Dear
Nordic Families,
As we
finish up the 2007-08 year, I wanted to take some time to thank everybody for
their participation and efforts in and for Nordic this year. We have had a successful year to say the
least and I'm proud that our club has surged forward for a second consecutive
year. Our teams competed well at the
State Cup, as well as at various tournaments throughout the year, but more
importantly, in most cases our kids and teams showed growth and steady
improvement. We will look forward to
continue this trend in the upcoming year.
Thank you
as well to everyone who participated in our survey, your feedback is crucial
for us as we look forward to next year. Obviously,
we still have the need to improve and will continue to work to build a great
culture that emphasizes soccer and personal growth for everyone involved.
I will
get into some survey actions items later but with the announcement of our
TENTATIVE (and subject to change) coaching assignments for next year I wanted
to briefly describe our programs and the club's objectives:
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YOUTH ACADEMY:
U3/4 through U12
Our focus
on the youth academy group will again be developing the passion for the game,
technical components, and playing the game well. A new twist this year will be the
introduction of Charlie Amblo as a technical expert
who will, alongside the team coaches, focus on all age groups (9-12) and their footballing development both individually and collectively (especially
during the winter). There will also be
the constant incorporation of 'streetball' or freeplay with small numbers in matches (3v3/4v4) similar to
youth academies around the world with the emphasis on learning to play the game
and enjoying it along the way. We are
excited by the changes and new format.
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PREMIER
TEAMS: U13 through U20
With this
group, our focus will be more in tactics and understanding of the game, with
technical sharpening while adding in competitive spirit. We are looking to build teams that are sharp
and competitive not just statewide, but at a regional level. We are looking to raise the bar going into
next season, with 'Y' league standings being of more importance and our
performance levels more consistent and achieving more along the way. We want our teams to play with edge while
playing cohesively and effectively agains the best
this region has to offer. So, we have
our work cut out for us! Our training
will include 'pool training' (which will be vastly improved and more effective)
in the winter and an added team training session in Session III in the Indoor Center or Fieldhouse. We will
be looking to have our teams peak in June.
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CLUB TEAMS
Our focus
will be build quality competitive teams, while adding the missing pieces to
each player's game. We want to feed this
group with passion and teach commitment and enjoying
the experience along the way as these aspiring young coaches learn at the same
time with their players and teams. I
will oversee this group and be involved in the training program both directly
and indirectly. Training will be at CVE
in the winter with some occasional training at the Shelburne Fieldhouse. We want
this group of teams to have access to young energy and passionate players and
to learn and grow as individuals and as teams.
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Now onto
the Action Items:
(1) The 'rebranding' and New Logo will not be utilized and incur
increase costs until the time is right and we officially purchase new uniforms. We have gotten some t-shirts and small ticket
items just to see reaction/response. For
those of you who think I think money grows on trees,
remember, I am in this economy as well, and a Nordic parent and have no
interest in purchasing my son a whole new set of gear.
(2) We
will be accentuating our training for groups much more this year. What I mean by this is younger ages will have
a technical specialist working on improving their technique and passing. And in the older groups, we want a more
polished edgier group of teams who not just achieve success in the state but
take their unity and commitment to be regionally competitve
while succeeding in their respective league play. Growth and development will be the ultimate
goal, but we're looking to raise the bar competitively and tighten the teams to
be a bit pricklier and difficult for any opponent home or away. So, to make a long story short, we are
looking to ingrain a bit more of a mental edge along the way. Our training program for regionals
next year will take a different shape as the staff as a whole will be involved
in working with each team that qualifies for regionals
(3) We will be looking to have more team
functions and activites that involve parents and
families on trips and during training. We
will be looking to incorporate more of a family atmosphere and focus on doing
things within the community that are of benefit to the community as well as the
scholarship program of the club. We will
continue to push for more diversity in the club and offer more opportunities to
folks who can't afford to be in the club.
More to
follow........
To make a
long story short, I believe we have made progress and have created a good
culture within the club, but going from 'Good to Great" is usually the
most difficult challenge. We have many
important pieces in place with great folks in the club on the field and
cheering from the sidelines. I feel our
coaches are tremendous and we have a good management team and ambitious board. If we can all continue to move in the same
direction and work together collectively, we can achieve incredible things
together, while also individually adding life skills and helping in the
maturation process.
Please
continue to provide feedback and help us be better (656-7694).
Jesse
Nordic
Soccer Club
Nordic Spirit Soccer Club 
