Well Done @ Practice Today Boys!

Wizards - great practice today... when you work hard, give your best effort, and you step up your concentration your results are amazing... loved the ball movement towards the end of practice - it was fun to watch!

Will get back to you soon on conditioning night with Tuuka and our practice shirt order...
Coach Jim

Practice Sunday AM - WSC (9:30-11:00)

PRACTICE REMINDER for Sunday AM 9:30-11:00 indoor WSC... and don't forget your soccer homework written assignment... you can type it up and email to me (james.tober@ontario.ca) if thats easier.

See you Sunday AM!
Coach Jim

Updates From The OSA

Hi everyone, I want to share with you some information from the OSA on changes to soccer in Ontario which will be implemented over the next few years... the program is called "Long Term Player Development" and some general info can be found here.

Also, I wanted to share info on a new training program that all competitive coaches are required to take. It is called "Respect In Soccer" and some general info can be found here....

The Show Your Respect section also has sample code of conduct documents for coaches, parents, players and refs... I am attaching the parent document here for your review.

See you at practice on Sunday!
Coach Jim

GREAT Practice Today!

Parents and Players, I'm so pleased with the practice today! We have a great group of players - it's only January and I saw a few plays out there that made me jump - even with the bum wheel... BTW, I iced my ankle all afternoon, and it was worth it - I had a great time with my team!

Players remember to sign and pin/tape/post your Commitment Sheets up in your room where you can always see it.... and remember to complete your homework assignment !

I will have more details soon re the conditioning training night with Tuukka... still waiting for my rental permit from DSBN...

In the meantime, let me leave you with the following link:

http://mastersfutbolacademy.ca/documents/Play_Soccer_with_Pele.pdf

This is the Pele book I spoke to you about... mark it as a favortite in your browser or print it and read it... fantastic book on Soccer basics from Pele himself! I re-read it all the time... I will save the pdf and email it to you, as well as the Commitment Sheet and Homework Assignment

Special special thanks to Coach Marty for helping out today - what a great coach!  And thanks to all the parents (and grandparents) who volunteered to help me out today... I didn't use you all but will in the future, trust me!

Thanks
Coach Jim

2012 Team Practice Kick-Off this Sunday AM @ WSC

Hi everyone, I'm really happy to confirm we will be starting our team practices this Sunday AM indoor at the WSC from 9:30 - 11:00am.

My ankle is still very sore and I am on crutches for awhile but to help me out, this week we will have a Very Special Surprise Coach!

I know that some of you are playing hockey and may not be able to attend Sunday AMs regularly, however, I really need the boys together this Sunday AM. We will start practice with a Team Meeting. It is important that the parents attend the Team Meeting portion of our practice as well.

For Jan-Feb-March our Sunday AM practice schedule is as follows:

Place: WSC (indoor)
Time: 9:30-11:00am
Jan 22, 29
Feb 5,12, 19, 26
March 11, 18, 25

Dome rental is $150.00 for each 90 minute practice. I am proposing that we start some fund raising soon and the first $1,350.00 we raise will go towards dome rental costs.

I am also working with Clayton and his trainer Tuuka to develop a 10 week strength and conditioning program which will be at Glendale School on either Monday or Wednesday nights - still to be determined... will keep you posted...

So see you Sunday AM by 9:15 so that we can start right at 9:30 sharp.

Thanks
Coach Jim

Real Madrid v. Barca Tonight on GOLTV (7:30- 9:30pm)

Real Madrid v Barcelona Tonight - 7:30-9:30pm - Replay at 10:00pm

Hi everyone, if you have GOLTV you have a real soccer treat tonight! Real v Barca in Copa Del Rey Action! ... can hardly wait! If you don't have GOLTV you can probably find a free on-line feed.

Enjoy and Love The Game!

Coach Jim

Start Of Team Practices Postponed Until Jan 22

Hi everyone, I messed up my ankle pretty badly yesterday! I wish at least it was doing something cool like playing soccer as opposed to just taking a step off a curb LOL!!!!!!  At least the crutches are reminding me of great times in Grade 12-13 where when not on the Football Field, I was on crutches all the time LOL!

I was going to start our team practices at WSC this Sunday AM but now I will put that off for at least another week... I see a specialist in a few days so we will see then when I can actually put some weight on it...

Sorry to disappoint, I know you guys are itching to go... will keep you posted...

On the bright side, I found a place where I can get Dri-fit style Practice Shirts made for us for only $10.00 each!  I will try to put the order in soon...can you pls email the sizes you want ie YM, YL, YXL or Adult S?

Thanks, talk to you soon... feel free to call me at home during the day, I'm bored stiff!

Coach Jim

Great Day Today

Boys, you did yourselves proud today!   Remember, you were competing with a year-round elite academy team and after 45 mins we were down only 1-2... awesome!

This was a great way to kick-off 2012, I can hardly wait to start up with our team practices soon! (details to follow) ...

Special Thanks to all the parents who drove and to Coach Danilo and his boys!

I'm very happy with what we showed today!   Take pride in your work...

Coach Jim

Soccer Opportunity for this Wednesday Afternoon

Hi everyone, short notice I know (apologies), but we have an opportunity to go and
play soccer in Brampton with members of a U12 SRSL team this Wednesday, from
2:00-4:00pm. The Brampton team is coached by a friend of Clayton's. We will be
going with some players from Coach Danilo's team.

If you are interested in this opportunity please send me an email or facebook message so that I can get an idea of numbers. If you want your son to go and can't drive, please reply as well - I realize that many parents will be working and that that may be a bit of an obstacle, but I will try to coordinate rides...... (We're looking for volunteers who would be able to offer transportation, because of course not everyone can or should drive)

I can only promise spots to the first 7 responses.

Cost would be no more than $10.00 to help pay for indoor field rental.

This is not an Exhibition Game or Team Practice.... Just a chance to get out and play
friendly soccer with other good players!

Thanks
Coach Jim

Happy New Year To My Wizards Family!

Happy New Year to my Wizards Family!

Thanks for all your hard work and supporting me as your coach... I'm very thankful to have this team and I will do everything I can to make 2012 even better!

Happy New Year, boldog új évet, kali xronia, szczęśliwego nowego roku, buon anno, feliz año nuevo, bonne année, gelukkig nieuwjaar, blwyddyn newydd dda, nav varsh ki subhkamna, sreyna nova godina, feliz año nuevo...

(I hope I covered all the languages from our Wizards families - if not , I'm sorry and please add other languages on our facebook page!!!!!!)

-Coach Jim

I found this quote and think it fits our team for 2012!

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

...I have no doubt our team will do great things in 2012!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my Wizards and your families!

 I found this xmas related link on arsenal.com - Junior Gunners Club Christmas Party...

On Friday, 500 kids got to watch the Arsenal practice, have a Q&A session with Arsene Wenger and then have a meal and autograph session with the players... watch the video, the team works on a keep-away drill with 6 outside with 2 defenders inside! Pretty cool that even the pros practice the basics too! Watch how they all pass AND MOVE! ...you will hear me say that a million times in 2012 LOL!!!

So, have a blessed and restfull holiday and see you soon!

-Coach Jim

2012 Player Development Sessions at WSC

The Welland Soccer Club's Technical Department will deliver 8 weeks of player development sessions for all players.


The sessions are intended to enhance player development, as well as ensure that players learn the enjoyment of the game. Our age group (born 2000) will start Tuesday January 17.  For those boys not playing in the Niagara Falls Tuesday Night League, I would encourage you to sign-up - Coach Rob and Coach Frank are tremendous teachers.

 Also included in these sessions will be a goalkeeper component (this night is yet to be determined).

All participating players must register at the Welland Soccer Club, 469 Rice Road, in Welland before January 10, 2012. Cost is $100.00 per player.

Office hours: 2-9 pm Monday through Thursday

Please note the WSC office closed December 23rd to January 2nd

The Technical Development department reserves the right to alter the session

nights to accommodate registration numbers.

Thanks
Coach Jim

Inspiring stories from WSC "Grads"!

Guys, please read this link about a Welland Soccer Club Graduate, Simon Gatti, who is trying out for the Montreal Impact's first MLS Training Camp! Simon was coached in Welland by Frank DeChellis (U9-10-11)...  Our last training for 2011 with Coach Frank is this Thursday night.

Also here are an article in last week's Welland Tribune about Sabrina D'Angelo (Coach Gerry's daughter) and her very promising career at the University of South Carolina

How inspiring and exciting are these stories?!?!?!!! 

Coach Jim

My take on training this morning

Guys, let me take a minute to tell you I was VERY impressed this morning... you guys were stringing passes together, keeping possession of the ball and finishing when the opportunity was there...

You will hear me say it a million times during the year - BALL POSSESSION is EVERYTHING...we have to want that ball more than the other team, and then we have to keep that ball for ourselves... they can have the ball back after we put it their net!

Well done!

-Coach Jim

Twas the last training before Christmas!

Hi everyone, a quick touchbase before Christmas... 

We have our last Sunday AM Training with Clayton tomorrow and our last Thursday Night Training with Coach Frank at WSC on Thursday.

I am finalizing plans for our team practices and training (from January to March) and will update you thru email, this blog and our facebook page...

Thanks
Coach Jim

A Very Merry Wizard Christmas

Check out our Cake Santa's eyes as Angie slices into his neck LOL!!!

Well our first annual Wizards Christmas Bash was fantastic.  Thank you everyone for coming out today. We had a great time, a wonderful way to wind down a very memorable 2011!

I'm so proud of my team - a great group of kids! Have a peaceful and blessed Christmas.

Coach Jim

Extra Practice Opportunity Tonight

Hi all, just a reminder that we are invited to join in on Coach Danilo’s Team’s Practice tonight at Sinnicks from 5:30—7:00pm… please feel free to join in and get some touches if you interested…. Remember to bring $7.00 to help share the cost of the dome rental…

Thanks

Coach Jim

PS Team XMAS Party Count Down = 3 days!

No Practice Tomorrow Night

Hi guys, the practice tomorrow PM at Sinnicks will be rescheduled.

Coach Jim

Winter Indoor Competitive League & Training Wednesday Night

Hi Parents and Players,

Coach Danilo and I will be coaching an Winter Indoor Competitive Team in a league that is run out of the Niagara Falls Sinnicks Complex.

This Winter Team will be a combination of our U12 Wizards Team and his U14 Roma Team.  The games will be on Tuesday nights and will run for 16 weeks from early December to early April.

I like this idea very much for my players as this will be much more challenging that playing House League over the winter, i.e. it will be competitive and with older players - we can only stand to become better as a team as our boys develop their skills in a challenging environment.

This is not a mandatory part of my U12 Wizards Team, but is available as a great training opportunity to all my players. 

The cost to submit a team in this league is $1,800.00. The cost per player will depend on the number of players registered (we will likely have 12-13 players approx $150-$160 per player for 16 weeks of Winter Soccer).

I need you to let me know within the next few days if you are interested in joining... It will be a blast!

Parents, as always please let me know if rides are an issue-if you want your son to play we can make it work!

Wednesday Night Practice at Sinnicks: the open invite to join Coach Danilo’s Team’s practice at his Wednesday practice still stands... from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Sinnicks (for $7.00 to help shared the dome rental cost). I was not able to be there last week because of the WSC AGM but will be there with Dino this Wednesday.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Coach Jim

Spots still available for Sunday AM Training

Hi everyone, just checking in with those who have not been coming out for Sunday AM
Training with Clayton but would still like to...

We have four more sessions left - this Sunday Nov 27, Dec 4, 11 and 18.... The prorated cost is $75.00 for the four sessions....

Please let me know if you are interested, and pls don't let rides get in the way.... If you want to come we will all work together to make it possible!

Please email or call me ASAP!
Thanks
Coach Jim

Team Christmas Party & Other News

HI everyone, I have confirmed our Team Christmas Party for Saturday, December 10 at Dave & Buster’s in Niagara Falls... it will be the same idea as our year-end banquet... we will have the area on the 2^nd Floor looking down on Clifton Hill... the food will be all-you-can eat Pizza, Salad and Pop... the pricing as follows (taxes are included):

$20.00 for Players - food and $20.00 Power Card (siblings are welcome to join)

$24.00 for Parents - food and $20.0 Power Card (you can play or give you card to your kid!)

$16.00 for Parents – food only (no card)

We can start arriving any time after  11:00am  – food will be served at noon.  We can stay as long as we want...parents can order a drink for two from the bar... I will collect $$$  when you arrive but please email me with a “yes attending” or “not attending”,  and how many are joining the Party (Players, Parents and Siblings)...

Boys - the Lazer Tag will be included as a  Merry Christmas to you!

I hope that this will be a great time to have some fun and get to know each other better.

Extra Practice Opportunity for Wednesday Nights

We have been invited to practice with the U14 Roma Boys Team on Wednesday nights at the Sinnicks Sportplex in Niagara Falls... the practice runs from 5:30 – 7:00 and cost is $7.00 per practice (to help cover Dome rental)... This is an extra opportunity to get out and work on skills with an older group of players - which is a great opportunity!  Please don’t let rides get in the way! Let me know if you would like to come out but need a ride, and we will try to work something out!

Facebook Team Page

I hope you like our Team Facebook Page that I set up over the weekend.... it does not take the place of our team blog , it’s a place on facebook for us to share picture, stories, birthdays  etc, etc... I tried to invite everyone all at once and for some reason not everyone got added at the same time, so I’m still working on it... let me know if anyone is missing... lets invite our families as well!

Thanks, and please let me know if you have any questions

Coach Jim

Coach Jim's Updates

Hi Team and Parents, 

A quick update on team activities and plans:

Currently we have 8 boys training on Thursday PMs at the Welland Soccer Club with Coach Frank DiChellis, and 9 boys training on Sunday AMs at Sinnicks in Niagara Falls with Clayton Rosario. Many boys are also playing indoor at the WSC Friday Nights!  Lots of soccer being played and we LOVE IT!

I am planning on getting a few Team Practices indoor at WSC in the coming weeks - I will let you know details when I get the WSC booked.

We will take a Christmas break, and then in January-February-March we will have once/week Team Practices at the Sinnicks Complex in Niagara Falls.  I am partnering with another team to share costs of rental of the dome and will let you know shortly the exact dates, times and costs.  During the Jan-March time-frame there will also be other training delivered by the WSC Technical Department which the boys can join as well. 

Speaking of Christmas, I would like to organize a Team Christmas Party for parents and players.  I am targetting the afternoon of Saturday, December 10th or 17th... please mark on your calenders and let me know which of those days work for you...

Beginining in April we will start twice/week practices in gearing up for the season.  And of course, one of the highlights of the year, we will have our Sherkston ShoresTraining Camp Weekend (before the May 24 weekend). 

Request to Parents: please save our  team’s blog address (http://wellandwizardsteamtalk.blogspot.com/) as a favourite in your internet browsers and ensure the boys see this blog regularly.  I will start posting training and technical videos for the boys to watch which will show them all the same skills that I emphasize in practice.  I will also post fun “Top 10 Goals”  type videos as well... it is very important that the boys continue to develop their love for soccer (which is one of the main reasons why I created this blog)...Thanks!

Oh -  and please make friends with me and each other on facebook! I post team related stuff on my profile.

Please let me know if you have any questions... talk soon...

Coach Jim

Ground Breaking for New Sports Complex!

Hi everyone... fantastic news - the ground breaking for the new River Road Sports Complex took place yesterday!  This is HUGE for our boys... we will have a world-class facility to play and train in year round!

 Please click here for the link to the story in the Welland Tribune! 

2011 Welland Soccer Club Year End Banquet

For all 2011 Players and Parents,

Our Welland Soccer Club Year End Banquet (to close off the 2011 season) will be on Thursday November 3 at Dave & Buster's entertainment restaurant in Niagara Falls.

The night includes a buffet dinner of all you can eat: Chicken, Pasta, Salad, soft drinks... also included: all Soccer players will receive a $20 Dave & Buster's Player card that they can use that night on over 200 games from the classics to the latest & greatest video, arcade and sports games!

The Welland Soccer Club will cover the cost of all players. Parents are welcome to join in the banquet meal for $15 each. Siblings are also welcome to attend for a cost of $20 (covers their meal & $20 Player Card). Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Welland Soccer Club at 469 Rice Road and are available NOW through to October 31st.

*         Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm

*         Team Award presentations will follow dinner

*         Player cards will be handed out with your 2011 Soccer Plaques

TEAM YEAR BOOK DVD:  We have a special gift Team Year Book DVD for our Players and Families... special thanks to Liam’s Mom Jane who spent countless hours editing and reediting over 300 pictures into a wonderful keepsake for the boys of our amazing season! I have seen the video and it's EPIC!

Dave & Buster’s

4955 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2G 3N5

Parking is available at any of the sites nearby

Parents & Players - we look forward to hearing your feedback on our attempt to make this year's soccer banquet a unique & memorable event for the players by holding it at an entertainment venue like Dave & Busters. Your feedback will guide our selection for next year's banquet.

The Club's office is open Monday through Thursday from 2pm to 9pm

(Cash, Debit MC/Visa)

WSC: 905-735-8106

Thanks and see you there!

Coach Jim

Introducing Your Welland Wizards U12 Boys for 2012!

Hi everyone, with great pride I introduce to you your new U12 Welland Wizards Select Boys for 2012!

• Henry B
• Jacob B
• Kalen C
• Juan G
• David H
• Jarret H
• Colton J
• Mitchell J
• Liam M
• Jay P
• Bailey S
• Dino T
• Ben V
• Matthew W

Congratulations Boys!  What an awesome group of players!!

I can hardly wait to get started with team work-outs. You will receive an email from me shortly re our workout schedule (October-November-December).  I will work to set up some exhibition games as well. 

I am VERY proud to call you my team!  As your coach, I promise you I will always give you my 100% and do my best to help you become the best you can possibly be.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

See you soon
Coach Jim

Emphasis on Passing the Ball and Ball Control

Boys, I'm watching the Champions League Game, Real Madrid v Lyon, and saw this amazing stat: at the 72 minute mark, Real Madrid had completed 423 passes! 

Think about that for a second... 423 passes in 72 minutes... thats approx 6 completed passes every minute! ...ball control boys, ball control...

UPDATE AFTER BARCA GAME:
Barcelona completed 882 passes v Plzen on Wed...... approx 10 passes completed per minute....oh my!!

Coach Jim

Next Steps

Hi everyone, a quick update on the next steps I have planned...

First of all, let me say what a great effort from the boys during the try-outs! We saw some good quality and the boys are really making me think hard about my decisions. I wish the season could start tomorrow!

I am in the process of completing my evaluations - the ratings of each player on each of the Player Assessment Criteria (which I handed out and you can also find along the left column of the blog). I have a meeting scheduled with our Club Technical Director, Rob Lalama to finalize my roster decisions, and then I will be calling all the players.  The aim is to have this completed by Friday.

Thanks for your efforts and commitment... please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions.

Coach Jim

Try-out ~ Saturday 2:00-3:30pm ~ WSC Field 7

Hi everyone, The third try-out session will be Saturday afternoon at the WSC on Field 7 from 2:00-3:30pm. 

I know this is a busy time with some boys playing hockey and family obligations... it is vital that you let me know asap with an email if you cannot make it.

It looks like the weather will be wet and cool so dress accordingly.  As always wear proper outdoor soccer shoes and shin pads and WHITE Shirts... and bring your own water...

Parents: Last week I started to refund the $5.00 I collected at the first try-out (this is the money I collected in error as I thought there was a cost for field rental)... I did not get to eveyone last Saturday so  if I didn't get to you last week, please make sure to see me after the tryout...

Thanks and see you Saturday!

Coach Jim

Try-out ~ Saturday 2:00-3:30pm ~ WSC Field 6

Hi everyone, The second try-out session will be tomorrow at the WSC on Field 6A (beside 7) from 2:00-3:30pm.

Parents:  the Club told me there is no charge for field rentals for try-outs – so, for those who gave me $ on October 1, I will return it tomorrow... my apologies!

As always wear proper outdoor soccer shoes and shin pads and WHITE Shirts... bring lots of water to splash on your heads – the weather will be great!

Thanks and see you tomorrow

Coach Jim