Thursday's Away Game (@ West Lincoln) Cancelled

Hi everyone, we rec'd confirmation that our game this Thursday will have to be rescheduled...

TEAM PHOTO DAY: Parents please mark Monday, June 20 on your calenders for the Team Photo Session at the WSC... I will give you more details when I get them from the Club.

Thanks
Coach Jim

Welland Wizards Win Season Opener 7-1 !

Congratulations Boys!  I am speechless and THAT is a first! The Welland Wizards played Barcelona-like tonight!

Your Welland goals brought to you by Dino, Matthew (2), David, Juan (2) and Miguel! 

Take pride and be proud, and always remember this feeling... the feeling you get, not just from winning, but by working so very hard and seeing the results!

Boys, let's have some perspective, it's not about winning... you know in Europe, at your age, they don't even keep score!!!!  Understand that success is measured in many ways... for example: are you growing as a player? are your skills improving? are you having fun?! ........As your coach, I can say: Yes, Yes and Yes - 1000%!   Remember this: during the season we can lose or draw a game - but still show improvement... you see, that is success as well... and we will be just as proud of you!...

So see you at practice tomorrow night- and be prepared to work hard!!!!!!
(NOTE PRACTICE LOCATION IS GLENDALE 6:30-8:00pm)

Coach Jim

PS: Parents who have pictures and video, please share them with me and let me know if you would like them posted on this blog!

GAME ON - Tonight vs. Lincoln on Field 7 at WSC... Be there by 6:00pm!

Hi everyone, I confirmed this AM, even with the rain last night, our game is on!

Few things:

• Be at Field 7, WSC ready to play by 6:00pm
• eat a light supper early and bring lots of water
• Wear your "Reds"
• Parents, please make sure your boy's laces are tied and tight!
• NO snacks at half-time... only water/Gatorade-type drinks

See you tonight - Coach Marty and I can hardly wait!
Coach Jim

Back to Basics: Juggling

Players, I want all of you to work on your ball juggling skills... a travel soccer player should be able to juggle the ball at least 20 times, combining use of both feet, thighs and head... this is my expectation of you as your coach for this team... many of you can easily do 20, but just as many of you can't ......... yet!

Juggling a ball is a GREAT way to train... you can do it by yourself, all you need is a ball,  you develop quicker feet and coordination, you get tons of touches, you develop your touch with the ball... and hey, it's fun!

Here are a few tutorial videos, watch them, study them, and practice, practice and practice more-EVERYDAY...

Lasalle Soccer Academy Juggling
GUILLERMO GOMEZ - how to Juggle a Soccer Ball
Highschool Player Teaches You How to Juggle
U9 Girl Juggles 585 times!

Coach Jim

Summer Soccer Camp Registration

Hi everyone, It's that time of year - Summer Soccer Camp Registration!!!....Please see the link to the  Welland Soccer Club Summer Soccer Camp 2011 (July 18 -22)  for all registrarion details... as I always say-the more touches the better!

Practice Cancelled 2 Nite

HI everyone, forecast is calling for thunderstorms tonight, and although I am known for using the "Lightning-Thunder" reference from “Rocky” from time-to-time, let’s NOT have a practice tonight!…

Status of Monday’s Game at WSC v West Lincoln

I have been told that the decision will be made on Monday AM as to  whether or not the Monday games at WSC will be played…  looking at the weather forecasts though, it will rain steady (except for Sat) until then, so I am doubtful that the game will be played… of course, as soon as I know, I will let you know…

Regular Practice Schedule

Sunday AMs, 8:00am -9:30am at Glendale

Tuesday PMs,  6:30pm-8:00pm on ***Field 6C at WSC

***Re: Tuesday PMs on Field 6C at WSC: The Welland Soccer Club Board of Directors developed a plan to allow travel teams to practice once a week at the club during the season… this is someting club coaches have been asking for for years... we were slotted for time on Tuesday PMs... the cost for upkeep and maintainance is $100.00 for the season (or just under $7.00 per player)… I will add that to the Tournament money costs…  If the WSC fields are closed (like now) we will move the practice to Glendale… I will give you as much notice as possible if we move Tuesday PM practice to Glendale…

See you Saturday afternoon at Santo's... please let me know if you are coming... 

Thanks

Coach Jim

This Weekend's Team Building Activities

Hi everyone, we have a weekend of a fun and soccer learning planned for the team...

As you know, this Saturday afternoon is the UEFA Champions League Final, FC Barcelona v Manchester United from Wembley Stadium in London. We are having a “Team Champion's League Pizza Party” to watch two of the greatest teams in the world play this hugely historic match live!... we are watching the game at Santo's Pizzeria on East Main Street in Welland. Kick-off is 2:45pm. Santo's usually doesn't open until 3:00pm but the owner said he would do us a favour and try to open his doors for us at 2:30... parents are welcome...we will order tray-size pizzas and pop and split the costs between us... roughly $5.oo per person...let's be on our best behaviour and have a great time!...... and wear your Barca or Man U jerseys and colours!!!

The second (and no cost!) activity for our team is to watch live Senior Men’s Soccer at the WSC Sunday Night at 5:00!  Our Welland Young's Insurance men take on the Aurora Hearts in the Ontario Cup Preliminary Round...  Players, this is a great opportunity to watch and learn the game…

Please send me an email ASAP to let me know: (1) how many can come Saturday afternoon to watch the CL Final, AND (2) who will come watch the Senior Men’s Game on Sunday PM at WSC...

Thanks

Coach Jim

First Game (Thursday v Roma) Cancelled

Hello Everyone, I have been informed our first game of the season (this coming Thursday) has been cancelled - the WSC Fields are closed…  the status of our second game next Monday has not been decided as of yet… will keep you posted…

Player Emergency Contact Cards

The Player Emergency Contact Cards need to be filled out and given to me ASAP… thanks to those that have given them to me!…  but I only have 7 of 15 cards so far…

I will keep these cards with me at practice and games and will destroy them at the end of the year… I will bring blank copies of the card to practice if you can not find the original distributed in the package at the Parent’s Meeting.

Thanks, see you tonight at practice

Coach Jim

Practice Tonight @ Glendale & Team News

Hi everyone, a reminder for practice tonight at Glendale from 6:30-8:00pm… as always, proper soccer shoes and shin pads, lots of water and WHITE shirts (although they won’t likely be white for long!)

UNIFORMS will be distributed tonight at the end of practice.

Each player will receive:

• Red (home) jersey
• Green (alternate) jersey
• One pair of Black Shorts
• One pair of Red Socks 
• One pair of Green Socks
  

*IMPORTANT: the Alternate Green Jersey MUST be returned to me at the end of the season – no exceptions. We will usually wear our “Reds”, but players MUST always bring their Green Jersey and Green Socks with them to the games in case we need to wear them.  I will do my best to give you advance notice if we are wearing our “Greens”. 

Please see your emails for for updates on (1) FUNDRAISING – SCRATCH CARDS and (2) BACKPACKS AND WARM-UPS

Thanks everyone, and see you tonight… only days left before our first game and Coach Marty and I are pumped!

Coach Jim

League Schedule - U11 Welland Wizards - NYSL

Hi all, below is our League Schedule... this does not include Tournament Schedules, I will post those as I receive them... I am working on google map hyper links for all the away fields... Also, click here for the link to our schedule on the  NYSL website.

Date	Time	Opponent	Location
Mon, May 30	6:30	Lincoln	Welland Field 7
Thurs, June 9	6:30	Pelham	Welland Field 7
Wed June 15	6:00	at Niagara Falls	Club Italia, Niagara Falls
Fri June 17	6:30	at Grimsby	Smith #4,  Grimsby
Mon, June 20	6:30	Roma	Welland Field 7 (Rescheduled)
Thurs, Jun 23	6:30	NOTL	Welland Field 7
Mon, Jun 27	6:30	Fort Erie	Welland Field 7
Thur, July7	6:30	at Port Colborne	Sportsplex, Port Colborne
Wed, July 13	6:30	at Fort Erie	Ferndale Park, Fort Erie
Thurs, July 14	6:30	Grimsby	Welland Field 7
Tues, July 19	6:30	at Lincoln	Lions Park 4, Lincoln
Thurs, July 21	6:30	at West Lincoln	Leisure Plex, West Lincoln (Rescheduled to August 23 see details below)
Wed, July 27	6:00	at Roma	Club Roma, St Cath
Thurs, August 4	6:30	West Lincoln	Welland Field 7
Thurs, August 11	6:30	at Pelham	Centennial Park, Pelham
Thurs, August 18	6:00	Niagara Falls	Welland Field 7
Tues, August 30	6:00	at NOTL	Memorial B, NOTL
Thurs, Sept 1	6:00	Port Colborne	Welland Field 7
Billy Gray Cup
Thursday Sept 15	6:00	at Port Colborne	Sportsplex, Port Colborne

League Play- offs continue September 17-18 (Sat and Sun) in Grimsby.... Details to follow after September 15 first round game v Port Colborne...



RESCHEDULED: Our game at West Lincoln (which was called off due to the extreme heat on July 21) has been rescheduled for Tuesday August 23 at 6:30 pm on Field 2 in West Lincoln (Smithville)  As always players must be at the field no later than 6:00pm (30 minutes prior to KO) for warm-ups.



IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL GAMES:
Game START times are listed above.
Players MUST arrive 30 minutes PRIOR to the game start time! 

Looking forward to a great season!
Coach Jim

Practice Moved to Friday

Hi everyone, tomorrow's practice will be moved to Friday night (Glendale 6:30-8:00pm)...

Thanks
Coach Jim

What a GREAT WEEKEND!

Thank you everyone for making our Sherkston Shores Team Building Retreat such a HUGE success! Our goals for our weekend were to have fun, team build and learn... well check, check and check again!...

Some highlights: campfire with marshmallows and hotdogs; training on the beach and sand dune climbing; watching English Premier League while having breakfast served to us in the restaurant; madness in the arcade with the whole team climbing into the hurricane machine and then watching the boys hack the basketball game; Keegan hitting the jackpot with the game shooting out tickets for 10 minutes; endless FIFA Tournaments; private technical training with Clayton; our Boardroom Meeting; fantastic games; and getting absolutely drenched on Sunday! 

On the serious side,  I am amazed at how hard the boys worked all weekend long... 6 hours of training each day... Well done!

Exhibition Game Summaries:
Your Welland Wizards earned a win and a draw over the weekend!

Welland 4 - Roma 3
In a rousing performance our team prevailed 4-3 over Roma on Saturday afternoon.  Our boys played brilliantly and dominated the game for long stretches... fantastic team work, decision making and toughness!
Your Welland Goals by: Matthew (2), Lucas and Liam

Welland 2 - Fort Erie 2
After taking a 2-0 lead into the half against Fort Erie, our battle weary boys (who before the game trained for over 3 hours in the cold wind and hard-driving morning rain) worked hard for a draw against Fort Erie (Erie's last goal was waaaaaay off-sides LOL!)....and we nearly won it in the final seconds if not for an outstanding save by the Erie Keeper...
Your Welland Goals by: David and Juan

Players, I am proud of you! You worked very hard, you were so much fun to be with, you learned alot about "The Beautiful Game" and you grew as a team... CONGRATULATIONS! ...I'm sure you will all go to bed early tonight!

Parents, thank you again for all your help... this weekend would not have happened without you and your support... special thanks go to Keegan's Mom (Aurelia), Devin's Dad (Rob), Zack's Dad (Eric) and Colton's Dad (Rowen) who stayed over-night with us...

NO PRACTICE TUESDAY NIGHT.... next practice wiill be this Thursday, May19 at Glendale School (6;30 to 8:00pm)...   I will send an email out shortly re our Season Schedule and Practice Plans moving forward...

Thanks!
Coach Jim





Thoughts B4 We Meet Tonight!

HI everyone, I am so excited the weekend of our retreat is finally here!  The full itinerary was emailed to you earlier this week.....a  few thoughts and to answer some common questions that have been coming my way:

·         we are meeting at 6:00pm at Sherkston Shores Resort

·         directions from Welland:

o   hwy 406 to East Main (the end), turn left and go under tunnel

o   turn right onto hwy 140 to Port Colborne and follow all the way to hwy 3

o   left onto hwy 3 towards Fort Erie

o   turn right onto Empire Street (approx 15 mins from corner of  140 and hwy 3)

o   Resort is found at the end of the road (approx 2K)

·         when you arrive -  do not go through the “toll gates”… veer to the right and park at the    Visitor/Welcome Centre

·         Clayton Rosario and Pizza and Refreshments will be waiting for us

·         We will get a tour, go over the rules and get settled in our Cottages

·         Nothing planned for tonight  other than a lot of goofing around !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

·         So far we only have one PS3 coming…. There are three cottages, please bring your PS3s or xBOXs or Wii’s etc etc

·         Weather calls for rain, please bring lots of changes of clothes, hats umbrellas etc… hopefully will we use some sun screen, but it doesn't look like it!

The priorities for the weekend are Fun, Team Building and Learning… the "exhibition games" are actually further training opportunities… please don’t read anything into what position your son is playing, who starts a "game" etc… Coach Marty and I have worked out plans that will let me see a number of different combinations, rotations etc…. please feel free to come and cheer our boys on!

One final word to Parents --- thank you for helping me get this thing off the ground!  This is our first time doing a Retreat... I'm sure we will look back at some things that went surprising well and some others that will cause us to say: "hmmm, let's do that different next time" ... in the end, it's about our boys having a great experience... I thank you in advance for your patience, encouragement and support!

See you tonight!

Coach Jim

No Practice Tonight - Time to Complete Your Scratch Cards!

Hi everyone, just confirming there is no practice tonight… take the time to canvas your neighbourhoods with the scratch cards and rest up for this weekend!

I will send an email tomorrow with some final thoughts for the weekend, directions to Sherkston, etc…

It looks like rain (forecast says 2-4 mm - not tooooo much), so I can’t emphasize enough to bring lots of changes of soccer clothes, umbrellas, ponchos hats, etc, etc…

Dino will be bringing his PS3 but we have three cottages so please bring your PS3s, Xboxes and/or Wii’s, and games etc, etc...

Thanks

Coach Jim

Practice Tonight @ Glendale School Field

Hi everyone, confirming practice tonight at Glendale School field from 6:30-8:00pm (behind the school)... Please wear outdoor soccer shoes (cleats), proper shin pads, WHITE shirts and bring water...

SCRATCH CARD REMINDER: bring your completed cards tonight (with the $$$ collected) and get your next card!

See you tonight,
Coach Jim

What a Beautiful Day For a Run! (ND tonight 6:30-7:30pm) & Team Updates

Hi all,
We have our regular Conditioning & Tactical tonight at the ND Track 6:30-7:30pm... Running Shoes ONLY for the track and bring lots of water...

FUNDRAISING UPDATE
Scratch Cards were handed out on Tuesday night and I have heard very positive reports on how great they are working!.... understand that the faster you complete your cards, the faster we collect the $$$ for the Retreat Weekend to bring down the cost.... Bring your completed cards tonight (with the $$$ collected) and receive your second card. Some parents are asking for more cards already! Zack's Mom (Amber) will collect the cards and $$$ and give you additional cards.

IMPORTANCE OF FUNDRAISING: If every player completes three cards we will have nearly enough $$$ to pay for all of the Team Building Retreat Weekend! 

TEAM WARM-UPS & BAGS
Zackery's Dad (Eric) is co-ordinating the ordering and purchasing of these items... NOTE TO PARENTS: please come by the training tonight for sizing. Eric has all the details re pricing, sizing and ordering.... we have much more flexibility this year with pricing, what we can order and how...

TEAM BUILDING RETREAT WEEKEND (MAY 13, 14, 15)
I am finalizing the schedule/agenda over the next couple of days and will email to parents when complete.  I will also include a check-list on what to bring.  Cost is $195.00 plus tax ($220.35)...  I will need payment from parents next week with the idea that parents will be re-imbursed based on how much we collect through the fundraising over the next few weeks... the goal is to fundraise enough to give back the entire amount to parents!   I will be speaking directly with parents who have volunteered to sleep over with regards to schedule and cost.

NYSL LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The NYSL Coach's Kickoff Meeting is next Wednesday May 11... I understand they will distribute our league game schedule at that meeting. I will give it to you as soon as I have it.

SPECIAL THANK-YOU'S
Thank you parents for your support and enthusiasm and offering as volunteers to get our program off the ground!  A special thank-you to Zack's Mom (Amber) for the unbelieveable job she is doing with the Scratch Card Fundraiser.... Also, thank you to Zack's Dad (Eric) for co-ordinating the ordering of warm-ups and bags... Mackenzie's Dad (Dave) gets kudo's for putting together the team First Aid Kit. .....and thank-you to Colton's Mom and Dad (Alissa and Rowan) for putting together the Gift Basket... Keegan's Mom and Dad (Aurelia and Dierk) have volunteered for car-pooling - thanks!

I can't thank ALL the parents enough.... YOU will make this a great summer of soccer for our boys!

As always please contact me with any questions you may have…

Coach Jim

Practice Tuesday Night - please see email for details

Hi everyone, confirming our regular Tuesday practice for tomorrow night... please see your emails for the details!

Coach Jim