Team Update

Week of April 22, 2002

Practice Schedule

   Days                          Time                Place                   Notes

No Practice This Week

Be sure to continue your personal workout - Click Here

    Team Information

Rutgers Camp Dates

The dates for the Rutgers Camp have been confirmed.  The camp will run from July 14th through the 18th this year.  For more details on the camp, click here

Spring Season is Here!

Spring season is here!   This season the Phoenix will compete in the National Conference against many of our foes from the fall and one new competitor.  We will go up against Winslow, Harrison, Cherry Hill and Delran along with a new member of the group - Maple Shade.  This will be a competitive conference, but with hard work and both physical and mental preparation we can end up on top.  Practices will begin February 22nd.  In preparation for a very dedicated and hard played season be sure to begin your own individual training.  A training calendar has been created to get you motivated.  Click here for your copy.

Phoenix Gears-up For Spring - With a New Patriotic Look!

Phoenix players playing this season will be sporting a new patriotic look.  The colors are red, white and blue, and the new jerseys are patriotic as well - paying tribute the the fire fighters and police officers who lost their lives in, and still work to help with the aftermath of, the New York tragedy of September 11th. 

On a personal note, having just visited Ground Zero on November 9th, the physical devastation of that area is a testament to the emotional devastation being endured by those who lost loved ones on September 11th.  The unending dedication of the police and fire fighters is overwhelming.  Now more than ever, I am pleased that in a small way our team is showing support for all those effected by this horrific event.  I am especially appreciative of the recognition each of our players pays to these modern heroes each time they put on their jerseys and walk onto the field.  I hope each of you feel as proud and as privileged as I am to be offering this recognition.  It is in this spirit of showing support and recognition for each other that we will grow as individuals   . . . and as a team.

    Coach Ed

The Mental Game

As we discussed in our parent/player meeting, we will be focusing as much on the mental game as the physical game.  Check here periodically for newsletters from Dr. Alan Goldberg, sports psychologist, and others for interesting information on improving your mental game.   This month we have information on Performance Slumps. 

You can still access the last issues;  Players play close attention to the "Athletes Locker" and parents to "Parent's Corner".  We hope everyone will read the entire newsletters. Click Here for "The Anatomy of a Championship".  Click Here for "Growing Self Confidence".

Remember Our Team Goals and Player Standards!

These goals will be the driving force for the success that our players plan to achieve this year.  The coaches were not involved in the establishment of these goals, but we are very impressed with the results and look forward to working with the team to help achieve them.   Like to see what they are?  Click Here.   Also, remember the Player Standards that were discussed at our fall pre-season team meeting.  We will be holding players accountable throughout the season to continually meet these standards.

  Focus on Fitness

As our players advance in age and competition we can all see a need not only for improvement in soccer related skills but also physical skills such as strength, speed, quickness, agility and endurance. As you know, we have reminded our players that working out on their own is vital to their success. As a way of giving them some incentive to get them motivated here is a website that is full of great stuff and ideas that if done will go a long way to help improve one's physical conditioning.

Here is the site: http://www.allcoach.com/strength/

Check this site out it! Try some of the exercises, become familiar with them!

Sportsmanship

There is never enough that can be said about good sportsmanship, both on the field on the part of the players, and on the sidelines on the part of the parents and coaches. As a humorous reminder, click here!   Also, check out this article on teaching youngsters to be good sports.

Check Out the Team

Just for some fun, check out "The Team" and the scouting reports!  New and updated scouting reports on all players have just been added.  All players, if you would like to submit your own ideas for your scouting report, email it to Coach Ed.

E-mail the Coaches

    Coach Ed             Coach Scott             Coach George