I Am Now The Law!

After a 16 hour session spread over 3 days, I am now officially licensed as a Grade 8 Soccer Referee.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect for the class. I was a licensed high school referee in New Hampshire back in the early 1990’s. A lot has changed since then.

I am excited to begin reffing a few games…mostly make-up games since I coach 2 teams. I’m going to start our as an AR, but hope to move to center once I get into better shape.

USYSA Region 1 Coming To West Virginia

The official announcement was made today in Barboursville that the US Youth Soccer’s Region 1 championships is coming to West Virginia in 2009 and 2010.

Honestly, I am soooo excited about this event. It’s gonna be a lot of work, but so well worth it. The economic impact is in the $12 million dollar area per year. How cool is that?

As a member of the WV soccer Association’s Board of Directors, I can’t wait to help out and have some fun.

Registration Numbers Are Down

As President of my club, I’m overjoyed that my club’s membership has grown 22% in the last year…especially when membership has decreased at most of the other clubs in the Charleston area.

I’m not happy that these other clubs are having number issues. I want everyone’s memberships to go up. If membership is up everywhere….that means more kids are playing soccer. And, that should be our goal….right?

I’m thinking there needs to be a better, more organized effort between all of the 10 recreation clubs in the Charleston area to better market the sport of soccer to families.

If you have an idea why membership is down, please feel free to drop me a note. I’d love to hear your thoughts and your suggestions on how to improve the situation.

New Season Is Coming

I am so excited that a new season is almost here.

My club just finished up an excellent week-long “summer tune-up” camp for our members with Renee Balconi and Ashleigh Woods. Registration for rec soccer has just finished up. And, my teams (yes, I said teams…one U7 and one U8) are ready to begin practices in a few days.

I love this part of the year. Everything is new and exciting. The teams have so much promise and potential. Of course, my goals for this year are simple:

U7 Team: This team has so much potential. I just want them to recognize that they have teammates and have a better understanding of the benefits of passing to a teammate. Each player still thinks they have to carry the whole team on their back.

U8 Team: This team is hot. They have progressed so much in the last year. I even noticed that a few of my players did things during the soccer camp that I had just taught them in the Spring season. It makes me very proud to think that they listened and they remember.

I am certainly chomping at the bit to begin teaching these kids more about the best support in the world.

Renee Balconi & Ashleigh Woods

My soccer club is hosting a summer soccer camp this week under the direction of Balconi Skillz N Thrillz….Renee Balconi & Ashleigh Woods.

I am so excited to have these two women as the directors of this camp. I really think Renee & Ashleigh are a well kept secret in the Charleston area. They have been working with the WV Chaos Youth Soccer Club (travel) for a year or two and now they are working with the youth recreation clubs in the area including my Kanawha City Soccer Club.

These two women are so talented and work great with the kids.  I think so highly of them and their talents that I have hired them to conduct private trainings with my young son and daughter this summer.

If you are interested in any private training or camp for your league, club, team or player, you can visit their website at www.balconiskills.com.

Talented Players Do Not Always Make For A Great Team

I was watching the MLS All-Star game on ESPN and noticed one thing….having the most talented players on one team does always make it a great team.

I wasn’t overly impresses by the MLS team. There were some shining moments…like Blanco’s goal. I think the MLS was just good enough to beat West Ham United 3-2.

I don’t think a team needs the most talented players on it….just the ability to play together…play as one.

U16 India Team Ends Tour On a Good Note

The U16 India National Team ended their Charleston stint with a 2-2 tie against the Reading Rage, a Super-Y League team (a step below the Reading Rage PDL team) Thursday night.

After spending a month in Charleston, India ended with 6 wins, 0 loses and 1 tie. Not bad for a group of 15 and 16 year olds.

I was glad to see they were challenged in their last game, something they really didn’t see against the other teams. The Rage had players upto 20 years old that are trying to earn spots on the the US National Team as well as the Rage’s PDL team. Like I’ve always said, I’d rather play strong teams than weak teams. Strong teams force you to play at your best.

Congratulations to the U16 India Nation team on a wonderful tour of Charleston. I wish you a safe travel home and hope you come back next year.

Soccer + God = FUN!

My kids just got back from the first day of a 5 day evening summer soccer camp with a local church. This camp takes the place of the church’s annual Vacation Bible School. They put on an excellent performance of games, skits, snacks, soccer drills and reinforcing the Word of God.

Honestly, I don’t expect my kids to “learn” a lot during this camp, but kicking the ball around for a couple of hours each night is NOT a bad thing. Plus, they are having a blast. And, they get to see teammates and friends and socialize.

Maybe more churches need to look into a program like this.

WV Girls Make Region 1 ODP Pool

I received a wonderful email yesterday that contained the following news:

“I thought folks would like to know that we had two (yes, 2!) WV girls selected for the 1995 Girls ODP Region 1 Pool, this past week! Hannah Abraham and Gabi Mascaro, who will both be playing on the WVUSC Shox Gold U13 Girls team in the Fall, both made the pool.  I can’t remember WV having two girls in a pool, before!  They were terrific and this was thoroughly deserved, from what I saw.”

Congratulations Hannah & Gabi! Continue to make us proud.

India Team Continues Undefeated

The more I see the U16 India Nation Team the more I become impressed with them.

I saw Friday night’s game against the WV U16 ODP (Olympic Development Program) team and India posted a 10-0 victory to remain undefeated. I knew the WV team was in trouble when India scored a few minutes into the game.

I’m not sure what the result of Saturday night’s game against this same team, but I’m sure they tallied another win. I believe they have one more game against a team from PA before they call it a summer.

Overall, I hope the India has enjoyed their time here in the states. I also hope they will consider Charleston, WV their summer training home for many years to come.