PCSL GOALKEEPER
Spring
Season 2019 Edition
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Welcome to the Spring 2019 Season!
My name is Tim Koch, as of July of last year, I am the President of Prairie Cities Soccer League and Illinois Fire Juniors. Our 2 organizations agreed to merge about a year and a half ago, and that process continued with merging the Board of Directors of both organizations. Our board members can be found by clicking
here
.
As I write this update to the PCSL community, it is 22⁰ outside, and yet we know warmer days are on the way and we are about 3 weeks from Spring practice starting. Let me update you on a few high-level projects that our board is working on:
- We currently have 2 board member positions open on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in being part of an organization that is taking soccer to a higher level, then we want you. The time commitment is 1 board meeting per month, and occasional other meetings as projects dictate them. Please email board@pcslsoccer.com if you are interested in joining our board.
- As a part of our partnership with IYSA and Chicago Fire, we can now take advantage of their staff and education. If you are coaching a team or want to coach in the future, I encourage you to sign up for the Coaches Clinic on Thursday, March 21st from 6pm to 8pm. More information can be found here.
- Be on the look out for more information on fundraisers this Spring Season. We will be continuing our dine to donate nights. We will also have a couple of fun fundraising nights as well. Please join us to continue to raise money for scholarships and the new field complex.
- An exciting new program that we are starting this Spring is TOPSoccer. This program allows us to bring soccer to a community that is currently unable to participate because of disabilities. This program is like what Miracle League is for baseball. I am very excited to bring this to our area. If you know of anyone that would be interested in this program, either as a participant, a coach, or a player buddy, please visit https://www.pcslsoccer.org/programs/ for more information.
- Last but definitely not least, I want to let you know that we are actively pursuing many different options for a new Soccer Complex to serve our organization for the future. If you know of anyone that might have an interest in helping us in this endeavor, please have them email me at president@pcslsoccer.org.
As we look forward to this Spring Season, I hope for good weather and some great soccer during this seaosn!
Tim Koch
President, Illinois Fire Juniors and PCSL
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Spring Season Dates
Let's hope for warmer temperatures and dry weather!
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Let's Celebrate!
On Saturday, May 4 PCSL is celebrating 40 years of providing youth recreational soccer in the community. We are proud to be one of the largest recreational soccer leagues in the nation, and strive to continue working as a tremendous community organization serving our youth!
None of this would happen without our coaches, team parents, board members, referees and office staff! One would never guess that this well-organized and successful league would have begun as an idea discussed over coffee more than 40 years ago. This meeting between Jack Fowler and Joe Miller back in 1978 led to the creation of Prairie Cities Soccer League, and Joe was elected as the first PCSL president.
We invite and encourage all of you to attend and participate in the celebration! Numerous activities and events will take place from 10:30am – 1:30pm on May 4th that you won’t want to miss! Below is a list of some of the festivities planned for the day.
- Representatives and coaches from the Chicago Fire Soccer Club
- Sparky, the Chicago Fire mascot will make an appearance
- Chicago Fire Engine 97, Speed shot, Soccer Tennis, Bags, Fusbol and a giveaway tent will also be present
- Little Sparks Camp for ages 3-6 hosted by the Chicago Fire
- Local radio DJ penalty shot contest and goalie experience
- Representative from the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal including a press conference
- The first ever league wide photo will be taken from the air
- Alumni Game
- Food trucks
- Local College Soccer Teams
Keep an eye out for future communications with more details on this 40 year celebration. Please pass the word along to neighbors, family, friends and co-workers. We want this to be a community-wide celebration and can’t wait to see you there!
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Teams
Teams remain the same from the Fall 2018 season to the Spring 2019 season.
We've added new players to existing teams and also formed several new teams for this spring.
Please do your best to welcome the new players and coaches to the League!
For the U6 - High School league, your coach should be contacting you soon to let you know of practice dates, times and game schedules.
TeamSnap
is a great tool for you to use to find team and contact information. All you need is your login email and password that you previously set up when registering your player.
Match schedules
will be posted on our website soon for U6-HS.
For the U5 program, you will receive an email soon with your child's team number, coach, schedule and additional information that you will need prior to the program's start.
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Spring Season News & Info.
Whether you have been a part of PCSL for several seasons or are new for the spring season, there is new information that you need to know as well as some common FAQ's that we all could use a refresher on.
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Coaches
Thank you to all of our coaches for their time, effort and dedication!
As we prepare for each season, there is always important information that we need to pass along to coaches. Please check out the
Coach Page
for important information on the Spring 2019 season.
Spring Coach Clinic
A Spring 2019 Coach Clinic will be held on Thursday, March 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Heartland Community College in the Fitness & Recreation Center for all coaches. We would like to see all of our team coaches, both head & assistant coaches, attend!
There is no cost to attend the clinic. PCSL is providing this coaching clinic through our membership with IYSA. The Director of Coaching from IYSA, Adam Howarth will be leading the clinic. The Director of Coaching for Illinois Fire Juniors and PCSL, Myron King will also be there to assist.
Some of the topics that will be covered are: Organizing a youth training session using Play - Practice -Play, Methods of Coaching, Team Administration & Risk Management, Technical Training, Tactical Training, Laws of the Game, Principles of attack and defense, and Small sided games. To sign up to attend >
go here
.
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Soccer is a fantastic game for fun, exercise, and athletic development. As a matter of fact, soccer provides a means for your young player to acquire athletic skills for other sports as well-skills such as balance, speed, coordination, agility, fitness and other vital components.
The PCSL Parent's Manual has been developed to help you with this and includes the topics: how to help support your child and coach, what to expect during your child's development and PCSL's approach to player development.
Check out the
PCSL Parent's Manual
today!
PCSL encourages participation in youth soccer for what it is-youngsters having fun. Coaches, parents and spectators should show only good adult behavior on the sidelines and act as role models for the younger players. Help create a positive soccer atmosphere and influence your youngster's soccer experience.
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Referees
We're looking forward to having our experienced referees back this spring as well as some new ones!
We're proud to report that PCSL referees are now certified as a Grade 9 (recreational) Referee through the Illinois Soccer Referee Committee (ISRC). This certification prepares officials for the recreational and small sided youth games. We began this new requirement in Spring 2018 and the results have been positive.
The
Spring 2019 Availability Form
is due in the PCSL office no later than Friday, March 22. Be sure to watch your email for important start of the season information and the spring referee schedule.
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Notes of Appreciation
We would like to take this time to say thank you to all that provide support to PCSL financially and/or by volunteering their time and efforts. State Farm Companies Foundation is a continuing source of support for PCSL and other non-profit organizations in our community. The Good Neighbor Grant Program provides a contribution to the League when a State Farm employee volunteers for at least 40 hours per year and designates PCSL as their recipient. Over the past year, several volunteer coaches contributed their time and their grants.
Financial support or considerations have been received from local businesses featured in our sponsor section of this newsletter. Annual operations, training for coaches, scholarships for players, and complex improvements are all supported through player registration fees and our community-based partners.
We truly appreciate the support from all of our volunteers! A special thank you goes out to all of the coaches, assistant coaches and team parents. You help keep our league going strong! Please take time to recognize and thank your child's coach for all their time, effort and dedication.
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League & Contact Information
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The PCSL Board is led by a group of volunteers that meet once per month in the off season and twice per month during the season. If you have skills you would like to share for the betterment of the League, please contact the
League Office
to make a difference in PCSL soccer!
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Registration Time
for
Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
Don't forget to register your player for the next playing year!
Online registration began on Feb. 1. If you have a U6-HS players,
register before April 1 to avoid a late fee
!
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Prairie Cities Soccer League | 309 451-GOAL | www.pcslsoccer.org
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