The Administrator

2010 SPY Awards

Topdrawersoccer.com holds their prestigious Soccer Products of the Year (SPY) Awards at the end of each year and Blue Sombrero is up in two categories, Web and Software Services and Overall Soccer Product. The awards were designed for members of the soccer community to voice their opinions on their favorite soccer products, based on innovation, design, ease of use, and functionality.

Since Blue Sombrero makes this wonderful blog happen, we thought we’d give our readers a chance to vote. No worries if you haven’t worked with the product before, just don’t vote but if you do happen to interact with it, take a second and give us some love. Click here to voice your opinion. You can vote once a day in both categories until December 15th. It does not leave a lot of time so get to it.

Thanks to all that vote.

2010 USYS Grants

The applications for the 2010 USYS grants are available (click here). This year’s offerings have added recreation, TOPSoccer, and Soccer Across America grants. Last year the USYS awarded $85,000 in grants so it’s worth a shot.

Since 1998 more than $2 million has been given out in order to further assist developing soccer programs. The organization is doing a lot to build youth soccer in the US and we are thankful for their efforts.

"We believe these US Youth Soccer programs further our mission of fostering the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition," said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of US Youth Soccer. "With the addition of the recreation grants program, we continue looking forward to increasing the opportunities provided to children across the country."

(Source)

~Sam@bluesombrero.com

Soccer Hero

Finally, there’s an answer to kids sitting around playing video games all day instead of exercising… well at least a start. We’re not sure if this will ever be as widely popular as Rock Band or Guitar Hero since it takes so much to set it up. In the same fashion as the games above, football freestylers have to coordinate their kicks with the passing notes, designated by specific colors. Since the screen moves so fast, the game becomes a team effort.

Take a look at the demo, it looks like a blast.  

Here’s the behind the scenes.

It’s not as active as a real soccer game, but could be a nice break to the monotony of the daily routine. Who’s going to be the first to set it up at their club?

~Sam@bluesombrero.com

Teen Soccer Inspiration

When the going gets tough, this teen soccer player gets going. Bree McMahon experienced a life changing accident a few weeks ago and her unshakable resolve has inspired those in her community to even professional athletes.

It happened at the most unexpected of places, a carwash fundraiser for her soccer team. Bree was standing in front of a car driven by one of her best friends and teammates. The driver’s foot slipped off the brake and hit the gas. The car surged forward and pinned Bree against a brick wall. Her lower extremities were crushed (source). Her left leg had to be amputated.

After an accident like that, how would you react? Bree has been the pillar of compassion; consoling those around her, forgiving the driver involved, and inspiring her family and friends. So inspiring that Mia Hamm called her to tell her she was her hero, and Ryan Longwell (kicker for the Minnesota Vikings) sends her daily texts.

She plans on still attending prom, and eventually getting back on the field. "I'm a beast out there," she says with a smile splashed across her face. "and you better believe the best will be back."Things get tough from day to day in the office and the fields. It's nice to see someone who should be angry at the world, be so full of hope. Don't get caught up in all the little things, enjoy your Friday.

~Sam@bluesombrero.com

The Art of Goal Celebrations

The Volkswagen Junior Masters created an awesome promotional campaign for their tournament this year. There is a series of eight hilarious videos teaching would be soccer stars the art of goal celebrations.

We put one example above, but if you want to watch all eight click on the video while it's playing and follow the playlist on the right.

No more excuses for sloppy goal celebrations.

Sam@bluesombrero.com

Youth Transfer Fees

Youth transfer fees are basically assets traded for youth soccer players in professional affiliated development teams between those professional teams. If a professional team invests in the youth’s future career, there is perceived value if that developed player is traded to another professional development club. It’s basically like contracts for youth careers. If your player is doing well but another club wants to recruit them based on their potential, you would be reimbursed for your investment.

On one side it makes sense, because there is a lot of money being invested in some of these programs. For example: lodging, traveling, promotion, etc. Shouldn’t a club be paid back in some sense for their dedication to that player? They did provided the resources that helped mold the players into budding stars.

On the other side, is it right to be involved with this type of management in a youth’s career? Shouldn’t youth soccer be a fun environment, free of this type of baggage? Whether you’re running a rec league or a select, isn’t it up to the kids how much they push themselves? There is lurking suspicion of these players not being in full control of their development.

We found an article advocating that it’s time for the US to get on board considering the positive direction the MLS is heading (read the article here). Take a minute to go through it and decide for yourself. Either way you choose it brings up good points on whether the US is ready or willing to take that step.

Leave your thoughts below.

~Sam@bluesombrero.com

Peace One Day

Today, September 21st, is Peace Day.

In 1999, preoccupied with questions about the fundamental nature of humanity and the most pressing issues of our time, filmmaker Jeremy Gilley launched Peace One Day and set out to find a starting point for peace. He had a mission: to document his efforts to establish the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence with a fixed calendar date. In 2001, he achieved his primary objective when the 192 member states of the United Nations unanimously adopted 21 September as an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace.

Peace Day has now been proven to save lives and inspire and empower people everywhere to take action toward a more peaceful world. On Peace Day 2008, 100 million people were actively engaged in Peace Day activities in over 200 countries. There were life-saving initiatives in 14 countries -- including 80 activities in Afghanistan alone. POD was instrumental in helping to secure the conditions in which an estimated 3.2 million children were vaccinated against polio on and around Peace Day. 

While the day is obscure in the states, it’s widely celebrated around the globe. Do your part and help spread the word. The goal this year is to bring about awareness of Peace Day asking clubs to take the following steps:

1. Have your club teams dedicate their regularly scheduled home matches the weekend of 9/19-9/20 or 9/26- 9/27 to Peace Day by having coaches make an announcement before each home match that the game is dedicated to Peace Day – September 21.  

2. Send your club members the link to Peace One Day’s website to become aware of Peace Day:  www.peaceoneday.org

3. Register your club’s commitment on Peace One Day’s website If nothing else at least watch the Introduction to Peace One Day here. Remember the goal this year is to spread the word, so forward this to anyone you would think is interested.

Peace One Day

One Day One Goal

Thanks to Lisa Cherubini and AC Cugini for bringing The Administrator up to speed on the day.

~Sam@bluesombrero.com

Youth Soccer Month Highlights

Are you taking advantage of all that Youth Soccer Month has to offer? Here are some highlights you might be interested in.

Ball-a-Day Giveaway. USYS is giving away one adidas Teamgeist 2 MLS soccer ball every day in September just for your name and email address. There are 30 daily winners and a grand prize of a $1000 adidas gift card.

Sunbelt Snacks Free Kicks. Starting in September if you purchase specially marked boxes of Sunbelt Granola or Fruit & Grain bars you’ll be able to log onto SunbeltFreeKicks.com and register the code on the box. Each code is worth 10 cents for their US Youth Soccer club, and each entry has a chance to win on of twelve $1000 monthly prizes or two $2,500 biannual prizes. It might be a long shot, but it could be another chance to fund raise for your clubs.

Positive Parenting. USYS has put a free three part video series on positive parenting up for sharing. According to their site:

The US Youth Soccer Coaching Education Department, in cooperation with the Coaching and Recreation Committees, created this 'view from the sidelines' in an effort to create a positive learning environment for those involved in the lives of young soccer players. This teaching tool is designed for administrators, coaches, parents and anyone who cares about children and assisting them by providing a positive learning atmosphere for our children. The Positive Parenting video assists adults in helping young players play and with keeping the fun in youth sports. Positive Parenting discusses the practice and game environment, as well as the ride home, each from the perspective of the players, referees and coaches.    This presentation provides a unique blend of psychology/philosophy and interviews with children of various ages. This video provides insight on: Why children play, teaching, sportsmanship by example, how to be supportive soccer parents, developing vs. winning, red cards for parents, emotional needs of players, and keeping it all in perspective.

We hope you’re getting the most out of the month long celebration.

~Sam@bluesombrero.com    

FA’s Respect Program

The Football Association released part II of their Respect Program this week. If you’re not familiar with the initiative, it is a program designed to highlight the pressures young soccer players feel from angry and aggressive parents. The program is a series of tools used to cope with improper fan behavior from refs, players, coaches, and parents. These tools include codes of conduct, in-service training for refs, respect club packs, sideline barriers, and an online Respect Parent Guide (find here).

According to their site 7000 referees quit each year from sideline abuse along with countless players. The new film, in its entirety, has been distributed to 15,000 youth clubs in hopes to promote positive sideline conduct and keep children in the game. The program launched in the 2008-9 season and has grown to 35,000 clubs large so far (in England).

Do you guys feel pressure from “intense” parents inside the office? Is this something your pushing at your clubs? Post below.

~Sam@bluesombrero.com 

Youth Soccer Month 2009

It’s almost September and you know what that means… time to get ready for Youth Soccer Month. How are you going to celebrate the 7th Annual Youth Soccer Month Celebration? Since last year’s event got a Presidential letter of celebration, and our current president seems to love the sport of soccer (see here), it looks like it could be one of the biggest yet. Here’s what we’ll have to top from last year.

There were over 147 events at colleges around the states, 24 free youth clinics, and 7 MLS events. 200 banners, 6,000 Youth Soccer Month t-shirts, and 78,000 pom poms were given out during the celebration. Don’t forget about the Giant Jersey Tour, the 7,500 mile traveling road show Stickley (USYS mascot) used to spread the excitement of youth soccer to the states. A contestant was within six inches of winning the $10,000 kick contest in 2007, so we’re thinking it’s high time someone took the prize home.

The message behind the month long celebration is hopefully something very familiar at your own club.

Week 1 - Fun:  Whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy, affordable and rewarding.

Week 2 - Family:  Playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacations and family time are coordinated.

Week 3 - Friendship:  The relationships and fun generated through playing soccer and their extension beyond the field.

Week 4 - Fitness:  The health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefits of playing soccer.

Each week has action days which you can find here. There is also a schedule of local college events you can become a part of here. The $10,000 Kick contest dates are here.  Lastly, if a list of ten ways to be involved is here if you need some ideas.

There are all kinds of ways to get involved, so check the site and let’s help make this year the best. Administrators do your part and pass this message along to the coaching staff or help organize a club road trip.

~Sam