NASL  NEWSLETTER

July 28th, 2003
 

1. Upcoming Soccer Calendar - lots of new dates added.
2. Fall 2003 Referee Pay Rates
3. NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma Course to be held in Huntsville
4. Free Help for Coaches at NASL
5. USSF Grade 8 Referee's Course for Beginning Refs
6. Alabama Shoot-Out Women's Soccer Showcase - August 22-23, 2003 in Huntsville - http://alabamasoccer.info/ 
7. Huntsville Summer Classic - August 22-23, 2003 in Huntsville - Girls Only U9–U18
8. 2003 Soccer Camps
9. Soccer Family of the Year
10. Birmingham needs a professional soccer team
11. AHSAA All-Star Soccer Game Summaries
12. The Magic City Supporters Club
13. Women's World Cup Draw
14. NSCAA "Coming to America" Contest
15. UAB to Host Soccer Festival
16. How to Remove Your Name From this E-mail List.

• Division III and IV players may be officially rostered to fall teams as of August 1, 2003.
• NSCAA Regional and Advanced Regional Coaching Course will be offered at Randolph School on August 1-3, 2003  more information  Application
• Training meeting for all NASL managers on August 4th at 5.30pm at the Recreation center at Brahan Springs. An agenda of this meeting will be forwarded soon.
• Division I Qualifying Tournament - Montgomery - August 8th - 10th, 2003 - All teams who want to play in Division I have to qualify - even 2002 State Champions.  August 8/9 Qualifier for U13, 14, 15 and August 9/10 for U16, 17, 18, 19th. All teams wishing to play Division I must participate in the Qualifying Tournament except for Region III teams. All teams will play 2 days in a row with U13-U15 playing on Friday night and Saturday morning and U16 and up on Saturday night and Sunday morning. U13-U15 will play 1 game on Friday evening and 3 games on Saturday U16 and up will play 2 games Saturday afternoon and 2 games on Sunday All teams will play 4 games. All games will 40 minutes - Scoring - 6 points for a win, 3 points for a tie, 1 point per goal - max 3, 1 point for a shot out. Any team reaching 24 points will automatically qualify for Division I. Any team not reaching 24 points will be considered for DI based on evaluations and LOC review.
  League Placement will be based on:
  · Points earned through qualifying tournament performance
  · Written evaluation/justification from LOC and staff
  Teams must enter within their age bracket. Except for U12 teams trying to qualify DI. Adjustments will be made by LOC following the qualifier if warranted. Game assignments will be adjusted throughout the tournament to optimize evaluations.
• UAB To Host Soccer Festival - One day event is free for ages 6-18
  The University of Alabama at Birmingham's soccer teams will be hosting the UAB Soccer Festival on Saturday, August 9, from 2-4 p.m. The event will take place on UAB's West Campus Field on the corner of 9th Ave. South and 11th St. South and is free for all kids ages 6-18. There is no registration for any of the participants. The Festival will include an instructional clinic with UAB players and coaches as well as each participant receiving a free UAB soccer ball.  If more information is needed, please call the UAB soccer office at 205-975-7552.
  http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/072403aaa.html
• NSCAA National Youth Coaching Course - Knoxville, Tennessee, August 8th - 10th - more information
• AYSA will post brackets for Division I teams - August 11, 2003.
• Bracket Acceptance for Division I teams - August 13, 2003.
• Referee Course for Beginning Referees - August 15-17, 2003, NASOA will sponsor a USSF Grade 8 course in Huntsville at the Police Academy on Airport Road. (information)
• AYSA - Registration material and fees are due in the AYSA office by August 15th, 2003 and must include the following:
  · Organization Affiliation Form and fee along with current copy of by-laws, constitution, rules and list of officers.
  · Submission of Registration form and fees
  · Player Scholarship Form
  Player/Coach cards for Division III will be issued to the club once forms and fees are received.
• ASA State League Fall Scheduling Meeting - August 16th, 2003
• NASL U9 & U10 Scheduling Meeting - August 18th
  It is very important that teams be fully aware of their no-play dates prior to their scheduling meeting.
• NASL U11 & Older Scheduling Meeting - August 19th
  It is very important that teams be fully aware of their no-play dates prior to their scheduling meeting.
• NASL Preliminary schedule will be published August 25th
  Adjustments will be allowed.
• Final (Firm) NASL Schedule will be posted September 2nd
• Referee fees for Division I and II State League games are due - August 16th, 2003
• The second annual Huntsville Summer Classic will be held August 23-24, 2003, in Huntsville, Alabama. This youth tournament accepts girls youth teams ages U9 through U18. It is held the same weekend as the Alabama Shootout Women's College Soccer Showcase. Tournament matches end in time on Saturday to see the women's college matches, and team registration includes tickets to all college matches, Friday and Saturday.
• USYSA Seasonal Year begins - (September 1st through August 31st) per USYS Bylaws
• Statewide Division III and IV league play may start for the 2003 -2004 seasonal year.
• Fall 2003 State League Begins - September 6th, 2003
• Lower Alabama Soccer Invitational to be held September 6-7, 2003 in Enterprise, Alabama
• AYSA - Initial fall computer registration disk is due in the AYSA office postmarked by September 15th, 2003 and must include:
  · A correctly prepared and readable diskette.
  · If diskette is not submitted then a roster or copy of the registration form containing required information for all players and coaches. A $1.00 entry fee is required for data entry of players/coaches from rosters and/or player registration forms.
  All discrepancies between the registration diskette and the Registration form must be explained.
• ODP Alabama Teams Boys and Girls will play in Super Club Tournament in Memphis, TN - September 21st and 22nd, 2003
• Deadline for teams entering the 2003 Chevy Governor’s Cup is September 26th, 2003
  U-10 - $250,  U-11/12 - $300,  U13 & older - $350
• Deadline for teams entering the 2003 Snickers Cup is TBA. The cost is $400 per team.
• Roster Freeze Date for Governors Cup is October 3rd, 2003
• Deadline for teams entering the Division II State Championship is October 8th - The cost is $350 per team
• AYSA Final registration is due in the AYSA office postmarked by October 15th, 2003 and must include:· A correctly prepared and readable diskette, roster or copy of registration form containing required information for any player or coach registered after the submittal of your initial information.
• Standings Close for Snickers Cup - October 19th, 2003
• Roster Freeze Date for Snickers and Division II Cup is October 22nd, 2003. If changes in roster, all paperwork and money is due in office by this date.
• Fall State League Division I Play Ends - October 26th, 2003
• Governor's Cup - Montgomery - October 25th and 26th, 2003
• Snicker's Cup - Huntsville - November 1st and 2nd, 2003
• Fall State League Division II Play Ends - November 2nd, 2003
• D II Tournament - Location TBA - November 8th and 9th, 2003
• ODP District Tryouts - November 10-13th and 17-20th, 2003
• Adult State Cup - Mobile - November 15-16, 2003
• NIRSA Sports Club National Championship - Nov 20-22, 2003 Tuscaloosa
• ODP State Tryouts for Boys - December 6th and 7th, 2003
• ODP State Tryouts for Girls - December 13th and 14th, 2003 

         The new pay rates for referees for the upcoming fall season is now posted on-line at http://www.nasl.com/ref/referee_rates.htm
         To download a copy (Excel spreadsheet) for all age groups and Division I, II, III, NASL and HASL games go to http://www.nasl.com/ref/2003fall_rates.xls

The NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma Course will be held at Randolph High School, August 1-3, 2003.  Click here for a flyer and registration form.  Jim Smeal (jsmeal@hcu.edu) is the contact and Richard Todd is the site coordinator.  Dave Gregson will be the instructor. 
     For more information contact Jim Smeal, c/o Heritage Christian University, P.O. Box HCU, Florence Alabama, 35630; h (256) 760-9702; W (256) 766-6610; better yet, e-mail jsmeal@hcu.edu
     The Regional course is designed for coaching U12-18 club and high school teams. The course will include instruction in the four components of coaching soccer, constructing well-designed practices from warmup to cool down, teaching technical skills through the fundamental, game-related, game-condition stages, and a progression of exercises teaching tactical skills. The course will emphasize practice in 8v8 scrimmaging.
     The Advanced Regional component is devoted to instruction in the systems of play
(4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-3-3, 3-4-3, etc.), the strengths and weaknesses of each system, how to train players in each system, how to select the best system according to the abilities of the players. All scrimmages and exercises are 11v11.
      Randolph High School is located at 1005 Drake Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama, about 2 miles east of Memorial Parkway. (Get off Memorial Parkway at the Drake Avenue exit.) Richard Todd is the head coach of the Randolph Boys Soccer Program and the Samba Futbol Club.
      All candidates should wear appropriate clothing to play soccer, including shin guards, soccer shoes, and indoor playing shoes in the event of rain, snow, etc. Course will be taught indoors if the weather demands. All candidates will receive the Advanced Regional Course notebook at final registration at Randolph High School, and a diploma after completion of the course.

      Since January I have been moving thousands of drills, tips, articles and exercises from my old website at DecaturSports.com to the NASL website in an effort to make the NASL website the largest repository of help for soccer coaches on the internet.  The DecaturSports.com website was one of only two website recommended by NSCAA for youth coaches at their annual convention. Since the DecaturSports.com website covered many sports I felt it was important to place this wealth of soccer material on the NASL website which is soccer only.
      There are articles on virtually every topic that ever interested soccer coaches and for coaches from newly drafted dads and moms to USSF "A" Licensed coaches.  Recently added were on-line videos of all the Coerver moves and the Gary Rue's Exercises of the Day.  This is a year long project for me and I still have many, many  more to post so let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to see and I'll get it posted first.
      Stop by http://www.nasl.com/drills.htm and look around and I think you will agree that it is the finest selection of soccer coaching material on the internet.  Ken dsports@hiwaay.net  

    On August 15-17, 2003, NASOA will sponsor a USSF Grade 8 course in Huntsville at the Police Academy on Airport Road.

     Start/end times for the instruction are as follows...
        8/15 (Fri) - 6:00 to 10:00
        8/16 (Sat) - 8:00 to 5:00 (1 hr break for lunch)
        8/17 (Sun) - 1:00 to 5:00

     Successful completion of the course will allow the participant to referee any sanctioned USSF match, subject to ability/experience.
     Cost for the course is $60 to USSF and $30 to NASOA (2 separate payments). NASOA waives the $30 fee for any participant under 18 years of age.
     Questions can be directed to Mike Costello at either 882.0821 (don't leave message with kids!!!) or via e-mail Mike.Costello@Knology.net .
     To enroll in the course, please send an e-mail to the address listed above. Will need at least 12 participants to conduct the course.   There's also a chance that the instructors will have enough time to conduct a USSF re-certification that weekend, too. Will let you know when/if the decision is made to add this instruction.
 

ALABAMA SHOOTOUT
WOMEN’S SOCCER SHOWCASE
AUGUST 22-23, 2003
http://alabamasoccer.info/

John Hunt Soccer Complex, Huntsville, Alabama

Ticket Information:

Adults: Weekend pass $TBA, Day pass $TBA

Students: Weekend $TBA, Day $TBA

There are no single match tickets

All tickets are available through ticketmaster 1-800-277-1700

or at the gate

College teams participating:

University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, Birmingham-Southern College, University of Southern Mississippi, Samford University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Louisville

 August 22, 6:00 pm:  Teams TBA

                  8:00 pm:  Teams TBA

 August 23, 4:00 pm:  Teams TBA

                  6:00 pm:  Teams TBA

                  8:00 pm:  Teams TBA

For sponsorship information, contact:

Huntsville Soccer Club

Phone: 256-880-0214 or E-Mail: hsc@huntsvillesoccerclub.org

HUNTSVILLE SOCCER CLUB
PRESENTS
AUGUST 22-23, 2003
HUNTSVILLE SUMMER CLASSIC
GIRLS TEAMS U9 – U18

The second annual Huntsville Summer Classic will be held August 23-24, 2003, in Huntsville, Alabama. This youth tournament accepts girls youth teams ages U9 through U19. It is held the same weekend as the Alabama Shootout Women's College Soccer Showcase. For more information on the Women's College Showcase, visit AlabamaSoccer.info. Tournament matches end in time on Saturday to see the women's college matches, and team registration includes tickets to all college matches, Friday and Saturday. In addition, the tournament committee has invited all regional college coaches to attend the tournament. To see the list, click here. This weekend will be an excellent opportunity for U16, U17, U18 and U19 players to see some great college soccer, and to be seen by regional college coaches.

If you have questions or need more information, please call us at (256) 880-0214, or e-mail us at: tournament@huntsvillsoccerclub.org

USYSA Sanctioned Tournament
Contact: Bryan Layton
256-730-3069 work or 256-880-0214 home
bryanklayton@aol.com 
11014 Charring Court, Huntsville AL 35803
U9-U18 Boys & Girls *U9 & U10 II will play 8v8

E-mail: tournament@huntsvillesoccerclub.org
Website: www.huntsvillesoccerclub.org

       The 2003 soccer camps are now updated on-line at     http://www.nasl.com/camps.htm

        Tide® and Whirlpool® are looking for the Soccer Family of the Year. You and your family could win a $20,000 college contribution to a Upromise™ account*, a houseful of Whirlpool appliances, a trip for four to Los Angeles to see MLS Cup 2003 on November 23, a year's supply of Tide HE and more! You don't have to have an existing Upromise account to enter or win — just explain your family's dedication to youth soccer in your community!
       Nominate your family as the "Tide presents Whirlpool Home Appliances Soccer Family of the Year." To enter, hand-print your age, name, address, zip code, names and ages of immediate family members on an Official Entry Form or on a 3" x 5" piece of paper, plus home phone and e-mail (if available). Mail your completed entry form along with a 4" x 6" family photograph and a typed or hand-printed essay (150 words or fewer) telling why your family should be the Tide® presents Whirlpool Home Appliances Soccer Family of the Year! to: Tide® presents "Whirlpool Home Appliances Soccer Family of the Year!", c/o DraftWorldwide, 640 N. LaSalle #350, Chicago, IL 60610. Entries must be received by August 15, 2003. Limit one entry per family.
       Be sure to read the official rules for complete entry details. No purchase necessary.
       More information is available at http://www.tide.com/specialoffers/200304soccer/
 

From the Birmingham Business Journal

The Magic City needs a pro soccer team
Russell Richey and Lorrin Etka-Shepherd

As Birmingham basks in the glow of another successful Team USA event at Legion Field, the Women's recent 6-0 drubbing of England, it's time to take a long, hard look at bringing professional soccer to the area, a move that would enhance our city's vitality, attractiveness and national exposure.

Birmingham has just as much chance as any city in America to attract a Major League Soccer (or a USL or WUSA) team. But if we "choke," we will miss a
golden opportunity to add another jewel to the area's growing array of high-profile sporting attractions.

The timing is right; there is a definite buzz about soccer in the United  States.

America's grassroots participation in the sport is finally translating into a viable, sustainable fan base.

Is bringing pro soccer to Birmingham feasible? In theory, at least, yes.

MLS is a baby among pro sport leagues. But now in its eighth season, with all vital signs looking increasingly healthy - attendance, the rise of soccer-specific stadiums and all-important TV contracts - it's safe to say America's top professional soccer circuit is not a flight risk like the short-lived XFL, especially in light of the fantastically deep pockets and sports-business savvy of the league's principal backers, Philip Anschutz and Lamar Hunt.

And MLS is interested in doing business. With a goal of effectively doubling  to 20 teams by the next decade, the league unequivocally has stated that it will entertain qualified offers from bidders in markets large and small.

Houston, Philadelphia and Seattle currently are vying for one of two new teams that will be added in 2005. Also seeking expansion clubs are Tulsa, Okla., and Rochester, N.Y. - cities comparable in size to Birmingham.

Columbus, Ohio, a city, like Birmingham, with no major pro sports tradition, was one of the inaugural MLS franchises. Landing the already profitable Columbus Crew has been credited for luring a National Hockey League team to the city.

The price of an MLS team? Ten million dollars - a bargain compared to the going rate for a pro football, baseball or basketball franchise. And while snaring a pro franchise in one of the traditional big four leagues would represent "catching up" for Birmingham, bringing a pro soccer team to the area, in a symbolic sense, would help the city move forward, given the sport's brand image of being progressive, international and modern.

Can we sustain an MLS operation? Yes, if one looks at the city's economic power according to a recent study published by American City Business Journals, parent company of the Birmingham Business Journal. The study examined 172 markets for their ability to support various types of professional sports teams.

The ACBJ analysis placed Birmingham on an even footing with Houston, Portland and San Diego as a potential home for an MLS soccer club. The study also ranked Birmingham as an equal to Southeastern cities, including Atlanta, Nashville, Richmond and Charlotte, all of which already have United Soccer Leagues teams. The USL is equivalent to baseball's minor league system.

Birmingham has proved it can attract 25,000 fans to watch a Men's National Team event, and the USA-England women's match drew more than 12,000. Those numbers are roughly double the national average.

A home for a professional soccer team is a must, of course, and MLS is keen on eventually having soccer-specific stadiums for all of its clubs.

In the short term, however, the league would be agreeable to using Legion Field, which is rated one of the finest soccer pitches in the world.

And the sport has strong veins of support that reach across the state,
primarily from its college teams.

UAB has built fine NCAA Division I men's and women's programs.
Birmingham-Southern College's men's and women's programs gained NAIA
prominence before recently moving over to the NCAA. Auburn
University-Montgomery and the University of Mobile both finished in the Top
10 of the NAIA's final NSCAA/Adidas 2002 rankings. The University of Alabama
at Huntsville regularly ranks among the top regional NCAA Division II teams.

Birmingham also spawns talent, most notably rising women's national team star Katherine Reddick, a Briarwood Christian School product. Does Mia Hamm ring a bell? She was born in Selma.

We need to survey the Birmingham and Alabama soccer communities, corporate
and municipal interests and the general populace. With those results, it shouldn't be too hard to convince MLS or the USL to stage exhibition matches in a test-marketing exercise.

Last year, in the run-up to the USA-Ecuador match at Legion Field, local
media began to tout Birmingham as "the soccer capital of the South."

And doesn't the soccer capital of the South deserve a pro team? We sure
think so.

Russell Richey is a partner at Wilhite-Richey, a Birmingham-based marketing research firm. He plays for Iguana Soccer Club, the current Alabama men's amateur champions. He can be reached at russell@wilhite-richey.com . Lorrin Etka-Shepherd is director of client services and strategy at Marketry Inc., a Birmingham-based research firm. She is former head coach of women's soccer at Birmingham-Southern College. She can be reached at les@marketryinc.com.

South boys 1, North boys 0;

North girls 1, South girls 0

The Associated Press - 7/15/03

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Clay Normand scored late in the first half and the South All Stars' defense made it stand up as they defeated the North All Stars 1-0 Tuesday during All Star Sports Week.

The North team won the girls' game 1-0.

Normand took a pass from Ryan Hathcock and beat goalkeeper Tyler Zinder at the 42:02 mark to give the South squad a 1-0 lead.

The North team managed four shots in the second half, with South goalkeeper Chris Moak having to make only one save. Moak had three saves in the first half.

Normand was named MVP for the South team, while Zinder won for the North squad.

In the girls' game, the North team's defense dominated throughout. The South had only five shots, with North goalkeeper Micaela Crowley recording three saves.

The South defense allowed 23 shots, but goalkeeper Taylor Clark was up to the task for most of the game. She saved an All Star-record 12 shots, but at the 60:34 mark Elizabeth Theibert sent a corner kick from Sara Turner into the net with a header for the game's only goal.

Theibert was named MVP for the North team. Clark won for the South All Stars.

This is posted in the sports section of al.com

From Peter Gamble of Homewood,

      Joel, (my brother) & I along with some other Birminghamians have started a group call The Magic City Supporters Club.  It serves to foster interest in soccer at both the local and national level. We will be getting together to watch games at restaurants, bars, etc as well as to organize bus trips, etc to games in other cities. It is to support soccer in general in Birmingham, but its main area of focus is to support the US National Team.
      We've got a humble little site built and more will be added to it soon.
http://www.MagicCitySupporters.com
      There is no charge for membership (if you can even call it that), but we do have an email list and a message board so people can get together and organize visible support locally and nationally for the team.
      Check the site out and please forward this to everybody you know that is interested in soccer. The more we organize, the more support soccer will get locally.

Peter

A1 USA
A2 Sweden
A3 Nigeria
A4 N. Korea

B1 Norway
B2 France
B3 Brazil
B4 S. Korea
 

C1 Germany
C2 Canada
C3 Japan
C4 Argentina
 

D1 China
D2 Ghana
D3 Australia
D4 Russia
 

 
You think you know women's soccer? Think you know it well enough to win $10,000? Or other great prizes? Then you'll want to enter the 2003 NSCAA "Coming to America" Contest. Pick the winners for this summer's ultimate women's soccer tournament and you could win $10,000 or other cool prizes from NSCAA, adidas, Goal Sporting Goods, Soccer Learning Systems or US Youth Soccer.

For more information and to download an entry form, be sure to visit NSCAA.com on Monday, July 28.

One day event is free for ages 6-18. The University of Alabama at Birmingham's soccer teams will be hosting the UAB Soccer Festival on Saturday, August 9, from 2-4 p.m. The event will take place on UAB's West Campus Field on the corner of 9th Ave. South and 11th St. South and is free for all kids ages 6-18. There is no registration for any of the participants. The Festival will include an instructional clinic with UAB players and coaches as well as each participant receiving a free UAB soccer ball.  If more information is needed, please call the UAB soccer office at 205-975-7552.
http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/072403aaa.html

NASL NEWSLETTER:

       You may sign up for the NASL e-mail list and also provide changes (including removing your name from the list) to your current e-mail address and phone numbers by using this form at  http://www.nasl.com/Email.htm This is our means of keeping the local soccer community up-to-date on events and items of interest.  If you have something to contribute please e-mail me at dsports@hiwaay.net
All of the above information and more is on-line at http://www.nasl.com

Thanks for being involved in soccer in Alabama. 

Ken Gamble - NASL Secretary
"Next Goal Wins!"

REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS

     This low-tech emailing list is maintained for the benefit of coaches, referees, and parents involved in youth soccer in Alabama. List maintenance is semi-automatic. If you are no longer in Alabama or wish to be removed from this list for any reason, simply send an e-mail to dsports@hiwaay.net with "Delete", "Remove", "Exclude", "Unsubscribe", "Stop!", No More!, "Cease and Desist!", or something similar in the subject line. Regional dialects, colloquialisms, and various misspellings (e.g., Cut it out!, Delist, Unlist, Disenfranchise, Quit me, Unsuscribe [sic], Unsuscripe [sic], Describe, and Unscribe) are understood.
     "Drop Dead, Pond Scum" works also, although emails with profanity (e.g, Go to He!!) will be filtered out and automatically discarded so that the youth players who volunteer in the NASL office won't see them. Other requests, particularly those that include the word me (e.g., Drop me, Terminate me, Cut me or worse, Cut me off, Take me off, Purge me, Reject me, Take me down, Expunge me, Take me out, and Kill me) are cause for concern but are generally implemented figuratively rather than literally.
     Tense, gender, and grammar (e.g., Please removed us/we/him/her.) are irrelevant. Some requests (e.g., Enscribe and Obscribe) confuse us and may result in additional contact. Manners (e.g., Please, Sorry, and Thank you, anyway.) are optional.
     Explanations (e.g., I visited Huntsville once on the way to the Calaveras Frog Jumping Contest and loved looking at the space museum, but I have never lived in Northern Alabama.) are always interesting and are appreciated.
     Sporting metaphors (e.g., I don't want to play on your team.) help soften the blow. Denials (e.g., There is no one here who plays soccer. or We hate that game.) mean we entered someone's email address incorrectly. We're used to but politely disagree with gender stereotyping (e.g, Real men play pointy football. and Soccer is a man's game, not a game for skirts). Questions (e.g., How did you get my email address?) generally can't be answered because nobody in the NASL office knows the answers to them.
     Your email address and all other alias email addresses that you include in the body of your request will automatically be added to NASL's Exclude List. This will permanently stop delivery of all types of future NASL announcements, including those for upcoming tryouts, coaching/refereeing courses, refereeing opportunities for league and tournament games, and birthday parties. You can also quit yourself from NASL's e-mail page at http://www.nasl.com/Email.htm

NOTE: The wonderful removal instructions listed above were adapted with permission from Michael Lindeburg at San Andreas Youth Soccer Organization, http://www.sayso.org