2009 WMSC GOALKEEPING PRE-SEASON SPRING TRAINING
WHAT IS IT?: WMSC is pleased to announce that Elite Athletes has been engaged to conduct Goalkeeper training sessions to help our goalkeepers prepare for the 2009 outdoor summer season.
WHEN & WHERE? The sessions will start this Monday, April 13, 2009 at University Stadium (also known as "Knight-Newborough Field", aka "Seagram Stadium) on Seagram drive beside the curling rink.
The sessions will run on Mondays from 6:00pm-9:15pm scheduled as follows:
Rep Minor: up to and including U12 (born in 1997): from 6:00pm-7:45pm;
Rep Major: U13 (born 1996) & Up: from 7:30pm-9:15pm
WHAT TO BRING?: Players are to arrive fully dressed for Outdoor training, with their own water bottle and their own soccer ball. (If you do not have a ball for the first session, one will be provided for you. For all future sessions please borrow a ball from your team coach).
PUNCTUAL ARRIVAL PLEASE: Parents and players are asked to arrive for their session on time and to report to where the Centre field line "C"/55 Yard line meets the sideline nearest the stands. That will be where the WMSC GK Training "Check-In" table will be set up. Please come to the table and introduce yourself. We will want to make sure we have parents' emails for ease of later communications with participants. We will then introduce the Elite Athletes' staff and they will take it from there. The goalkeeping sessions will take place in the endzone(s) of the football field. Parents please arrive before the sessions are over to receive your children for their rides home.
WHAT IF IT'S BAD WEATHER?: Please come to the Stadium. This is where the decision to proceed or cancel the sessions will be made. Do not call your coach or the soccer office. Come to the stadium and someone will be there to let you know what the decision will be. Safety is the primary consideration. As long as player safety is within acceptable bounds the sessions will go ahead. After we have all your emails and a decision can be made early we will send an email to let you know, so in those cases please check your email before leaving home.
"WAIT & SEE": At times we may wait for a reasonable period to see if the weather will clear (lightning/heavy downpour). IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO REMAIN AT THE FIELD IN CASE THE DECISION IS MADE TO CANCEL THE SESSION or TO END IT WHILE IT IS IN-PROGRESS.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PROGRAM: The first session for all age groups will be an evaluation of the skills of the participants and grouping them by age and skill-level for future sessions. The training program will have both a long term player development focus and a short-term "get ready for the season" component. Coaches are asked to email the WMS Coach Mentor (coachmentor@waterloominorsoccer.com) if they have any specific ideas or requests for training topics to be covered. These will be reviewed by the Rep Committee who will through its Chair communicate with Elite Athletes regarding all program content requests.
WILL THE TIME SLOTS STAY THE SAME?: We will try to keep the Rep Minor sessions (up to and including U12) to the earliest time slots which are currently available only on Monday evenings. The Rep Major (U13 and up) will remain in the later time slot, though the starting time may change due to later time slots for our TUE/THU evening bookings.
HOW MANY SESSIONS PER WEEK?: For the first week we expect only one session per age level. A second session for each age group may be added if there is interest, field availability and attendance.
WHEN WILL THE SESSIONS FINISH?: The initial phase is to complete 4 sessions for each of Rep Minor and Rep Major. If attendance is strong a further 4 sessions will be added. Ultimately, the Club hopes to have ongoing weekly Goalkeeping training sessions throughout the season to ensure that the most important position on the field is receiving the coaching attention it deserves. We want to hear from parents and players how the sessions are working (or not) for them along with any suggestions or ideas for how they can be improved. Again, please send all such emails to the WMS Coach Mentor (coachmentor@waterloominorsoccer.com) who will ensure that they are reviewed by the Rep Committee.
WHAT IF MY TEAM PRACTICE IS AT THE SAME TIME?: The Club expects that at least one goalkeeper from each team will attend the GK training instead of their team's training if there is a scheduling overlap. If you are not the primary goalkeeper for your team, talk to your coach and ask them what s/he would like you to do. If you will not attend you must inform Jocelyn of this decision so we can ensure that we have only the instructors needed for each session.
WHAT WILL THIS COST?: This year, this program will not cost players or their families anything. The Club wants maximum participation in this program as we need to develop the pool of players who receive goalkeeper training.
MAPS: For a Google map, click HERE. For an aerial photo of the stadium and surrounding area click AERIAL PHOTO.
HOW DO I GET TO THIS PLACE?: Access to the stadium parking lot is from Seagram Drive, which runs between Albert Street and University Avenue in Waterloo. There are two driveways into the parking lot, one nearest to Albert St. and one near the curling rink. In the evenings, parking is free.
HOW DO I GET INTO THE STADIUM & ONTO THE FIELD?: Entrance to the stadium itself is through the building underneath the north seating grandstand. In the Aerial Photo, the entry door is just to the left of the building which juts out of the north stands. Once you come through the building you will be underneath the stands. The entrance to the field is in the middle of the stands ("C"/55 yard line). Please be careful as you walk across the running track as other athletes may be doing their training. For an aerial photo of the stadium and surrounding area click AERIAL PHOTO.
Good luck and remember that what you get out of this program is what you are prepared to put into it.
WMSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COACH MENTOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
REP COMMITTEE
