Center! read more

I wish there was a zero star option! I would like to start off by saying that my son and family used to love this place, but not any more. Firstly our schedule was changed meaning that we missed out on one of our games! This is especially irritating because there was no notification to the team manager/coach before the switch. Secondly the referees were terrible, three different games were reffed by the same reff which would not have been a problem if he could find the will to move away from the center of the field which truly inhibited his ability to call the game and keep it in check. There was also the fact that this particular referee continued to yell at and harass a player after the match was over. Not good! I will not be returning my business to this establishment. I personally recommend Fore Kicks Malboro to anyone looking for a professional and well staffed complex. They also have the decency to make the games enjoyable for the older players as they have full sized fields allowing for full 11 versus 11 matches! read more