Submitted by Nor’West Soccer
Many thanks to all the House League and Competitive volunteers that came out again this year! We know many of your lawns go un-kept, your holidays are often delayed, and you borrow time from work and your families in order to gift players with soccer. We appreciate your choices and commitment to the kids! THANK-YOU for helping the cycle continue!
Kickin’ Kidz!
Gone are the days of military styled “drills” for Nor’West Soccer!
“If you want a really good drill, go to a hardware store!” Technical Director Chris Loucks said at this year’s Coach Orientation.
As Loucks explained, an Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) belief is that “if it’s not fun, they quit” (and 70% of youth Canadian players do quit by the age of 14). This is the motivating philosophy behind both the Nor’West Coach Education plan and Long Term Player Development program introduced at Nor’West Soccer.
Whether you call them drills or activities may seem like semantics, but it’s this new era shift in soccer thinking that Nor’West promotes year round. Coach Chris and crew run the Indoor program with the same kid friendly perspective because these nationally and provincially certified coaches and their youth mentees know that guided development and game realistic activities are important aspects of soccer skill development.
“That you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar is not news. Using this idea to teach kids to love to run with the ball is new to some,” said Club Administrator Jennifer Jaquith. “If they love the ball and make good friends with it, and if no one quashes that passion, they will play soccer for life!”
A remix of last year’s October to March Indoor Skills program, Nor’West’s Kickin’ Kidz program launches a local Grassroots Soccer initiative that focuses on having fun while developing a player’s skills using small sided games and soccer based activities.
