W-a-k-e u-p, the summer is over! Drain the swimming pools. Put away the hammock. Stop guzzling those coolattas. No more ice cream! It’s time to get back to work. Get out the soccer ball. Erect that back yard set of goals. Start the three a day sprint drills. Yes, North Soccer Club (NSC) soccer, 1999-2000 style, is here.

And the NSC support team; the Board of Directors, the dedicated coaches and, those cannot live without team administrators, are in place. A brief profile of the Board members is contained later in this info-blurb.

This may surprise some of you children, but it’s difficult to improve your soccer skill vegging in front of the TV. No matter how many times you see Mia Hamm bury a blast, it is not going to improve YOUR foot-skills. To get better you have got to hit the TV ‘off’ button, go outside and practice ball handling and kicking techniques. Please take advantage of all the practices and the quality tips that our coaches offer. This fall, take the pledge: get the homework done and then dedicate yourself to some type of ball work every day. Even better, involve other family members too. (This is an unpaid soccer announcement from our coaching staffs.)

Everyone take note. The Millenium is fast approaching and the NA parade celebrating this event is approaching even faster. The parade is set for September 26th, starting at noon, and we are looking for high representation from our soccer club. NSC has a spot in the parade and encourages the children and coaches to show their pretty faces. If you participate, please wear your uniform. Ask your team administrator or coach for the pre parade meeting location.

Columbus Day weekend is not far away and that means those NSC teams that want a thrill can enroll in the John Smith’s Milford tournament ($20/person). So gather a team and we will see you there. Please let the Club know well beforehand about your interest so that they can get the proper teams enlisted in this enjoyable outdoor and indoor tourney.

Indoor session tryouts. Yes we are serious. No we have not completely lost our mind. Indoor session tryouts are scheduled for October 17th at the Milford bubble. Watch the Free Press for the times. There will be tryouts for all ages. That even includes the ‘old-timers,’ the 14-on-up crowd.

Find them while they’re hot! Yes that is what we want you to do. While you are thinking about it, we want you to go on a NSC’ jersey hunting expedition. Open all the closets, look into the shadows and corners and observe if you see red, black and white jerseys from yesteryear. If by chance you do locate one of these, or you know of a friend or neighbor who has kept such a classic as a past memory, please collect it and pass it on to either your team administrator or Scott Wade. Your attention to this matter is of great importance to the Club’s healthy financial condition.

While we are on the subject of clothing, please be advised that the Club has certain clothing items for sale. Talk to your team administrator about acquiring articles like red checkered shorts, black soccer socks, etc. at a most reasonable price.

The fall session games are scheduled to begin the weekend of September 11, 1999. If you are reading this and have an enrolled child who has not practiced yet then you should call a board member and inquire about your child’s membership status.

There are at least 16 fall session teams for age groups 14 and below. This is a number greater than last year. This growth trend speaks well for the continued interest of soccer in North Attleboro. Also, it should mean that more parents want to get involved in the functionality of the Club.

Two etiquette items! If you see trash lying around the fields, bend over, engage your fingers, gently pick up the refuse and please deposit it in a trash receptacle. Also don’t forget the ‘zero tolerance’ rule. The game referees want to see, NOT HEAR, the players and their supporters. So please do not offer referee criticism at games. We want to be proud of the way our teams act and the way our fields look.

The Club needs help lining the soccer fields for Saturday soccer games. If you have the time we have the lining opportunities. Rose, Amvet and Ruth Rhind fields need stripes weekly. Also the Club seeks a riding lawnmower that functions. There is a wanna-be-athlete in North Attleboro that will keep the Amvet fields maintained in the spring if we pony up a sweat-free mower. If you have one or know someone or a company that could supply one, shout! Let your team administrator, coach or board member know about either of these important items.

You’ve seen it in the newspapers. Fields are at a premium. There is only so much open space, Green-lands are in want by football, field hockey, soccer, baseball and other sports. So what is a proactive soccer club to do? Recognizing this problem several years ago, the Club actually took it upon themselves to turn Rose Field into a respected soccer field. Bob Preston used to talk daily to these grasses and today we are being criticized that the grass is growing too fast. (If only our yards had these problems.)

So what’s the next step in this vision? Using the dollar or two that has been applied to past years’ registration fees the Club has committed to providing some major assistance to upgrading the fields at the Amvet School. Not only is a sprinkler system in the future Amvet field plans but a complete reseeding of the fields will be accomplished. Dan Ellis has been the spark lighting this fire. Give him a compliment for a 20-20 vision.

So what other field talk is happening? Well, to keep you late for games and practices (as well as accommodate the increase in soccer interests) the NSC has a new field. The field is called Ruth Rhind. The field is the old Girl Scout Field and is located by the Chemawa Golf Course. If you need to get to it and don’t know the way, call your coach or team administrator for directions. If you get lost on the way pull out your golf clubs and play a round at Chemawa.

The team is in full gear. Martin Grealish (Marty) is this year’s person in charge. As president, he will continue to accent his ‘it’s for the children’ theme and provide the guidance that underscores this direction.

Doreen Paquin assumes the vice president’s position. Further improvements in the club are expected as she applies her experience as a past seasoned board member and a multi-year coach.

Pat Wynn has assumed the treasurer responsibilities. Pat will chart the X’s and O’s of the NSC financial world and make sure that the creditors are happy. Also, Pat will be confirming that you are paying your bills. Sooo, if he comes a calling get that checkbook ready.

Kim O’Connell is returning as Club Secretary. Kim has the thankless duty of filling out the myriad of applications and performing the numerous other administrative tasks that accompany a club that will number more than three hundred.

Another new board member with fresh and innovative ideas is Scott Wade. Scott will most likely turn his house into a mini department store as he assumes the equipment manager role. Scott, with a lot of help from others, is already focused on developing a comprehensive inventory of shirts, socks, and the other major assets.

Rosie Hamilton was elected the Assistant Director of Player Development. Associated with the club for a few years, a soccer enthusiast, and an active mom, Rosie will also provide new approaches, energies and thoughts that will improve the Club.

The veteran, Dan Ellis, continues a long lasting relationship with the Board. As past president he will share the many lessons learned and successes of past administrations.

The NSC needs your assistance. Did you notice that the Field Director position has not been filled? Did you know that most of the board members ran unopposed? What that may infer is apathy on part of the soccer community. We believe that is not true. However we need fresh blood and new ideas. We need people to continue to stay involved in providing a solid outlet and development opportunity for their children. If you are able, we are willing. Call one of the board members and offer your support and time. Attend one of the upcoming meetings noted on the calendar.

As has been the tradition since the start of the Club last year, we had a spring bonanza dinner where our children were honored for their contributions throughout the year. At this dinner was a raffle, where local prizes were provided at no cost to the Club. Local merchants generously provided many of these prizes so that they could be part of the North Attleboro soccer explosion. This begs the question; do any of you know of companies that would like to form a long-lasting relationship or sponsorship with the club? Advertising in our newsletter or some other creative marketing opportunity is available to interested entities. If you know of potential interested parties or creative funding ideas we would like to hear from you.

Can soccer be damaging to your mental health? Most people, if they were approaching 50 years of age, would think of celebrating this half-century birthday in a relaxing, semi-retirement sense of way. But one of our soccer dads contrived a new way of celebrating this life milestone.

Could you easily handle a 26-mile marathon? How about a relaxing three mile swim? Does a hundred and ten plus mile bike race in a mountainous area thrill you? Well among our extended soccer family is a person who did all of the above, one after another, in a 50-year birthday celebration that lasted over fourteen hours. Yes, a contest that was ‘one-four’ or ‘14’ hours in length. Who is this person and... was soccer madness the cause? Ask Bob Armstrong, our nominee for Ripleys (or is it NSC’s) ‘believe it or not’ induction. Bob, you are truly our Iron-man. Check out a replay on September 18th on ESPN.

The MLS camp, coordinated by the NSC Club this summer, was a success story. Fifty-four children participated. We are strongly thinking about inviting them back next summer. If you have some added feedback on the camp, we would like to hear from you.

The Kids Day NSC soccer extravaganza was another summer ‘99 success story. Over $500 was placed in the coffers from this sole event. Many thanks to the following individuals for their never-ending support: Pat Koukal, Kim O’Connell, Sean O’Neill, Rosie Hamilton, Bonnie Lopes, Bill and Mary Smith, Dennis Begin, Scott Wade, Maureen Kummer, and Drew McLaughlin. Special thanks to Marty G. for supplying a new ‘kick wall’; to Dan Ellis and Bob Preston for constructing the new artistic exhibit and to Doreen Paquin for coordinating the entire program. This example again shows how people help people and the club succeeds.

One of the priorities of the 1999 NSC Board is continuing communication with the Club soccer population. This means that information from the Club will be eagerly shared with each of you via the coaches, team administrators, word of mouth and this newsletter. In return the Board members need feedback from parents and children. If you have general questions that need to be addressed or you have an idea that warrants attention or some type of follow-up action, please don’t keep it to yourself. Feel free to pass it to a board member or if you want some anonymity you can pass it to our editor. He always keeps his sources protected. He can be reached at Willo@ici.net.