Smithtown Kickers Soccer Club

Smithtown Kickers Soccer Club
Pas q uale LaManna - Pre si de nt
June 4, 2 0 11
Spri ng 2 01 1
Presidents Message
Smithtown Kicker Soccer Community,
Contents
Presidents Message
1
Upcoming Events
1
Intramural News
2
Intramural Referee Program 2
Changing of the Guard
3
Travel News
3
Another Changing Guard
4
Up Coming Import Dates
4
Coaches Corner
5
Dear Parents
5
Ask The Referee
6
Upcoming
Events
♦
♦
♦
Travel MVP
Awards 6/9
Travel Try-outs
during the month
of June – check
our web-site for
more detail
Intramural
Festival Weekend
6/11-12
Our spring season is off and running! I have seen many of you already out on the
fields of Smithtown both for practices and games. I want to start by giving a big
THANK YOU to all of the volunteers that make the Club run and ensure our kids
have a great time. Our soccer board members are dedicated parents who put in
long hours behind the scenes before and after the season to make all of the soccer
activities come together. Our coaches are parent volunteers who are the key to
putting the teams onto the field. Be sure to thank the board members and
coaches when you see them.
I thought it would be an opportune time to pass along some gentle reminders
about our conduct as parents and coaches as well as share some thoughts on the
climate of the Club.
When it comes to games, while the majority of the cheering from the sidelines is
positive, I have noticed some things that are not always conducive to our young
soccer players’ development, both in terms of skills and in terms of their
enjoyment of the game. As you approach games as engaged spectators and
enthusiastic fans, please keep a few things in mind.
One, this is not a Yankee, Met, Jet, Giant or Manchester United game. The kids do
react and internalize comments from the sidelines. We want to make this a
positive environment for trying out their new soccer skills, so please refrain from
negative or critical commentary.
Two, during the week, their coaches have tried to teach certain principles and
skills and the games are where they put them to use and work on decision making.
Too many times, I hear parents/coaches yelling out play-by-play instructions for
players to follow some of which are contradictory or sometimes wrong. For
example, when we try to teach kids to control the ball and "pass with a purpose,"
instructions from the sideline such as "boot the ball" or "kick it" are really not
what we want them to do. Just imagine yourself driving your car and having
someone from the backseat yelling at you, "hit the gas!" or "turn!"
Game situations are opportunities for our players to build their own decision
making skills and do that under the pressure and time limits that a game setting
provides. Please keep that in mind. I am not advocating a silent sideline, but
instead encourage you to make positive comments phrased in the past tense
rather than instructing what to do. Clapping, cheering, “way to go,” “nice play,”
are all great motivators.
Building Character thru Soccer,
Pasquale La Manna
President
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny
matters compared to what lies within us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Page 2 of 6
Intramural News
After a long, hard winter that just did
not want to let go of its grip the spring
is finally upon us. The fields at NY
Avenue and St. James School are once
again filled with boys and girls playing
the beautiful game all day on Saturday.
TEAM stands
for:
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More
There are over 1000 players registered
from age three to twelve across 10
divisions of play. With over 80 teams
the numerous volunteer coaches and
assistants are in mid-season form with
their training routine already. The prekindergarten age groups are once again
receiving both coaching and player
instruction from the NOGA professional
coaching organization. They specialize
in working with the younger age groups
and introducing them to fun games
while learning the most basic soccer
skills necessary for a solid foundation.
Plans are underway for this year’s
Festival Weekend June 11 and 12. This
is the only time the entire intramural
league is together at the same location
for the full weekend at Smithtown East
High School. The festival is played in
tournament format and many fun events
will be scheduled throughout the
weekend. A full concession stand and
souvenir’s stand will also be available.
The third annual coach’s game will be
played at 3pm on Saturday.
Intramural Referee Program
The referee program is managed by Guy
Fornuto and it provides opportunities
for many of our former intramural
players to continue to participate in our
league by officiating the intramural
games. The program has been updated
this spring and now includes a new
training class and an extended
mentoring program to help the new
referees in their roles.
These referees are all still kids, some as
young as 12 or 13 years old, so as adults
we must not forget this. Many of them
are our children, so please be sure to
treat them the way that you want your
own children treated. Please no yelling
at the refs! By giving them your
ultimate support you are also helping to
teach your own children an extremely
valuable lesson about sportsmanship and
competition.
“No-one gets an iron-clad guarantee of success.
Certainly, factors like opportunity, luck and timing
are important. But the backbone of success is
usually found in old-fashioned, basic concepts like
hard work, determination, good planning and
perseverance.” Mia Hamm
Page 3 of 6
Changing of the Guard
You can't live
a perfect day
without doing
something for
someone who
will never be
able to repay
you. - John
Wooden
Every community organization is only as
good as its volunteers and this explains
why the Smithtown Kickers have had so
much success over the years. The
volunteers that spend their time and
efforts in administering the league often
spend long hours performing thankless
tasks out of their spirit of sportsmanship
and community. The Smithtown Kickers
have also been fortunate to have a
steady flow of new and experienced
volunteers over the years.
Ken Indovino has served for 5 years as
our Intramural Director. Ken’s
dedication and leadership for the past 5
years has allowed the intramural
program to continue to flourish. The
countless hours of time that he has
volunteered were to ensure that every
child regardless of ability gets the
chance to participate and enjoy the
beautiful game. Ken always went the
extra mile and his belief in and
enthusiasm for the club has been a great
example to follow.
Ken took over the intramural Director role from
Pasquale LaManna in 2006, after serving several
years as the Boys Intramural Coordinator.
Pasquale of course has moved on to bigger things
and has been our club president for the last 2
years.
For the last 2 seasons Ken has mentored our next
Intramural Director, Paul Friedrichs, in the ins
and outs of running one of the largest intramural
programs in the region. Paul has a long history
with the club first as a player participating in
the formation years of the club, and more
recently as a coach. Paul’s father, John
Friedrichs, was a founding member of the
Smithtown Kickers and was recently inducted
into the Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of
Fame.
Ken won’t be retiring to the quiet life just yet;
he’ll continue to serve as a Board Member and
will lead the way in intramural player
development and coaches training.
Travel News
The travel program continues its
tradition of success and to build on its
relationship with Long Island
Professional Soccer, Smithtown Kickers
professional training organization. Most
teams continued an intensive program
of training during the winter months in
the local school gymnasiums, at the
Winter Skills Clinic, and some trained
outdoors on either of the two turf fields
at Moriches Park.
The travel program is also one of the
largest around, with 48 teams
registered for the spring season
including 765 players and 144 coaches
and assistant coaches.
Seven of our teams have qualified for
play in one of the prestigious premier
leagues where teams compete against
other top teams not only across Long
island but across the entire northeast
region of the country. Congratulations
to the following premier teams:
Region 1 - BU14 Arsenal and GU17 Attack
Northeast Regional Premier (NERP) - BU13
Thunder, BU18 Wizards, GU15 Revolution,
GU16 Spirit
President's League BU17 Sonic
In late February many of our top travel teams
played in the prestigious Manhattan
Tournament (yes, outdoors!), and many came
away with top honors:
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
Boys Smithtown Galaxy---champions
Girls Smithtown Fire---finalists
Girls Smithtown Lightning---champions
Girls Smithtown Revolution---champions
Girls Smithtown Spirit---finalists
Just as important several of our teams won
the coveted Sportsmanship award for the fall
season. Congratulations to the following
teams:
BU11 Scorpions
BU16 Challengers
GU10 Extreme
GU17 Power
Page 4 of 6
Another Changing of the Guard
I don’t
believe skill
was, or ever
will be, the
result of
coaches. It is
a result of a
love affair
between the
child and the
ball. Manfred
Schellscheidt
Upcoming
Important Dates
Monday, May 30 –
Memorial Day Parade in
Smithtown
Club General Meeting –
5/26
Travel MVP Awards - June
9
Intramural Festival
Weekend – June 11/12
Annual Coaches Game –
June 11
LIPS Skills Camp – July 1115
LIPS Shooting Clinic –
Week of July 25
LIPS Pre-Season Camp –
August 8-12
NOGA Intramural Camp –
July 18-21
Talk about people that put in more than
their fair share of time, Jay Mulhall has
done just that for the last several years
serving as both a Board member and
travel registrar. Not just giving up his
time but his house too! Jay was
responsible for travel team registration
for the fall and spring seasons and with
all relations between the Long Island
Junior Soccer League and all of the
Smithtown Kickers travel teams.
and all the paperwork, and the travel team
meetings too, Jay gave a great deal of his
heart and soul to the job. Appropriately so
Jay was nominated by the Smithtown Kickers
Board as their Volunteer of the Year and was
honored at the LIJSL Volunteer Dinner along
with 32 others from clubs around Long Island.
Jay stepped down from the board and retired
as Travel registrar last June. His efforts
won’t be forgotten and will always be much
appreciated.
Jay managed a complex registration
process that could make getting your
license at the Department of Motor
Vehicles look simple! From online
registration to player passes, player
adds and drops, new team orientation,
With big shoes to fill, Bob Cascone, another
Board member, stepped in to the daunting
role and has picked up where Jay left off.
Thanks Bob, and good luck!
Special Soccer Program:
A special thanks go out Loretta Crawford and Delia Neitzel they are planning to move
on and we would like to Welcome Suzanne Ziskin and Cindi Mascia as they transition
into their new roles in running the program. The Special Soccer program is for those
children with mental and/or physical handicap conditions. This program was initiated
to accommodate those children who are not able to participate in a regular or
mainstream soccer activity. It provides an opportunity for that child who deviates from
the average or normal child in mental, physical or social characteristics to such an
extent that he or she requires modified educational practices and services in order to
develop to his or her maximum capacity. The buddies that work the players are from
our Club. So if you are interested check our website.
Kickers Card:
We provided all the families with loyalty discount card. These cards offer specials
supplied by local supporting merchants as well as with online participating national
retail chains. They have provided our families with a variety of promotional events
from “20% off any purchase” to “buy one get one free”. We had 14 merchants
participate from our community. The Smithtown Kicker cardholder has the ability to
shop online through the PFS website and take advantage of special savings at
participating online retailers. The card possess a predetermined amount of online
funding to buy down on the specials offered. Special thanks goes to Thomas J.
Petracca for making this program happen.
Banking:
We made a banking change from Bank of America to Chase. The cost of doing business
with Bank of America was getting to high and was not “Club” friendly. We found a new
partner with Chase, who was willing to address our “Club” needs. The Club and teams
have a very user friendly online banking system, while the cost of doing business is
fiscally sound. The transition went very smoothly with the great efforts of Tom Geiger
and Bob Cascone.
Page 5 of 6
Coaches Corner
“Telling
yourself you
can do it is
good, showing
yourself you
can do it is
better!”
Communication: Ensure the terminology
you use is clear and precise. Let players
know you are in charge.
Positive Reinforcement: Whenever
possible give individuals and/or groups
positive reinforcement. Refrain from using
negative comments. Use praise as an
incentive.
Initiative and Creativity: If the drill or
game is too advanced, modify to increase
the chances of success.
Make a Difference: Be motivational and
inspirational. Enthusiasm and being
energetic are contagious.
Keep Players Active: If the drill is static,
create need of helpers or assistants to keep
everyone involved.
Individual Awareness: Be aware of player
differences. Aggressive or quiet, recognition
of player personalities will allow you to
respond to all players, and they will respond
to you positively.
Quality: In all demonstrations make the
desired objectives clear. If a player shows
mastery of a skill, use him/her to
demonstrate.
Technique: In all drills and games
Continually emphasis the use of correct
techniques.
Player Movement: At all times make
players aware of importance of readiness.
Emphasize weight forward on toes and
bouncing instead of flat footed-ness.
Rotate Positions: All players should be
active as servers, assistants. In game
situations change positions each quarter.
Respect: Continually get players to support
one another. To show good sportsmanship
towards all players including opponents, and
respect for others attempts and effort.
Equality: Give equal attention to all players
in group or games. Do not leave the less
competent players behind nor slow the
advanced players.
Fun and Enjoyment: Players will respond
and want to continue if things are fun.
Create their enjoyment.
Dear Parents
The parent’s role is one of support to the players and coaches. Parents should not
engage in “coaching” from the sidelines; criticizing players, coaches or game
officials; or trying to influence the makeup of the team at any time. Every parent
and spectator is expected to:
• Learn and respect the rules of soccer, and the rules of our club.
• Show respect and courtesy to the game officials, coaches, and players at
all times.
• Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions or
from addressing them in a loud, disrespectful, or abusive manner.
• Cheer for your child’s team in a positive manner, refraining at all times
from making negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team.
Maintain control of your emotions and avoid actions, language, and or
gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.
• Ensure that your child is at all games and practices at the required time
or provide the coach with an appropriate excuse beforehand.
• Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally
demonstrating at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.
• Soccer is more than just a game. It is one of the best ways, we as
parents, can develop the character of our children by having them work
with other team members in a concerted effort to be their best. Our
contribution in supporting them – and others on their team and the
opposing team – provides a positive role model that will benefit all of our
children many years from now.
Page 6 of 6
Ask The Referee
Question: When a ball is played back to the keeper by one of his/her own
players with their feet and the keeper picks it up, what happens?
Smithtown Kickers
PO Box 822
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone:
(631) 366-0099
Answer: Great question, keepers can only play the ball with their hands if
a shot was taken or their own team mate plays the ball back using any part
of the body other than their feet. In this case the ball is given to the other
team at the spot of the foul. It is not a penalty kick; it becomes an indirect
kick for the other team.
E-mail:
smithtownkickers@gmail.com
O n Saturday June 25th and Sunday June 26th, you will receive 20% off of your entire purchase with
the Sports Authority located at 2110 Nesconset Highway Stony Brook, NY.
In addition, from 7pm-10pm on Sunday they will have apparel and products specific for our l eague
availabl e to us. Please contact Adam Conlon at adamsportsauthority@hotmai l.com for reservations.
Come see the Sports Authority booth at Festival Day on June 11th and 12th for give always, discount
cards as well as information about the special weekend.
NOGA will be on-site at Festival Day June 11th and 12th pre-registering players for their
Soccer Camp. Also, they will be on hand to play fun games and give out some free items.
u
o
y
k
n
a
ThSmithtown Kickers
for letting us sponsor you.
On Saturday June 25th and Sunday June 26th, you will recieve 20% off of
your entire purchase with the Sports Authority located at 2110 Nesconset
Highway Stony Brook, NY.
In addition, from from 7pm-10pm on Sunday we will have apparel and
products specific for your league available to you.
For specific product requests and how many people you will be bringing,
please contact Adam Conlon at adamsportsauthority@hotmail.com.
2110 Nesconset Highway Stony Brook, NY 11790
Phone: 631.979.1080 Fax: 631.979.1076 x323
620 Middle Country Rd.
St. James, NY, 11780
631-361-9288
info@thesportsarena.net
www.thesportsarena.net
Season Kick Off July 2nd
Weekend Games Only
Girls and Boys Divisions
10 Game Season
Shirts Are Provided
$90 Per Player
FULLY
Call 361-9288 or
CLIMATE
CONTROLLED
register in person
Registration ends
June 20th
Intramural Age Groups:
Clinic: 4 year olds
Pee-Wee: 4-5 year olds
Midget: 5-6 year olds
Bantam: 7-8 year olds