Aurora Girls Soccer 2013

AURORA GIRLS SOCCER 2013

Hello and welcome to everyone who is planning to try out for the AHS Soccer program in the fall of 2013! This letter is meant to provide comprehensive information for summer and fall participation. Please take the time to read this document and mark your calendars, so we can all have a clear understanding of how things will run.

I. State of the Program

Our program has seen great success the last two seasons. In 2011 we finished 11-5-3, and advanced to the District Semi-Finals. In 2012 we finished 12-5-2, and advanced to the District Finals for the first time in the program’s history. We also set a program record with 9 shutouts, and finished 2nd in the CVC. Over the 8 years I have been the head coach, we are 80-44-20. We play a challenging schedule and still have enjoyed quite a bit of success. With only 4 graduating seniors, we return many players who have been instrumental to that success, and expect another fantastic season.

Our girls train and compete together from May through October. This is comprised into two seasons: summer preparatory season and fall competitive season.

II. Summer Preparatory Season

1. From May through July, participation is not limited by soccer ability. It is open to all, provided players meet the requirements:

 Players should intend to compete during the fall season

 Players have an emergency medical form on file with the coach

 Players have an up-to-date physical on file in the athletic office

 Players pay the $100 Summer fee. This covers camps, tournaments, uniforms, league fees, and ref fees. 2. Communication

Every player (or a parent representative) needs to join our facebook group. Search for Aurora Lady Greenmen Soccer. This is how we communicate everything as a team.

In addition, every player needs to find our Soccer Website on Coach Bibza’s School Pointe page. This is where you can find information for summer fitness program.

Step 1: Go to www.aurora-schools.org

Step 2: Select Aurora High School

Step 3: Scroll down and find on the left “Teacher Web pages”

Step 4: Click on Mr. Bibza’s page

Step 5: Select “Girls Soccer”.

You are there! The Beep Test and fitness instructions and videos will be posted there by June 1st.

3. Those that meet these requirements can participate in the following activities:

 Summer Camp

Tues June 4th 6:00-7:30PM, Wed June 5, 6:00-8:30PM,

Thurs June 6, 8:00-11:00AM, Fri June 7, 8:00-11:00AM.

 Aurora Showcase

Saturday June 8. Each player guaranteed two games minimum. Games run from 8:00AM-6:00PM Opponents are Twinsburg, Orange, and Kenston. All games at Veterans Stadium

 Summer League

This will run June 10-July 31 at NC Soccer in Hudson. One game per week minimum, games start at 6:30pm.

 Kent State Tournament

July 26, 27, 28. Probably will only play on Saturday and Sunday.

 Open Fields

These are times to play pick-up soccer and are organized by the seniors. We will play a few times in May (posted on facebook), and then on Mondays during the summer: June 10, June 17th, July 8th, July 8th, July 15th, July 22nd, and July 29th. 6:30PM

 Fitness Teams

All players will be assigned a fitness teams. These teams can work out together and hold each other accountable to complete the fitness assignments that are posted on facebook. Each team will have a senior leader that every member will report to each week. At the end of the summer, there will be T-Shirt Prizes for the winning Fitness Team. Winning team is measured by highest fitness completion and highest average scores on the fitness tests. All players are responsible to download the Beep Test onto their ipod to train all summer. It is posted at School Pointe. We will run a fitness session at the turf field Thursday mornings from 7:30-8:30 all summer except July 4th.

 Summer Uniform

All players new to the program will receive a green uniform and white uniform shirt. Always wear black shorts and white socks. 4. Expectations

Players are NOT required to attend everything, nor are they expected to attend everything. Many other great things happen in the summer, and soccer is not supposed to be the number 1 priority. When you are on vacation, find a place where you can do your fitness HW. All you need is a ball and some cones, and your beep test on the ipod. When you are in town, come to everything that you can. It is OK to do summer gym class. Find a job. Enjoy the summer. We would love to have everyone at the Team Camp and Showcase, and then just come as you are able.

Players ARE expected to communicate regularly, and to follow through on what you say you will do. Throughout the summer we will post about summer league games, and you NEED to respond so we can plan. And if you say you will be there—be there! If everyone takes this responsibility to communicate and follow through, we will have a great summer. But when 15 players say they will come to a game and then only 10 show up, those 10 who did the right thing are made to play with no subs because 5 others let them down. This cannot happen. If players fail to respond or do not show when they say they will, they may be suspended from further summer participation.

4. Paperwork and Planning

For the summer season, each player needs to complete and turn in the checklist indicating which events they plan on attending. The only reason someone should not attend something they have promised to attend is because of injury.

By MAY 24 th I will need returned to me (mail to classroom or drop off):

1. Completed Checklist

2. Emergency Medical Form 3. Check for $100 made to Aurora Board of Education (for summer season)

III. Fall Competitive Season

For August through October, participation is limited to those players selected for the Varsity and JV teams and who meet the following criteria:

 Emergency Medical Form on File with Coach

 Physical up-to-date on file with Athletic Office

 Academically eligible per the requirements of OHSAA

 Paid $100 Pay-to-Participate Fee

1. Attendance

Beginning August 1st, attendance is MANDATORY at all training sessions, scrimmages, and matches. The only excused absence from this point on is Band Camp. Any other possible absence needs to be discussed with the coaching staff well in advance. Vacations are not excused absences.

2. Tryouts

Tryouts begin on August 1st, and will extend as long as necessary to select the best teams. Players will begin in two training pools (Fr/Soph and Jr/Sr) so the coaching staff can fairly watch each player. Those who stand out in the Fr/Soph pool will be invited to train with the older players if there is a chance that the player could help the varsity team.

The tryout process is very simple. Once it becomes obvious to the coaching staff where a player belongs, her tryout is over and the coaches will have a conversation with the player. If she is absent due to Band Camp or injury, she will be given time to show her abilities when she returns and then a decision can be made. Players selected for the varsity team are the players the coaching staff believes give the best opportunity for the team to win. All varsity players need to be fit, have the ability to play out of pressure, have a quality first touch, be able to play quickly, and work hard off the ball. We do not need 16 defenders or 16 forwards, but rather we need the right mix of players who can fill roles effectively to help the team win.

Players selected for the JV team are the players that the coaching staff believes have the potential to help the varsity team within the next year. The purpose of fielding a JV team is to have a training ground to develop the varsity team of the future. To be kept on this team, players need to show that they can be varsity players in the near future, and demonstrate a willingness to work to compete at the varsity level.

3. Fitness

The expectation of this program is that players will get themselves fit before August training begins. Weekly workouts with and without the ball will be posted on School Pointe. Fitness will be measured using the Beep Test. Players can practice all summer for this. Our 2013 standard is 40 runs to start a varsity match, 35 runs to appear in a Varsity match, and 30 runs to start a JV match.

4. Ligonier Retreat

The varsity players will take a retreat to Ligonier Camp and Conference Center August 15-17 for the purpose of team-building. This is not a mandatory event, but we have gone 4 times in the past and it has been very beneficial. The ropes course activities prove to be a positive way to build trust, shape communication, and improve the relationships within the team. Cost of the Retreat is $175.

5. Team Apparel All players will be issued a Uniform Jersey and Shorts. Players will be issued warm-up pants once in their High School career. Players will need to purchase socks, a Warm-up Jacket, and a Game-Day T-Shirt. These will be ordered once the team selections are complete. A team fee of $25 will also be assessed to cover meals, gifts, and auction items.

6. Communication

All players are expected to communicate directly with teammates and coaching staff. Coaches will not speak to a parent about an issue unless the player has approached the coaches about it first. Playing time and strategy are not appropriate topics for conversations between parents and coaching staff. The exception to this is injury-related information, which of course we want all the time. Vicki Armold is our Team Anchor, and she will communicate with the team regarding team dinners, clothing orders, and other special items.

We are all hoping for another great season, and look forward to competing for a CVC Championship. Our summer work will dictate our level of success. If we all put in the work and bring our best effort, then we can take pride in representing Aurora again this fall.

As always, play hard, play smart, and play for each other!

***Please remember to turn in checklist, emergency med form, and $100 to Aurora Board of Ed by MAY 24th!

If there are questions about this whole process, do not hesitate to ask.

I can be reached at [email protected] or phone 330-554-4266.

Coach Bibza

Coach Verel