What a night!

A quick and meaningful message from a very tired mommy!

Our next practice will be on Tuesday, September 1st, same times:

5:30 for U8

6:20 for U10

Didn't quite get everything done with the U8 group tonight I had planned, but it was fun. A very special thanks to Ingrid Yunck who has stepped in as Co-Coach!

I cannot say enough how wonderful all of your children are! They are all kind, talented players who show respect and are a true delight to work with. I am anticipating a wonderful season!

It's always the coach's child who creates the difficulties, and my own Christian sure was excited from a long day of starting school and running around with Mom!

I hope to see all the players again next week on Tuesday! Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments you might have.

Have a great week!

It was a good start!

Last night was the first "official" practice of the year. I had a wonderful time getting to know the players and most parents. There is a questionnaire I handed out last night and I will attempt to attach it here so if you could print it off, fill it out, then get it back to me in two weeks, it would help me to know more about your player and some things to work on with him/her!

I am still attempting to get ahold of players (just a few), so hopefully I will be able to reach them before we leave on Saturday. Of course I'll have my phone with me while we are away!

Just the U10 group (4th & 5th grades) will have practice with Mike on Tuesday at 6:00. I may have told some it would be 6:20 at practice--I WAS WRONG!! It is at 6! I already know some besides us will be out of town, but Mike will have a small group so if you CAN make it, your player will get some good one on one!

Have a great couple weeks and we'll see you on the 25th at Rotary Park. Enjoy what is left of your "summer" days!

Schedules are in and we are off...

I will be making phone calls today to notify parents and players of practice times.

PRACTICES:

The practices will be held at Rotary Park.
Since it can be confusing the first practice, please meet at the pavilion. After that, we can meet on the respective fields.

• The U8 team will meet at 5:30-6:15 pm this Wednesday, August 12th.

• The U10 team will meet at 6:20-7:20 pm this Wednesday, August 12th.

I like to use the first practice to get to know the players and for them to get to know each other. I do have some information and a questionnaire for parents that helps me to better coach them. It is nice if the parents stick around for the first half of the first practice. After that, if you just want to drop off and go, that's fine. I just ask that I have a way to contact you if I need to (cell or home phone number). Feel free to stick around to spectate if you wish.

Please be sure to have players ready to go with the following:

-Tennis shoes or soccer shoes
-Shin guards with socks covering them
-A water bottle
-Sunscreen/bug spray already applied if you choose

We will be learning through playing games (sometimes it's hard to remember that they are learning skills while playing games but it works!). Then using the second half of practice to play a game of soccer.

I will be out of town next week so

• the U10 will have practice on Tuesday, August 18th at 6 pm with Mike.
  

Unless I can find a parent willing to step in, the

• U8 team will take a week off and go back at it the following week.

Tuesday-August 25th- practices change over to Tuesday nights

• 5:30-6:15 for U8 and
  
• 6:20-7:20 for U10 for the rest of the season unless notified.

GAMES:

We typically do not receive game schedules until a week or two prior to when games start. This is tentative, but the first game is set to be September 12th. Pictures will be taken that day-details will follow. I will provide more information about the games in the handout at practice. If you are unable to attend practice, please e-mail me and I will send that information to you.

Looking forward to meeting parents, players, and answering any questions you might have!

The Draft

Here we go again: A new Lake Mills Recreation Soccer Season! Tonight was the draft to choose our teams and other than needing coaches for the U8 team, things are looking very optimistic this year!

I am looking forward to working with Mike on the U10 team and hoping he doesn't mind my take-charge attitude when it comes to the bookkeeping part of the team. Don't worry, I share!!

As you can probably already tell, I have committed to coaching both Mallory, age 10 going into 5th grade and Christian, age 7-going into 2nd grade, both at St. Pauls. Many of the players I chose are new to me and some I've had the honor of coaching before! I am going to do my best at dividing between the two teams and keeping an open line of communication with those parents who desire that.

My cell phone is listed on the side bar and my e-mail is: topelracing@charter.net. I also receive texts often and think it would be great to find out who else does for any cancellation purposes. If not, that's okay...we'll make it work! (I'm on facebook as well if anyone wants to keep in touch that way)

By now, you will have received a phone call from me with information on the first practice. I will be posting them as soon as they get determined. At the time of this writing, I am waiting to receive my official team rosters from Jane.

I tend to be an "Over-communicator", so this blog will work out great for those of you who are into that type of thing and for those not-so-much, hey, no problemo, just ignore it!!

Looking forward to a fun season both on and off the field. I'm open to suggestions and ideas, so please be sure to let me know if you have any to share!

Enjoy your summer days of vacation!