Welcome to the Mahwah Raiders U8 Boys 2008 Fall 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 "E" flight team.   In anticipation of the upcoming season, we would like to remind you of the following:

Expectations
Due to the fact that our team has 8 first graders along with 2 third graders it is important for parents and other supporters to have proper expectations for the season.  I have spoken with many long time Raiders coaches and coaches from other clubs as well and everyone seems to agree that a new team begins to gel and succeed in its 2nd year.  I look at this team as a long term project where we remain together and grow as a team over the years.  The good news is that we are playing in E flight which is the lowest level of competition for the country league.   

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).  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.   

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 Donna Slaughter (dlslaught@yahoo.com)

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 at least 30 minutes prior to game times.  Please do what you can to ensure that your child arrive promptly. 
    
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.

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.   

     
Parent Conduct
At a recent NCSA Coaches meeting the subject of parent conduct at games was raised.  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. 

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.

Team Budget Review
Team financial information will be reported as the season progresses.  We did collect $4000 dollars as a team.  That money is spent on getting the team registered (players passes, etc) as well as paying for the Red Bulls trainer each week.  It also covers all incidental expenses incurred by the coaches throughout the year such as team equipment, referee fees, etc.  

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.

Rob, Tim and I look forward to some good competition and lots of fun this Fall!   

Dave