May 2000

Spring has Sprung

Push up the windows, open the doors, smell the flowers, Spring is here! Why is that good news for the North Soccer Club? The change of seasons brings a break from the indoor bubbles (and winter) and the beginning of another journey outdoors. Although the indoor game is exciting, fast-paced and conditional, it is always nice to return to the way the game means to be played. As they say in Europe it is time for Football.

Soccer Banquet

Hopefully, you received a postcard for the annual soccer banquet. Key facts: U8 boys & all girls on May 3rd, all other boys May 4th. Time 6:30-8:00pm. Attleboro Elks. Price-$11 for adults or $9 for children - 12 and under. Sign up by April 22nd.

From the President’s Desk

The tryout process for any competitive youth sport is a stressful time for both kids and parents. Having been involved in the NSC tryouts over the past several years, I know we are no exception to this. In trying to make it less stressful and a more fun experience, I have proposed to the NSC Board of Directors, and they have approved, that the tryouts for Fall 2000 will be an NSC Tournament known as the ‘NSC Blitz.’ This will be open to only those players who want to play in the fall and will consist of three or four 15-minute small-sided games. I believe this will accomplish two things, it should give us a more accurate assessment of each child’s ability and more importantly it will be a fun experience for the kids, as they just want to play. This tournament is scheduled for Sunday, May 21, 2000 with signups on May 13th. And if it is a success, we will use it for future tryouts. We look forward to your support in this. More details will follow in the Free Press as the time approaches.

The following comments are from Paul Gardner, a columnist for Soccer America and were published in the winter edition of KICK MAGAZINE. “Teaching Soccer is a Riddle. How to teach the secret, inner richness of the game - creativity, inventiveness, artistry, impishness, audacity? The jewels that sparkle on the framework. These are precious qualities that need to be coaxed rather than coached. Manuals, tactics, blood-curling cries from the sideline won’t work; needed instead are patience, understanding and respect - for the kids and the sport. These are the qualities that will steward youngsters into the less forgiving world of adult soccer.” Wise words indeed and I wanted to pass them along.

Finally, I would like to wish all our teams the best of luck in spring and we look forward to seeing the kids “sweating and smiling.”

Martin Grealish

NSC President

What is the result, a goal or a goal kick, if the ball goes into the opponents goal...

1. Directly from a kickoff?

2. Directly from a goal kick?

3. Directly from a throw-in?

4. From a throw-in which deflects off the goalkeeper’s fingers?

5. Directly from a corner kick?

6. Directly from a direct free kick?

7. Directly from an indirect free kick?

8. From an indirect free kick, which deflects off the referee?

9. From a penalty kick which rebounds off the keeper and the penalty kicker kicks in the rebound?

10. From a penalty kick which rebounds off the crossbar and the penalty kicker kicks in the rebound?

See last page for answers.

The Mental Game

Everyone enjoys seeing teams improve. But does it stop there? No!! The NSC leadership wants all the players to know that soccer is but one dimension of development. Much more important is the effort that the players place on school work. Based on the large number of NSC players appearing on the honor rolls, it is obvious that the players are succeeding in this area as well. Keep up the focus and give it all the energy that you can.

Fields Update

Check them out! The NSC squads are using the fields at Rose, Ruth Rhind and the High School JV fields. The Club is proud to report that the fields are ready for the wear and tear that the soccer enthusiasts bring to their surfaces. Take a hard look at your investment at The Amvet School. As reported earlier this year, Dan Ellis and gang have put their green thumbs to work and rehabbed these semi-swamp lands. New grass has been sown and an electronic underground sprinkler system has been installed. A loud ‘well done’ to Walter Rosbiciki for providing the finishing electrical touches to this system. We plead with all of you (not just the coaches) to keep the fields clean. When leaving the fields, take a look back and see if anything appears out of order. If so, please take an extra minute and put it in its proper place.

Thanks to all of you who pitched in and helped out with your team’s spring chores list. Please remember that maintaining these fields is a group effort and the full participation of everybody really helps, as these chores have to be done. If your team’s chore is not finished, there is still time.

Some Added Spring Notes

Please make sure our soccer teams are at the fields well before game time. We have instructed our referees to check players early so games will start on time. This point is important as one late game throws off all the following games. Also, some of our referees have to get to other fields across town.

On the subject of referees and proper game behavior, please familiarize yourself once again with the BAYS ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY on the back of your BAYS book. Remember most referees are just young players and deserve your patience, support and understanding.

Lessons Learned

In reviewing the past indoor season, it appears that some teams played in Divisions where their team was not competitive. One of the reasons this happened was trying to avoid two North team’s playing in the same Division. The Board is aware that this must be a fun experience for the kids and they should play in divisions where they are competitive, challenged and will have some success. To achieve this in the next indoor season, other facilities will be looked at and adjustments will be made quickly if teams are not placed properly. To the parents and children on teams that were not competitive this past indoor season, the Board acknowledges your frustrations and applauds your perseverance.

They Said It Couldn’t Be Done

Who says that Bob Preston couldn’t be replaced as Field Director? Well it has been done. An individual who is well known in horticulture circles, Eli Berkowitz, has graciously volunteered as NSC’s field director. Please extend a green thumbs-up to Eli who will assure that the fields maintain that manicured appearance.

Congratulations Rich

Rich Cherecwich, a member of the NSC U-18 team, is commended for aggressively pursuing the rank of Eagle, the Boy Scout’s highest award. In addition he was selected as a ‘Millenium Dreamer Ambassador’ entitling him to join 2,000 (of 100,000) other worldwide winners at Florida’s Walt Disney Resort in May. Rich exemplifies the meaning of teamwork and concern for others. He championed the refurbishment and rededication of North Attleboro’s WW II Veterans Memorial, a long-lasting community landmark. We could all learn from Rich’s example.

A Sincere Thank You

Several local businesses throughout the year have contributed materials or funds to promote the sport of soccer in North Attleboro. We ask that you remember their generosity. A sincere thank you is extended to J.E. Case who donated loam for the Amvet field refurbishment project. In addition Carol Hamilton; V.H. Blackington & Co. Inc.; Texas Instruments; Briggs Nursery; Walmart and VolksWagon of North Attleboro were kind enough to provide superlative financial support. If anyone knows of other potential sponsors that would like to share in the soccer fun please let us know.

Get Em While They’re Hot!

Want to see the best the area has to offer via pro-soccer? Want to catch a price break? Mark down May 6th - a double header at Foxboro: Boston Renegades (women) vs. New Jersey and NE Revolution (men) vs. San Jose Earthquakes. We encourage all our teams to make this a NSC night. Call Craig Tornberg of the Revs @ (508) 384-9285 and say you are from North Soccer Club for a group discount. Try and do this with your team as we would like a good turnout. Both the Renegades and the Revs are sending a guest speaker to our Banquet!

Got a better mousetrap?

Do you have a better idea on how to determine who should play for what team? Or you have an idea that could lead to equipping the coaches with more soccer knowledge or drills? Maybe you think you are innovative and you could develop some efficient and economic solutions to some challenging NSC problems? Well, if any of these fit your persona or you just want to jump in with both feet, the Club would enjoy your participation. The Club understands that growth is evolutionary and demands new ideas. It takes people who want to share their scarce time for the benefits of many. If you want to get involved, attend one of the monthly meetings and participate. If you want to run for a North Soccer Club Board position, please call one of the current board members and express your desire. Elections for next year are currently planned for July 2000.

A Summer Calendar Note

Stay away from planning a vacation during the week of July 24, 2000. The annual MLS Camp is scheduled for July 24th to 28th at the North Attleboro High School. Cost is $88 per child which includes a T-Shirt. $5 discount for 2nd child, $10 for 3rd, etc. Brochures will be available soon and if you register early, you will be entered in a raffle for some special prizes including tickets to a Revs game. The Camp will focus on developing individual skills.

More Thanks

Too often life speeds by without proper acknowledgements. Seeing how the end of the school year and the soccer year is in the foreseeable future, the NSC must pause and thank the many of you who have contributed to another successful year. First and foremost thank you, boys and girls, or should it be young men and women, for another memorable soccer year. Your endless devotion, energy and courtesies, on and off the field, have been noticed throughout the area and are the envy of many. We all appreciate your continual hustle and most importantly your commitment to improvement. We all can learn from the examples that you have established.

To the parents and other significant fans, thank you for behaving yourselves throughout the year, setting an example of how people can root for their “stars” while also keeping emotions in check. As you know the league adopted strict sideline behavior rules to modify fan antics, and you defined the meaning for proper sideline behavior. The children, the club, the many teams...would not be successful without your endless participation. You are the true glue that binds the organization.

To the coaches, the assistant coaches, the interim ‘coach is late’ coaches, and the last minute ‘I’m the only one here with a card’ coaches....thanks! It takes considerable time, significant schedule juggling, loads of patience and, yes, a whole lot of soccer smarts to coach. You have made the sacrifice that is necessary to develop our children’s soccer toolkit and we soundly applaud your devotion and enthusiasm.

To the NSC Board members - another stellar year. The player count is high; the children are developing; no parents have spent the night in jail; the referees still show up for NSC games; the creditors are happy; Life is great! We all know the considerable amount of time and effort that each of you spends in support of all the children. It is sincerely appreciated and recognized. We all hope that every one of you takes a couple of weeks off during the summer.

Answers to quiz: 1, 2, 4, 5,6 and 9 - goal; 3, 7 and 8 - goal kick; 10 - neither, it is an indirect kick for the opponents from the spot of the penalty kicker’s second kick.