Himes Electric, LLC.

Himes Electric, LLC.

Bill Himes

Bill Himes

Master Electrician

Master Electrician

616-437-9419

616-437-9419

Past the Front Page 2010

Michigan PDA

The U14 Girls PDA have won their first two games at the US Club Soccer National Championships in Virginia Beach this weekend.

They play Monday morning at 9AM for the right to play for the National Title.

The Michigan PDA is a newly formed (first year) organization devoted to organizing players from the  various clubs around Michigan to compete in Elite Tournament events.

Visit Tournament site >>>

Game Schedule >>>

Check out PDA website >>>

Women's Soccer Page

This is the best page I have ever found for women's college soccer.

read more >>>

Fred Johnson

World Cup Final Watch Party – Sunday July 11, 2010

Watch the biggest game in the world on the biggest TV screen in town!

Get Your Ticket Now >>>

Michigan PDA

The Michigan PDA formed two teams (U13 Girls, U14 Girls) for summer play.

The two teams are playing in a the US Club National Cup Series tournament in Ohio the weekend of June 18-19.

 Check out Results U13 >>>

Check out Results U14 >>>

Check out PDA website >>>

Midwest Soccer Clubs need to read.....

A new premier youth soccer program focused on established, elite clubs delivering consistent, high-quality competition and college readiness services for its members launches today.

Twenty-four youth soccer clubs across the western United States have formed the Western College Development Academy, which debuts this summer with teams representing clubs in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Colorado.

READ MORE >>>

GR Crew Spring Classic

April 16-18 in Grand Rapids

Read More >>>

Grand Rapids Transmission Service

Alex Ludwig will be offering a full slate of options for the soccer players of West Michigan this spring and summer.

Check out his new website for his upcoming programs. 

Go to website >>>

Alex Ludwig is also the Director of Coaching of the Michigan Rovers.  They will be holding tryouts for GVSA teams and MSPSP teams starting on JUne 12, 2010.

Go to website >

Thoughts on the Silly Season

As one more beautiful Michigan Spring begins, we are about to enter the "silly" season. 

It is similar to the salmon run in September when the salmon throw all rational thoughts aside and migrate up river to spawn. 

This "silly" season now runs from April 15 to TRYOUT date of each year and the only real  appreciable and measurable difference between the salmon and the parents is that the parents get to do it all over again every year.   

It is that time when many parents, who are normally quite sane, appear to, for a brief time at least, forget that their child is not the next Mia Hamm or the next Landon Donavan and they scramble about looking for somebody to fill their head with promises of college scholarships.

Unfortunately, Shakespeare said it best when he wrote the comedy "...Much Ado About Nothing..." and my friends, that is what this is. 

Most of your children would do just as well, playing with a local club, paying lower fees and then using the money you didn't spend (at the expensive club) to pay for small group skills training up to about age 14. 

After that, the die is cast and there isn't much change in playing ability, no matter what they tell you, no matter which coach or club  they play for.

All that really happens after the age of 14 is that their skills are refined, they become tactically aware of the game and you discover who really wants to play soccer.

TRYOUTS

I know it is early but there seems to be a great deal of interest in Tryout info this year.

I have a page that I will attempt to keep updated with whatever information I can round up.

I am revising the page on a daily basis.

Take a look >>>

Barone Announces Camps

check it out >>>

Wohlford's Brake Stop, Inc

Some Passing Thoughts

There is much going on in West Michigan soccer.

New Affiliations, Mergers or Assimilations are being discussed.  New Clubs are being formed.  Existing clubs are talking about opening new areas.  

Coaches (and players) are beginning to look around.  Some are always looking for greener pastures. Coaching contracts (yes, they sign them) are ending. 

Some are shopping around the teams they coach as if they own the players and the parents. 

Parents are on the verge of realizing that the promises they were made last June didn't quite pan out the way they thought.

Teams have been granted premier status and Coaches now begin the hunt for players.

It should make for an interesting season.

Alex Ludwig

Alex Ludwig has a new website

  Go to website >>>

Spring Break Camp

Are you looking for something exciting for your soccer player to do this spring break?

Woodland Sports has teamed with Alex Ludwig to offer a 6 day, 36 hours intensive training camp for $180.00.

The camp is also broken down into 3 hour blocks & 3 day camps to make it easier and les costly to attend for shorter periods of time.

DETAILS >>>

Click here to register online!

 

ECNL expands for 2010-11 with addition of 12 clubs
 

What is the ECNL?

2 clubs from Michigan make the cut

The ECNL is designed to be a League covering the USA,  sanctioned by US Club Soccer.  It will only have U15, U16 & U17 Girls teams playing in it (at this point). 

At this moment, it is not certain if the girls who choose to play in the ECNL will be required to give up their High School careers to play. 

If so, that would make this the spot for only those players who dream of playing at the highest levels (National team, Olympic team, D1 college) 

A review of the clubs who are in the first year seem to indicate that only clubs (or clubs that formed/merged recently) with a history of producing State Cup Champions made the cut the first year. 

Free Estimates

Prompt Service

Himes Electric, LLC.

Commercial - Residential

616-437-9419

Bill Himes

Grandville, MI 49418

Owner/Principal

State Certified/Master Electrician

This March on Saturday and Sunday

Alex Ludwig will be offering a training program geared towards all players under the age of 12,  beginning Saturday March 6.

NCAA - Nutrition & Performance

The NCAA has a wonderful section on this subject.

Go There >>>

Inside that section are these sections for the student athlete.

Read More >>>

MSYSA Announces Administrator of the Year

Mary Jo Messenger is the club administrator for the West Michigan Fire Juniors soccer club. She is characterized by exceptional organizational and....
 

Read the story

Ole Knockout Tournament II

1 v 1 NUTMEG Tournament

This tournament is one of a kind and never done anywhere else in the US.

Ole Soccer Club is proud to re-introduce the Ole Knockout Tournament. Don’t miss out on Ole Knockout II.

March 27 & 28, 2010 

Automotive Emporium, Inc.

"Trustworthy Auto Service & Repairs Not Found Elsewhere"

616-452-3024

Kent Ayers

Wyoming, MI 49548

Owner / Operator

State/ASE Master Technician

Super Y Tryouts

Head Coach Courtney Nash of the Chicago Fire Juniors -Michigan will be holding  tryouts for U17 Girls.

When: Sat, Feb 27th, 2010

Time: 3:00-5:00pm

Where: Davenport Univ. (6193 Kraft Ave, GR)

Surface:   Gym Floor (bring Indoor Shoes)

Tell them you saw it on West Michigan Soccer

Axios Real Estate, LLC

Seminar Information >>>

Blare's Bears

There is a young boy named Blare Gooch who started a mission to send Teddy Bears to Haiti, finding Haiti close to his heart because his grandfather is from there.

Blare plays soccer for the U12  Academy team run by the Wolves - Grand Rapids.

Mlive Story >>>

Wood TV Video >>>

Watch the Scrubs #1 video >>> 

Watch the Scrubs #2 video >>>

94.5 Scrubs Website for Blare >>>

Facebook page >>>

Rays of Hope is who they are shipping through and they are a 501c3 so your donations are tax deductible. If anyone would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please consider a financial donation and/or a few teddy bears.

Bears and/or donations can be dropped off at Hair Force #1, 1557 Michigan Street, GR. 458-7778.
 

Please make check payable to Rays of Hope for Haiti-Teddy Bear fund.

Free Estimates

Prompt Service

Himes Electric, LLC.

Commercial - Residential

616-437-9419

Bill Himes

Grandville, MI 49418

Owner/Principal

State Certified/Master Electrician

CSA/ SportPartners USA

Coach van Elst (UEFA B-license, USSF B-license) will analyze and improve your shooting technique, which will increase your power and placement. Fun, competitive games are included in this high energy environment.

More Info >>>

Want to be a GVSA Referee?

This Association is your first step.  Go to this website and contact the men listed on the contact page.

Website >>>

Forest Hills Northern

The Forest Hills Northern High School Girls team is gearing up for the spring season.

Check it out >>>

Fred Johnson

This is Good Stuff

The Alliance Academy U13 Boys are spending their President's Day weekend competing in Phoenix, Arizona at one of the top tournaments in the USA.

Follow their results and experiences here throughout the weekend of February 11th.

Read the Blog >>>

Goal Keeper Camp

A Grand Rapids area club, CATS, is bringing a fairly well known Goal Keeper Camp to West Michigan this summer.

Read More >>>

GR Crew Spring Classic

April 16-18 in Grand Rapids

Read More >>>

Michigan Rovers

The Michigan Rovers are pleased to announce two additions to the coaching staff for the next playing year which starts June 12, 2010.

Jamie Bogart has agreed to join the Rovers and head up the new Youth program. 

               

He will be responsible for developing and implementing a seamless program that will cover all aspects of a players soccer education from U6 to U12. 

More information on this program will be available shortly.

Hamdi Rammal has agreed to join the Rovers where he will coach Girls premier teams beginning at the MSPSP tryouts in June. 

Until then, he will assist the current Rovers U14 Girls  team when he is able. 

      

The Michigan State Youth Soccer Association named Mr. Rammal as their 2007 Competitive Coach of the year for female team.

Read the Article >>>

These additions to the Rovers are the second step towards making the Rovers one of the soccer clubs you should consider when tryout day arrives.

If you would like more information about the club or you have a question about the club or your child would like to attend some complementary training sessions  this winter, please feel free to contact our club manager....

Bob Smith >>>

Grand Rapids Transmission Service

Barone Goal Scoring Academy

February 16- March 23

High School Tuesdays 7:30- 8:30 P.M.

Read More >>>

Seminar

Mental Toughness, The X Factor

Sport Psychologist Dr. Eddie O’Connor will present practical tips to coaches....

See More >>>

This is actually an editorial mixed with news.

A Sad Day

It is an unfortunate fact of life that change comes when you least expect it.

One of West Michigan's best young coaches is heading for a new challenge.

Ryan Fitzsimmons, the Alliance Youth Director...

...is headed to Las Vegas, Nevada where he will work for the #1 Club in that state,  NueSports Football Club.

see the club>>>

We are all sad to see him go.

He is a great coach, a great role model for our youth and just a very nice young man.

State Association Presidency

Most of what passes for youth soccer in Michigan is part of a state association called the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA). 

It has 80,000 members and historically has been run by the same people over the last 15 years.  That statement, in and of itself, explains much.

Different individuals, including myself, have gotten involved in an attempt to effect change over the years.

If you interested in the process, here is a look at someone who is running for the Presidency of this Association.

Dan Raben >>>

Wohlford's Brake Stop, Inc

Super Y Tryouts - U14G

player born after 8/1/1995

Dan Price (TNT Premier Coach) will be holding tryouts for the Chicago Fire U14 Girls this Saturday from 4:00pm-5:30pm at the Cornerstone University blue gym.

Creative Soccer Academy (CSA)

It appears as if CSA, a training company headed up by Erwin Van Elst (Georgetown SC DOC) has morphed into a new entity.

The link to CSA now leads to:

Sports Partner USA

Read More >>>

SUPER Y INFORMATION

West Michigan has several options for Super Y this summer. 

Only three West Michigan clubs; Alliance FC, TKO and West Michigan Fire are holding tryouts and placing teams in the Super Y summer program.

Both the Alliance and TKO Tryouts have taken place but they will be holding additional tryouts and are seeking additional players. 

The West Michigan Fire is coming up this month.

Apparently, after 15 years the Kalamazoo Kingdom no longer  has an affiliation with the USL and will no longer be offering Super Y.  I am sure there was much going on behind the scenes.

****************

 

Alliance FC The Alliance FC has announced Super Y Tryouts for summer 2010. READ MORE >>>

TKO TKO has announced Super Y Tryouts for summer 2010.  READ MORE >>>

West Michigan Fire Jrs. The West Michigan Fire has announced Super Y Tryouts for summer 2010.  READ MORE >>>

 

 

Magazine section Below

Four Four Two  Updated !!!

Free Estimates

Prompt Service

Himes Electric, LLC.

Commercial - Residential

616-437-9419

Bill Himes

Grandville, MI 49418

Owner/Principal

State Certified/Master Electrician

Automotive Emporium, Inc.

"Trustworthy Auto Service & Repairs Not Found Elsewhere"

616-452-3024

Kent Ayers

Wyoming, MI 49548

Owner / Operator

State/ASE Master Technician

Fred Johnson

Grand Rapids Transmission Service

Wohlford's Brake Stop, Inc