Hello MIFC Families,

I had the pleasure a couple of weeks ago of volunteering as a field monitor at our EYSA season ending jamboree for our U8-U10 age groups. It was one of the most weather challenged days I can remember in all of my days on the soccer pitch. It made setting up temporary goals, helping teams get to the right field and organizing the chaos due the deluge of rain even more difficult than normal. By the end of the day I would change rain jackets, rain pants and shoes 3 times.

Games had to be cancelled, delayed and shortened on the fly due to lightning in the morning but everyone involved, including players, families, referees and coaches did the best they could to accommodate the changing conditions. By the time the afternoon games rolled around the sun was peeking out and everyone was having a good time including the kids in the flooded grass field who decided to make it a makeshift wading pool! Then as the final games of the weekend and season each ended there were high-fives, final team pictures with coaches and post-game treats. As I packed up the goals after the games I reflected on what a fun afternoon I had watching the joy and how quickly the time had passed. I've posted a photo from the event below.

The following week we had our fall club meeting where I had the task of running our meeting and helping to celebrate our seniors, coaches and outgoing board members. My favorite part of these events are when we get to recognize senior players who have ended their youth careers with the club. Without fail there are funny moments and tears (of joy) as the coaches recount the tales of their years with the players and how much fun they realized they had together. The players sit together and laugh and perhaps reflect a bit on how worthwhile the experience has been for them.

As I reflect on both of these experiences I realize how lucky we are to have this club. In the span of two weekends I was able to see players and families just starting their youth soccer journeys and those that are ending their journeys. These experiences are why I love sports and in particular, youth soccer. These are experiences that coaches, players, parents, referees and volunteers can all enjoy in different ways. I hope what we do at MIFC helps you feel this way.

Finally, I would like to encourage you all to read the profile of one of our past players who I have had the pleasure to coach and become friends with, Mohamad Imran. His story is unbelievable and his determination is inspiring. Please take a minute to read it.

The board wishes all of you a safe and happy holiday season.

See you on the pitch, and please be sure to complete our annual survey linked below!

Greg Snyder

MIFC Board President

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MIFC Annual Survey

Dear MIFC Families,

Thank you for participating in the Mercer Island Football Club in the fall season we just completed. We welcome feedback (good and bad!) to help us make our soccer programs even better. To that end, please take a few minutes to complete the short survey linked here.

Thank you,

Greg Snyder, MIFC Board President

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Upcoming MIFC Winter Programs!

Coming up are MIFC's Winter Sharpness and Parent Camp as well as Winter/Spring Juniors programs. Keep an eye out for those announcements. As always, for more information on MIFC's year-round soccer program offerings please visit the MIFC website at www.mifc.org and go to the Programs tab, or go directly to the registration page at Register Now! 

Mohamad Imran

Please visit the link below to read the story of Mohamad Imran, a refugee from Myanmar who was relocated to the United States with a foster home here on Mercer Island in 2016. Since his arrival, Mohamad has become a beloved member of the greater Mercer Island community, including playing at MIFC for several years, and now finds himself looking for support to relocate the rest of his remaining family. Please consider supporting this worthy cause with a donation today.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-our-journey-help-settle-my-refugee-family