Mahwah Raiders U9 Boys 2007 Spring Season
March 23, 2007

Welcome to the Mahwah Raiders U9 Boys 2007 Spring Season.  We look forward to assisting your sons in their understanding and appreciation of the game of soccer and we hope they have an enjoyable experience as a "B" flight team.  In anticipation of the upcoming season, we would like to remind you of the following:

1. Philosophy
Part of this year’s philosophy is to try to challenge your child to reach past their "comfort level" and improve themselves as a player, and thus, a person.  I expect them with help from the coaches and parents to take on more responsibility and ownership of developing as a skilled soccer player.  They need to demonstrate desire/commitment and ability during the games continue to work hard and pay attention in practice to earn their playing time.

2. Encourage your child to talk with the coaches
If your child is having difficulties in practice or games, encourage them to speak directly to the coaches at an appropriate time (not while a game is going on). This "responsibility taking" is a big part of becoming a big-time player. By handling the off-field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game - preparation for as well as playing the game.  This includes making sure your child is ready to play whether it be for practice or game.   

3. Practices
Practices will be held at North Field (Route 202, just short of Ramapo College ) on Wednesdays from 6:00p.m. – 7:30p.m., and on Fridays from 6:15p.m. – 7:45p.m., beginning the week of March 26.  Our Red Bull Trainer will be attending the practices on Fridays.

4. Attendance (Game and Practice)
If your child will be unable to attend a practice or a game, please send an e-mail to any of the coaches, or to team coordinator Nancy Heller (nancyheller@aol.com)

5. Readiness to Play
Help your child show up to practice and games on time, with proper equipment, and ready to play.  The boys are expected to arrive 10 minutes prior to practice times and 30 minutes prior to game times.  Please do what you can to ensure that your child arrive promptly. 
    
6. Comes to Practices with Something to Drink
Please make sure that your child comes to practices with something to drink and that their name is written on the bottle or caps.   The coaches will no longer bring spare water bottles.

7. Drop Off
The coaches realize that parents cannot always stay and watch practices.  However, if you will be dropping your son off, we would appreciate your walking him to the field, so we can consult with you on anything we may need to run past the parents.  Please make sure you pick up your child promptly.  If someone else will be picking up your son, it is important that one of the coaches knows this ahead of time.

8. Game Schedule
Spring schedule has been posted at http://www.ncsanj.com/asp/default.asp .  We have a ten game season, beginning on March 25th, and ending on or about June 17th.  Any scheduling changes will be announced by the coaches, and will also be posted to the website (http://www.ncsanj.com/asp/default.asp), where you can also find driving directions to away games.

9. Goalie Clinic
The goalie clinic sponsored by the club will be available to all goalies starting on Tuesday, April 3rd at North Field.  The times will be from 4-5:15 for small-sided (U10 and under) and from 5:30-7:00 for full-sided (U11 and above).  The clinic will be run by Walter Gotrell  

10. Uniforms
We will be wearing our blue jerseys for the games as the club looks to identify with the town of Mahwah ’s colors. Always bring the white jersey as it will be used in the event of a conflict.      

11. Snack & Water Schedule
Parents will be asked to provide snacks and drinks for the boys on game days.  The responsibility will be rotated, and a sign up sheet will be provided shortly.
       
12. Parent Conduct
We recently attended an NCSA Coaches meeting, where the subject of parent conduct at games was again raised.  We were very impressed and appreciative with everyone’s hearty support during the Fall Season, and we know we can rely on your encouragement of the team again in the Spring.  We simply want to remind you to refrain from directing the boys during the games or criticizing any referee.  Apparently this has become a problem and major focus area for the NCSA, and it’s something we want to avoid.   Please review attached Player, Coach, Parent Expectations and Responsibilities document. 

13. No Smoking, Alcoholic Beverages, or Dogs Allowed on the Fields
There is no smoking, alcoholic beverages, or dogs allowed on any of the fields that we play and practice on by town ordinances and NCSA by-laws.

14. Fall Tryouts
The tryout dates for the fall teams will be 5/22 and 5/24.  Every child should plan to attend both dates for tryouts.  Players should come dressed to play with shorts, t-shirt, shin guards and cleats.  All participants will receive a call regarding their status. No club uniforms are allowed to be worn.   

15. Ridgewood Tournament
Mark your calendars as we will participate in the Ridgewood Tournament this season scheduled for June 16th and 17th.  We play a morning and afternoon game each day for a total of 4 games.  It’s important that we have everyone’s participation. 

16. Budget Review
The team has a positive cash flow of $1,130.  

17. Volunteer to Video Tape Games
Need a volunteer to video tape several of our games.   The tapes will be used as part of our training to raise the boy’s awareness on the field during games.

18. Parent Auxiliary (Janet)
Black & White Dinner - The annual spring dinner fund raiser has been moved to the fall (probably mid October) due to issues with town permits/licenses.

Raffles - We will do a raffle in the Spring, 1 book of tickets to be sold by each player/family. Any items offered to raffle, please advise Janet. Winning numbers will be pulled at the Club Picnic.

Club Picnic - A picnic has been proposed for early June. It would be local, ie Darlington, Brookside or Crestwood.  It would be a  modest.. burgers and dog bar-b-que, at a minimal cost per family, or "teams" setting up tables. 

We ask that you support the club as each annual event is intended to raise funds to keep the fees down. This affords every child a chance to play on a team.   

19. Red Bull Partnership
Student of the Game Program - The Mahwah Raiders SC and the Red Bull New York have signed an agreement to be one of 20 teams that will participate in the Student of the Game Program. This program has many benefits to the players and coaches such as but not limited to group ticket sales, player appearances, locker room strategy discussion prior and during Red Bull games, and increasing our field time on our event day from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. This program will enhance what we have started in terms of player development and gives us a jump start on the coach development program.

Player and Coach Development - The Mahwah Raiders SC and the Red Bull New York have joined forces to bring player and coach development to a new level. The Red Bulls bring many benefits to our training program for our players with their experience, knowledge of the game, ability to teach the player and coach, facilitate coaching education classes, NSCAA Diploma Certification, and an online curriculum in place that we can plan, monitor, and adjust to the needs of each team. I am looking for the Red Bulls to increase our technical and tactical knowledge of the game at the player and coach level which will help us become more successful on and off the soccer field.

20. Red Bull Game (August 18, 2007 - David Beckham Game)
The Raiders will have approximately 350-400 tickets available from our Student of the Game package for the August 18 LA Galaxy Game.  The tickets will be $25 each.  The normal ticket price will be $30 and it may increase for this game but the Raiders will keep the price at $25 each. The tickets will go very fast as we have 30 teams in our club which equates to 10-15 tickets per team.  This is on a first come, first serve basis.

If your family would like to attend, please give Janet a count along with a check payable to Mahwah Raiders as soon as possible!

We look forward to some good competition and lots of fun this Spring!   

Manuel Santos 
Tom Heller
Dave Fisher
Matt Von Zwehl