Jeff Ginn, technical director for ISC, said “It’s an honor to stand here before all of you and celebrate with you as a coach and mentor. Forever Futbol!” Ginn recently earned his National B license, which certifies a coach to target players age 16 through college level.

Bill Riley, the voice of Real Salt Lake and ESPN 700 announcer addressed the players in a keynote address. He talked about what an exciting time it is for soccer in Utah, especially for female players with Real Salt Lake Women joining the Women’s Premier Soccer League.

Jordyn Brown, a Sky View High School junior, was awarded Utah Youth Soccer Association’s TOSH (The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital) Athlete of the Year. This is an amazing honor for Jordyn and for Infinity SC. Jordyn has a 3.9 GPA and plays forward/striker. UYSA’s Director of Coaching Eric Landon made a trip to Logan to recognize Jordan for her achievement.

More than 100 kids were recognized for Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player and the Forever Futbol Award for Excellence in Soccer.

David Skinlo, president of the board for ISC, said, “The club is growing. People are watching us on a statewide level and are impressed with our level and style of play.”

Infinity Soccer Club is holding tryouts for all males and females all ages May 28-June 4 at Elk Ridge Park in North Logan. For dates and times, please visit www.infinitysc.com/about/tryout-process/.

Infinity 2013 Banquet

Offensive Player of the Year
Jayden Chuon
Zander Woodward
Paul Miller
Gabe Tinney
Jonathan Coffin
Jacksen Skinlo
Miles Clark
Preston Harris
Kohner Knowles
Kylee Thanadabout
Emma Rouelle
Carly Eubanks
Gracie Laney
Key Nielson
Milly Zillies
Bizzy Arevalo
Hannah Ashton
Anna V Arnljots
Ellie Hamann
London Miller
Brinlee Williams
Briann Hoth
Abby Harris
Hannah Carver
Chantel Crosbie
Heather Enriquez

Defensive Player of the Year
Keaton Green
Cody Leonhardt
Davis Hall
Carson Soto
Dylan (DJ) Long
Jaxon Jensen
Michael Keyser
Taylor Arbon
Kyler Erickson
Tate Thurston
Leihua Pauni
Ryen Rowberry
Sydney Donovan
Madelyn Schultz
Alec Kennington
Rendi Jones
Madison Brenchley
Tori Gorman
Ellie Hubbard
Aaliyah Hernandez
Meghan Kendrick
Maya Roundy
Cassie Larsen
Samantha Loosli
Hailey Nield
Kilee Lamb
Tess Hobbs

Most Valuable Player
Gabriel Perez
Carver Longhurst
Kasen Erickson
Michael Diago
Britton Campbell
Mailik Horman (GK)
Gabe Guerrero
Bryce Backman
Kolton Lamb
Hannah Womack
Gabby Stollworthy
Leah Hale
Alivia Longhurst
Marley Guevara
Oakley Rasmussen
Hailie Wiser
Kamryn Stott
Kylie Olsen
Whitney Lopez
Kennedy Michel
Kessie Stocker
Tayli Hillyard
Makenzie Beutler
Becca Godfrey
Caitlin McCuskey

Forever Futbol
Annika McCulloch
Cherakie Savage
Afton Jaussi
Jeri (JC) Cole
Mia Malan
Haley Anderson
Kezlie Bezzant
Hanna Perry
Adri Karren
Sara Jo Fujimoto
Shaelyn Garside
Siuana Pauni
Elizabeth Archibald
Emily Wilson
Samantha Burton
Abigail Bishop
Michaela Larson
Nick Kendrick
Cannon Petry
Britain Baird
Kobe Kvarfordt
Hunter Holt
Payden Jensen
Chase Miller
Isaac Wayment
Pierre Larsen
Noah Kendrick
Mark Merrill
Jacob Gardner
Austin (AC) Andrews
Jayden Hickox
Dreu Neves
Alex Stevens
Devin Obray
Alexis Carlson
Reese Henniger
Carlie Jenkins
Alexis Hall
Ashley Rasmussen
April Burton
Kadison Kendrick
Jenna Dunyon
Schikeena Yazzie
Maddy Jensen
Brittney Peterson
Anna Davidson
Rachel White

Camps by or hosted by Infinity Soccer

Calle Street Soccer Camp
(6-18 Year Olds)
June 17th-21st
Contact David Skinlo for more info
dskinlo@gmail.com

Infinity SC Rug Rats
(2, 3 & 4 year old boys & girls)
Tuesdays: June 11, 18, 25, July 9, and 16.  10-10:50am.
Location: Elk ridge park
Cost: $40
Contact Coach Katie Taylor for more info.
kae.taylor13@gmail.com

Goal Keeper Camps
June 17-20
8-11 year old boys & girls 5-6:30pm
12-18 year old boys and girls 7-8:30pm
Click here for more information

Infinity SC 4-8 Year Old Summer Developmental League
(4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 year old boys & girls)
June -August (twice a week)
7 Training Sessions & 7 Games
$55
Click here for more information

Pre-Season Jump Start Coerver Camp
(6-18 year old boys & girls)
August 12th-16th
Contact David Skinlo for more info.
dskinlo@gmail.com

Professional Soccer Camps

Real Salt Lake Youth Camps
All over Utah
Click here for dates, times and locations

College Camps

Utah State University Soccer I.D. Camp for Girls Only
July 13th
9am-4pm
$55 early registration & $70 for regular registration
Click here for more info

Utah State University Soccer Camps for boys & girls ages 8-14
July 16-18
7-8:30pm
$45 Early registration & $60 for regular registration
Click here fore more info/register

Utah State University Lil’ Aggies Soccer Camps for boys & girls ages 4-7
July 16-18
5:30-6:30pm
$45 Early registration & $60 for regular registration
Click here fore more info/register

Brigham Young Univeristy-Hawaii
Camp in Cache Valley
June 3-5
10-14 year boys and girls 4-6pm
15-18 year old boys and girls 6-8pm
Click here for more information and registration details

Weber State Wildcats Girls’ Soccer Camps
Date: June 24th- 27th
Where: Weber State University
Cost: $450 (residential) $375 (commuter)
Ages: Girls 10-14
This camp is open to any and all girls ages 10-14
More information at weberstatesports.com

Brigham Young University
Multiple camps through June and July
$369 without housing or $449 with housing
Click here for more details and registration information

University of Utah
Multiple camps through June and July
Click here for more details and registration information

Southern Utah University
Multiple camps through June and July
Click here for more details and registration information

Dixise State College
Multiple camps through June and July
Click here for more details and registration information


Westminster College
July 17-20
Girls ages 14-18
$140
Click here for more details and registration information

With so many demands by parents seeking additional training and games outside of the seasonal recreational leagues for their children we have decided to start a summer league that provides seven weeks of training and match play. The priority of the training is to improve each player’s ability to perform the basic age appropriate skills. The environment will be educational, have testing requirements to advance from one level to the next (similar to receiving different color belts in karate). The structure of this developmental league is designed to attract the more ambitious player that wants to train and play with a focus on their individual development. Parents will also be given activities to do with their child at home to help them advance quicker though the system. The summer league will be part of the Infinity Soccer Academy program that will have three additional opportunities through out the year (more info TBA) for the kids to train and play when the traditional recreational seasons are not being offered.

“Infinity Soccer Academy is a program that provides a fun learning environment, instilling a passion for the game of soccer in an environment that will encourage each player to develop their skills in a fun and challenging environment.”

Philosophy:
At the 4-8 year old ages, Infinity focuses on player development through basic skills training and small sided-games. Toni Doney, the Infinity SC Academy Director, will coordinate the sessions and games. The sessions will be run by licensed Infinity SC coaches that are experienced working with youth as well as some of our older Infinity SC players. The curriculum and structure will be developed by the Infinity SC Techincail Director Jeff Ginn and Toni Doney. Training sessions will introduce dribbling, passing and shooting in a variety of different activities. We believe that playing the game of soccer can be the best teacher and best platform for the players to showcase their skills in a fun environment.

Infinity Soccer is focused on technical and tactical player development and continues to strive to produce many of the most talented players Cache Valley has ever developed.

Cost/Registration:
$55 (avg. of $3.90 per session): for seven training sessions, seven match days and an Infinity SC Academy training shirt – register through Smithfield Rec Center Register at: http://www.activityreg.com/selectactivity.wcs

Location:
Smithfield, Utah

For more information email Coach Toni Doney: toni@infinitysc.org

Training & Game Schedules:

Click appropriate age group to view schedule
u6 Boys (4 & 5 year olds)
u6 Girls (4 & 5 year olds)
U8 Boys (6 & 7 year olds)
u8 Girls (6 & 7 year olds)

u6 Boys Schedule
Thursday, June 20th 9-10:15am – Training Session
Tuesday, June 26th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, June 28th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Monday, July 8th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, July 9th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Tuesday, July 16th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, July 18th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Tuesday, July 30th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, August 1st 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Tuesday, August 6th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, August 8th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Tuesday, August 13th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game

u6 Girls Schedule
Tuesday, June 18th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Thursday, June 20th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, June 26th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Thursday, June 28th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Monday, July 8th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Tuesday, July 9th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, July 16th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Thursday, July 18th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, July 30th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Thursday, August 1st 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, August 6th 9:00-10:15am – Training Session
Thursday, August 8th 5:00-6:15pm – Small Sided Game

u8 Boys Schedule
Thursday, June 20th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Tuesday, June 26th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, June 28th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Monday, July 8th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, July 9th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Tuesday, July 16th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, July 18th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Tuesday, July 30th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, August 1st 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Tuesday, August 6th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Thursday, August 8th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Tuesday, August 13th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game

u8 Girls Schedule
Tuesday, June 18th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Thursday, 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, June 26th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Thursday, June 28th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Monday, July 8th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Tuesday, July 9th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, July 16th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Thursday, July 18th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, July 30th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Thursday, August 1st 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game
Tuesday, August 6th 10:30-11:45am – Training Session
Thursday, August 8th 6:30-7:45pm – Small Sided Game

COACHING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Changing the Mindset of Youth Soccer: 

FORWARD: Pages 3 & 4 - Before we start

The common notion in sports equates success with victory. However, with a ‘winning is everything philosophy’, young athletes lose opportunities to develop their skills, to enjoy their participation, and to grow socially and emotionally.Additionally, leading developmental expert and sports psychologist Rainer Martens, who has written extensively for the last three decades on a number of integral issues and concepts related to youth sport, further substantiates all these viewpoints by condemning the win-at-all-cost mentality.Society seems to indicate that it values winning more than development because it clearly rewards winners. The message however, as powerful as it is, is sent by misguided rascals who do not understand the deeper meaning of sports in our society. IT’S A MESSAGE YOU MUST REJECT.

In light of so many developmental experts strongly opposing the conventional approach and the remarkable dropout figures in youth soccer, one can see that there is an URGENT NEED for people to abandon their current way of thinking. But changing the mindset is certainly going to be a challenging task due to thw fact that many coaches and parents are UNAWARE that a major problem in youth soccer even exists and that there are alternative methods which provide young people with better experiences and developmental opportunities.

COACHING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Changing the Mindset of Youth Soccer 

FORWARD:  Pages 8 & 9 What is this book going to do?

Our objective is to help change the current mindset and conventional approach in U.S. youth soccer. We believe tat by highlighting some key issues and altering the way that coaches and parents think about the them is going to allow us to make a major change in the overall psyche.

The issues we discuss are straightforward concepts which we have broken down to illustrate why the conventional approach is so harmful for many young player and make no sense from a developmental perspective. However, when the issues are eliminated and alternative methods are implemented during the players’ formative years, we demonstrate how it has a positive impact on their experience and progress.

So, if you are a parent with a child involved in youth soccer, the information in this book will be POWERFUL, and it will positively impact your perspectives, your child’s experiences, and their long-term progress. After reading through the chapters, you will be able to identify WHAT COACHES SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT BE DOING WHEN WORKING WITH ANY YOUNG PLAYERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5-13. Furthermore, you will be able to recognize whether the club or organization you are involved in is truly focusing on players’ best interest or whether they have alternative motives.

Equally, if you are a youth soccer coach at any level who is truly focused on helping young players ignite a passion for the game while unlocking their true potential, the guidance and evidence presented in this book will help you achieve these objectives and allow you to become a more effective coach, as all the information ins validated by elite coaches, developmental experts, and empirical research. This book also demonstrates how coaches do not need to be highly qualified or have advanced understanding of tactical components of the game to ensure that YOUNG PLAYERS (focus of book is ages 5-13) are provided with a positive learning environment. There are are far more important coaching prerequisites when working with young children such as a CALM TEMPERAMANT, A CARING NATURE, A POSITIVE OUTLOOK AND THE ABILITY TO CONSTANTLY REFLECT ON ONE’S ACTIONS.

For those clubs, coaches, and parents obsessed with immediate success and trophy accumulation during the early stages of development, THIS BOOK HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PROBLEMS, as there will be a strong possibility that you will be held accountable for your misguided actions by people who read this material. Undoubtedly, the information in this book will expose any incompetence, ignorance, or misleading behavior demonstrated by any organization or individual, and it will encourage many people to ASK QUESTIONS AND DEMAND ANSWERS.

We strive to convince more clubs, coaches, and parents to make the changes so desperately needed to benefit young players’ experiences, welfare, and development. Once more people take this path, the chances will certainly increase of retaining higher numbers in the sport and developing more effective soccer players in the long-term, which from both perspectives can only be positive for soccer in the U.S.

Infinity Soccer This is why at Infinity SC we do not reject any player at the u9-u11 age group. We will train anyone and find a team that will provide the best environment for them. We do not “cut” anybody if there is a solution for each child. We do have tiered teams to make sure the more advanced technical players, not just athletes, are training in a challenging environment that pushes them technically. We also place the less technical player in an environment where they can be pushed at the level they are currently at. It is our objective to constantly move players from one team to another within the club in an effort to provide the best environment for each players development. Of course we enjoy winning and celebrate when we do, but the primary goal at Infinity is and always has been to move players within the club to provide the funnest environment that challenges each player at the level they are at.

1-Evaluate
2-Place in best environment
3-Train 
4-Evaluate 
5-Move (based on evaluation) to a better environment
6-Repeat

THE INFINITY COACH: http://infinitysc.org/coaches/the-infinity-sc-coach/

COACHING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Changing the Mindset of Youth Soccer

Pages 139-141 - DEVELOP A PHYSICAL & TECHNICAL FOUNDATION

Again, one of the biggest mistakes many coaches and parents make is placing the emphasis on the team far too prematurely and neglecting the young players’ individual development. When players are young it, it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for their involvement in the spot and in their future progress to provide them with the opportunity to develop a physical and technical foundation.

Many leading development experts and elite coaches recognize how important it is for young players to spend a high percentage of their training time engaged in activity that enhances their TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT and PHYSICAL LITERACY such as agility, balance, coordination, reflexes, and speed. This is because fundamental movement skills are the building blocks children need to participate successfully in all types of games, physical activities, and sports. FURTHERMORE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS ENSURING LIFELONG INVOLVEMENT IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

Arsene Wegner, a successful head coach of Arsenal Football Club of the English Premier League and also renowned for the development of world class soccer players, stresses the importance of a solid technical foundation, “You have to build a player like a house. IF YOU DON’T START AT THE BASEMENT OF THE HOUSE THE REST OF THE WORK IS USELESS. The basement of the house is between the ages of 5-12 and is the most important age to develop players. You have to develop technique by the age of 12.”

- Click here to see video of Arsene Wegner’s interview-

It is sentiments such as these which confirm why it is so WASTEFUL AND NEGLECTFUL TO SPEND CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF TRAINING TIME WORKING ON OFF-SIDE TRAPS AND CORNER KICKS WITH YOUNG PLAYERS JUST TO INCREASE THE TEAMS’ CHANCES OF WINNING THEIR NEXT GAME OR TOURNAMENT.

When players develop a sound foundation in these areas, many become more confident, expressive and naturally more effective at executing the fundamental skills and techniques required in the sport. This is something that we have observed first hand time and time again and is supported by Professor Margaret Whitehead a leading developmental expert of the University of Liverpool in England who assets, ” Individuals who are physically literate will move with poise, economy and confidence in a wide variety of physically challenging situations.

In reference to developing fundamental movement and technical skills, coaches should be aware of what athletic development experts term WINDOWS OF ACCELERATED ADAPTION’. Basically this term refers to a period of time in a young players’ development when specific physical and technical capabilities can progress at an accelerated rate with appropriate training activities. Essentially, when coaches provide young players with the opportunity to take advantage of these key moments, they will have a greater chance to maximize their full potential.

It is not our intention to offer a detailed discussion on these windows; and there has been some ambiguity and debate in the academic world regarding the precise time they occur. Again, we must recognize that all the players mature and develop at different rates, meaning discrepancies in their progressive needs and training requirements will always exist. By understanding the logic behind this concept we can follow basic guidelines to help us develop young players. According to athletic development experts Dr. Istvan Balyi and Ann Hamilton, the following windows of opportunity exist during the early stages of development:

-The window of accelerated adaption for AGILITY, QUICKNESS AND CHANGE OF DIRECTION (6-8 years of age for girls; 7-12 years of age for boys).

-The window of accelerated adaption for MOTOR COORDINATION [technical ball skills] (8-11years of agefor girls; 7-12 years of age for boys).

Over the years we have always ensured in our program that players 5-13 receive significant time to enhance their physical literacy and technical development by using basic exercises in training. There are tremendous amounts of material and resources prescribing how a coach can go about this. The exercises we implement in our program involve aspects such as quick feet, hopping, balancing, and changing direction with and without the ball. Still, we ensure that players are interacting with the ball for a majority of their training time, as we can incorporate the physical ad technical aspects simultaneously. And the most effective way to achieve this is through the use of small sided games.

Yet every time you get a chance to reflect on the state of soccer in Cache Valley, we look to the kinds of people that are influencing our kids to greatness. It just so happens, that Infinity, as one of the most successful CV clubs yet established, is producing all kinds of top-notch people that are doing wonderful things for our community as well as for soccer.

At the same time they are doing just that, they’re directly influencing your kids to greatness and coaching them to play top soccer.

It can’t get better than that!

In addition to our directors and board members, we could highlight, literally almost every coach, manager, and parent volunteer who is donating their time to make Infinity a success. However, this month we’d like to single-out a few people to just say thanks.

When you see these people go out of your way to tell them thank you. That’s it. A simple expression of gratitude is fuel enough for people who give so generously, with purpose, of their time.

First off no team could survive without quality a quality manager to organize, collect, disseminate, and drive a team to success. One of the best of that group is Wendee Lamb. She puts in more time to keeping the u16 Premier Girls team organized after hours, than most of us do in an 8 hour day. She meticulously coordinates and briefs her entire team on upcoming events and schedules, to make sure that not one detail goes without notice. Thanks Wendee!

Kasey & Kylianne Erickson are the kind of people that effect whatever they touch with quality. Both of these people are doing something for Infinity, be it coaching, managing, training, or organizing some aspect of some kids life in Soccer. Their devotion and time to Infinity totals 1000’s of hours. Thank you Ericksons, for all of your time and contributions!

Most of Infinity’s coaches are easy to notice by their coaching clothing, but the less obvious Infinity people are sometimes not even noticed by anyone. They are not coaching soccer, so most people don’t recognize that they are part of the club. Irene Hola is one of those people. From helping track team accounts, to collecting money for futsal leagues to helping members with their club dues, Irene works tirelessly to make sure that the finances flow smoothly at every level. Thank you Irene!

One of our coaches, Larry Tolley, has taken it upon him to provide a provisional team for players that don’t make the high school team. With so many quality players being produced in the Valley and so many limited spots on the High School rosters, many players do not make their respected High School team as underclassmen. These passionate players have a place to play because Coach Tolley provides the opportunity by gathering these players, training them all Fall and traveling to games where they compete. Our coaches make so many sacrifices. Coach Tolley, the 2012 Male Coach of the year is just one of our many amazing coaches that sacrifice their time to provide a positive soccer experience for our players! Thank you Larry!

We have all seen clubs come and go in Cache Valley. Infinity is here to stay and has already established a foundation with great people behind the scenes and even a team not wearing coaching gear. But the longevity of any organization is built on its people – and weve got some excellent people to be proud of in Infinity.

This holiday season share your gratitude by simply telling your coaches, managers, players, etc, that you appreciate what they do for your kids!

Go Infinity!!!!

Over the last eight years, Iowa Western Community College soccer has been very committed to recruiting players from our community. In 2007 & 2008 there were a handful of players from Cache Valley, one of them was Kim Olsen.

Starting a tradition of excellence, Kim captained the Reivers that finished 2nd in the NJCAA National Tournament both seasons. In 2011 the Reivers missed going to Nationals when they lost in a P.K. shoot out at Regionals. This year they took 3rd place at the National Tournament, losing to eventual champions Paradise Valley in yet another P.K. shoot out. Iowa Western is a power house in Jr College soccer and has used 8 Infinity SC players over the past three years to establish their recent dominance.

Morgan Olsen (above on the right) and Danica Hansen (above on the left) were part of the 3rd place run this Fall. Danica will get to take another shot at it next year with the Reivers, but Olsen’s career at Iowa Western is complete.

The IWCC coaching staff spent three evenings working with various age groups while they were in Utah. Upon arrival Assistant Coach Karley Nelson ran a training session in Hyrum

for the u9 Boys teams. That same evening Coach Nelson ran a session for the u13 Premier Girls while head Coach Brad Silvey ran a session for the u12 Premier Girls.

The following two nights Infinity SC hosted a College I.D. Camp and the IWCC Coaching staff ran some training activities, shared insights as to what college soccer has to offer at the Jr. College level and scouted Infinity SC players for future teams in hope of using their talents to get back to the national tournament in 2013 and beyond.

When asked about the relationship with Infinity Soccer, Coach Silvey replied, “Working with Infinity SC over the past few years has proved a fantastic return of our time. Cache Valley is a hot pocket of talent that Infinity SC has helped to develop and lead in a competitive direction. We know the athletes we bring in from this club are well coached and prepared to compete as the collegiate level. We look forward to a continued relationship with the Infinity SC family.”

I recently had the chance to take a road trip home to Oregon for the holidays- long drive.  As you can imagine there was plenty of time to think- work, family, and Infinity all bounce though my mind as the miles click by.  My moments of reflection were often broken by a question from the back seat, “How much longer,” or “Are we there yet,” the 4 year old would repeat with determined regularity.  Thankfully, day turned to night and the questions eventually subsided and the car got very quiet.  As I continued to reflect on the club it was fun to consider what the club has accomplished over the past year.  Top to bottom the club has improve-strengthened-and found more success.

Our fall season was one of the most successful in our clubs history with teams finding success both on the field and off.  Our club currently has 380 members and 29 teams, coached by more than 23 head coaches and 15 assistant coaches that are not also head coaches.   From those 29 teams (19 are playing state soccer and 10 are the the local Challenger league)  5 earned theri way or remained in the Premier division and   the rest competed well enough to remain in their current division. Teams seem to be doing well, improving, through hard work from both players and coaches.  Our focus on development, on allowing players to play, makes decisions and learn independently seems to be yielding the intended results.  We are seeing players take more ownership of their play, training and of their game- great to see.

These young men and women, boys and girls are incredible; equally incredible are the coaches, team manager, administrators and parents who support them.  It is great to watch the incredible sacrifice and dedication that our Infinity family has to the members of this club and to the greater soccer community!  I am proud to be a part of a community that truly has the best interest of every player, top to bottom, in mind.  A community in which every decision is made by determining if it is what is best for the players FIRST, everything else second.

As I continued to consider these things the voice of my 4 year old again comes to mind- “Are we there yet?”  And I think to myself- is Infinity finished, are we done improving, are we done serving our members, are we done supporting every player!  The answer seems obvious but also contains another question- Of course we are not done- we still have so much to share, so much learning to facilitate, so many new players to support- we are by no means done.  The other question that this raises however is a very personal question and I want to ask each of you to answer it, for yourself- what can I do to help?  The answer is as clear as to the first question- there is a ton to do- jump in- get involved, volunteer, help with fundraising- the club needs your support, talents and skills to help foster this soccer community.  To help provide the next generation with all the tools they need to be great soccer player and more importantly great citizens.  And though my 4 year old may never be happy with my answer to his question maybe just maybe if we can all pull together and in the same direction- “closer every minute” might just carry us to our goal.

If you have ideas on how to help improve our service to our club members or just want to be called upon to help out when our board members and staff need some assistance please let me (dskinlo@gmail.com) or our Director of Operations Lisa Godfrey (lisa@infinitysc.com) know.

Thank you!