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Past the Front Page 2011/2012 |
If you have something to add, send it along:
admin@westmichigansoccer.com
SCROLL DOWN to READ the Year in Review
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Once in a
Lifetime...
click to enlarge
Unless they choose
to come back at U19 next year this was the final set of
games for the team known as the Grand Rapids Crew U18 boys.
Like many clubs
throughout the Midwest, the local club is affiliated with
the Columbus Crew out of Columbus, Ohio.
There have been many
great players come through West Michigan, far too many to
name, but no team in the history of US Youth Soccer ever
accomplished what this team did.
When all was said
and done, they were unable to repeat as Nat'l
Champions losing in OT, 2-1.
STORY Coming >>>
This team made the
National Championship competition 5 straight years (U14,
U15, U16, U17, U18) winning it once.
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Woodland Sports
Woodland Sports announced on July 1
that South African native Michael
Lee has joined their staff as
Director of Training.
Mr. Lee will be responsible for
developing various year round
programs designed to improve
technical skills and fitness.
Information regarding his background
and the programs will be published
this week on the Woodland Sports
website.
The first round of programs will
begin on Monday July 16 and run
through August 3.
The second round of programs will
begin September 4 and run through
October 26.
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JULY 21, 2012
3v3 Summer
Soccer Classic
Grand Haven ,
Michigan
The Tri-Cities
Strikers will again be hosting the 3 v 3 Summer Soccer
Classic presented by Meijer.
This is a fun,
affordable one-day tournament on the shores of Lake Michigan
in beautiful Grand Haven. The cost is $125 for a team of 6
players.
Information >>>
Register >>>
|
July 27-28, 2012
July 27 & July 28, 2012
Friday
evening & all day Saturday
HOSTED BY:
Unity Christian High
School Athletic Boosters
LOCATION:
Unity Christian High
School Athletic Complex
5900 - 48th
Ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426
20 minutes west of
Grand Rapids
INFORMATION >>> |
It is with sorrow we post this
information. Our thoughts and
prayers are with his family and
friends.
Leighton Parnham Memorial Soccer
Game
In memory of Leighton, and one of
his favorite hobbies, his friends thought it
would be fun for friends and family
to come together and play the sport
that Leighton loved so much.
Game Information >>>
Barnstonworth Rovers >>>
MLIVE Article >>>
WOOD TV >>>
Obituary >>>
MEMORIAL SERVICE Thursday,
Aug 16 @ 6PM
Memorial Services will be held
Thursday, August 16, at 6 PM at
Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain
Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI) with
Pastor Dick Doeden officiating.
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PARADIGM SHIFT or
ILLUSION?
The term "paradigm
shift" has found uses in many contexts, representing the
notion of a major change in a certain thought-pattern a
radical change in personal beliefs, complex systems or
organizations, replacing the former way of thinking or
organizing with a radically different way of thinking or
organizing.
READ PART 1 >>>
READ PART 2 >>>
READ PART 3 >>>
READ PART 4 >>>
Conclusion >>>
We only see 10%...
|
WOODLAND SPORTS
(click to enlarge)
Check out >>> |
little leagues, BIG COSTS
This series of articles by the Columbus Dispatch needs to be
read by all who think they are involved in youth sports.
Read them at your own risk.
Read the series >>>
This
one is particularly good.
Chasing a Myth
Blinded by dreams, young athletes
pursue long-shot scholarships
read the whole article >>>
|
PASS FC
Coaches and Assistant coaches needed for PASS FC "B" teams!
Will train and mentor if needed. Paid
positions. please contact
Mark VanSlooten at
mtv61@sbcglobal.net or at 616-304-4636.
|
LOWELL HIGH
SCHOOL JV
Lowell High School is looking for a jr. varsity boys soccer
coach. Contact Barry Hobrla, Athletic Director at
616-987-2906 or e-mail
bhobrla@lowellschools.com
|
Goodbye, Fabio
He and his brother (Marcos) helped
to changed the way West Michigan
looked at youth soccer.
They came to Grand Rapids and within
a very short time, were teaching the
game to anyone and everyone who
would listen. Many of the best
players to come from the area
started with them
He has gone back to Brazil.
He will be missed.
|
<<<More
information >>>
TUBES, CANOES
Need Cooling Off?
More
information >>>
|
MHSAA
Girls Tournament
Here are the
Districts. When you get there in the upper right
corner are the brackets. The one you are looking at is
in red.
Districts
Division 1 >>>
Division 2 >>>
Division 3 >>>
Division 4 >>>
|
College Prep
Soccer
At College Prep
Soccer, we demand the very best. That is why we have the
very best instructors the greater Grand Haven area has to
offer. All of our instructors are local players who were in
your position only a few years ago, dreaming of playing at
the next level. They achieved their goals. Now, let them
help you achieve yours
Check It Out >>>
FACEBOOK >>> |
COERVER - GRAND
RAPID |
MSYSA TRYOUTS
Wouldn't it be nice if all the links to all the clubs in the
MSYSA Tryout Magazine were in one spot?
Now they are!
Check it Out >>>
|
CAMP 1 >>>
July 7 - July 12
Still Room ! |
CAMP 2 >>>
Aug
27 - Aug 30
Still Room ! |
Madi Killeen
Back in 2009,
Madi Killeen traveled to the African nation of Swaziland
for a journey that went a long way in figurative terms.
Killeen spent a week
and a half working with a humanitarian group Heart for
Africa, painting new homes and distributing soccer
balls to enthusiastic children. It was in the faces of the
children that Killeen saw the passion she recognizes in
herself.
It gave me a great insight into how worldly the game
really is and how much people love it, she said....
READ THE ARTICLE >>>
|
AC Storm Returns
Years ago, a soccer club called the AC Storm was formed by
Jim Fuller and 3 others.
It was the the first club
formed in West Michigan that began the journey to where we
are today.
Today, Jim and his son,
Jamie continue the proud tradition and offer training.
This summer they bring
Notre Dame Men's coach, Bobby Clark to the area.
Check them
out >>>
|
Grand
Rapids Crew Announces Coaching assignments for 2012/2013
see
them >>>
There was one
real surprise.
Welcome back to
West Michigan...
...Neathan
Gibson
Wikipedia >>>
MLS >>>
Sept, 2008 >>>
Match 2010 >>>
April, 2010 >>>
You Tube 2011 >>>
Current Online >>>
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PDA Training with Joey
Barone Starts in January
12/26/2011
This training will be limited to just 20 athletes and will
consist of six power packed two hour sessions.
This will be the Ultimate Pre-Season Training Opportunity
for high school girls in West Michigan...
The focus will be in getting Varsity level athletes prepared
for high school try-outs and the Varsity season...
Training dates are January 7, 14, 21, 28, and February 4 &
11 at Woodland Sports from 10am to 12 noon...
Varsity Players Only - Ages 15 to 18....
This session is recommended for serious college bound
players only...
Go to PDA Website >>>
REGISTER
Direct >>>
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Michigan PDA
Announces Winter Training in Grand Rapids - Barone & Bogart
10/27/2011:
Sign up and registration for The Ultimate Training
Experience is now open. This will be the top female training
opportunity in West Michigan this winter.
Joey Barone and
Jamie Bogart have promised to "Bring It" for
all serious female athletes and college bound players.
Spots are limited.
You do not want to miss this high level training
opportunity.
Ages u12, u13, u14 and u15, u16,u17,u18. Sign up today!
Go to Website >>>
REGISTER >>>
|
West Michigan
represented in Pan American Games
Forest Hills
Northern Varsity Assistant coach, Dave Gillem is
representing the USA in the 2012 Pan Am Maccabi Games.
This is an "Olympic
Style" sporting event taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Dave is a member of
the Maccabi United States Over 35 National Soccer Team.
(click to enlarge)
Follow his adventure >>> |
Free Estimates |
Prompt Service |
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Grand Rapids Transmission Service |
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Front Wheel Drive |
4 x 4 Trucks |
616-452-7411 |
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Ryan Popma |
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 |
owner / operator |
|
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STATE CUP NEWS
Many thought, the
absence of the ECNL teams from the two best clubs in the
state would open up the tournament a little.
That seems to be
what happened...it opened a little.
The Hawks club
showed its depth still placing a team in 4 of 5 Semis
missing the U15 (they placed 2 teams in the U18s.
Vardar didn't do as
well placing only 2 teams into the Semis at 14 and 17.
The Michigan Jaguars
also put 2 teams in at 14 and 15.
P.S.G. Gators put 3
teams in (15, 16 & 18).
The Grand Rapids
Crew also advanced 3 teams into semi-finals (15,16 &
18).
Everyone else:
14: Rochester
15: RUSH
16: TNT
17: MFC,
Livonia
|
MSYSA State CUP
Here are direct
links to all the action that has been reported.
State Website >>> |
It has been a
while
Check this out >>>
It starts
slow...wait for the 20 second mark... |
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College
Recruiting
ESPN has a nice
section of the recruiting process. For your reading
pleasure, some of the links are posted here.
What Coaches look for >>
10 Questions to ask >>
Verbal...What verbal? >>
Taking a visit >>
Recruiting FAQs >>
When to talk to them >>
High School Game plan >>
How to get you name out >>
Div I or D II or D III? >>
Finally, my
favorite link for those children that think that grades are
not important.
The NCAA Sliding
Scale
click here
The reality is
that the lower your grade point, the higher your SAT and/or
ACT needs to be. I guess they figure if your grade
point is low but you are smart, they can fix you.
|
15 years later
Things take time.
Everywhere soccer people gather, there is always a lot
of discussion about the "growth" of soccer and I never quite
know what they mean.
Every person has a different vision of what growth is.
What many fail to
realize is that travel soccer based on the west side started
in Kalamazoo but never really grew as it should because the
clubs limited themselves to those in the school district.
It was a very parochial system and it drove away many good
athletes into other sports.
The Lansing area still holds onto this type of program and
that is why soccer in Lansing is what it is.
When Grand Valley
Soccer Association was started in 1996 by Dave Whitehouse
and others, the model was changed to an open system and 15
years later, the league known as GVSA has developed a team
that has won a National Title.
There are over 6000
players, 2000 coaches and managers and 500 referees in the
system.
There are a players in the Schulz Residential Academy in
Florida.
There are players in
the National U14 Pool
There are players in
the US Womens National Team pool.
Countless players
have gone on to play in college at all levels and for their
University club teams.
A number of players
have played for and some have won National Titles in college
including a set of twins who went to different schools and
they won all 4 years (2 titles each).
Two Grand Rapids
area players graduated High School and signed contracts to
play in Europe.
The Hispanic men's
leagues around West Michigan (there are at least 6 in Grand
Rapids alone) are filled every weekend with former GVSA
players playing for the love of the game. Check out
Clemente Park, Riverside Park, MacKay Park, Alpine and
countless others for the action.
Many players have
turned to the referee profession and are progressing up
through the ranks of that community. Some day we may
have MLS and World Cup referees who started here in West
Michigan.
Many of these
players have returned to the area and are now living and
working in the area, raising families and giving back to the
game through coaching.
During the years
ahead, as times get tougher, we need to remember why we are
doing what we are doing.
It isn't about
money.
It is about growth
and things take time. |
HIGH SCHOOL
SOCCER
MLIVE has a fun
page. It lists all the Hig Schools in the state by
conference and provides a link to a page that contains all
the MLIVE articles about them
take a look >>
|
High School Coach
opens Training Business
Forest Hills
Northern Girls coach, Jamie Bogart has opened a new training
business.
"...Higher Ground
Soccer Training is dedicated to helping individual athletes
raise their game to new heights..."
"...Not
associated with any current or local club,
HGS
Training offers
training sessions as a compliment to what the local clubs,
their coaches and trainers provide..."
take
a look >>>
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YOU TUBE
I ran across
someone' attempt at becoming a soccer analysis and while he
clearly needs a little work, some of his stuff is actually
good viewing.
He has about 19
different videos.
take a look >>>
|
|
Himes Electric LLC
is completely dedicated to customer satisfaction. We can handle all of your
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electrical needs
from small repairs to new construction in residential or commercial
applications. |
|
Himes Electric, LLC.
|
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|
616-437-9419 |
3940 Prairie St. SW |
Bill Himes |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
Master Electrician / owner |
|
|
Check this out >>>
One Yank mentioned
quite a bit is Josh Gatt. He played for the Michigan
Wolves.
Read this >>>
His own page >>>
check out this >>>
and this >>>
and then this >>> |
Nothing to
Gain... Everything to Lose...
Fans of youth soccer
may have looked at the recent State Cup information and
noticed two clubs whose A Teams are conspicuously
missing from the event.
Wolves/Hawks and
Vardar have not entered their Girls ECNL teams into State
Cup.
It isn't because of
the ECNL rules and regulations. Currently there is
nothing in the rules prohibiting them from playing.
It is because the
two organizations got together and made a decision not to
enter their teams.
If they played and
won, they were expected to win.
If they played and
lost, it would open the door for other clubs to demand entry
to the ECNL.
Organizations have
faced this type of decision for years.
Some have chosen to
play.
Many others have
not.
|
PLENTY OF TIME LEFT
COERVER COACHING
Grand Rapids
Camps
Start Date: 08-29-2011
End Date: 09-01-2011
Start Time: 9.00 End Time:
11.30
August
>>>
The real thing is finally coming to Grand Rapids.
No Imitations.
No Coerver "Trained" Coaches.
The Real deal.
Read about COERVER >>>
Coerver Michigan
>>> |
In case you
missed it
Rangers SC DOC
and Sports Partners owner Erwin Van Elst speaks out on the
direction of youth sports.
watch the interview >>> |
Soccer Schedule
The MLS network has
a nice format to see what is going on around the world.
take a look >>>
|
2011 Vardar
Elite Cup
DETROIT AREA
Deadline: July 31
Tournament:
Aug 19-21
Check it out >>> |
GRAND RAPIDS
Deadline: August 9
Tournament: August 26-28
Check it out >>>
|
KALAMAZOO
Deadline: Aug
1
Tournament: Sept 2-4
Check it out >>> |
Free Estimates |
Prompt Service |
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Leading Edge Flooring
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Carpet - Tile - Vinyl |
Laminate - Hardwood |
616-292-5392 |
5630 S Division |
Brian Bremer |
Grand Rapids, MI 49548 |
owner / operator |
|
|
ALL MHSAA
District Assignments
Take a look >>>
Of Special
Interest (see below)
|
No. 1-1 Kalamazoo-Loy Norrix
Andrew Laboe, AD
Battle Creek-Central
Battle Creek-Lakeview
Jackson
Kalamazoo Central
Kalamazoo-Loy Norrix
Portage Central
Portage Northern |
No. 14-1
TBD
Caledonia
East Kentwood
Grand Ledge
Grand Rapids-FH Central
Grandville
Lansing-Everett
Rockford |
No. 15-1
TBD
Grand Haven
Grand Rapids-Union
Holland-West Ottawa
Hudsonville
Jenison
Muskegon
Muskegon-Mona Shores |
No. 17-2
TBD
Edwardsburg
Mattawan
Niles
St Joseph
Stevensville-Lakeshore
Three Rivers
Vicksburg |
No. 18-2
TBD
Allegan
Hamilton
Hastings
Middleville-Thornapple Kellogg
Plainwell
Richland-Gull Lake
Wayland Union |
No. 28-2
TBD
Byron Center
Grand Rapids-Christian
Holland
Holland Christian
Wyoming Park
Wyoming-Rogers
Zeeland East
Zeeland West |
TBD
No. 29-2
TBD
Cedar Springs
Coopersville
Fruitport
Grand Rapids-Kenowa Hills
Muskegon-Reeths-Puffer
Sparta
Spring Lake |
No. 30-2
TBD
Ada- FH Eastern
East Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids-Creston
Grand Rapids- FH Northern
Grand Rapids- Northview
Grand Rapids- Ottawa Hills
Greenville
Lowell |
No. 41-3
TBD
Allendale
Comstock Park
Grand Rapids-South Christian
Grand Rapids-West Catholic
Hudsonville-Unity Christian
Kent City
Muskegon-Oakridge
Muskegon-Orchard View |
Rankings
It seems a little
early to be putting pressure on teams but Forest Hills
Central is ranked #3 in the country in the ESPN FAB50
Rankings.
Here is what they
say:
"...preseason No. 2 St. Benedict's and No. 3
Forest Hills Central (Grand Rapids, Mich.) can make a strong
claim to No. 1 based on the quality of players, and will
remain in the running for a national title with undefeated
seasons...."
"...On paper, this is Forest Hills Central's
season. Jason Stacy (Michigan), Sean Conerty (Michigan
State) and Caleb Postelwaite (Butler) highlight the
projected returners. That trio of players helped Grand
Rapids Crew Juniors to the US Youth Soccer Under-17 National
Championship in late July. Forest Hills Central plays in a
playoff bracket with perennial power East Kentwood and
fellow state favorite Canton...."
Rankings >>> |
Here is something
related that seems pretty cool. 60 High
School boys teams from across the country in one spot for
one weekend.
check it out >>> |
Free Estimates |
Prompt Service |
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Wohlford's Brake Stop, Inc
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Brakes - Shocks - Tie Rods |
Struts - Ball Joints - Oil Change |
616-532-7781 |
3613 Viaduct St. |
Rick Wohlford |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
owner / operator |
|
|
Where to Play?
If
you think you are an ELITE player and you want to play
somewhere that is actually monitored by college coaches, there
are a number of options.
One
of the real difficulties is figuring out which club offers
which program and then trying to figure out if your particular
child will be helped by it.
Of
course, it really isn't necessary to play in any of these
programs to actually play in college.
The
college programs in DII, DIII, NAIA and the Christian College
programs are full of players who didn't do any of this stuff.
But, and this is a big but, if your sights are DI and possibly
higher....playing in these programs is the way to go because
it is easier to get in front of the coaches.
Have fun and good luck.
|
The Academy is in its 5th year and is quite organized.
They have U14, 16 and 18 age groups and already has the
divisions and close to a 20 game schedule.
website >>>
|
In 2011/2012, the ECNL is adding a U14 group to go with 15,
16, 17 and 18. They are also setting up geographical
divisions and a 25-30 game schedule to make it year round in
the 3rd year.
website
>>>
|
US Club has also started a new league that covers the country.
It is called the National Premier League and has broken the
country into divisions. They have published only the 13
and 14 divisions so far. Their plan indicates they will
have a full slate of age groups from 13 to 18.
website >>>
|
The Midwest Regional League (MRL) was re-launched in 2004-5
and although the onset of the other options has turned this
league into second tier competition, it still gets quite
a bit of attention. It is affiliated with all of the State
Organizations and it is given special treatment from
them.
website >>>
see article >>>
|
The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for
the nation's top teams in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17
boys and girls age groups. The National League offers
additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S.
National Team coaches and offers top notch competition.
see 2010/11 results >>>
|
The Super Y is now a summer program that brings together
players from all over to play for 8 weeks.
website >>>
schedules >>>
|
|
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616-452-3024 |
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Wyoming, MI 49548 |
Owner / Operator |
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State/ASE Master Technician |
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|
The 2011 National Championships are
this week in Phoenix Arizona.
In it's 4th trip to these playoffs,
the Grand Rapids Crew Jrs. will play
for a National Championship.
|
Grand Rapids Crew Jrs >>>
game #1: win 4-0
game #2: win 4-1
After three trips to the national
finals without a shot at the title
game, Under-17 Boys Grand Rapids
Crew Juniors (MI) have one foot in
the door after two games as only a
giant swing in goal differential
could prevent them from finally
playig for it all after a 4-1 win
over Dallas Texans Red Dallas
(N-TX). Greg Timmer put Crew ahead
with a 21st minute goal
as they headed into the breakup
1-0, but Adam Kemp leveled for the
Texans in the 56th. Crew
regained the lead on a Texans own
goal in the 69th, but
two Sean Conerty strikes in the
final two minutes ensured the
victory and put Crew on the verge
of the title game.
Video is here >>>
(go to BOYS Day 3, it is at the
beginning of the tape) |
Grand Rapids Crew Jrs >>>
game #3: tie 1-1
It was going to take some big
scores in the Under-17 Boys to
produce anything but a Penn Fusion
Celtic (E-PA) and Grand Rapids
Crew Juniors (MI) rematch on
Sunday, but it didn't happen as
the two drew 1-1 and will face
each other again in the
final. Sean Conerty scored his
division leading 3rd
goal of the week in the 72nd
to put Crew ahead, but Keegan
Rosenberry leveled for Celtic with
a minute to play for the
draw. Both teams have been to the
National Championships
previously. Crew is making their
first trip to the final in four
straight attempts and Fusion is in
their first title match after
bowing out of the national
tournament in 2009. The two also
met earlier in the year in the US
Youth Soccer National League,
which also ended in a 1-1 score,
so they will finally be separated
on Sunday with one becoming a
national champion.
|
Grand Rapids Crew Jrs >>>
They are in the Championship
To Advance: Win, Tie or
lose by less than 3. Sounds
like a 4-5-1 today and then see
the same team in the finals.
*************************
Win or lose the fight remains for
Crew Jrs
Read the story >>>
*************************
Main site >>>
************************
|
Not content to take the easy way
out and just win in regulation, Penn Fusion
tied it late in the game (89th
minute) just as they did in the
preliminary.
After 2 scoreless overtimes, the
teams went to to PKs
and GR Crew won 5-4 on a save on the
5th shot.
game #4: tie 1-1, PKs 5-4
VIDEO REPORT >>>
(go to 5:33 minute mark) |
game #4: tie 1-1, PKs 5-4
National
Champions in PKs
For the third time this season,
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI) and
Penn Fusion Celtic (E-PA) played
to a 1-1 score in regulation and
the teams had to be separated by
penalty kicks to determine the
national champion, where Crew
prevailed 5-4. The two US Youth
Soccer National League competitors
drew 1-1 in the league season and
again on the final day of
preliminary play, but Crew were
perfect from the spot to finally
grab their first title in four
straight appearances at the
National Championships. Michigan
State commit and Golden Ball
winner Sean Conerty extended his
scoring lead with a goal in the 71st
minute to put Crew ahead, but a
fantastic play from Thomas Shiiba
set up Melvin Snoh's diving header
with a minute to play to force
overtime and eventually penalty
kicks.
An emotional Remco Bergsma, coach
of the Crew, tried to put the
championship into words as he says
goodbye to the team after leading
them to all four National
Championship appearances.
"This is it; this is why these
guys worked so hard for four
years. You want to go out winning
and they've worked so hard and
done what they needed to do. We've
known it for the whole year, so we
worked toward our dream and these
kids deserve it so much
|
They are in the Championship
To Advance: Win, Tie or
lose by less than 3. Sounds
like a 4-5-1 today and then see
the same team in the finals.
*************************
Win or lose the fight remains for
Crew Jrs
Read the story >>>
*************************
Main site >>>
************************
|
Where to Play?
Every year, there is some coach and/or a DOC who
promises that the new team being formed will play in Premier
1 or 2 and based on that promise, people make decisions
about where to play. Once you sign the paperwork and
write a check (any amount) to play at a club, you are signed
for the year.
It is time to set the record straight. No one can
guarantee where the new team being formed will play in the
Premier program run by MSYSA.
Here are the facts:
-
The
highest division a new team can enter is Premier 2.
This is a black and white rule with no gray area and no
exceptions made.
-
Unless the roster of your new team is comprised of players
who previously played MRL, Premier 1 or 2, you have no
chance of getting the new team in Premier 2.
-
If your team is changing league sponsorships, that is, the
league that signs the paperwork to get them into Premier in
the first place, you are typically placed at the bottom of
the entry list.
|
What is in the
Water?
The
Grand Rapids Press just published an article about High School
coaches leaving West Catholic.
article >>>
Buried in the article are references to parental influence and
pressure.
The
same article could have been written about many high schools
in the area.
One
local high school I am aware of (they shall remain nameless)
had a situation this past year that had a small group of
parents putting so much pressure on the coach that they were
dictating the lineup choices to the coach. This led to
the players stating they didn't want one of their teammates
getting so much playing time and playing a specific position
or they would quit.
Why
would a Coach put up with this? What has happened to the
Coach determining what is going on? Isn't that what they
get paid for? Why would an Athletic Director allow
parents to get away with such actions?
In
the story above, once the coach gave in to the pressure of the
parents and players, the team went from winning big to not
winning big to eventually losing games they should not have
lost.
Well done parents.
|
The Rest of the
Information
All the Brackets >>>
There are 3 Michigan teams
competing. The Michigan
Hawks U16G, The Michigan Jaguars
U15B and the Grand Rapids Crew Jrs.
U17B.
Michigan Hawks >>>
game #1: lose 1-2
game #2: win 2-0
game #3: loss 0-1
Did Not Advance
Michigan Jaguars >>>
game #1: win 1-0
game #2: lose 0-3
game #3: win 4-1
They played Chicago Fire for
the National Championship and lost
3-1.
|
Passing Fad or
Something Good?
Iso-soccer is
designed with the 21st century athlete and sports fan in
mind. It is full of highly dynamic and explosive action and
has just the right balance of strategy and physicality....
take a look >>>
|
Injury Prevention
Exercises
Here are some very
simple but effective exercises that help prevent knee
problems.
take a look >>>
|
Crew Development
Academy
The
Junior Crew Development Academy is geared towards players
between the ages of 4 and 8 with priority placed on the
advancement of individual technical skills and a passion for
the game.
Check it out >>>
|
National Premier
League
check it out
>>>
"...The
NPL offers a platform for long term player development by
providing consistent and meaningful games between the
regions top players ...The NPL is an important component of
US Club Soccers 10-year vision to refine the landscape for
competitive youth soccer...."
In West Michigan,
The Grand Rapids Crew will be placing teams in the Midwest
League that is part of this program.
Midwest League
-
Carmel United (IN)
-
Cincinnati United SC (OH)
-
Crew Juniors (OH)
-
Fort Wayne Fever (IN)
-
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI)
-
Internationals SC (OH)
-
Michigan Jaguars FC (MI)
-
Michigan Wolves SC (MI)
-
Vardar (MI)
-
WAZA F.C. (MI)
Check it out >>>
|
High School
Opening
The Girls Varsity
Soccer coach at East Grand Rapids has just announced to the
players that she has resigned or is going to resign.
You may recall that
East Grand Rapids had been ranked as high as #25 in the
country and #2 in the State (Division 2) before being
losing to Cedar Springs (2-1) in District play after beating
them 5-1 in the regular season.
The coaches record
at East was in the neighborhood of 40 wins, 4 losses and 4
ties over a two year period. If that wasn't good
enough for a coach to stay on, it makes you wonder why she
left.
At any rate, it may be awhile
until they post the position since the Athletic Director has
also resigned but it is time to break out the resumes.
|
Nermin
Crnkic
...Crnkic, who is East Kentwood all-time assist leader, has
signed with the Sandviken IF Division 2 team in Sweden....
read the article >>>
|
MSPSP POSTS
DIVISIONS and ACCEPTED TEAMS
This is the INITIAL
posting of divisions. They do it to make sure they
have all the teams AND that the teams are in the right
place.
Check them out >>> |
A Different View
"...the worst news
for American soccer this summer could come Sunday if the
United States wins the Womens World Cup..."
Read the article >>> |
|
20 years Experience |
Drywall- Stucco - Plaster |
|
Fred Johnson |
|
Free Estimates |
Satisfaction Guaranteed |
616-366-5616 |
Serving Grand Rapids |
|
and all of West Michigan |
owner / operator |
|
|
|
WANT A CHALLENGE?
THE KALAMAZOO
KINGDOM is accepting applications
for Director of Coaching ( DOC)
DOC position is a
full time year round position and
the Responsibilities include
implementing and executing year
round developmental programs for
coaches and players. Overseeing
Premier, Y League, and Select
programs. Identifying new coaches
and teams for the club. Running 150
+ team tournaments and coaching high
level teams.
Please submit resume
to:
Jeff Smith
jeffsmith@kicsports.net
|
A Different View
"...the worst news
for American soccer this summer could come Sunday if the
United States wins the Womens World Cup..."
Read the article >>> |
|
180 cm and Deadly
Kerstin
Garefrekes
I have always found
it interesting how coaches utilize players. I know of
many American based coaches that would have taken one look
at Kerstin Garefrekes and sat her on the bench. She
doesn't look like the other soccer players and she doesn't run like
the other
soccer players. All she does is keep the ball under
control, shoot when she can, pass when she can't and put
herself in the right position to have a chance at a goal.
She is tactically aware of the game and seldom caught out of position.
|
|
OVER THERE
Two players from
East East Kentwood head overseas.
Dzenan Catic
...has signed with a
Bundesliga Club, FC Kaiserslautern and he is currently
assigned to the second team.
He is the first
player ever from West Michigan to sign a professional
contract in a European 1st Division.
SIDE NOTE: He
has a grade point just shy of 4.0 and didn't need soccer to
go to college.
Facebook >>>
Website >>>
WikiPedia >>>
***************************************************
click to enlarge
Nermin Crenkic
He is trying to
latch on with somebody...
Here is some
stuff from a forum...
...Fδrila IF play in
Swedish Division 4 (sixth tier). The three americans arrived
there a couple of weeks ago for unclear reasons. Stadler is
23 while Crnkic and Weber are 18 years old.
The team was dead last in their league but the new players
seem to have had a big impact as the latest game ended in a
12-0 win for Fδrila. Weber scored five, Stadler three and
Crnkic one goal. The official matchreport say that the
whole team moved along with the U.S. rhythm! A more neutral
report on the other hand said that Fδrila use a tactic where
seven men defend and let the three remaining americans go
crazy in the attack on their own.
Another report wrote that Stadler and Weber looked to be at
least third/fourth tier quality while Crnkic seemed even
better and it does seem like teams in higher divisions are
already paying attention. Crnkic trained with Allsvenskan
(first tier) club Gefle IF last week and played the full 90
minutes when their U21 team beat Djurgεrden 1-0. Both Crnkic
and Weber are now also currently on trial with IK Brage
in Superettan (second tier). There Crnkic has had even
bigger success with a hat trick in the U21 game when Brage
beat Syrianska 3-0. Crnkic is also supposed to return to
Gefle and train with them again next week....
Forum >>>
|
|
Articles of
Interest
Bradley: Fiddles
while the USA burns...
READ >>>
Tab Ramos: Keep the
parents at bay...
READ >>>
|
STATE CUP DRAWS
For the first time
in recorded history, MSYSA opened the secret door and
allow the public to watch the process that places the teams
in pools.
The DOC's seeded the
top 10 teams in every age group and placed the teams in
pools.
Tom Faro, the MSYSA
Executive Director headed up the draw process. It was
a double blind draw meaning the team is picked from one
bucket and then the pool is picked for that team.
There were two MSYSA employees in the room and anyone could
have walked in and watched but no one did.
These were the
results we left the phone call with.
Here are the results
>>>
They are supposed to
be posted to the MSYSA site at some point but who knows when
that will be.
|
|
The Yanks Are
Coming
take a look >>
The younger
generation among us might not remember where this phrase
came from.
Version
#1 >>>
The original takes
off at 57 second...
The Original Version >>>
and while I am at
it...
Yankee Doodle Dandy >>>
You're a Grand Old Flag >>>
This one has Bob
Hope & Jimmy Cagney in it...
#1 Think you are coordinated? >>>
Try this next time
on the stairs
#2 Think you are coordinated? >>>
and finally...
One Guy wrote it all >>>
George M. Cohan
|
Free Estimates |
Prompt Service |
|
Grand Rapids Transmission Service |
|
Front Wheel Drive |
4 x 4 Trucks |
616-452-7411 |
2121 Kalamazoo |
Ryan Popma |
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 |
owner / operator |
|
|
|
check it out >>> |
check it out >>> |
STR
SKILL SCHOOL
It has hundreds of
videos that show a step by step presentation of various
soccer moves.
TAKE A LOOK >>>
Their main WEBSITE >>> |
The Yanks Are
Coming
take a look >> |
|
Grand Rapids
Catholic Central
They have just hired
Brian Hughes as Head Coach for their boys varsity program.
He has asked me to
post information because he is looking to hire a number of
people.
Take a look >>>
|
BYRON CENTER High School
GIRLS
VARSITY SOCCER COACH
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Strong knowledge of fundamental
skills needed
Previous coaching experience at the
high school level
Previous experience playing college
level or above
Possess good communication skills
Dedicated to the task of building a
strong team and program
Willing to
-
attend clinics
-
run off season programs
-
run summer camps and clinics
-
oversee all girls soccer teams and
coaches (middle school through high
school)
-
abide by the Byron Center Public
Schools Athletic Code
Good disciplinary skills
Exhibit strong leadership abilities
and Knowledge of MHSAA rules and
regulations
Good organizational skills
Please call Karl Nelson at
616-878-6610
email:
knelson@bcpsk12.net
|
|
When it rains, it pours...
The Alliance FC, a soccer club based
in Grand Rapids Michigan is looking
for "...only a few..." qualified,
talented and motivated players (and their parents) to join
one of their three U13 Girl Premier teams
formed at the recent tryouts.
UPDATED:
THIS HAS CHANGED
Don't forget that at U13, no matter
which team is "called" the A team,
the teams are randomly assigned to
divisions and following the fall
season, they are re-assigned to
divisions in the spring based on
RESULTS.
AS OF THIS WEEKEND
They seeded the top 18 teams in the
U13s and assigned them to two
divisions. They took the rest
of them and split them up.
This was done in an attempt to
improve the quality of the games )
People were tired of driving 2-3
hours for a 8- 0 blowout).
These 3 teams join 9 other Premier teams and 3 MRL teams this year
at the Alliance. There are
some positions available on
some of these teams.
CHECK them out >>>
If you are interested in any of the
opportunities, please contact:
ZSOLT
BERTALAN via phone
616-334-7357
ABRAHM SHEARER via email
HERE >>>
|
|
WANT A CHALLENGE?
COERVER COACHING
Coerver Michigan
>>>
The real thing is finally coming to Grand Rapids.
No Imitations.
No Coerver "Trained" Coaches.
The Real deal.
Read about COERVER >>>
Grand Rapids
Area Camps
July
>>>
August
>>>
Michigan Camps
All Michigan Camps >>>
THE KALAMAZOO
KINGDOM is accepting applications
for Director of Coaching ( DOC)
DOC position is a
full time year round position and
the Responsibilities include
implementing and executing year
round developmental programs for
coaches and players. Overseeing
Premier, Y League, and Select
programs. Identifying new coaches
and teams for the club. Running 150
+ team tournaments and coaching high
level teams.
Please submit resume
to:
Jeff Smith
jeffsmith@kicsports.net
|
|
Himes Electric LLC
is completely dedicated to customer satisfaction. We can handle all of your
|
electrical needs
from small repairs to new construction in residential or commercial
applications. |
|
Himes Electric, LLC.
|
|
|
616-437-9419 |
3940 Prairie St. SW |
Bill Himes |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
Master Electrician / owner |
|
|
|
West Michigan Premier Teams
When it all shakes out, there should
be about 30 Premier teams sponsored
by GVSA this fall. If you add
in the Premier teams sponsored by
outside leagues, you have about 36.
This is in all age groups.
There are 8 age groups counting
U13,14,15,16,17,18 girls and U13,14
boys.
This does not count MRL teams and
there are roughly 10 MRL teams from
this area playing in MRL or another
1.25 teams per age group.
To put this in perspective, GVSA
typically has about 400 teams
registered to play.
Statistics can be deceiving and this
case is no exception. Fully
250 of the teams in GVSA are at U12
and younger when Premier is not an
option.
If the remaining 150 teams are
playing at U13 and older than
roughly 33% of the player
demographic is playing at the Elite
levels.
This means that there are roughly 4-5
teams in every age group playing in
Premier or MRL with the younger ages
(13/14) containing more than 4-5.
|
|
MSYSA State Cup BOYS
Spring 2007 (Boys U13-15)
Spring 2007 (Boys U16-18)
Seeding Results
Spring 2007
|
MSYSA State Cup BOYS
Spring 2006 (Boys U13-15)
Spring 2006 (Boys U16-18)
Seeding Results
Spring 2006 |
Caledonia Girls U13 Academy
The team is looking for 2 players to
round out the roster. Players
should be committed to becoming the
best players they can be. The
team will be doing year round
training and four tournaments.
To Contact >>>
|
|
|
|
|
A bit of Good News
For the second straight year, the
player voted Mr. Soccer by the
Michigan High School Soccer Coaches
Association has been named the NHSCA
Senior Athlete of the Year.
Dzenan (Jenon) Catic
from East Kentwood High School has
been selected....
Read the article >>>
|
REGIONAL Championships
Here are some direct links to
coverage about this event.
Top Drawer #1 >>>
Top Drawer #2 >>>
Region II Website >>>
Semifinals set >>>
Champions Crowned >>>
Story #2 >>>
REGION II Story Archives >>
Boys RECAP >>>
Girls RECAP >>>
Facebook >>>
Twitter >>>
You Tube >>>
It is OFFICIAL.
Grand Rapids Crew U17 Boys head for
national Championships for the
fourth year in a row.
Talk about messed up.
The Tweets have the Crew winning.
The scoreboard has it the other way
around although they have 2 goals
scored by the Crew in the details.
Greg Timmer >>>
GR Crew U17 Boys >>>
The GR Crew U17 has won their pool
(7-0, 4-0, 4-2) and advanced to the
Regional Semi-Finals The Crew is ranked #1 in
the country at the moment.
U17 Boys Rankings >>>
GIRLS REGIONALS
Hawks U13 Girls >>>
finish second
Hawks U15 Girls >>>
are in the Regional Finals
Hawks U16 Girls >>>
win the the Regional Finals
|
Sports on the
Internet
Here is something
new.
I found a free
website that is constantly streaming sports events of all
kinds.
On the right side is
a scrolling box identifying what they are showing at the
moment
VIP BOX >>>
|
|
REGIONAL Championships
Here are some direct links to
coverage about this event.
Top Drawer #1 >>>
Top Drawer #2 >>>
Region II Website >>>
Semifinals set >>>
Facebook >>>
Twitter >>>
You Tube >>>
GIRLS REGIONALS
The Michigan Hawks and VARDAR (based
in the Detroit area) have continued to
make the case that they are the place
to be.
They placed a total of 4
teams in the semifinals and 3 in the
Finals.
Hawks U13 Girls >>>
finish second in Regional
Vardar U14 Girls >>>
Did not advance
Hawks U15 Girls >>>
are in the Regional Finals
Hawks U16 Girls >>>
win the Regional.
The Hawks may have put another in but
they were in the same pool as VARDAR
in U14 and lost 2 games 1-0.
Pool placement is everything.
|
BOYS REGIONALS
The game is played on the field not
behind closed doors.
Two Grand Rapids Crew teams (U13
Boys and U17 Boys) have been busy
this weekend making a case to bring
the Academy Program to West
Michigan.
The Grand Rapids Crew has put both
teams into the Boys side of Regional Semi-Finals.
They are one of six clubs from the
14 states and MRL qualifiers to do so.
There are no Michigan Wolves teams
that advanced and only 1 VARDAR
team.
One club, Kansas City Football Club
(KCFC) has put three teams in. They
seem to be the club to beat in
Kansas as they won 7 of 14 State
Championships in Kansas also had 3
finalists.
KCFC website >>>
GR Crew U13 Boys >>>
They have beaten their pool
opponents 5-2. 3-0 and 6-1.
The GR
Crew U13 has won it's pool and
advanced to play the Chicago Magic
Pre-Academy.
The Chicago Magic is the #3 team in
the country according to National
Soccer Rankings.
This is a remarkable accomplishment
for any team let alone a wild card team.
BREAKING NEWS
The GR CREW took the Chicago Magic
down to the wire. The score
was tied 2-2 with just under 4
minutes left. The Magic broke
through and scored a goal making it
3-2. The Crew through
everything at them in the last two
minutes looking for the equalizer
and gave up the 4th goal as it so
often happens.
Chicago Magic win Regionals 3-2.
U13 Boys Rankings >>>
GR Crew U17 Boys >>>
The GR Crew U17 has won their pool
(7-0, 4-0, 4-2) and advanced to the
Regional Semi-Finals against Javanon,
Kentucky.
Javanon is the #14 ranked team in the
Region. The Crew is ranked #1 in
the country at the moment.
BREAKING NEWS
The GR CREW beat Javanon 2-1 to
advance to the finals.
Correction: I posted the result
based on a phone call. Someone
had it wrong. The CREW will play
Lou Fusz at 8:30 am Wisconsin time.
This was incorrect: They will
play St Louis Scott Gallagher who beat
Lou Fusz 2-1. The Lou Fusz team
was ranked # 17 in the country and
Scott Gallagher barely was ranked
regionally.
For those of you who like to look at
things that don't seem reasonable,
check out Scott Gallagher in Pool
play.
They lost to Chicago Fire Jrs DA 4-1
but advanced ahead of them based on a
1 goal difference in GA.
U17 Boys Rankings >>>
GR Wolves 93 >>>
The GR Wolves struggled a bit
losing all three games (1-0,
3-0, 4-3). Their roster was a bit thin
to begin with
and now they have been hit with asthma
issues and injuries.
|
|
ELITE 3000 Camp
The
Elite 300 Soccer Academy is one of America's premier
national training camps for boys. Elite 300 is for teams or
individuals looking to be challenged in a highly competitive
soccer environment, while being seen by top college coaches.
ELITE 3000 >>>
|
|
Free Estimates |
Prompt Service |
|
Leading Edge Flooring
|
|
Carpet - Tile - Vinyl |
Laminate - Hardwood |
616-292-5392 |
5630 S Division |
Brian Bremer |
Grand Rapids, MI 49548 |
owner / operator |
|
|
|
You Just Never
Know...
Justin Bailey (on
left) playing against Calvin College
Justin Bailey
This is Very Sad
News
A traffic accident
has taken the life of Justin Bailey, Hope College
(2006-2010), Grand Valley Premier (2000-2206) and Portage
Northern (2002-2006).
Hope College Remembers >>>
Portage Northern remembers >>
Justin played on one
of the first GVP teams to win a State Championship.
My thoughts and
prayers are with his family and his friends today.
|
|
TRYOUTS
This seemed to be the most interesting tryout weekend in
many years.
There were many reports of clubs with existing teams and
players from last year who vanished and went somewhere else
this year with little or no warning.
There are, of course, many possible reasons for this and it
simply points out the current nature of the system.
Early reports indicate that the soccer pyramid in the
West Michigan area now has three distinct levels in the
quantity area.
QUANTITY
The Grand Rapids Crew Jrs. sits atop the pyramid with
50-55 GVSA teams and 20+ MSPSP/MRL/National League teams.
The next level down is a number of clubs with a mixture of
teams adding up to about 20-25+ total.
Alliance FC (14+ GVSA, 10+ MSPSP/MRL); Georgetown
SC (20+ GVSA, 5+ MSPSP); GR Wolves/Hawks/PASS
(15+ GVSA, 5+ MSPSP/MRL); Muskegon Lakers (20+
GVSA teams); Tri-Cities Strikers (20+ GVSA teams)
SCOR (20+ GVSA, 8+ MSPSP);
UPDATED USA (34 GVSA)
The base of the pyramid contains all the rest of the clubs
in GVSA. They put the majority of their teams in GVSA
but may put 1-5 teams into MSPSP. They range in total
size from 4 teams to 20.
QUALITY
The quality issue is vastly more difficult to measure and
there are many different approaches. None of them is
right and none of them is wrong.
That being said, it wouldn't matter how how I tried to
address this, I would get into big arguments.
Ultimately. each parent must choose the path for their own
child.
At the end of the day, all we are trying to do is raise our
children to be mature adults who will be able to make good
decisions when they have to.
|
For Your
Information
There is always a lot of talk during tryouts about what High
School coaches are legally allowed to do and what they can't
do.
Here, for your benefit, are the highlights of the rules from
the MHSAA website and a link direct to it for your reading
pleasure.
It is worth the time to read.
Out of Season Regulations >>
During the School Year...
Four year-round principles apply to
schools and coaches out-of-season ALL the time;
both summer and off season during the school year at
workouts, clinics, camps or competitions.
1. No
activity may be mandatory or part of selection to the
school team....
Coordinating or Assisting:
During or in preparation for the
three [or four] player period coaches are prohibited from
making arrangements for activities they are prohibited
from engaging in.,,,
...Coaches may not...arrange for
someone else to coach to get around the three player rule.
Coaches may be spectators at events but not coach when
more than three of their players are present...
Here is a clarification of some of the rules.
Clarifying the RULE >>>
Certain things are not
allowed:
-
Open gyms, sport specific camps or
clinics which involve that upcoming sport are not
permitted. (Open gyms may never include organized
drills, practice structure or instruction by any person
including team captains or parents.)
-
Competition (intra-squad or
inter-squad) between groups that resemble school teams
may not occur.
-
Non-school groups or
individuals may not do that which the coach or school is
prohibited from doing during the down time. The
Representative Council has stated that "No open gyms,
sport specific camps and clinics shall occur at
the school or be sponsored elsewhere by the school and
no competition (intra-squad or inter-squad) between
groups that resemble school teams may occur with
any of that school districts personnel present.
The point of
putting this up is to help parents fully understand that
it is a violation of MHSAA rules when a High School Coach
"recommends" that you play for a specific club (that they
are involved with) because it will be better for your
child because they can watch or see your child while they
play or have someone they trust to coach them.
Some of you may
not care about this.
Some of you may.
If you do care
about being given the impression that your child needs to
go to a specific club in order to make the High School
Varsity team, get on the phone and call your Athletic
Director. |
|
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Prompt Service |
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Wohlford's Brake Stop, Inc
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Brakes - Shocks - Tie Rods |
Struts - Ball Joints - Oil Change |
616-532-7781 |
3613 Viaduct St. |
Rick Wohlford |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
owner / operator |
|
|
|
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYOFFS
If
you want to watch the games, here is a link to MHSAA website that has the
replays.
MHSAA Network >>>
|
Out of Michigan
Camps
This is a new
section for WMS. I will be posting information about
camps of interest outside of Michigan but typically
within a 6 hour drive.
Wisconsin men >>>
Indiana men >>>
Notre
Dame men >>
Notre
Dame women >>
Ohio State men >>
Ohio State women >>>
Illinois men >>>
Akron
men >>>
Butler men >>>
Western Kentucky women >>>
OK, this one
is 8 hours away but my daughter goes there.
Camp I am missing? >>>
|
One Secret to Attracting College Coaches
There was a famous bank robber in the early
20th century who was named John Dillinger.
He was asked why did he rob banks? His
reply was simple and eloquent. He said: "...I rob banks
because that is where the money is...."
Parents with elite soccer players take note.
If your child is an Elite Level player and
their dream is to play Division 1 soccer...
READ THIS ARTICLE >>>
You can always make it by going down a different
path but if the majority of the boys coaches are at the
Academy and the girls coaches are at the ECNL ... follow the
advice of an old bank robber...
|
FREE Youth League
A Grand Rapids area
club, Alliance FC, is offering a FREE league for young
players in grades K-2. The league will be based at
Grand Rapids Township Park on the East Beltline.
Check it out >>>
It is FREE because
they have found some sponsors to cover the costs.
Players will be registered
|
Sports on the
Internet
Here is something
new.
I found a free
website that is constantly streaming sports events of all
kinds.
On the right side is
a scrolling box identifying what they are showing at the
moment
VIP BOX >>>
|
In this time
of insanity we call TRYOUTS, take 9 minutes and Watch this
video.
It is a speech by the head coach of the University of
Minnesota Men's hockey about youth sports.
Please
watch >>>
|
West Michigan
Soccer Camps
In an attempt to get
all the camps in one spot to make it easy to find, I created
a new page.
Take a look
>>>
Camp I am missing? >>> |
|
After State Cup, now what...
The MSYSA State Cup Tourney is the
best in the state against the best
in the state.
After that you advance to play the
best in our Region II (there are 4
Regions in the country).
This year, it is in Appleton,
Wisconsin and 3 teams from West
Michigan advanced:
Grand Rapids Crew U13 Boys
Grand Rapids Crew U17 Boys
Grand Rapids Wolves U18 Boys
Here are direct links to follow
their progress this weekend.
Website >>>
Facebook >>>
Twitter >>>
You Tube >>>
The Grand Rapids Crew has put two
teams in the Regional Semi-Finals.
They are one of six clubs to put two
teams into the semi-finals in the
Regionals.
One club, Kansas City Football Club
(KCFC) has put three teams in. They
seem to be the club to beat in
Kansas as they won 7 of 14 State
Championships in Kansas also had 3
finalists.
KCFC website >>>
GR Crew U13 Boys >>>
They have beaten their pool
opponents 5-2. 3-0 and 6-1.
This is a remarkable accomplishment
for a wild card team
The GR
Crew U13 has won it's pool and
advanced to play the Chicago Magic
Pre-Academy.
The Chicago Magic is the #3 team in
the country according to National
Soccer Rankings.
U13 Boys Rankings >>>
GR Crew U17 Boys >>>
The GR Crew U17 has won their pool
(7-0, 4-0, 4-2) and advanced to the
Regional Semi-Finals against Javanon,
Kentucky.
Javanon is the #14 ranked team in the
Region. The Crew is ranked #1 in
the country at the moment.
U17 Boys Rankings >>>
GR Wolves 93 >>>
The GR Wolves struggled a bit
losing all three games (1-0,
3-0, 4-3). Their roster was a bit thin
to begin with
and now they have been hit with asthma
issues and injuries.
|
|
Dan McAllister is going to be busy this year.
He is listed as coaching a U13B for Lakeshore Premier based
in Grand Haven and a 15 G in the fall and a U15B in the
spring for Grand Rapids Wolves based in
Grand Rapids. He will also be assisting at Cornerstone
University this fall. He has been at West Michigan
Christian High School girls for some time. They play
in the spring.
Rene Meulensteen will be in Grand Rapids June 17-19.
He will be personally running several clinics for various
age groups, addressing parents at the Crew tryouts, working
with players during the Crew tryouts and meeting with
selected local coaches.
|
|
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYOFFS
Here are direct links to State Playoff
brackets posted by the High School Association.
Division 1 >>>
Division 2 >>>
Division 3 >>>
Division 4 >>>
It can be tough to get information and
articles from the east side of the state.
Here are a few stories.
Macomb County >>>
Oakland County>>
|
|
As
most of you know, Premier tryouts can be held starting
Saturday, June 18.
In an effort to make it easier to find everything, here are
links to the Premier tryout information for some clubs of
interest.
Lakeshore Area
Lakeshore Premier SC >>
Grand Rapids
Area
Alliance FC >>
CATS FC >>
Falcons SC >>
Grand Rapids Crew >>
Grand Rapids
Wolves/Hawks >>
Michigan Rovers AC >>
Ole SC >>
Rangers
SC >>
SCOR >>
Kalamazoo Area
Kingdom Premier >>
TKO >>
Lansing Area
TNT >>
Michigan Chill >>
|
|
Heard on The Street
This one is scary and hard to accept. A coach at a club
in Grand Rapids was coaching a Boys U11 game on Sunday June
5. After a first half that had the coach screaming so
incessantly that at least 3 of them left the field in
tears...he was heard to say to them as they came off the
field.." you can't have water...water is for men...".
FOLLOW-UP to this post: I receive dozens of
telephone calls and emails weekly from all over the state
regarding players, coaches and clubs. I also get advance
notice of happenings in the soccer world. Some of it I
post here but frankly, a lot of it doesn't get put up.
This one was put up because of the special nature of the
event.
A
coach was denying water during a game to a group of athletes
under the guise of motivation.
In cases where there is a negative event, I am very careful
to remove anything that may identify a specific individual.
Here is the Punchline: I was contacted by
representatives from 4 clubs who asked if it was their
coach.
I
find that troubling.
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|
|
The Kalamazoo area is starting to have new clubs pop up here
and there as people come to the conclusion they can do
better.
Every Soccer tournament in the Midwest was under water and
pretty much ruined their fields for the summer. Here
is a picture of one player who seems to still have a smile on
her face. The people running those fields are probably
not smiling so much.
Ole U16 boys were in a tournament in Detroit over Memorial
Day Weekend and the game ended in what can only be described
as a bench clearing brawl by both teams and joined at some
point by the parents.
Under the heading, that can't be right...team loses big.
Coach is upset, says: "...a couple of you played
alright but the rest of you can f%&$ o##....I am all done
with you, turn in your uniforms, I am bringing up the JV for
the playoffs....". I suppose this makes sense
once we realize the same person used to (until very
recently) work for a local college and local soccer club.
The Boys Academy program that everyone keeps talking is
apparently going to remove the best players from High school
participation next year. I wonder if the ECNL will be
far behind? Oh well, sounds like more State titles for
the west side of the state.
|
|
State Cup
Results
It can be very
difficult to follow State Cup. Here for you are all
the brackets in one spot.
State Cup 2011 >>>
Four of the six boys
finals will feature a team from out side the Metro Detroit
area.
The Grand Rapids
Crew has placed 3 teams in the finals.
VARDAR has place 4
teams in the boys finals.
Wolves have placed 3
teams in finals.
|
|
***************Heard On The Street
***************
through May 31
GVSA has approved a change in how clubs place teams into
PREMIER. Effective this summer, clubs have the power
to place their teams into PREMIER as they see fit.
All the rain this spring may have cause a former River Rat
to swim to higher ground next year.
It doesn't look like the Boys Academy train will be making a
stop in West Michigan anytime soon. Maybe if everyone
stopped bickering long enough they could realize that getting
together at U16 and U18 boys...a total of 50 players (from a
circle of 90 miles)...is in
the best interest of everyone, especially the players.
Could it be so? Dan
McCallister wanders back into the
world of Club soccer?
Why would two Grand Rapids area high school coaches squander
some wonderful opportunities to teach a valuable life
lessons in sportsmanship this week by playing starters for
most of a game and running up 18 goals in 40
minutes against vastly weaker opponents?
The DOC of one club was seen training a U9 team at another
club this week. Am I the only person that is confused
by that?
The Kindel FIRE may not be the only one extinguished this
summer. Word is the spoon has too much to do too far
away to make a club work.
Amid all the turmoil this winter,
the club from Lansing (TNT) will be playing in GVSA this
fall as they open TNT West.
take
a peek >>>
|
|
GVSA aka
Grand Valley Soccer Association
GVSA has been undergoing a few changes the past couple of years.
Some of the changes have led to this email from the current President of GVSA to
the clubs in GVSA.
As
most of you know, Dave
Whitehouse's resignation last Fall
was quite a blow to GVSA.
Nevertheless, we are doing our
best to fill that void and
continue on as best we can. If you
were at the AGM, you heard of some
of these efforts, particularly the
need for a Part Time League
Administrator.
We
have put together a Job
Description that best describes
what we are looking for. Please
distribute this as you see fit
throughout your Club.
Ken
Lovell has agreed to receive
Resumes and
Letters of Interest and
spearhead this effort
until
Saturday, May 28th.
Please direct enquiries and
questions to him. Thanks.
On
behalf of the GVSA Board,
John Hall
President
Grand Valley Soccer Association
Here is Job Description >>>
All interested parties please forward your Resume and Letter of Interest to:
Ken
Lovell
ken@heritagefireplace.com
|
|
What are Your
Chances of Playing Division 1?
Did you ever wonder
how many soccer players actually fulfill their dreams (and
the parents) of signing to play Division 1 soccer in college?
Someone has taken
the time to put in on the web by club, by year, by roster,
by news feed....all the information you could ever want....
In 2010, there were
53 players from Michigan who committed to playing Division 1
soccer
take a look >>>
Here is the website
that allows you to go direct to any college.
Women's - All
>>>
|
National Rankings
The POWERADE FAB 50 is released every Tuesday throughout
the spring season. The spring-playing states are Alabama,
Alaska, Arkansas, California (spring), Colorado, Delaware,
Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania (spring), South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin
and Wyoming
Michigan Teams are
ranked:
-
#2 Novi
-
#8 Northville
-
#9 Forest Hills
Central
-
#27 East Grand
Rapids
Take a look >>> |
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Owner / Operator |
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State/ASE Master Technician |
|
Are you having a
bad day?
Do you have 7
minutes?
Do you want to feel
better?
Grab a tissue and
...
WATCH >>>
|
Stadium Journey
Check it out >>> |
ESPN RISE
ESPN website for
High School athletes has a soccer page with a lot of good
information.
take a look at BOYS >>>
take a look at GIRLS >>> |
West Michigan
Soccer Camps
In an attempt to get
all the camps in one spot to make it easy to find, I created
a new page.
Take a look
>>>
|
|
Are their limits to what the human
Body can do?
I used to think so but after
watching these videos, I am not so
sure.
Video 1 >>>
Video 2 >>>
|
How big is the
Universe?
You decide >>> |
Next Time...Don't
be so Hard on them
There have been some
tremendous misses this season -- the kind that are almost
impressive in how shockingly wrong a "sure thing" can go --
and now, Bayern Munich's Miroslav Klose adds one to the
collection from 9 feet away...
Take a look >>> |
We just don't get
it...
This is a good
example of why we are a third rate soccer country.
check out video >>> |
|
Congratulations
High School Championships
DIII National Finalist
Graduated in 3.5 years
Read MLIVE article >>>
Calvin College has announced the
2011 recipients of its highest
honors for mens athletics.
The Berι Memorial Award goes to
Scott Hooker of Hudsonville,
Michigan.
Scott Hooker named to the National
Soccer Coaches Association of
America Scholar All-North/Central
Region team. He is first
member of the Calvin mens soccer
program to receive NSCAA Scholar
All-Region honors. He also received
ESPN Academic All-District IV honors
earlier this fall.
Scott Hooker Audio Interview
NEXT STOP:
MSU Medical School
Scott Hooker
|
|
STATE CUP RESULTS So Far...
If you want to see how your team
measures up, there is really only
one good measuring stick.
Keep in mind that the people who set
the brackets put West Michigan teams
in top brackets and with each other
so that there is less chance the
West Michigan teams
advancing.
U13 Girls play State Cup in the
spring...
TEAMS IN RED ADVANCE
U13 Girls >>>
No One Advanced
GR Crew (2-0-1); Rangers SC (2-0-1); Hawks GR (1-0-2); Lakeshore Premier
(0-0-3); Alliance FC (0-0-3); CATS FC (0-0-3)
U13 Boys >>>
GR Crew
Gold (3-0-0);
Alliance
FC (2-1-0); Wolves GR (2-0-1) TKO Premier (2-0-1); TNT 98 Red (1-0-2); Lakeshore
Premier (0-0-2)
U14 Boys >>>
Alliance FC (3-0-0);
TNT White
(3-0-0);
GR Crew
Gold (3-0-0); Portage SC (2-0-1); Rangers SC (2-0-1); GR Crew Black (0-0-3)
U15 Boys >>>
GR Crew
Gold (2-1-0);
Alliance FC (1-2-0); TNT 96 (1-1-1); TKO Premier (1-0-2); North Storm 96 (1-0-2); Ole SC (0-1-2) Lakeshore Pr (0-0-3);
16 Boys >>>
Ole SC
(3-0-0);
GR
Crew Gold (2-1-0);
Kingdom Premier (2-1-0); North Storm 95 (2-1-0); TNT 95 Red
(1-0-1); GR Crew Black (1-0-2); VARDAR West (1-0-2); USA Franken (1-0-2); Alliance FC Black (1-0-2); North Storm 95 (1-0-2); TKO Premier (1-0-2);
U17 Boys >>>
TNT 94
(3-0-0)
GR Crew (3-0-0);
Kingdom Premier (2-1-0); TKO Premier (1-0-2); Rangers SC (1-0-2); North Storm 94 (0-0-3)
U18 Boys >>>
Rangers SC
(3-0-0)
TNT 93 (2-1-0);
Mi Wolves GR (1-1-1); Alliance FC (1-0-2);
|
|
This is
an Interesting Graphic
If
you want to know why it would be almost impossible for one
existing West Michigan soccer club to get into the Development
Academy Program... check out club #37 in the Great Lakes
Division.
US Development
Academy >>>
It
will require a new organization with a new name and everyone
backing it to have the slightest possibility of getting it
done.
|
|
Want to play Premier Soccer?
It will be easier and cheaper to
do very shortly.
Supply and demand is an
economic model of
price determination in a
market.
It concludes that in a
competitive market, the
unit price for a particular good
will vary until it settles at a
point where the quantity demanded by
consumers (at current price) will
equal the quantity supplied by
producers (at current price),
resulting in an
economic equilibrium of price
and quantity.
For those of you who need help, here
you go...
Basic Laws of Supply and Demand
LAW 1
If demand increases and supply remains unchanged, then it
leads to higher equilibrium price and quantity.
LAW 2
If demand decreases and supply remains unchanged, then it
leads to lower equilibrium price and quantity.
LAW 3
If supply increases and demand remains unchanged, then it
leads to lower equilibrium price and higher quantity.
LAW 4
If supply decreases and demand remains unchanged, then it
leads to higher price and lower quantity.
Here is what it all
means:
The world of West Michigan Premier soccer has been living
with LAW 1 for a very long time.
As the demand increased and supply remained unchanged (only
a couple of clubs could do it), the price kept climbing.
It isn't bad or good, wrong or right...it is just economics.
We are about to be entering a world that enjoys LAW 3.
The supply will be increasing and the cost to play will
start going down.
There will be some bumps along the way but it will all work
out in the end.
|
|
R.I.P. Wiel
Coerver
We have all seen the
name but who was he?
Take a read >>>
Another story >>>
Another >>>
and another >>>
"...
In fact, 30 years later, Coervers emphasis
on individual skills have now become a standard not only for
youth players but for professionals as well...."
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*** Heard on the Street ***
The current MSYSA President who has
lived in Grand Rapids for over a
year made his first appearance at
the GVSA BOD meeting on Monday
night. I wonder why?
GVSA will be advertising for a new
league Administrator soon.
They will be accepting applications
shortly BUT only for two weeks.
As soon as I get anything concrete,
I will post.
Could it be so? Dan
McCallister wanders back into the
world of Club soccer?
Amid all the turmoil this winter,
the club from Lansing (TNT) will be playing in GVSA this
fall as they open TNT West. take
a peek >>>
|
|
Who is Tom Howe?
Tom Howe
is the Executive Director of Player Development of the Woodson City Rangers. He
was was a founding member of the Scott Gallagher SC, which won seven national
championships and 14 regional titles under his direction. A collegiate
All-American at SIU-Edwardsville, Howe played professionally for the St. Louis
Stars, Denver Dynamos and Minnesota Kicks. He also coached at SIU-Edwardsville,
Western Illinois, Florissant Valley Community College, Southwest Missouri State
University and Saint Louis University.
He
was instrumental in starting soccer in St. Louis and was one of the founders of
a club that used to be quite well known.
Last year he decided to do something different and he has given us all something
to think about.
Here is a sample:
Soccer America:
What about the economies-of-scale rationale that by putting as many players
under the same umbrella as possible you can cut costs?
TOM HOWE: Ill tell you this, when you have the
kids on the 10th and 11th team, and theyre all paying the same, somethings
wrong because theyre not getting the same training.
I just dont like it. All those guys running the big clubs, they can say what
they want, but theyre all making a lot of money. And the more players they
bring in, the more money they make.
Read it at Soccer America >>>
Read it here >>>
|
|
What do the
Referees Think?
Here is a website
someone found that tells the referees what they should be
doing.
I think the Parents
who spend their time yelling at the referees, should spend
some time on the site.
Take a peek
>>>
|
|
Finally, here are two you can get lost in...
FANZINE AWARDS >>>
BEST BLOGs >>>
Don't forget to come
back... |
Free Estimates |
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Grand Rapids Transmission Service |
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Front Wheel Drive |
4 x 4 Trucks |
616-452-7411 |
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Ryan Popma |
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 |
owner / operator |
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|
|
Here are some fun
new sites to explore...
click on the logo to
get there...
|
|
Sometimes I can't
help Myself
I run across really
neat websites with really neat photographs and I wonder...
What is really going
on with this weather...?
check this out >>>
|
|
Playing in College
There are many coaches & clubs who will tell you that if your child wants to
play in college, you need them.
They are not being truthful or at best, they are bending the truth and playing
to your fears...
While it might be a little easier with them involved, here is what you really
need.
DESIRE: Your child, the one who will be training (15-20 hours a week
year round if you want to play in college) must want to play.
TALENT: Your child, the one who actually plays the game must have a
bit of playing ability and a good knowledge of the tactics of the game.
GRADES: Your child, the one who is actually in school must first
realize and then accept the fact that the real reason they are going to college
is to prepare themselves for the real world and grades are a big part of that.
LUCK: Your child, the one who will be playing must avoid the two biggest pitfalls of athletics: injury and sickness.
UNDERSTANDING: You, the parent must understand how the scholarship
game is played. Most athletic packages (outside the big 2 of football and
basketball) put together by the college for the students they want are a
combination of straight athletic and educational scholarships, specific school
grants and PELL grants or loans that the athletic department will put together
for you. Beyond that, you the parent typically will be financing part of
the package as well.
SELF AWARENESS: Your child and finally you must deal with the
simple fact that not everyone is capable of or willing to pay the price to play Division 1
college soccer and for those who are...there are not really that many
scholarships available. Once you accept that you are not capable of or are
not willing
to pay the price to play Division 1 college soccer, then there are many fine alternatives to
spending a lot of money on soccer that will still put you in a position to play
in college.
If
you want to know how many colleges there are where you can go to play soccer in
the United States, just check this out:
BEST SITE EVER >>>
(It says women but the links are there
for the men's soccer as well.)
|
|
Looking for something to do this
Monday from 7-9PM?
GVSA Board Meeting Monday , May 2
should be interesting. One of the topics up for discussion are
premier team sponsorships. It will be held at MVP Soccer Spot on
corner of 32nd Ave. and Lake Eastbrook.
|
|
|
|
BREWER PARK PROBLEMS
Brewer Park fields have some issues
and the people running the show put
out an email on Saturday night
rearranging the games for the next 3
weeks and possibly the whol season.
Better check into it if you have
games there...
Here is their email...
"...Please review the attached
schedule if you have any games
scheduled on field 1 , 2 or 3. Based
on the field status email from 4-15,
the games from field 1 FOR THE NEXT
WEEKS were moved to field # 2 or 3.
The games that were
moved--Everything stayed the same
But the field number--are
highlighted in Light Pink. Any game
that is highlighted in Dark Pink
still on field 1 should be
rescheduled.
The Second group of 4 weeks are in
Orange--this will mean field 1 will
reopen and field 2 will be shut
down--If needed- The games in Light
Orange were moved per field
only--Dark Orange may need to be
moved.
Please plan accordingly. Hopefully I
will be informed in a couple weeks
when we get a real spring that all
fields are back to top shape and
there will be no need to reschedule
the 2nd set of 4 weeks....but we
wanted to give you all a heads up to
change games if need be.
Thank you for your co-operation...."
|
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from small repairs to new construction in residential or commercial
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Himes Electric, LLC.
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Bill Himes |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
Master Electrician / owner |
|
|
|
US Club Announces
Michigan Developmental League
You read it on here
about 30 days ago and we had most of it right....
Erie Division:
Carmel United (IN)
Cincinnati United SC (OH)
Crew Juniors (OH)
Fort Wayne Fever (IN)
Grand Rapids Crew Jrs (MI)
Internationals SC (OH)
Michigan Jaguars FC (MI)
Michigan Wolves SC (MI)
Vardar (MI)
WAZA F.C. (MI)
"...Midwest
Developmental League competition will kick off in September
2011 in the U-13 and U-14 age groups, in which teams will
play up to 14 total regular-season games over the fall and
spring season. The U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams will begin play
in spring 2012 with up to 11 regular-season games.
Cross-divisional games will be played at optional showcase
events throughout the year....
Read all about it >>> |
|
Dzenan
Catic
Former East Kentwood Player now in
Europe...
|
|
The Dutch Program Can it work here?
or would we want it to?
"...As spring approaches, he
continued, they get nervous about
whether they will be permitted to
stay for another year. This is
when they sometimes start to get
bad school grades. They dont
sleep. They wet their pants.
Over time, though, the academy
hardens them mentally as well as
physically. I asked Dylan how he
felt about his coachs being
fired. He shrugged. The football
world is a hard world, he
replied. He has made the decision
to send boys away. Now he knows
how it feels. ..."
maybe it is already here...
"...Rooi said: ....they do not
want to do anything to injure them
or wear them out. Theyre capital.
And what is the first thing a
businessman does? He protects his
capital...."
Read more >>>
|
|
Girls Soccer
Rankings
These are from a
national NSCAA website.
This link will take
you to a page of rankings. They change the rankings
weekly.
West Michigan is
Region 4.
Rankings >>>
I decided to put
them up because East Grand Rapids just beat the #4 ranked
team in the country, Portage Central; 3-0.
|
*** Heard on the Street ***
Confusion reigns as the
Michigan State Youth Soccer
Association sanctioned two
Tournaments in Holland over Memorial
Day.
Why would anyone take a job and then
immediately be applying for the same
type of position in Illinois?
|
THIS Tournament has been canceled
Memorial Day Tournament
Don't
feel like traveling very far to play soccer this year?
Read More >>>
|
GR CREW
The Grand Rapids Crew survived the
nasty weather and put on a very nice
tournament. Games were on
time, referees were present, they
served hot coffee...
|
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Prompt Service |
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Leading Edge Flooring
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Carpet - Tile - Vinyl |
Laminate - Hardwood |
616-292-5392 |
5630 S Division |
Brian Bremer |
Grand Rapids, MI 49548 |
owner / operator |
|
|
|
MSYSA News
A source at MSYSA
has confirmed that MSYSA has finally ended the current plan
to build some sort of complex in conjunction with a new
office building.
The plan (started
before 2000), originated by then MSYSA President, Del
Zimmerman (involving land/dormitories in and at Saginaw
Valley University) and continued by then MSYSA President
Robin Crawford (involving a fomer AYSO complex on a GM dump
in Flint and some vacant lots) and finally morphing into a
joint venture between MSYSA and Hartland Soccer and
spearheaded by current MSYSA President Sohail Qaredesh has
finally ground to a halt.
The project, which
is actually a good idea, was like a vampire sucking money
and energy from MSYSA membership for over 10 years.
The whole idea began
with an opportunity in Saginaw and a thought; "...Why
can't MSYSA own it's own fields and not pay others for State
Cup and ODP and at the same time, run summer camps if we can
get these old dorms and fields..."
Del Zimmerman got
run off after he hired a State DOC without checking with
others but the idea stuck.
It turned into a
different project that had MSYSA trying to turn 40 acres
(and some vacant lots in front) on top of a dump in Flint
into fields that could be used for State Cup and ODP
training. The lots in front were supposedly pre-sold
so we could do it all for nothing. The maneuvering
that went on was a sight to behold. The first approval
vote was held and passed ignoring the correct voting
procedures. That was reversed and then over the next
70 days, MSYSA leadership took the proposal from costing
nothing to costing 3M and the idea was shelved because the
votes were not there.
It then went under
the radar while the MSYSA BOD orchestrated a change in
voting that effectively took control of MSYSA away from the
leagues and granted it to the BOD.
Then, under the
aupices of saving money, it went ahead with the current plan
which would put a stop to MSYSA paying 120K+ a year in rent
when we could take the same money and actually own
something.
Here we are 6 years
later and nothing has happened.
Unfortunately, that
is what happens when the people in charge are trying to make
something happen for personal reasons.
|
|
Deportes - El
Vocero Hispano
"...Las botas de
Mike Vaughan sepultran a Michoacan..."
For your reading
pleasure, follow this link to the March 25, 2011 issue of El
Vocero and then turn to page 15...
enjoy >>>
|
|
RAVENNA HIGH SCHOOL
TEAM NEEDS HELP
The Ravenna High
School Girls Varsity coach has put
in his resignation, giving us less
than one week to find a suitable
replacement.
If you may know of anyone willing
and capable to take on such an
endeavor on such short notice, it
would be greatly appreciated if you
could have them contact me by email
at:
ccorpe1497@gmail.com
|
|
Think your
workout is bad?
Why
don't you take a look at one Tough Mudder's workout
workout >>>
|
Which Way Did
They Go?
Find
Out >>>
|
9 minutes...19
seconds...
This video is a must watch for any parent today that wants to know what it takes
for their child to succeed at soccer.
It
takes training, desire and the freedom to play...
Jimmy Hasselbalnk >>>
|
Why Futsal?
Try to imagine how much better you could play soccer once you could do this.
The music is questionable so turn the sound way down...
Jernmaine Vanenburg >>>
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Prompt Service |
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Wohlford's Brake Stop, Inc
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Brakes - Shocks - Tie Rods |
Struts - Ball Joints - Oil Change |
616-532-7781 |
3613 Viaduct St. |
Rick Wohlford |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
owner / operator |
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Jim Fuller Spring Break Camp
If
you are looking for something to do over Spring Break, here it is.
Camp Info >>>
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Spring Break Goalkeeper
Legacy Soccer Academy sponsors GK camp on April 7/8 here in Grand Rapids.
Details >>>
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Crew Spring Classic
WHEN: April 15-17, 2011
WHERE: Grand Rapids, MI
FEES: U08-U10, $475.00; U11-U12, $500.00; U13 $525.00
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, Mar 28, 2011
website >>>
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HEARD ON THE STREET
Some new attendance records were set
this week as parents & grandparents
had their noses pressed up against
the glass watching the new DOC
impart some wisdom while hoping and
praying for skill to enter their
children's feet in an afternoon.
The TNT experiment is finding it
slow going. Of course, it is a
long time until tryouts.
I wonder if if GVSA will take a
professional stance on its search
for new administration and open it
up for bids with a job description.
Former Northview coach Frank Andrade
(High School Boys State Championship
in hand) is taking some time off
from coaching while he thinks
over his eight year run, his
decision to leave and the road
ahead.
The new Regional US Club League is
about to go public and we all wait
with bated breath for the press
release
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*** Heard on the Street ***
What do these High School girls
soccer teams; Forest Hills Central,
Forest Hills Eastern, East Grand
Rapids, Grandville have in common?
Dzenan "Jenon" Catic is playing
overseas somewhere in Europe.
That little club in the
Holland/Zeeland area (USA) is at 39
teams and growing...
There are only 5 clubs in GVSA with
over 20 teams.
Will the PDA put together a boys
version this summer?
Will big drums and break dancing
become the new sound of soccer in
West Michigan?
SCOR has found a new DOC or should I say
that DOC has found another club?
It is so hard to keep track these
days.
All that talk about Vardar West
turned out to be just exactly
that... talk... They are still alive
and kicking and still being run by
the Scotsman.
Chicago Fire rumors are still flying
around but seem to have turned into
something a little more solid...it
sounds like the people who have been
holding it together will be trying
to keep it going next year under a
new name.
GVSA held it's AGM this weekend and roughly half
of the clubs showed up. That
was a little better than the GVSA
Board members themselves who only
had 4 out of 7 current members
(the total is 9 but 2 had resigned)
showing up (to be fair, two of
the three were working out of town)
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What Fun! We get to
play our league games out of state.
The Academy Program,
not content with its success at creating a class society
among the clubs that offer boys teams is quietly organizing
a new league.
This new league, if
successful will have each club involved placing a boys team
in every age group from U12-U18.
Each Academy Club
has been asked to invite a few clubs from their state to join the
new league.
In Michigan, it looks like WAZA
East, Michigan Jags and the Grand Rapids Crew have been asked to join.
The
new clubs will not get to play in the Academy League
(14B/16B/18B) but the chance to be in the mix will allow them
to prove their worth to the powers that be.
This program, if
successful, will reduce the competitive level of MRL as the
Academy Feudal lords and their serfs take their teams out of
the MRL and send their best teams into
the new league.
Curiously,
current MRL rules will allow these clubs to hold their slots
in the MRL and allow them to attract new players with the
promise of playing for them in the MRL.
It will
clearly weaken the talent pool of the MRL but little else
will change on the surface.
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*** Heard on the Street ***
Those rascals at the PDA put a U11 Girls team
together to go to the Indoor
Nationals in Cleveland and won their
four games by a combined score of
49-0. If they had known in
advance the level of competition,
they probably would have played up.
Recently Ole SC traveled to the
Midwest Regional Futsal in Ohio and
fared well. 8 teams made it to the
finals with 4 teams winning.
All were champions.
website >>>
Is there a big difference between a
select soccer league and a
recreational soccer league?
The website has been worked on.
There are signs of activity.
The talk about somebody new taking
over has ended.
Mark Twain could have been talking
about Vardar West when he said
"...Reports of my demise have been
greatly exaggerated.."
TNT has been accepted for GVSA
club membership and will be holding
tryouts in June.
There will be Memorial Day
tournaments in Holland this year.
Who is running them (looks like
Costa FC and TNT) , who are they
sponsored by and where will they be
held are the questions?
Alliance FC is bringing Bob
Gansler to Grand Rapids. Here
is a link to the story about it on
their website:
read >>> and here is a link
for the flyer:
Go to flyer >>>
I
wonder if GVSA will offer to pay
half the cost of any GVSA coach who
wants to go?
The complete lack of information
coming out of the
Chicago Fire is a little puzzling.
The GR Crew is lining up support
from other West Michigan clubs for
its own bid for the Academy
program.
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616-452-3024 |
3716 S. Division |
Kent Ayers |
Wyoming, MI 49548 |
Owner / Operator |
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State/ASE Master Technician |
20 years Experience |
Drywall- Stucco - Plaster |
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Fred Johnson |
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Free Estimates |
Satisfaction Guaranteed |
616-366-5616 |
Serving Grand Rapids |
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and all of West Michigan |
owner / operator |
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MSYSA
The
Association that most travel soccer players belong to is the
Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA).
It holds annual
meetings and there is one coming up.
Date:
March 12, 2011
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: Doubletree Hotel Dearborn (5801
Southfield Fwy, Detroit, MI 48228).
AGM BOOK - Book will be updated periodically. Last
Update: 2/10/11
Schedule:
8am-9am: Registration
9am-1pm: General Session
1pm-2pm: Lunch
2pm-230pm: Awards
2:30-4pm: General Session to be continued (if needed)
Here will be some of
the topics:
New Fee Structure
The MSYSA
Board of Directors approves a new fee structure subject to
approval at the 2011 AGM.
Click here for more information.
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Will you play this Winter?
Woodland Sports has closed youth team openings for 3rd Session.
Session 3 starts Feb 15 and runs 6 weeks.
Youth Leagues >>>
Adult Co-ed plays on Friday nights and runs year round.
Adult Leagues >>>
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FEB |
little leagues, BIG COSTS
The
Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) wrote a series of articles examining
the dangers in youth sports.
"...Youth sports leagues have
grown into a $5 billion industry
with virtually no regulation. Kids
suffer injuries at an alarming
rate, and some organizers are
abusing both children and league
funds...."
In the five-day series "little
leagues, BIG COSTS," The Dispatch
explores where youth sports have
taken wrong turns in recent years.
Read them at your own risk.
Read the series >>>
Here is my favorite article
and some quotes from that
article.
Chasing a Myth
Blinded by dreams, young athletes
pursue long-shot scholarships
"... Parents and children are
tempted to mine for some of the
nearly $2 billion in scholarship
money available in men's and
women's collegiate athletics.
But for most, it's fool's gold.
The NCAA says that less than 4
percent of the 7.5 million
participants in high-school sports
in the U.S. will receive full or
partial athletic scholarships to
college.
"It's like buying a lottery ticket," said Sandy Baum, an
economics professor at Skidmore College in Saratoga, N.Y., and
an expert on financial aid ...."
read the whole article >>>
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FEB |
Ask not for whom the bell tolls...
The Academy Program,
not content with its success at creating a class society
among the clubs that offer boys teams is quietly organizing
a new league.
This new league, if
successful will effectively remove another 70-80 of the top
boys players in each age group from any type of MSYSA
associated league competition (National League, MRL or MSPSP).
Details are sketchy as secrecy is at a premium, but what
little there is suggests that in addition to the teams they
form in the Academy Program of 16 & 18 and the Pre-Academy of
U14, each current Academy club will be placing a team in each
age group from U12 -U18 that will play in a new US Club Soccer
league being formed nationally.
These teams will be
playing a regional schedule with some sort of National Title
at the end of the season.
They will play some sort of internal club schedule/ league to
qualify for State Cup.
This program should
be a little unnerving for those at MSYSA but it gets better.
Each Academy Club is
being asked to invite one club from their state to join the
new league. In Michigan, it looks like WAZA, Gators or
the Rush have the inside track to be asked to join.
The
new clubs will not get to play in the Academy league but the
carrot is always being dangled to keep them in line.
This program, if
successful, will reduce the competitive level of MRL as the
Academy Feudal lords and their serfs send their teams into
the new league.
In Michigan, that
means that from 12 to 18, 4 clubs will be drawing 18 players
each from the player pool and combined with the Academy
teams (14, 16 & 18 with rosters of 24) you now have roughly
90 players from each age group not competing.
If this gets pulled
off, the MRL will no longer be the competitive place to
play,
If
the MRL is no longer the competitive place to play why will
anyone want to play in MSPSP just to get to the MRL.
It's a funny world.
Look to Egypt and
Tunisia...
30 years of
Dictatorship wiped out in 30 days...
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Free Estimates |
Prompt Service |
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Grand Rapids Transmission Service |
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Front Wheel Drive |
4 x 4 Trucks |
616-452-7411 |
2121 Kalamazoo |
Ryan Popma |
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 |
owner / operator |
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West Michigan Soccer
There has been a lot of discussion recently (both in public
and behind the scenes) about the ECNL & the Academy programs
and the possibility of a club in West Michigan offering one or
both of these programs.
Only two clubs currently represent the state of Michigan in
both of these organizations.
Both Clubs (VARDAR
and WOLVES/HAWKS) have a long 20+ years history in the state
even though VARDAR went down a funny little side road 6
years ago.
Human nature being
human nature (no matter how old you), we always tend to want
what we don't have.
The
business of youth soccer is no different.
Much time and energy
is spent (and has been spent) by people in West Michigan
trying to be accepted into both of these organizations.
It
isn't because they think that it will be better for the youth
soccer players.
It
isn't because they think it will provide better opportunities
for players to get scholarships.FEB
The only reason why
they try so hard is because hey believe that membership will
allow them to offer something locally that others can't
offer thereby giving them a competitive business
advantage.
There are many
structural reasons why this is unlikely to happen (admission
rules, veto powers of existing clubs, the need for a long
history of success as a club) but the main reason is more
simple.
There are only so many ELITE level players to go around and at
this point, the 2 clubs in Michigan already round most of them
up to play.
Yes, there are many
exceptional players in every age group and gender who don't
make the trip east to Detroit.
Yes, there are exceptional teams that occasionally surface and
make a National name for themselves.
Unfortunately, the
harsh reality is that numbers of these players who are both
capable of this ELITE level of play (Division 1 and higher)
and whose families are able and willing to make the
commitments necessary to succeed at this level are not
sufficient to put a fully stocked (18-24 players)
competitive team out there in the age groups required.
Some day we will.
But not today.
See if you can find
a club from Michigan in the top 40 ECNL clubs nationwide.
ECNL 2009/2010 Club Ranking
check it out >>>
Check out these
Academy results to see how the clubs and their teams from
Michigan are doing.
US Soccer Academy Results
Check it out >>>
My
point is this.
If the 2 clubs that
are typically viewed as among the top clubs in the country
are not faring so well, why in the world would anyone let
another club from Michigan into the program. It would
weaken the two that are there are not provide much in the
way of additional competition.
SUPER Y PROGRAM
The Super Y program
is a little different. People are bad with history so
they tend to forget that the Super Y was originally marketed
as the program for the ELITE player.
As we see now, it
was simply a BETA test program to work out the kinks of
offering a program nationwide.
A close look at the
club membership lists (past & present) and the results (past
& present) show that while this is a great program and
provides some decent opportunities for players, most of the
clubs now in the Academy and the ECNL started off in the
Super Y and then got out.
There are some that
maintain a foothold in all 3 programs but a close look at
the specific situations of those clubs show that either they
are still struggling to establish dominance in their areas
with competitor clubs or they are the only game in town and
have to offer it.
SUPER Y CLUBS >>>
SUPER Y TEAM STANDINGS >>>
In
West Michigan, this program has had its ups and downs over the
years starting with the West Michigan EDGE getting it at
first, the Grand Valley Premier taking it away and every variation
on a theme after that right through this year.
This summer might
prove to be the best year ever for results as there is now
just one club representing each area in Grand Rapids,
Kalamazoo and Lansing.
The Alliance Academy
has had great success in this program recently which
resulted in them being ranked #1 Boys club in the United
States based on their results in the Super Y championships.
They had 4 Boys teams reach the Finals.
SUPER
Y CLUB STANDINGS >>>
But
this is no longer the stand alone program for the ELITE player
it was originally intended to be and hasn't been for some
time.
It
is a great program for what it is.
It is another opportunity for
players (ELITE to good) to play against good to very good competition, in areas of the
country where they normally don't get to play and to be seen
by others who might not normally get to see them.
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FEB |
***
Heard on the Street ***
I put this column up here because I
was tired of all the phone calls and
emails asking me about what was
going on in the world.
I thought if I put all the current
stories in one spot, they would stop
calling me.
I was wrong.
All that happened is I got phone
call after phone call asking me to
please take their particular story
down.
So I have, except for this one:
MSYSA proposing new Poaching
Rules...
And here are the proposals...
take a look >>>
I guess if you want somebody telling
you where your kid can train in
their spare time...
...these are the rules for you
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Old website :
Alliance FC |
Feb 1 |
***
Heard on the Street ***
Will West Michigan get a Boys
Academy program or will the people
in charge act like a couple of cats
in a burlap bag tossed off a bridge?
TNT coming to West Michigan led by
former SCOR and PASS DOC?
Something is happening at Vardar West,
but exactly what?
Michigan Rovers waking up?
Chicago Fire Juniors website down as
other clubs circle?
GVSA Founder/Administrator leaving
as Board struggles to understand
all the tasks?
Alliance FC quietly expanding under
the radar with the proverbial
prodigal son returning?
SCOR sponsors 1st Premier Team?
PDA
exceeds 100 Players Training this
winter and thinks about the future?
Tri-Cities Strikers looking to
Holland opportunity?
MSYSA proposing new Poaching Rules
that have hefty fines attached for
training outside your own club?
Super Y Finally gets it partly right
with one club in each town:
Grand Rapids (Alliance) Kalamazoo
(Kingdom) and Lansing (TNT).
Rangers finally get more fields at
28th?
New Grand Rapids area Indoor
Facility focusing on Hispanic
community and teams on the way?
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is completely dedicated to customer satisfaction. We can handle all of your
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electrical needs
from small repairs to new construction in residential or commercial
applications. |
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Himes Electric, LLC.
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616-437-9419 |
3940 Prairie St. SW |
Bill Himes |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
Master Electrician / owner |
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Brakes - Shocks - Tie Rods |
Struts - Ball Joints - Oil Change |
616-532-7781 |
3613 Viaduct St. |
Rick Wohlford |
Grandville, MI 49418 |
owner / operator |
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Automotive Emporium, Inc. |
"Trustworthy Auto Service
& Repairs Not Found Elsewhere" |
|
616-452-3024 |
3716 S. Division |
Kent Ayers |
Wyoming, MI 49548 |
Owner / Operator |
|
State/ASE Master Technician |
20 years Experience |
Drywall- Stucco - Plaster |
|
Fred Johnson |
|
Free Estimates |
Satisfaction Guaranteed |
616-366-5616 |
Serving Grand Rapids |
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and all of West Michigan |
owner / operator |
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Free Estimates |
Prompt Service |
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Grand Rapids Transmission Service |
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Front Wheel Drive |
4 x 4 Trucks |
616-452-7411 |
2121 Kalamazoo |
Ryan Popma |
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 |
owner / operator |
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