(1) Lost-n-Found Items: Below is a picture of the current Lost-n-Found Items. Please stop by the Concessions Stand to pickup the items. At the end of the season any remaining Lost-n-Found items will be donate to a worthy cause.  (2) Swimming Pool Enclosure Area at the fields: Over the past two weeks there has been a certain attraction, by some of the kids, to the swimming pool enclosure area. Unfortunately, while people are taking a swim class, some of the kids have been pushing on the screens, talking or making noises through the screens, and their ball(s) have hit the windows and screens of the enclosure. Also, there's been some trash left behind on the grounds and the picnic tables. Please help us out by making sure the kids are not visiting or playing next to the swimming pool enclosure area. There is a lot of open space at the fields and we will need to work together and insure the windows and screens of the swimming enclosure are not damaged. After practice and matches we will be checking that area for any trash left behind. Thanks for your help. (3) Team Pictures (Parents) We are asking one of you, one each team, to help out your coach by volunteering to take/arrange for a team picture and share it with everyone on the team. The team or individual pictures can be copies, made into magnets, coffee mugs or keychains at the local Rite Aid, County Market, or www.Shutterfly.com. When you have a team photo or any action photos, please share it via email with us and we'll add it the MAYSA website. In fact, check out the latest photos on the homepage. Last season we began foregoing professional team photos. MAYSA's board understands this decision has the possibility of disappointing some parents. There are tradeoffs between the high-quality professional photos versus the quick-n-easy, do-it-yourself approach. We understand that some folks enjoy the professional player/team photos. On the other hand, some feel pressured to purchase their child's photos. Many think purchasing the photos helps out MAYSA. The photos do not provide any financial benefit to MAYSA. Today, unlike 5-10 years ago, every team has someone with a phone that can take a reasonable team and/or player pictures. We will again listen and learn from parents this season as to the preferred approach going forward. If you or any of your team's parents that would like to share their thoughts, please contact me at the fields or EmailUs@MercerSoccer.org. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PREVIOUS UPDATES MAYSA families, With the possibility of another day of rain on Saturday, please read our Match Day Weather Reminder (item 8 below). Thank you! Practice and Match Day Reminders
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREVIOUS UPDATES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our first matches will take place this week on Saturday. Schedules are below and will be posted on the Concession Stand (each week). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PREVIOUS UPDATES Our
"First Evening" of soccer is this Thursday, August 25th at 6:00PM. Parents,
please plan on arriving a few minutes early and visit the "Check-In"
desk. Players can proceed directly to the fields. This will help us get
everyone their shirts, finalize Division and Team assignments, and
finalize overall check-in process greatly. As always our Shoe &
Shin Pad SWAP BOX will be at the Check-In table. There are many pairs
of slightly worn soccer spikes available for the kids so please take
what you need. We
understand that Kindergarten Orientation is the same evening. Many
parents stop by either just before 6:00 or before practices ends at
7:00-7:15. Below are a few important reminders for the upcoming season. Please take a couple minutes to read through the entire list. Schedule of Events (for the first few weeks of the season): 1). The first three practice evenings and first match: a. Thursday August 25th: (first practice a group practice) b. Thursday September 1st: (first team practice) c. Thursday September 8th and beyond: continue team practices d. Saturday September 10th: 1st Match *For all practices player are welcome to wear their MAYSA shirt but do not have to wear it for practice. a). 1st Practice: August 25th, Thursday - Check-In, Shirts, Group Practice, Parent Meeting:
Each year our first even of practice is conducted by either the Mercer
High School Women's team. The Women's team will set up a variety of
practice Stations and the kids will visit multiple skill-n-drill
stations every 10-15 minutes. The Group Practice allows us to check-in
everyone, hand out shirts, finalize Rosters, Divisions, Teams and review
policies with
new coaches. We will also conduct a short Parent Meeting (15 minutes)
with each Divisional Group (i.e., Beginner, Junior, Senior). Please
meet up near the Swimming Pool area (outside) according to the following
schedule: 6:05 - Coaches 6:25 - Sr. and Jr. Division Parents 6:45 - Beginning Division Parents Additional notes:
b). 2nd Practice: September 1st, Thursday - Individual Team Practices & Meet your coach and teammates: The start of a team practice routine . . . on this evening players will meet their teammates, coaches and begin a practice routine that will last throughout the remainder of the season on Thursday evenings. Practice begins at 6:00. c). 3rd Practice: September 8, Thursday and all practice afterwards: team practices begin at 6:00 ends at 7:00 for Beginning division and 7:15 for Sr. and Jr. divisions. d). First Match - Saturday September 10th: Please arrive at at least 15-20 minutes early to allow for warm ups. Matches begin promptly at the designated start time.
Practice and Match Day Reminders 2). Not-a-Drop-Off: MAYSA's Thursday even practices and Saturday Matches are not considered a "drop off" situation. We ask all parents or guardians to be at the fields while their child is playing or practicing. 3). Parking: Please
park in the two gravel lots closest to the Soccer Fields or at the far
end (North end) of the fields. Please do not park in the paved fitness
center lots. 4). Game Schedules: Team's schedules will be available on our website at http://www.MercerSoccer.org and
posted on the Concession Stand each week. In short, we always play at
the fields at Cool Spring Fitness (CSF). Beginners alway play at 9:30AM, Juniors at 10:30 and the
seniors at 11:30. The schedule will include which team you play and the
shirt color to wear (red or the reversable white). 5). Game Day Seating:
We ask that our Junior and Senior Division level parents watch the game
from the side of the field opposite the teams and coaches. This will
help us reduce distractions, help the players focus on the Coach's
instructions and allow us to move towards more coaching from the
sideline and not just on the field. As an instructional/recreational
league we encourage our coaches to be on the field. However, as the
season progresses we do slowly work towards more coaching from the
sidelines and having the players play. 6). Field Conduct: In-House
is a recreational and instructional program. We strive to insure
family-friendly environment for our players, coaches, referees and
families. There is no smoking and no alcohol permitted while at the
fields. Also, abusive or negative comments directed at the players,
coaches or referees will not be tolerated. 8). Weather: Our fields were built with special drainage underneath and even after a great deal of rain we are often able to play. The kids (especially the older kids) don't mind the mild rain and mud, they seem to enjoy an occasional game in rain. For the most part, soccer (and MAYSA) is played in the rain, but not in a torrential
downpour and not if there is lightening present. If during practice or matches there is lightening present, then we will ask everyone to leave the field, get in their cars and we may take a 25-30 minute break. We will attempt to resume play and adjust the remaining day's schedules. In general, we usually make practice and match day weather related decisions at the fields. However,
if we conclude early in the day that a practice or matches can not be
held due to extreme weather, we will attempt to text everyone on or before
4:30pm (if you haven't signed up for Club text message, please do so now). If you do not receive a text on or before 4:30pm, then any
weather decisions will be made at the fields. Also, our fields reside in an open area which often experiences a fair amount
of wind. On warm days the breeze can help cool things down a little.
On cold wet days the breeze can make it feel much colder. Please bring
a wind breaker on hat and gloves for your young player on cooler days
during fall soccer. Finally, the a the span of ages that attend practices and matches, we understand the youngest kids may not tolerate the cold and rain as well as the older players. The final decision to play, practice or attend, especially with respects to the Beginning Level players, is a parent's prerogative. MISC: 9). MAYSA Wear: As
you stop by the check-in table to check-in, pick up your Picture Forms
stop and check out the new adult MAYSA wear T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, etc. .
. 10). Concessions: This
season our Concession Coordinator is Marianne Hustead. Marianne will
be contacting you with respects to signing up to help bring a warn
breakfast dish or help in the Concession Stand. We
are asking for two parent volunteers for each of the three match times
for our Saturday Matches. There are still many openings including this
weekend's 11:30 game. (4th-6th graders) We have over 15 more open time
slots. Anyone interested, can email Marianne at Concessions@MercerSoccer.org or stop by the concession stand at Thursdays practice to sign up. 11). Club Announcements on your phone: We encourage all parents to take advantage of the most convenient way to receive important Club announcements and reminders. Simply text followmaysa to 84483. We promise to respect your time and not overwhelm you with needless messages. At anytime you can suspend receiving message by simply texting stop to 84483. Honor the game ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREVIOUS UPDATES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parents, Click on the roster link below to see this year's team rosters and team numbers. Having your team number will help you and your child find their team on the fields during the first couple of weeks. For the Beginner Division there will be cones with a team number at the field area closest to the concession stand. There will be flags with a team number located in the middle field area for the Junior Division teams. Senior Division teams will meet at the northern most end of the field. The link above will be accessible through Thursday's practice. At that time the link will be removed from this website and the rosters will be posted at the check-in table and concession stand. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 8/19/16 Subj: Grade level & Call for coachesParents, Good afternoon. Two important updates below: First, we will shortly begin to create teams for the coming season. If you did not update your child's grade level when registering this year, please take a moment to do so over the next day or so. Having accurate grade level information is absolutely necessary in order to avoid roster changes after the first week or two. Second, with respects to coaches and assistants we are almost there! We can't do this with out ya, please consider helping out this year. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4: 1. 90 minutes of prep (via an online class) 2. 90 minutes of practice one evening of week 3. 90 minutes of Match play on Saturday mornings. 4. Most important, making sure the kids have fun! Current need:
Join the team... EmailUs@MercerSoccer.org Thanks everyone. Honor the game! ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 8/17/16 Subj: Parent Update - SSG: Almost every year we are asked the following questions: "Can we make the Beginner fields larger?" "Can we put more players on the Jr. field and make the Jr. field larger?" There is actually a great deal of thought behind each age group's field size, number of player, etc... If you are new to MAYSA, take a minute to read about the Small-Sided Game:  "The Small-Sided Game is a FUN environment that focuses on the young soccer player. Small-Sided Games are developmentally appropriate environment for our youngest soccer players. MAYSA, strongly supports . . . " to read more click here--> "Small-Sided" Game (SSG) or the image below. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 8/13/16 Subj: Call for Coaches Parents, MAYSA In-House soccer is a great program that relies heavily on the involvement of parents who are willing to donate a little time each week to help the kids enjoy the game of soccer. Having sufficient volunteer parent-coaches and assistants allows us to keep team sizes reasonable and results in more play time for each child and more personal attention during practice. Being an In-House coach or assistant requires little time (you probably be at the field anyways). Further, you will have a significant impact on our community's youth and insure MAYSA can continue to provide this program each year. The first night of practice is a little over two weeks away, in order to conduct In-House this year, we are still in need of:
Many of MAYSA coaches and volunteers learned the game after becoming involved with In-house. When I began coaching I questioned whether I would be of any help, but the following is absolutely true:
MAYSA cannot conduct In-House without you! Please contact us at EmailUs@MercerSoccer.org. |