Dear New and Returning Competitive Parents and Players:
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the 2010-2011 Season with Scottsdale Soccer. I have no doubt this will be our best season in the history of our club. This year we will field 51 competitive teams with approximately 750 players. This is up ~30% over the last 3 years. This growth has not happened by chance; it is as the result of concerted effort by many volunteers, coaches, and past and present board members who have invested thousands of hours to help our club improve and grow.
I would like to take a step back and look at what we have done over the last three years, plans for this year, and our vision for the future.
Three years ago we set out with a number of goals to help our club. We have accomplished many of these things. They are as follows:
¥ Upgraded web page to be more functional with a better look and feel.
¥ Improved Communications with a monthly Newsletter
¥ Improved our marketing and our fundraising
¥ Created better branding by driving 1 logo for both recreation and competitive
¥ Created better sense of club by:
¥ Instituting a Blackhawks kick-off Festival in August
¥ Creating an end of the year festival for younger teams in March
¥ Hosting a Daddy/Daughter dance in December
¥ Kicking off the first ever Blackhawks Invitational that was ranked as a platinum tournament
¥ Improved the registration, tryout and notification processes
¥ Created a better relationship with the recreation program by providing coaching and player development support
¥ Created sustaining fundraising committee to provide financial aid and provide club equipment.
¥ Funded 25 plus Financial Aid requests in 2008,
¥ Funded 48 Financial Aid requests in 2009
¥ Developed relationships with key sponsors like Adidas and Eurosport
¥ Developed budget approach that stopped running at a deficit
¥ Improved organizational communications and direction
¥ Developed Coach’s Manuals
¥ Developed Manager Handbooks
¥ Developed Players’ Manuals
¥ Invested in upgrading our coaches
¥ Upgraded 50% of our Academy Staff licenses to minimum USSF/NSCAA/UEFA Licenses over last 3 years. 8 A-level,1 B-Level, 1- C level
¥ Ensured all coaches passed AYSA required background checks
¥ Implemented Quarterly In-Service Training for all coaches to better align the club and create a unified approach
¥ Set standards for coaching and team appearance
¥ Piloted some age appropriate training programs to increase speed, strength and performance.
¥ Piloted nutritional guidance to some teams and players
¥ Piloted MLS Championship Series Program with Adidas
¥ Began Sending more teams to the Far West Regional League
¥ Assisted college bound players in obtaining scholarships and placing ~30 players at colleges or universities
¥ Increased the number of top 4 finishes in State Cup to 6 in 2010
¥ Won 2 state cup Championships and sent 2 teams to Regionals
¥ Sent 3 open cup teams to Regionals
¥ Won a Nationally ranked tournament, President’s Day
All of this work could not have been accomplished without a dedicated group of volunteers that include: board members (past and present), team managers, dedicated and generous parents, and a dedicated Directors of Coaching and Coaching staff. Thanks to all of you who have been part of this transformation.
So where do we go from here?
The Competitive Vision is:
¥ National leaders in youth soccer development and education.
¥ Driven by excellence, a sense of community and integrity.
¥ Structured curriculums, programs and an educated, qualified, driven and caring professional staff.
¥ Competitively retain our players and create an environment that attracts families and players.
¥ Competitively develop total players who are great citizens.
How will that manifest itself during the next few years?
¥ Fields-we will work to develop a better sustaining fields model to support the club and provide great facilities for our players
¥ Drive best-in-class hiring practices-recruit, hire and develop a great training staff and drive one curriculum
¥ Drive new age group related curriculums to ensure a higher level of consistency across all of our trainers and age groups
¥ Kick off a new College program to ensure our players are well prepared and have good opportunities to play at the next level
¥ Increase and drive communication with our Parents through:
¥ Open forums with President and board members
¥ Phase 2 Web Development- Develop web site to be best-in-class
¥ Increase communication to share the successes in Media
¥ Drive to keep our training fees flat by growing community linkages and sponsorships.
¥ Investigate, evaluate and recommend course of action on:
¥ Mental Skills programs
¥ Physical skills programs
¥ Long-term program for Recreation for developing coaches & players
¥ Creating a club ombudsman
We have accomplished a great deal, but can always improve how we work as a club. I am excited about our opportunity moving forward to be National leaders in youth soccer development over the next 5 years. In order to meet that goal, we will all need to work together to continue building a great soccer club.
As an all volunteer parental group, I would ask you to think about how you can get involved to help the club continue to grow and flourish. If you have a particular skill or interest where you think you could help the club, please shoot me an email at Scottsdale.soccer@yahoo.com. Likewise, if you have any new ideas, questions, or concerns, feel free to share those as well. We have a number of committees that need help and are always looking for interested parents to step forward.
I look forward to a great year.
Tony Sundermeier
President- Scottsdale Soccer