NASL  NEWSLETTER

January 29th, 2003
 
       This is the 47th issue distributed to the new NASL list. The previous newsletters are now on-line at http://www.nasl.com/current_news.htm 

 
Articles in this week's newsletter:
  1. Upcoming Soccer Calendar
  2. Spring 2003 NASL Season Information
  3. Alabama Player selected in MLS Draft
  4. Entry Level Clinic for USSF Referees
  5. Need updated information on 2003 Soccer Camps
  6. High School Referee Certification Dates
  7. Just 4 Kicks 5v5 Youth Tournament (with guest WUSA Atlanta Beat) - February 14-16
  8. 2003 Great Patriot Shoot-out Indoor Tournament
  9. Girls ODP Northern Border Festival - February 1st & 2nd, 2003
  10.  
Soccer Calendar - Dates to Remember

   More information on all events below is available at the NASL website.
  • NASOA Meeting on January 20th - First Christian Church, 3209 Whitesburg Dr, near the corner of Drake and Whitesburg.
  • U.S. Women's National Team plays in the Four Nations Tournament in China January 23-29th.
  • ASA 2003 Planning Meeting - January 25th at 1:30pm in Birmingham at the AmeriSuites Hotel on Highway 280.
  • Great Patriot Shoot-out Indoor Tournament - January 25th and 26th, 2003
  • AHSAA Referee Certification - Monday, January 27 - Huntsville Whitesburg Middle School, Cafeteria - 6:30pm
  • ODP Border Festival for Girls - Huntsville - January 31, 2003 - February 2nd, 2003
  • Entry Level USSF Referee (Grade 8) Course will be conducted by USSF instructors in Huntsville on Jan 31 - Feb 2 at the First Christian Church on Whitesburg Drive (located about 300 yards south of the Drake Avenue intersection). This course requires three days. Times are:
    Friday (1/31) - 6:00 to 10:00
    Saturday (2/1) - 9:00 to 5:00
    Sunday (2/2) - 1:00 to 5:00
    Sign up sheets are available at Pete's Soccer Shops on Whitesburg in Huntsville and the Madison location also. Contact Mike Costello at (256) 882-0821
    Current referees may re-certify by taking the test on Saturday morning (2/1) beginning at 9:00am with Mario Sandoval. Same location.
  • Division III and Division IV players may be officially rostered to Spring teams as of this date - February 1, 2003
  • Valley Futbol Club Winter Warm-up Clinic U-8 to U-13 Boys and Girls - February 1–2, 2003 at Palmer Park in Madison. Cost is $15.00 - Contact Dave Ghoja (256)464-3652 dghoja@knology.net
  • NASL Spring Season Scheduling Meeting:
    Monday, February 3rd for Rec-Plus U9 and U10 teams and
    Tuesday, February 4th for the U11 through U18 teams.
    Both meetings will be at 6:00pm at the Brahan Springs Rec Center.
  • NASL first Spring "Play" Date - the first weekend that games can be played is February 8th.
  • Just4Kicks Youth Soccer Tournament - Feb 14-16, 2003
  • Submission of Registration forms and fees due in AYSA office. These must be true, accurate number of new member registrations and fees. Member cards will be issued to clubs for Division III and Division IV members once forms and fees are submitted. - February 15, 2003
  • USSF "C" License - February 24th - March 3rd, 2003 in Birmingham
  • Statewide Division III and Division IV League play may begin - March 1, 2003
  • North Alabama Middle School Tournament - TBA
  • HHS JV Super Cup - Huntsville High School will be holding a JV Tournament on March 14-15, 2003 at the John Hunt Soccer Complex. Boys teams from Alabama and Tennessee and Girls teams from Birmingham, Huntsville, Madison and Ft Payne have already signed up. You may contact Jim Saunders  jim.saunders@gti-us.com  256-533-3466 for more info.
  • AHSAA North South All-Star Soccer Game deadline for nominations is March 28th. Please tell your high school coach. Use AHSAA Form #37.
  • Alabama Soccer Association Annual General Membership Meeting - April - date TBA.
  • 4th Annual Huntsville Spring Classic Soccer Tournament - April 12-13, 2003 - Huntsville, AL - U9 thru U14 Boys & Girls *U9 & U10 will play 8v8.
  • Final date for Statewide Division III and Division IV League play - May 10, 2003
  • "Spring" Tide American Festival - May 17, 2003
  • Adult State Cup - November 2003 - Mobile, Alabama

 
SPRING 2003 SEASON:


     Craig noted that the Scheduling Meetings for the Spring Season will be:

Monday, February 3rd for Rec-Plus U9 and U10 teams
and
Tuesday, February 4th for the U11 through U18 teams.

       Both meetings will be at 6:00pm at the Brahan Springs Rec Center. 
       The first weekend that games can be played is February 8th.  Irene volunteered to have name tags available at the scheduling meetings.   
       Several important items concerning the Spring Season were brought up for discussion.

1.  Teams MUST play a home and home series with each team they schedule.  In other words a Huntsville team cannot opt to play both of their games against an out of town team in Huntsville.  They cannot refuse to travel to Madison, Athens, Decatur, Cullman, Guntersville, Scottsboro, Florence, etc. unless the out-of-team wants to play in Huntsville.  NASL is trying to encourage the development of fields all over North Alabama and it is felt that the outlying communities will never fully develop if Huntsville teams refuse to travel there. 
 

2.  It is suggested that all managers have a list of their “NO PLAY” dates with them when they come to the scheduling meeting.
 

3.  Spring Season Fees are:
$50.00 for teams which were a part of NASL in the Fall Season
$75.00 for those new teams which were not a part of the NASL in the Fall Season
$50.00 for those teams playing in the ASA State League if they are going to play on NASL fields or use NASOA officials.  They can also schedule additional games through NASL if they want to - at no additional cost. If your team is not registered as a NASL team you cannot play games on NASL fields or schedule officials through NASOA. 
 

4.  It is suggested that ALL TEAMS (including those in the State League) have a representative at the scheduling meeting.
 

5.  There were a number of games cancelled in the fall season after the cut-off date of Sunday at 6pm.  It was understood that the inclement weather played a part in some of those cancellations but many were cancelled for non-weather related reasons. Although those teams incurred no penalty for the canceling; NASL did.  The league had to pay NASOA the standard scheduling fee on all games that weren’t cancelled by 6pm on Sunday.  There was a discussion on whether we needed to subject those teams to a penalty.  The decision was that (for the spring season) we would ask teams to particularly diligent about canceling in time.  If that does not work out we will try a different solution in the coming fall.
 

6.  There will not be a Rec-Plus end-of-the-season Tournament in the spring as there was in the fall.  It was suggested that the Rec-Plus teams consider playing in the Huntsville Soccer Club Spring Classic tournament since it corresponded with the approximate end of the Rec-Plus season.
 

7.  New teams must register through an existing club in order to get their USYSA player and coach cards.  Rec-Plus teams may register through their own club or they may register through NASL/COHPAR (Belton MacCary 880-6418).  Cost is about $12 per card for insurance and player card.
 

8.  Please provide all updates to the NASL Team page to Ken Gamble at dsports@hiwaay.net for any additions for the spring season or changes from the fall season.  Please do this as soon as possible so that team coaches and manager contact phone numbers and e-mail addresses are updated before the scheduling meeting. If you are unsure about who is listed please check the NASL Team Page at http://www.nasl.com/teams.htm
 

9.  All teams considering playing in the Rec-Plus league should contact Belton MacCary 880-6418 before the team scheduling meeting so that she will have the necessary information to coordinate the meeting.
 

10. We will be using standard USSF three man referee crews for the Rec-Plus League this spring just as the older ages do. 

 
 
Alabama player selected in MLS Draft:

        Auburn-Montgomery All-America striker Michael Ritch was selected with the 37th pick in the MLS SuperDraft conducted in Kansas City, MO. Ritch was selected by the Columbus Crew and was the only player from Alabama to be drafted. Ritch was also the only NAIA player to be drafted and was also drafted by the Syracuse franchise in the A-League Draft in December and by Cleveland in the Major Indoor Soccer League Draft. Ritch is from Tallassee, AL and played for the Capital City Streaks and St. James High School.

Columbus selects NAIA All-American Ritch (01/17/03)
MONTGOMERY, AL - Auburn University Montgomery forward Michael Ritch was the 37th pick overall in the Major League Soccer draft on Thursday.

Ritch was the 7th pick of the 4th round by the Columbus Crew, a draft in which he was the only NAIA player available in the player pool. Ritch now joins a team that includes World Cup stars Brian McBride and John Harkes.

Ritch completed his college career at AUM and finished second with goals scored with 64, assists with 48 and total points with 173.

He was named to the 2002 NAIA All-American First Team, Region XIII First-Team and the GACC First-Team. He was also named as the Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference Player of the Year.

In 2002, led the team in goals scored with 29 and points with 73 and was second in assists with 15.

As a junior, Ritch was named as a Second-Team NAIA All-American, as well as a First Team Region XIII and GACC selection.

Ritch was previously drafted number one in the A-League draft, as well as being drafted in the MISL draft.

The 6-3 Tallassee native is the first Auburn University Montgomery player ever selected in the Major League Soccer League Draft. For more information go to www.mlsnet.com

 
Entry Level (Grade 8) Clinics for USSF Referees


         Entry Level USSF Referee (Grade 8) Course will be conducted by USSF instructors in Huntsville on January 31st - February 2nd, 2003 at the First Christian Church on Whitesburg Drive (located about 300 yards south of the Drake Avenue intersection). This course requires three days.

Times are:
Friday (1/31) - 6:00 to 10:00
Saturday (2/1) - 9:00 to 5:00
Sunday (2/2) - 1:00 to 5:00

      Sign up sheets are available at Pete's Soccer Shops on Whitesburg in Huntsville and the Madison location also.  Interested parties can contact either me or Tommy Hunt for further info.

Mike Costello michael.costello@boeing.com
 
Need updated information on 2003 Soccer Camps
      I am in the process of updating the website information on soccer camps.  If you are involved with a soccer camp please e-mail your updated information for 2003 to dsports@hiwaay.net.
       http://www.nasl.com/camps.htm
 
High School Referee Certification Dates

       All, please know that for attending the AHSAA Northern District Camp on January 11th, you would be exempt from the Re-Classification exam for 3 years, for those referees who are State Class 2, and State Class 3 referees. Everyone, must re-certify ever year, as a Referee for AHSAA.
      Also, these are the tentative dates, and a letter from the AHSAA State Office will be mailed later this week, with the official dates and times for all of the AHSAA Rules Clinics throughout the State.

      2003 AHSAA referee certification Classes:
  • January 20 Monday - Cullman Ingle Park Gym
  • January 21 Tuesday - Tuscaloosa Holy Spirit High School
  • January 23 Thursday - Robertsdale Robertsdale Elementary School
  • January 23 Thursday - Florence Coffee High School, 1 st Floor Classroom
  • January 25 Saturday - Auburn Auburn University, Ann Upchurch Bldg, 1:30 p.m.
  • January 25 Saturday - Montgomery Montgomery Indoor Soccer Facility, 12:00 p.m.
  • January 26 Sunday - Birmingham UAB, Humanities Bldg., 6:30 p.m.
  • January 26 Sunday - Anniston Anniston Middle School, 3:00 p.m.
  • January 27 Monday - Huntsville Whitesburg Middle School, Cafeteria - 6:30pm
  • January 29 Wednesday - Birmingham John Carroll High School
  • January 30 Thursday - Guntersville Recreation Center
  • February 1 Saturday - Dothan Westgate Park Soccer Complex, 9:00 a.m.
  • February 2 Sunday - Mobile McGill-Toolen High School, CYO Hall

Tommy Hunt
AHSAA - Northern District Soccer Director
(h) 256-882-2992, tjhbama@comcast.net
(w) 256-895-1612, tommy.j.hunt@hnd01.usace.army.mil

 
Just 4 Kicks 5v5 Youth Tournament (with guest WUSA Atlanta Beat) - February 14-16

Inaugural 5v5 Youth Tournament

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS 


The ATLANTA BEAT
FEBRUARY 14TH, 15TH AND 16TH, 2003 

  • Boys and Girls

  • U-9 to U-14

  • Limited to 66 teams

  • 3 games per team guaranteed

  • Registration fee:  $275.00 per team.

  • Maximum 9 person roster.

  • Contact Ricky Crawford 256-534-4939 or 256-990-1134

  • e-mail rickydc@mindspring.com

       Opening ceremonies will begin Friday 14th at 5p.m. with live music, food and other activities. Games will start Saturday 15th at 7a.m.. Atlanta Beat will conduct a mini camp on Friday 14th 2003 from 7p.m. till 10 p.m. The cost per child is $55.00. There are only 80 spots for this camp so be quick to register. Dinner with team will be auctioned off prior to start of the tournament.

 Register on-line @ www.just4kicks.info

2003 Great Patriot Shoot-out Indoor Tournament
 
  • WHEN: Matches will be played Saturday and Sunday, January 25th and 26th, 2003.
  • WHERE: All matches will be played at Bob Jones High School in Madison, AL.
  • COST: Early bird registration: Save on your entry fee! Team entry fee reduced to $75 if postmarked by November 30, 2002. Fee must accompany your application. The entry fee is $85 per team and must accompany your application. The deadline for applications is January 3, 2003. Teams accepted will receive a packet of schedules, maps, rules, etc. Make checks payable to: Bob Jones High School Soccer Boosters and mail entry forms to: 
    Patriot Shoot Out
    c/o Mary Lynn Botts
    126 Stoneway Trail
    Madison, AL 35758
  • WHO: Boys and Girls Teams U8 through U14  
  • FORMAT: Six-player teams - Teams will play with five field players and a goalkeeper. Maximum number of players on the roster is 10 and this number will be strictly enforced. Each team will be scheduled at least three, 20 minute matches. Indoor “fuzzy” ball will be provided. Please do not bring your own balls into the facility.
  • ELIGIBILITY: All players require:
    listed on team roster – frozen for the weekend 
    (TEN players max per team - no exceptions!)
    proof of age (birth certificate or player card with picture)
    medical release form (blank provided)
    indoor shoes and shin guards
    players may only play for one team in an age group.
  • Download the 2003 Zipped Entry forms at http://www.nasl.com/bjshootout/bobjones.htm
 
Girls ODP Northern Border Festival
February 1st & 2nd, 2003
Girl's Border Festival Schedule
 
  • Dates: Girls Border Festival – February 1st & 2nd
     
  • Sites: Huntsville, John Hunt Soccer Complex

    Saturday, February 1st
     
  • 9:00am Alabama Coaching Staff Breakfast (upstairs) (AL Staff)
     
  • 9:00am Alabama Teams check in report to fields for Fitness Testing
     
  • 12pm Alabama Lunch with teams & meeting with Staff
     
  • 2pm Optional light training/walk through with Staff Coaches
     
  • 5pm
    Field 1 – 89Girls Team #1
    Field 2 – 89Girls Team #2
    Field 3 – 90Girls Team #3
     
  • 6:30pm
    Field 1 – 88Girls
    Field 2 – 87Girls
    Field 3 – 90Girls Team #1
    Field 4 – 90Girls Team #2
     
  • 8pm
    Field 1 – 86Girls
    Field 2 – 85Girls

    Sunday, February 2nd
     
  • 9am
    Field 1 – 89Girls Team #1
    Field 2 – 89Girls Team #2
    Field 3 – 90Girls Team #3
     
  • 10:30am
    Field 1 – 88Girls
    Field 2 – 87Girls
    Field 3 – 90Girls Team #1
    Field 4 – 90Girls Team #2
     
  • 12pm
    Field 1 – 86Girls
    Field 2 – 85Girls
     
  • 2pm
    Alabama Teams meet with Staff Coaches
 
Growing Referees


Bill

Thanks for reminding me. I'll make sure they understand that it is their responsibility to "grow" their own refs. At this time there are two Scottsboro teams and one Fort Payne team. They are really struggling. They play all their games in Huntsville.
But, I'll be sure to remind all the outlying teams that they need to get their local folks USSF certified so that they can get some training games in Huntsville. Then when they feel qualified they can start having home games. They pretty much understand that they have no chance of hosting teams until they can get their own local referees. We'll make sure that referees go hand in hand with the growth of competitive soccer. At this time they're just struggling to get their feet wet in competitive soccer.

Thanks,

Ken Gamble







----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Walker" <BWALKER@gulf-states.com>
To: <dsports@hiwaay.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: Spring soccer items and questions - NASL


> I am happy to see Scottsboro start a team. We need the growth to help continue to build the game in Alabama. However, increased player numbers without an increase in the number of referees is not positive. Concerning starting new teams and nurturing them along, these new teams need to bring referees in with them.
>
> You seem to be on top of the happenings in the state. Your outreach and contacts go a long way toward building the game and uniting the soccer community. Please encourage these smaller communities to get some of their people registered as USSF referees. This will help our numbers and also give them the opportunity to have home games. Otherwise, they must pay the price to get referees to travel in, or travel for every game.
>
> Keep up the good work. Thank you for your efforts for the good of the game!
>
> Bill
> SYRA
>
> >>> "Ken Gamble" <dsports@hiwaay.net> 02/06/03 11:52AM >>>
> To all team mangers and coaches,
>
> SPRING TEAM INFORMATION:
> If your North Alabama Soccer League affiliated team is playing this spring (NASL, Rec-Plus, State, Premier, etc.) please check the list of teams and team information on-line at http://www.nasl.com/teams.htm and confirm that the contact name(s) and information is correct and that your team is highlighted. The teams participating this spring should be highlighted.
> Although I took down the information at the scheduling meetings on Monday and Tuesday some of it was unclear as to who was the coach and who was the manager and some information was incomplete or illegible. Please look it over and send corrections to me at dsports@hiwaay.net
>
>
> NEW TEAM:
> Also Scottsboro, Alabama will be fielding a U12 girls' team this spring for the first time ever and are starting from scratch. They have a set of gold colored team uniforms but could use a second set and are willing to take an old set of uniforms (any colors) if any club or team has any they are no longer using.
> It is very important that we help nurture the clubs and teams in the outlying areas of North Alabama. In addition to jerseys they can use goal keeper jerseys, balls, etc - any of the equipment you need when you start a new club. Any help would be appreciated. Contact Bruce Hoge bhoge@scottsboro.org or 256-259-5805, 259-7868, 259-1116.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ken Gamble
> NASL Secretary
> dsports@hiwaay.net
>
 
 
 
 
 
 

NASL NEWSLETTER:

       You may sign up for the NASL e-mail list and also provide changes (including removing your name from the list) to your current e-mail address and phone numbers by using this form at  http://www.nasl.com/Email.htm This is our means of keeping the local soccer community up-to-date on events and items of interest.  If you have something to contribute please e-mail me at dsports@hiwaay.net
All of the above information and more is on-line at http://www.nasl.com

Thanks for being involved in soccer in Alabama. 

Ken Gamble - NASL Secretary
"Next Goal Wins!"

 
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