Hello Everyone!
Welcome to the Spring 2014 U12 Boys LWAA All-Stars Soccer team! My name is Paul Smith and I am returning this year as a coach for LWAA Soccer. I am happy and excited to have the privilege of coaching your sons again this spring. Every child on this spring's roster has played soccer for me before and I'm just thrilled to have you all back again, thank you!
A little about me
I believe most of you know this stuff by now, but in case you want a reminder of if we have someone new join us between now and the end of the season:
This is my ninth season coaching and eighth as a head coach for LWAA soccer. I’ve coached co-ed, girls and boys soccer teams for multiple age groups here at LWAA. I’m a former soccer player and collegiate swimmer who now runs road races as a hobby. I work for Lowe's at our corporate headquarters in Mooresville, NC and I live in Mill Creek Falls with my wife Dina and our two children.
Other Coaches
I'm so excited to announce that Bob Tremper will be back with us this spring as the assistant coach. I can't thank Bob enough for his help and enthusiasm for this team and our kids.
Other Volunteers
We’re in need of a Team Manager to organize events, snack schedule, communications and information.
Please notify me and Ron Domurat if you want to volunteer as the Team Manager.
Your LWAA U-12 All Stars:
Our approach this year
I am really looking forward to having a fun season. Once again we'll be seeing a lot of quality competition by playing teams from the surrounding areas. As always, my top two goals for are for our kids to learn how to be better soccer players and to HAVE FUN. I plan to focus this season on fundamentals such as strategy and scheme, position play, passing, shooting and conditioning.
Practices
Our first practice is Tuesday at 6:15 on the side soccer field at Oak Ridge Middle School. This season all practices, unless otherwise notified, will take place on Tuesdays and Thursday on the side soccer field at Oak Ridge Middle School. Until Daylight Savings Time (Sunday, March 9th) lets us spring forward an hour, we'll dismiss practice when it gets dark. It doesn't look like we can plan for the lights to be on. Starting with the Tuesday March 11th practice, we'll dismiss practice at dark or 8:00, whichever is earlier. Don't worry- I'll keep you posted. At this point, I do not plan to conduct practice the week of spring break. If we do end up running some practices during spring break, they will not be mandatory. Otherwise, please make every effort to have your son attend practices.
Please make sure that your son has a bottle of water and if possible, a size 4 soccer ball with him at every practice. I also suggest bug spray, especially later in the season. If you have any questions about practice, please let me know.
Games
LWAA soccer games Begin Saturday 3/15. I assume, but don't know specifically if that means us. Our schedule has not been posted. I'll update you as soon as it has. There are no games over spring break weekends (4/12 and 4/19). There are also no games over Memorial Day weekend, and the season ends on the last day of school (WED 6/4).
I'll strive to create a balance of playing time for our players. This will allow everyone to get their time in on the field, let us develop the boy’s talents and keep legs fresh. I will work to ensure that the kids have a chance to play all positions.
Uniforms
We expect delivery of our uniforms prior to the first game. We will distribute uniforms as soon as we get them. Any changes in uniforms request by parents will come with a cost.
Other Information
We will be playing two 25-minutes halves in each game
Ball Size = 4 If your son has a ball, he may certainly bring it with him to practice.
There are 8 players on the field for each team (1 is a goalie)
There will be playoffs for this age group
The schedule of games will be updated to the web-site (http://sports.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=489873&mid=561422&teamid=30273&ctl=teaminfo&seltab=teamhome)
Please feel free to email or call me if you have any questions, comments or other input regarding the team. I welcome involvement from the parents – as I said earlier, we’re looking for those who may be interested in the role of team manager (drink/snack schedule, help with sending out info, coordinating names on jerseys if we do that, picture day, etc.). I can't promise that we'll be able accommodate all ideas but we do want to hear them all. I've never had any issue with any of our families, but as a reminder on game days, let’s be sure to set a good sportsmanship example for our kids. Lastly, please let me know if your child has any special needs that I should be aware of (asthma, allergies, other medical conditions, etc.).
Thanks for taking a few minutes to read this long email. Let's have fun this season! I look forward to seeing all the returning LWAA families and meeting our new families in person soon.
Thanks again,
Coach Paul
803-493-2626