ECFC July 2010 Newsletter

President's Corner

Dear Emerald City Membership:

With our election process completed, it is an honor and pleasure to be here writing you as the new president of the board. Full election results will be posted in the August newsletter. It is a great board and I am looking forward to serving with them.

My first order of business is to thank Joe for the tremendous job he has done the past year as president. I cannot imagine there has been a tougher year in the history of the club to be in that role. Under Joe's leadership the club has redefined itself and is ready to write the next chapter in its long history. Joe sacrificed countless hours of his time to insure that Emerald City would be here this coming season. So when you see Joe this year, please remember to thank him. He has set a high bar for those of us that are continuing his work.

For those that do not know me, here is a bit about myself. My son Mac is the player in the house and plays on our M97 team, coached by Jon Matsushita and Frank Barton. My wife, Belinda Chin, works for Seattle Parks Department and is a dedicated soccer mom. My older son, Jeff, lives in Santa Cruz attending Cabrillo College this fall. I work in technology as a program manager at Getty Images. While I am new to the board this year, I was the M97 Green team manager last year. I am familiar with volunteer boards having served a number of years on the Corinthian Yacht Club board of directors, one year as commodore.

The biggest challenge for the coming year will be growing the club. Players are our life blood. Our academies for younger players, age 7-9, are a great step forward that will build the foundation we will need. But just as important will be retaining and growing our older teams. You can contribute to that effort by by making sure that everyone you know is aware that ECFC is still here offering one of the best player development experiences in the state.

With this being the club's first year in US Club Soccer, I encourage you to get involved in our new organization. Learn about US Club on their web site, http://www.usclubsoccer.org. This year will be a year of change and I encourage you to work with your team manager and coach to overcome the inevitable challenges that change always brings. I am confident that with a little effort this will be an exciting, fun and rewarding year for our players.

I look forward to meeting most if not all of our membership sometime during the year. Feel free to drop me an email or grab me for a chat on the sidelines. I am sure I will be making a lot of new friends this year.

On behalf of the Emerald City FC Board of Directors – Go Emerald City!

Jim Lyle, President

A Note From The Vice President

Dear Emerald City Membership:

It certainly has been an interesting and [mostly] satisfying past year in the president's role for our club. Our recently completed board election has led to some changes among the board members, and/or their roles. I will assume the Vice President's role this year, and I am pleased to introduce Jim Lyle as our new board president for the coming year. Although Jim has just formally joined the Emerald City board, I was fortunate to work with him on a number of difficult issues last year in his capacity as a parent volunteer who closely tracked events and contributed on numerous occasions to our club. Please take a moment to introduce yourself when you get the opportunity!

Despite the challenges of the past year, I feel especially fortunate to have experienced more of the "positives" that I've grown to appreciate from my family's years of membership in this club. Specifically, I had the opportunity to meet even more club members than years past, got to better know our coaches whom I have a great deal of respect for, and am left with a "we made it by sticking together" feeling that is satisfying in its own way. Thank you for your contributions of time and energy, support, understanding, patience and willingness to join in the rebuilding of our club!

Best regards,
Joe Picciano, Current Executive VP

Coach's Corner

With the hot summer season upon us, it is important more than ever for our players to take the right steps towards good nutrition. Here are a couple key things players can focus on to stay hydrated and healthy as we look to pick back up in August:

1. There are many case studies that show the benefit of ingesting carbohydrates and/or protein immediately post game. There are some very high-tech sports companies that market excellent products as a result. However, instead of having to spend hundreds of dollars on high tech supplements, why not add some 'Chocolate milk' to your post game regimen? The natural combination of protein and carbohydrates is at an almost perfect ratio mimicking that of the more expensive alternatives. This carb and protein intake helps the body to replenish its depleted stores while also giving it a kick start to begin the repairing process. So instead of reaching for your water immediately after the game, why not enjoy a nice refreshing drink of Chocolate Milk on the car ride home as well!

2. With the onset of summer tournaments, training and just general energetic expenditure while out of school, players need to make sure they are properly hydrated. Time and time again studies show that children and adults alike will voluntarily drink more volume and more frequently when presented with 'flavored' water over plain water alone. We can all go and buy the sports branded energy drinks, but sometimes they just are not convenient (you may not like the taste, you may not have easy access to them, etc.). A good way of keeping your kids cool and refreshed is to use an ice cube tray and freeze some of your favorite fruit juice. Prior to the game, instead of filling your water bottle simply with water, fill it with a combination of ice, water and some of your frozen fruit juice cubes. The fruit cubes will not only help keep the fluid cold and refreshing, it will also add just a hint of flavor to the fluid which in turn will encourage more voluntary fluid ingestion. And a hydrated player is an effective player.

See everyone in August!

David Smith, Assistant Director of Coaching

Club News

Misty Acres Residential Soccer Camp
 

As most of you should know from your coaches and managers at this time, we are proud to announce the Emerald City F.C. Residential Soccer Camp at Misty Acres, near Shelton, Washington.  The camp is recommended for all Emerald City F.C. players U-13 and older.  As players outside our club are not invited, this camp represents a wonderful opportunity for our players to get to know each other and to attain a club spirit.  Emerald City Coaches are the primary clinicians.  Not only will the players receive expert soccer tuition in a concentrated environment but also, they will receive expert conditioning training, participate in team building activities and receive Olympic quality sports psychology advice.

Our coaches will be encouraging you to attend.  Team managers will be asking for attendance numbers this week.  The camp will not only benefit the players but equally important at this time, it will also help to grow our club.

Camp Dates:
Start:  4:00pm on Sunday, August 8th
End:   12.00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11th
Location:  Misty Acres.
Near Shelton, Washington; approximately 90 minutes from Seattle

Cost:  $250.00 per player. Discounts will be provided to players whose parents help at the camp.

How to sign up:  Managers please e-mail Bobby Howe at bhowe@emeraldcityfc.org this week.

Additional information will be provided to attendees.

Emerald City Night At the Seattle Storm vs. Chicago Sky
Friday, July 30 at 7 p.m.
Blocks of tickets are available per team. Tickets are $20 each
Players/teams will be able to participate in these events during the game:
- Two (2) teams play each other in a Futsal style soccer game on court after the Storm players finish pregame warm-ups
- Two (2) Honorary Captains that will meet the captains from the Storm and the Sky during the pregame captains meeting at center court and get autographed mini-balls from those players
- Eleven (11) Ball Exchange kids that will get an autographed ball from a Storm player during introductions
- Participate in events that occur during the game (number depends on how many events)
- Club/Team post game photos on the court after the game
 
To purchase your group tickets call Andrew Croft at 206-251-8247. 
Tickets are going fast so get yours today!

Soccer West New Location!

Soccer West is opening a new location in Redmond on July 24. The grand opening will be hosted with prizes, give-a-ways, discounts, and apperances by Sounders FC players! To get in on all the action, make sure you attend the grand opening and pick up some Emerald City FC swag or gear from your favorite national and/or club teams. For more information, contact Mark Boyes at 425-257-3000

Emerald City FC existss to develop each of our players to his or her fullest potential, competing at the highest possible level while demonstrating exemplary teamwork, sportsmanship, and a passion for the game.