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OKLAHOMA CELTIC NEWSLETTER
P.R.I.D.E.
WARM? COLD?

We have seen both cold and warm days, and we are all ready for warmer temps. You may have noticed some changes as you are pulling in to the complex. We are excited that the bathrooms on fields 1,2,3, and 4 have been completed. We are excited for this addition, as we know many of you are, to have another set of restrooms at the complex. They have also added two picnic tables with coverings to enjoy team snacks after your games.
Another big change is that fields 1,2,3, and 4 are having the sod removed. This is the first step to having that area leveled and adding three full size fields as part of the Norman Forwards projects.
In the future, we will be able to host some of the top tournaments in the region and contribute to our local economy as well.

Our Academy Director, Ryan Trudgian will be hosting a "D" license right here in Norman on April 10, 11, 12 and May 22, 23, 24. More information to learn some of U.S. soccers new coaching methodology for young players will be shared.

We will host our annual OSC Classic Cup the weekend of February 28th. While we are thrilled to welcome 160 teams this year, we were sad to turn away almost forty teams due to the construction of fields 1, 2, 3, and 4. This will be a busy weekend, but we are thankful for the awesome parents in our club who show great hospitality and that this can help impact our community in a positive way.

Please keep reading below about more exciting things going on at Oklahoma Celtic including our new training app, Oklahoma Celtic gear, new addition to staff, and some helpful parent info and club dates.

Thank you for allowing our staff to be a small part in your child's athletic endeavors.

Don Rother
NYSA/ Oklahoma Celtic
Executive Director of Coaching
I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying.
-Michael Jordan
FIELD UPDATES
The focus the past few months has been on fields 1, 2, 3, and 4
The construction crews will be removing sod over the next two weeks and leveling of the fields will begin shortly after. This should take approximately two months to level and then we will reinstall sod and pray for good weather for the soil to take root!
Failure is important for success.
-Unknown
GRASSROOTS COACHING LICENSE
AT THE GILLIS-ROTHER SOCCER COMPLEX
Coach Ryan Trudgian will be instructing the first ever "D" license held at the Gillis-Rother Soccer Complex. Please click HERE for information on registration.
Let it go.
-Elsa
THIS WAY TO SIGN UP FOR RECREATIONAL SOCCER!
LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!
REGISTRATION
IS NOW OPEN!

Deadline is March 6th

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

We are celebrating our
FORTY-THIRD season of Recreational soccer in Norman. We would love to have you and your family participate in our program with deep roots, in a fun and organized environment!

Things I wish I would have known as a player:
How much time the coaching staff spends thinking about what's best for the team.
-Matt Lisle
PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

COMPETITIVE
SAMI ALLEN '04 GIRLS ECNL
Sami is having a terrific month. She has double digit goals in the clubs 2nd season in the ECNL and scored four goals in the Houston national event while also securing an invitation to the ECNL Texas Conference CSP weekend.
"She's a prime example of a player who trains hard at practice every week, but also does the extra work on her own time to separate herself from the competition", said Michael Cagle

ACADEMY
ORION PRATCHER '12 BOYS ACADEMY
"He is a quality player that works hard in practice and the game. His love to play is something I admire most", said Tyler Hardage

RECREATIONAL
ELIOT MCCORNACK B1214 RECREATIONAL
Eliot has a "never quit" attitude that always shows in practice and in games. He always hustles and is a great little leader on his team. We all love watching him play and if he keeps this attitude he will be successful at anything he does.
OKLAHOMA CELTIC GEAR
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR SPRING GOODIES!
What youth athletes need most: The freedom to make mistakes...
the encouragement to try again.
-Michelle Holmes
TECHNE TRAINING APP
A one-of-a-kind resource for players and coaches, developed by long-time pro and former U.S. Women's National Team player Yael Averbuch.

GUIDED CURRICULUM
New sessions weekly, including juggling, dribbling and wall work. Each drill has a video demonstrating the proper technique and can be done anywhere at any time.

PROGRESS TRACKING
See how much time you've trained, maintain a training streak, and measure your improvement on fundamental techniques with Techne Time Trials.

REWARDS
All subscribers are part of our Training Sock System, similar to the belt system in martial arts. The more you train, the further in the system you progress and are rewarded with new sock colors.

COMPETITION
Compete on our Leaderboards and earn the chance to be recognized for your hard work and discipline. You'll have the opportunity to top the list each week when our new session goes live!

Click HERE for more info.

Get there!
-unknown
WELCOME TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
SKIP THORPE
Make sure your child knows that you notice effort regardless of the outcome.
Reward your child on days when they try hard, even if they fail.
-Michelle Holmes
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS
Shop during our Discount Days
Hello, our partner Dicks Sporting Goods will be hosting a discount shop event for  Norman Youth Soccer Association.  You will receive 20% off your purchase on most items in the store. Our discount shop event will be on  Friday 3/6 - Sunday 3/8  at the  Moore  Dick’s Sporting Goods. You will also be able to place online orders, in store only and receive 20% off. This will include free shipping and receive product in 3-6 business days.

Click HERE for access to an online coupon.
Whether you win the state title or fall short, it's just a moment and life will go on. The greatest part of coaching is getting W's after the season. Seeing players sign LOI, graduate HS, go to college, get jobs, be successful, etc; in the real game...LIFE!
That's winning!
-Jon Beck
COACH RYAN TRUDGE

On our mission to be the premiere soccer club in the state, we are thrilled to also have Coach Trudge as the Assistant Technical Director. Coach Trudge has been with the club for ten years.
In that time he has coached a number of different age groups, and currently also serves as our Academy Director.

Trduge said, "Oklahoma Celtic is my second family and I will continue to work tirelessly for the club to create the best environment for our youth soccer players."

A list of Coach Trudgians accomplishments can be found below.

Coaching Experience:
Norman Youth Soccer Association Aug 10 – present
Academy Director, U15-U18 Director, Camp Director & Staff Coach
- Celtic 02G State Cup Finalists, 2017
- Celtic 99 State Cup Finalists, 2016
- Fury 98 President Cup Winners, 2014, 2015
- Celtic 97 State Cup Winners, 2013
- Celtic 96 State Cup Finalists, 2013
- Oklahoma Soccer Association’s Competitive Boys Coach of the Year, 2013
 
-Men’s Soccer Head Coach Jan 11–12
Carl Albert High School, Midwest City, OK
District Champions and State Semi-Finalists 5A, 2012
-Graduate Assistant Soccer Coach (Men and Women) Aug. 08 – 10
Oklahoma City University, OKC, OK
Semi-Finalists NAIA National Tournament (Men) 2008
-Women’s Soccer Head Coach Jan 09 – 10
Edmond Santa Fe High School, Edmond, OK
State finalists 6A, 2009
-Men’s Assistant Coach (Premier Development League) 2009 Springfield Demize
 
Playing Experience: 
Springfield Demize (PDL), 2009
Austin Aztex (PDL), 2008
Oklahoma City University (NAIA) 2004-2008
Professional: Plymouth Argyle Football Club 1997 - 2003
 
Playing Honors:
Captain of OCU, 2005- 2007
Honorable-Mention All-American, 2006
Second-Team All-Conference, 2006
Region VI and SAC Offensive Player of the year, 2007
First-Team All-Conference, 2007
Third-Team All-American, 2007
English Football League Debut, 2001
 
Skills: 
USSF A License, 2010
NSCAA Premier Diploma, 2012
USSF National GK License, 2012
NSCAA Advanced National GK License, 2013
NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, 2014
USYS National Youth License, 2015
USC Futsal Level 1 Online Diploma, 2017
La Liga Methodology Level 3, 2018
United Soccer Coaches Assessor
USSF Grassroots License Instructor
USC Master Diploma and Soccer Leader Course, 2019
Saw Twitter video of a dad promoting his son to colleges. The kid is a 2026 grad...a 6th grader. Parents...take a chill pill...let your KIDS be KIDS. They don't need the pressure of you wanting them to get a scholarship at 12 years old.
-Jason Ball
SIGNING DAY
Congratulations to the following athletes. We are very excited to watch them in their journey ahead. The picture to the left is a very special gentleman, Coach Gordon Drummond. "Coach D" is one of the founders of Norman Youth Soccer Association. He has been coaching at Norman High since the inception of the boys soccer program where he continues to invest in young men. Thank you Coach D for being an example and a role model in our community.
Jackson Kim- Rogers State
Faith cook - Panhandle State
Kate Crowe - UT-Dallas
Ashton Serate- Oklahoma City University
Skylar Rivas - Baker University
Haley Tillson - Oklahoma Baptist University
Hannah Tillson - SW christian University
Mya Symanski - Panhandle State
Reagan Ake - Panhandle State
Kylie Wickersham - UCO
Channing Jones - UCO
Mia Pendleton- Oklahoma Baptist
Madison Hayes - East Central
Keeley Bennett - Southern Nazarene University
Ryan Ackerman - Oklahoma Christian University
Peyton Stimson - Panhandle State
Regan Ake - spelled incorrectly
Shaccid Amor - Panhandle State
Josie Wiley - MACU
Kiley McLemore - Oklahoma Wesleyan


We will continue to share as more players sign! Congratulations to all of our players on this awesome achievement of continuing your academic and athletic endeavors!
‌
Your athletic career is very temporary; character lasts a lifetime. The person you are is far more important than the player. Are you kind, trustworthy, compassionate? Do you help people? Is your word more than just words?
Be someone people respect as an athlete and a person.
-Jon Beck
TOP DRAWER
ECNL HOUSTON EVENT
PLAYER RECOGNITION
COACH'S CORNER
Best,

Skip Thorpe
Technical Director
...and don't forget, to have fun!
-unknown
To help our players pick up soccer terminology quicker during their training sessions and games, coaches have a list of terms they're constantly using. This can also help players when they move between age groups and coaches. If coaches use different words, this may hinder and slow down their development due to the confusion. Unfortunately, we can't do anything about the different accents of our coaches though :)

Here's the terminology we use:

Defensive Terms/Key Words

Pressure the ball
Delay
Be smart
Goal side
Recover
Step
Drop
Shift/Slide
Squeeze/Pinch in

Attacking Terms/Questions

Can you find feet?
Keep the ball moving!
Head Up! Look up!
Can you switch?
Spread out
Can you finish?
Skills! **Meaning decision making**
Can you find space? Where is the space?
Take them on!

Positive Reinforcement

Great Job, Effort, Work!
Perfect!
That was awesome!
Keep it going!
Well Done!

Asking meaningful questions is vital when coaching youth players. Giving them the answers, directing, or telling them what to do, is not the best learning environment. When guiding and asking questions, Celtic coaches use the 5 W's: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. ("How" questions are vital too!)      
Questions can be negative or positive. Its essential questions are always positive when dealing with young players. Here's some examples of the differences. 
Why didn't you pass when I told you? Vs How can you be aware that a teammate is open?     
How could you miss that shot? Vs How can you get your shot lower to be on goal?    
What were you thinking? Vs What could be the other options in that situation?     
How instructions are given is crucial when dealing with young children. Too much info overwhelms them and too little info doesn't give them enough to get started.

Hope this helps and gives an insight in our coaching techniques.

Thanks,

Ryan Trudgian
Asst. Technical Director
Passion Respect Integrity Development  Excellence