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Welcome to our Newsletter!
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We are delighted to introduce inFusion, our new Club newsletter. Each week, we'll let you know about Club news & highlights, share photos & contest results, and much more. Enjoy and let us know how we're doing!
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To name our newsletter, we tapped into the most creative soccer minds we could find: Our players! Our Name the Newsletter contest attracted over 20 inspired entries.
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Anna Gdowski !
from Coach Issac's Under 13 Gold team
Anna chose inFusion because "the newsletter lets u know what's going on In Fusion. Also Infusion is a real word meaning '...a new element or quality into something.'"
Anna's prize is a pair of $200 adidas soccer cleats. Congratulations Anna!
The runner-up was Fusion Focus, submitted by Camille La Blanc of the 00' Girls Maroon team. We liked Camille's entry so much that we used it to name a regular newsletter feature (more on that below).
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Fusion 40th Anniversary Celebration
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Fusion Turns 40 with
Abby Wambach!
Saturday, Sept. 10th
9am to 1pm
Robertson Park #1
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To date we have raised over $30,000 in our "Every Goal Counts" fundraiser with Abby Wambach to support juvenile diabetes research, Fusion TOPSoccer, and Fusion financial aid!
Thanks to everyone who has raised funds, or made a donation. The fundraiser ends Wednesday, September 7th. Click here to get involved!
Please note that you must be a fundraiser to attend the event.
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In this section of the newsletter we'll salute Club successes both on and off the field. For the inaugural edition of inFusion we very proudly share two special accomplishments:
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U17 Premier Girls Team Win Surf Cup
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In early August our 00 U17 Premier Girls traveled to Carlsbad to compete
against the "Best of the Best" in th
e prestigious 36th annual Surf Cup tournament.
The team won their bracket, vaulting them to a ranking of 13th nationally!
Fusion Director of Coaching Ben Graham notes: "It
was inspiring to see the team represent our Club the way they did. Every player worked together, and for each other, showing the true meaning of 'team'. It really was what separated us from the rest. I couldn’t be more proud of this group of players. Their success proves what you can achieve with a good work ethic, continuous development and a little inspiration."
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Soccer Nation Profiles Fusion SC
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The website soccernation.com recently published a feature article about Fusion's groundbreaking approach to player development. To read the article click here.
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In each edition of inFusion we will profile a coach, player, Board member, staff person, volunteer, alumnus, or other member of the amazing Fusion community!
The subject of our first Fusion Focus is our Director of Coaching, Ben Graham.
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Tell us about your soccer background. When did you start playing, how good were you, and when & why did you decide you wanted to coach soccer?
I started playing at age seven, and in my first every game I was asked to leave the field because I caught the ball four times. I can remember to this day that entire game.
Over the next three years my youth team went unbeaten, won three regional & state cups, and at the age of nine, 75% of the team was signed to youth development teams with local English Premier League teams. I signed with Watford FC, which at that time had Elton John as Chairman. Ashley Young of Manchester United was on my team all the way until I was 18.
After a series of injuries, I turned to coaching at the age of 20 . I went to college and focused on education, but still played for the local semi-pro & college teams. To start with I coached in the Southampton FC youth program. After college, I came to the USA to work with the MLS's training and camps division.
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What are your proudest soccer moments?
As a player it was paying for my local professional club, and playing in the Dallas Cup for our State Team. I have a lot of great memories from both experiences and learned so many life lessons along the way.
I have so many proud coaching memories. I especially cherish the recent Surf Cup Championship because it justifies our Club's approach to soccer: Focus on long-term player development rather than a quick-fix, win-now mentality.
Plus, Fusion's Premier teams are typically made up overwhelmingly of players from Livermore, and we beat teams with much greater geographical reach. That's a tribute to our work ethic, togetherness, and superior coaching.
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You obviously really love your job as Fusion's Director of Coaching. What's so great about it?
I have fallen in love with Livermore since moving here five years ago. I greatly appreciate the pride that everyone takes in this community, and enjoy being surrounded by people who work together to make the community better. You feel like you’re part of the bigger picture.
As for the Club, I get to work with fantastic people and with families and children who love soccer as much as I do. It makes the long days feel worthwhile and the hard days a little bit easier.
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How would your Mother describe you?
Hmm. My siblings think I am my mother's favorite based on how she treats me. Hard to say when I am half way across the world! She knows I strive to make them proud. She would probably describe me as hard working, loyal, dedicated, selfless, tough, and loving. I couldn’t ask for a better role model. She might still shout “Benjamin Graham” when I am in trouble at Xmas or “Benny Bunny,” my name as a young child, when she tries to embarrass me. Some things will never change.
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Let's say I'm a soccer player looking for a club in the Tri-Valley. Why should I play for Fusion SC instead of another Club?
We are a family oriented Club that believes education comes first. With proper education you become a consistently successful player and you will achieve your goals. With education at school you will forever have a platform to support yourself and your family.
We invest heavily in the players' experience and the Club's growth. By bringing in David Bingham as goalkeeper coach, hiring college coaches, improving our fields and adding more staff, we strive to give our players the best soccer experience possible.
We focus on continual improvement to a degree that no other area Club can match.
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Each week we will recognize a player who exemplifies the Club-wide "word of the week." Coaches and parents will nominate players for this award, and the winning player receives an adidas training shirt!
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Word of the Week: Inspire
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Player of the week: Rachapone Tabcum, U10
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How Rachapone Exemplifies "Inspire":
The word "Soccer" has never been in Rachapone's head, but after a few practices he said: "Mommy, I like to play soccer. It is fun. I think running in the field with fresh air and new friends is better than playing video games. I want to be a good soccer player. My Coach and teammates are nice, too" ...and on and on about Soccer!
I am so glad that I enrolled Rachapone in Fusion soccer. He has made new friends and he is spending less time on his computer and watching TV. Every day he looks forward to playing soccer with his friends.
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