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2012/13 Mini Stars Kick-‐off
Registration is now open for another successful ASA Mini Stars program! The Mini Stars offers players in the Learning to Train stage of the LTPD model (10-‐11 years) a winter coaching program that is delivered by ASA staff coaches. The program enhances the participants’ talents with players of similar ability. The Mini Stars program focuses on individual and small group technical development. Each program is followed by an Edmonton-‐based Mini Stars showcase weekend, where all players from various centres are invited to play in mini games. Due to the special atmosphere the Showcase created, last year’s event proved a great success from the perspective of players, coaches and parents. Although no medals
Referee Program Update
By: John Clubb
were distributed and results weren’t recorded, the games mattered. The Showcase focused on encouraging players to attempt moves and make decisions they may not have previously been comfortable doing in competitive club games. This year, the ASA has extended the program beyond Alberta’s main centres, including Red Deer, Grand Prairie, Cochrane and Airdrie. Other districts are still being sought, so if you feel your district has the capacity to offer an ASA supported Mini Stars program, please contact Ian Skitch at northcoach@albertasoccer.com or John Clubb at southcoach@albertasoccer.com for further details. Parents and players wishing for additional information or to register for the Mini Stars should visit www.albertasoccer.com
By David O’Neill
It seems strange to be instructing indoor soccer referee courses, when the temperature outside is in the high twenties – but this is something we have grown used to in Alberta over the past few seasons. And yes, indoor soccer, and all of the other wintery activities we pursue are just around the corner! Before we leave summer behind though, we have a few outdoor items to cover. On consecutive weekends at the end of A ugust and beginning of September, two provincial competitions that lead to Nationals were held in Edmonton. Youth Tier 1 (August 23 – 26) and Senior Provincials Challenge Cup and Jubilee Shield (August 31 – September 3) made for two busy weekends of soccer, and with all other levels of Senior Provincials also being held on the Labor Day weekend, Cont’d on pg. 2
Inside this Issue:
Mini Stars Pg. 1 Referee p rogram update Pg. 1 Learning Facilitator Pg. 2 Guinness Record Pg. 3 ASA S howcase Pg. 3
Important Dates: Danone Cup LF Application Deadline SGM/Planning Meeting Technical M eeting District Head Coach Workshop
Oct. 6 (Edm)/Oct. 7 (Cgy) Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Oct. 28 (Edm) Oct. 28 (Edm)
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Issue 21 – September 30, 2012
Learning Facilitator Position The Alberta Soccer Association is seeking applications for “Learning Facilitator” positions in 2013. Learning Facilitators (LF) play a key role in the new Coaching Pathway. They take on the responsibility for developing coaches wanting to enhance their own experiences and qualifications through formal training & certification programs. The ASA Technical Department is looking for LF’s who understand and support Long-‐term Player Development (LTPD) -‐ the underpinning principles of player and coaching development in Canada. Since rolling out the LTPD Community Coaching Stream in January 2012 (in accordance with the Canadian Soccer Association and with the support of the Coaches Association of Canada), the ASA Technical Department has worked to raise standards and improve the delivery of coach education across Alberta. The quality,
professionalism and enthusiasm of our LF’s are key factors in our ongoing efforts to get to the next level. The Learning Facilitators will be selected based on the following criteria: • Coaching qualifications and experience (min. Provincial B License required) • Background in Coaching Education and Facilitation • Teaching qualifications • Geographic needs • Ability to show availability and commitment • LTPD knowledge • Completion of the MED Online Evaluation (www.coach.ca) All applicants must submit a soccer resume highlighting coaching background and supporting documents (I.E. Certificate, Diploma) along with a completed application form and calendar of availability. If you are associated with an ASA Member Organization, a letter supporting your
application from your Club or District President is preferred. Appointments are for a 12-‐month period (November -‐ October) and candidates must re-‐apply annually. Successful applicants are compensated per course on an honoraria basis. Those interested should consider: • The ASA Community Stream Coaching program generally runs from early January to the end of June, primarily on weekends. Applicants must show availability during that time and be prepared to deliver a minimum number of courses. • Selected LF’s are required to attend the Learning Facilitator Workshop on November 24-‐25, 2012 at the Commonwealth Fieldhouse in Edmonton. Interested applicants must apply by October 12, 2012
Cont’d from pg. 1 this was a challenge for the pool of available referees. A ll of these games were covered by a referee and two assistant referees, th and the games leading to Nationals also had 4 officials appointed. This meant that over the two weekends, 686 positions had to be filled in the games by officials. Another twist thrown in was courtesy of Mother Nature, who provided a nice 2.5 hour thunderstorm at the beginning of the Youth Tier 1 competition, which cancelled almost all games on the opening day. Some hasty rearranging was required, which involved officials on the second day doing more games than originally planned in many cases. The following officials stepped up on both weekends and officiated more than the average number of games: Alex Morretti, Bill Campbell, Ebenezer Enninful, Emilio Mundula, Frank Addessi, Goran Filipovic, Hugh Netzer, Jon Atkinson, Klara Davies, Kurtis Nozak, Lance Phillips, Lorenzo Antonello, Maria Marshall, Natalie Maheeden, Noel Kelly, Paull Cameron, Pedro Muller, Sohrab Ghafari Far, Warren Wall. A big thank you to those referees, as without their help, it would have been difficult to cover all games. Congratulations go to the following, who officiated in Gold Medal games (All other tiers were ‘round robin’ format, and did not actually have Gold Medal final games): Challenge Cup (Senior Men) – Sheena Dickson, Mike Barwegen, Brad Tannahill, Bruce Primeau. Jubilee Shield (Senior Women) – Adam Smith. A lex Morretti, Lance Phillips, Bruce Primeau. Tier 4 Men – Damir Kostic, Goran Filipovic, Noel Kelly. Tier 4 Women – Jon Atkinson, Lorenzo A ntonello, Jon Addessi. U14 Boys -‐ Ebenezer Enninful, Alex Morretti, Melissa Sargent. U14 Girls – Owen Procter, Jon Addessi, Lance Phillips. U16 Boys – Mark Pasternak, Sohrab Ghafari Far, Hugh Netzer, Al Jaworsky. U16 Girls – Sheena Dickson, Sunny Marshall, Natalie Maheeden, Hugh Netzer. U18 Boys – Brad Tannahill, Lance Phillips, Jon Addessi, Owen Procter.
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Issue 21 – September 30, 2012
Attempt at Guinness World Record In support of ‘Right to Play’ On Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 5-‐7), several soccer players in Cochrane will attempt to claim a second Guinness World Record for the Longest 5-‐a-‐side Soccer Game. Martin Parnell is an endurance athlete who completed 250 marathons in 2010 on behalf of Right to Play. His World Record breaking events already include the Longest Netball and Lacrosse games, and now he is at it again. This time, Martin is working with “TriOil -‐ Soccer Quest 42” on a series of 10 events called “Quests for Kids”. Martin, the Cochrane Rangers Soccer Club and the Cochrane Minor Soccer Association invite support from within the broader soccer community. Federal Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty, has lent his support by encouraging Canadians to donate their pennies to charity before the one-‐cent coin goes out of circulation. The “Ton of Pennies” fundraiser will help support the World Record attempt. The Alberta Soccer Association is also involved in the event – see the coinciding article (to the right) for more information. For additional details on “TriOil -‐ Soccer Quest 42” please visit: http://righttoplay.akaraisin.com/socc erquest42 For more information on Martin’s “Quests for Kids” and RIGHT TO PLAY please visit: http://www.marathonquest250.com
ALBERTA SOCCER SHOWCASE Together with Soccer Quest 42 On Saturday, October 6 at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre in Cochrane, the following events will take place in support of the Soccer Quest 42 attempt for the Guinness World Record for the Longest 5-‐a-‐side Soccer Game:
ASA MINI STARS (9-‐12 year olds) 10AM-‐12PM
Learn keep-‐uppy with ASA Provincial Coach, John Clubb, and develop a touch for soccer with coaching tips, games and prizes. GOALKEEPING FOR GIRLS 12-‐1.30PM
Girls come and pick up some pre-‐ season tips on the art of goalkeeping with Michaela Hatalova. Michaela is a UEFA B Licence coach with Mount Royal University and Airdrie Soccer. SOCCABILITY: A soccer program for players with a disability 2-‐3.30PM
Athletes with a disability are invited to play in this session with special guests, Drew Fergusson (National Team Coach with
Canadian Para Soccer Team) and Brennan Nichol & Sean Freeman (National Team members). POWERCHAIR SOCCER: 3-‐4PM
See how the game is played and meet some players. Yes, soccer players are p assionate regardless. COACHING THE GAME: Grassroots Coach Seminar Presentation: 12-‐2PM
John Clubb ASA Provincial Coach South will present “Tools for the new coach in grassroots soccer”. Drew Fergusson (Canadian National ParaSoccer Team Coach) will present “A Canadian player’s and coaches perspective of International soccer”. For further information on Alberta Soccer development programs please contact John Clubb at southcoach@albertasoccer.com or 587-‐435-‐5611. Thanks to FC Edmonton and the CSA for providing prizes for the event!