Back again !
While the work recruiting is year round, the months of February through May are the busiest and most hectic as we attempt to have players submit their applications, follow up, get in all their requirements documents and once admitted (if they are admitted), get them to choose Concordia. However, recruiting in the CIS is a bit of a misnomer on occasion. What tools and resources do we have to recruit? What incentive can we offer to get potential student-athletes to choose our school over another? Unlike our neighbors to the south we don't possess the same scholarships funds that we can throw at prospects with the promise of a free education (even though there isn't really the golden ticket of a full ride as many seem to think even within the NCAA). To be quite honest, on a personal note, not sure I would want an athlete whose only motivation for choosing Concordia is based on how much money I will give them or just to play soccer. I tend to lose a bit of interest in a potential player when the first question they ask is "how much can you give me?". Of course I want strong soccer players, but I want the right individuals, someone who will succeed academically, who will invest time and energy over their 3 or 4 years at Concordia helping make our soccer program a sustainable successful team over time. Our best selling point is being able to meet the academic needs of a potential student athlete, provide them an enriching positive and competitive soccer environment and all the support that can help them achieve success in both. We spend time, building a relationship with potential players, hoping to show them what Concordia can offer them as a total student-athlete experience, and sometimes, after all our efforts, a player chooses another school for reasons we truly can't understand. We recently announced the signing of 3 new players for 2014-2015 and hopefully more will be announced in the coming weeks ( I am confident it will be the case) and I am excited at the prospects of our team for next fall.
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Our winter season has come to a close and all the remains with the 2013-2014 Stingers is our annual athletics banquet on April 14th.
I will now have 4 months to think about what worked and didn't, focus on finalizing recruiting, and planning out the fall season. I have set high expectations for myself for the 2014 season and I will place those same high expectations on my team. We will have a solid returning core group of players and all indications are that we will add some quality at all the positions. The most important thing will be how we can create a positive competitive environment right from the start of training camp and have it carry over to our preseason games and once we start the league. My goal is to have the hardest working, best prepared and most committed group of athletes which will help us be competitive each and every game. We have a plan and a vision, now we have to get buy in from the players. If you are reading this, visit our website over the next few weeks, I hope to announce some Letter of Intent signings. stay tuned So much time has passed and so much to write about not sure where to start... well like a TV show that says, previously on .....
We finished off our outdoor season with two ties including one against McGill at their field which was great. During CIS nationals in November, we held our first tryout camp for the 2011 FISU games and we had 39 athletes attend which is a 50% boost from when we started the process for the last games.... seems that the visibility of the team and the interest to be part of it has grown. We started indoor in January and through 4 games we have a record of 2W, 1L , 1T. Most notable I would say was the tie vs UQAM (2-2) when we played almost 40 minutes with a player short and actually scored our 2 goals during this time... and then we followed it up with a 3-2 win vs. Laval, only the 2nd time in 15 years that Concordia has between Laval at any level of competition. There seems to be a change happening with the mind-set of the players and while there is still lots of work to do, we can obviously see that the level of competitiveness and expectation has changed and players are willing to put in the time and compete to earn their playing time. Hopefully this isn't a blip and will continue on. We continue to work hard on recruiting although I am foregoing my annual trip to B.C. and focusing more on Quebec based players but we have gotten interest from players from a different areas. As of today, we actually have already gotten 9 applications from out of province players plus about 6 from local.... I will try and be more regular in posting... we play McGill this weekend so I will see my mood after the game Ok ok so I haven't keeping up with my posts and maybe it was a little frustration with the lack of results but I am back and well with good reason, I think :-)
It took us until game 7 and 8 to finally get some wins but two wins it is! Back to back shut outs and although I am biased, fairly solid efforts. The team found a way to grind out results this weekend. Friday was a fun evening as we put our first win in the books. A game that was maybe tougher than it should have been but the atmosphere was great as due to the women's hockey tourney taking place there were a number of other Stinger athletes (and students I guess) on sit who came out to provide fairly vocal support. Both teams had chances and we finally got a goal with 20 minutes left and were able to hold on for the win. Funny who just one win, no matter against whom can chance the dynamic of the group. There was relief, happiness and excitement at finally being able to leave the field with the full 3 points. White UQTR has struggled like us this fall, they turned around and ties Laval 2-2 on Sunday (who had previously tied Sherbrooke and beaten Montreal ) which makes us wonder just what might be possible down the stretch. Sunday was a different day, our game was pushed back to 6:30 pm due to a rescheduled football game caused by severe flooding in the Sherbrooke - Lennoxville area. I think we were able to impose oruselves much more. Aside a couple of scary moments, I think defensively we kept Bishops in check and didn't allow them any real chances. Again it took a while but finally we scored at the 70th minute off a break created directly from our goalie. The elusive 2nd goal came just 4 minutes later from a penalty shot awarded to us. So 2 games, 2 wins, 0 goals against.. something to build on.. just hope the next two weeks doe After 4 days of tryouts and training, we named our final roster and played 3 games in 3 days. As always, there were some nice surprises and disappointments throughout the week.
I will return to give more details about the games themselves but I will say that for the most part, the team looks much improved over last year and we should be quite competitive this fall. While we didn't add many new players, those we did will certainly have an impact on our style of play and our success. As always you can track the results via the Stingers website at www.stingers.ca but I will summarize to say that our results were.... vs Guelph, tie 3-3 vs Trent win 1-0 vs Trant loss 1-0 Most importantly, we were able to get many players on teh field during these games and it allowed us to evaluate where we are starting from. This week, we are off to Hamilton for 3 games vs Ontario based teams. W The first of preseason games are now upon us. As has become the custom, we after the completion of the open tryouts portion of our training camp, we try and welcome a few out of province teams at Concordia for some preseason play. Back a few years ago, we actually formalized the event calling it the Stinger Challenge and had quite a number of teams.. with a peak of 9 women's teams and 6 men's teams in 2006. However it just go too complicated to run that I was busier organizing the event than actually getting to coach my team.
So after downsizing we try and bring a couple of teams for the games. Tonight (Friday) we play Guelph and then Saturday / Sunday we play back to back vs Trent. This will gives us a chance to see how the team can compete against live opposition, especially vs teams who like us are preparing for their seasons and therefore might have players fighting for spots. I just enjoy the start of games, as before we actually getting started, all is possible. to follow...... Well here we are on Aug. 16th and the start of a new soccer season. When I coaches club I always enjoyed the arrival of spring, the smell of freshly cut grass as we got the soccer season underway. Well now, I coach in the late summer and fall so I look forward to no rain and above normal temperatures, plus we most of my soccer coaching now done on turf, the whole nice smell of grass is no longer relevant.
In any case, as I enter my 9th season at Concordia, I still get the optimistic feeling that anything is possible. I enjoy looking forward to the first few training sessions, watching how our new recruits react to starting university soccer and how our returning players might have improved since the last season. Looking beyond the results, last year was a very positive experience as I watched a group of players really come together of the course of the fall season and into the winter semester. The quality of play was an upgrade but more importantly everyone seemed to be committed to the process of building somewhat significant for Stingers soccer. Of course, like happens every year, there will be changes to the squad, some graduated, some left and some...well will be asked to look for something else to fill their time with...harsh I know but such is reality of varsity sport. The biggest change will be in nets, both goalies, both 4th year players have graduated and moved on and as such comes the close of one era. Both brought something to the program in their 4 years but Fanny's contribution's went far beyond the soccer with all that she accomplished. She proved that you can be very successful in both school and athletics at the university level and even went beyond that. A new year starts and with it, a whole new set of stories, experiences, joys and disappointments. Well here we are in mid-March and the current varsity soccer year is slowly winding down. My best intentions of giving regular updates throughout the indoor season when up in smoke. We completed the competitive portion of our winter semester schedule with a really tough loss in the indoor league 1/4 finals. We drew Sherbrooke for the game and played what was probably one of our best efforts against a top 4 club in a few years. After a score loss 1st half, we gave up a goal in the 50th minute but quickly responded with our own pressure and tied the game up about 10 minutes later. The rest of the game was hotly contested and although I am biased, I honestly think had we had most of the play for the majority of the last 20 minutes. The score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation time and as indoor rules dictate we went straight to PKs. (and there are only to be 3). We went down 3-2 in the shoot after being tied 2-2 after 3 shooters each. A great effort, a decent result but once again, a little bit short.
We wind down with a few more practices, a final exhibition game and the year end Stingers banquet. After that, the players will hit the books for their final exams and be off for the summer where hopefully those players eligible to return will use these years growth of the program as motivation to put in the time and effort preparing for next fall. Things are looking up, solid core of young players, a few veterans to lead the way and some very interesting new players potentially on the way. Stay tuned as I will hopefully keep everyone up to date on the recruiting outcome not to mention a few other tidbits of soccer coaching related news. Hi there,
This post is somewhat overdue as I was hoping to post it in the days following our final games. Without getting too much into the details, our final games didn't quite go as we hoped. Instead of two wins we came out with a tie and a disappointing loss. However, we can't fault the players' efforts in the two games, all the improvement that this team underwent was really evident in both of them and with a little luck and timely oppurtunism, the results would have been more favorable. As I have said before, learning to win is a skill like kicking a ball, you have to learn it. As always, there is that short term post season lull, that void that comes after over two months of 5 and 6 days of practices, games, team activities. You miss the routine as much as you appreciate the new found free time. You learn to appreciate being able to relax and focus on other things in your life, but you also miss the interaction with players and other coaches. And of course, life goes on, already recruiting, already planning the winter semester schedule, thinking about possible line ups, which new players I might be able to get to come to Concordia, etc. Tonight I head off to Toronto to attend the CIS nationals. It is always fun to touch base with coaching collegues many of whom I only see once a year. This year with also be a little extra special as I will be able to reconnect with a few of the players from the FISU games team and I am sure there might be some travel down memory lane. As part of the championships, the host commitee has organized a recruiting showcase with 60 Toronto area players attending. Who knows, I might just find a diamond in the rough, or an impact player that could be just what we need at Concordia next fall. I am in contact with quite a few potential players not to mention some local graduating CEGEP players who have contacted me and truth be told, there is no room for all of them, the trick is to identify the recruiting priorities, target the players whol fill those needs and hope to land them at Concordia.... while keeping options open additional players if things fall through. At the same time, with some many players eligible to come back next fall, it is easier to reduce the numbers earlier and honestly tell players that you know just won't add something to your team that maybe it is better to look elsewhere... a huge change from a few past years, when it was about finding as many new players as possible. While I am attending the nationals as an observer, there is work to be done. We have our annual coaches association (of which I am the current president) meetingwhere rule changes, championship format, and other business is discussed and decided on. I am completing my second term as president and will look for a replacement...although apathy may have me return for another two years which all in all, isn't so bad, the work isn't overwhelming. The results at the CIS nationals do have an impact on the team who don't participate. This years results, as always will impact who many team each conference gets next year. AUS will already have two as they are hosting, OUA will also have two as that is there allotment based on the number of teams. Canadawest and Quebec start with one each. The conference from which the winner school comes from, will get a second berth plus their is a rotational berth that is also dependent on the results. Long story made short, Quebec wins or Canadawest wins and we get a second berth, worst thing that could happen is that AUS or OUA win. This gives me the chance to cheer for both U of Montreal and Graham's TWU team hoping they meet in the finals and then really doens't matter who wins, our conference would get two spots. more to follow 12 weeks, 70 something practices, 7 exhibtion games, 12 regular season games, and it all comes to a close for the 2009 season this weekend. In my 8th coaching university, I still find it amazing how quickly the time passes during the varsity competition schedule. Just when it seems that the team is finding its groove, the season comes to a close. The intense nature of the university schedule seems to really forge a unique atmosphere among players and coaches (especially if things are going well) as we spend so much time together throughout the weeks. This year has really been a special one for me personally but also working with this group of players. I have re-found a passion and enjoyment, watching a group of individuals become a team, improve their soccer and create what will be some great friendships. It is also sad in a way in that this weekend will see the end of the varsity careers for 4 athletes who have each completed 4 years with the Stingers. What makes it even more special is that each of these players has been what I consider a great ambassador for the soccer program and 4 individuals that I have truly enjoyed being around. I have watched each of them grow not only as soccer players, but more importantly grow as people. These 4 will be missed.. and being very honest, we can't always say that about every player that crosses our path. Time always matches on and while this was a special group, the reality is that after this weekend, this group will be no more and we as coaches will need to work to move forward with the remaining players while hopefully keeping the same chemistry, vibe and attitude among the team while adding new faces.
In terms of this weekend's games, well every coach hopes to finish out a season playing for something... and luckily we get that chance. We are currently sitting in 6th place with a record of 3W-9L, with a chance to move to 5th. That placement would certainly be a improvement over last year when we finished 7th having only won 1 game and tied 2. UQTR is right above us 2 points ahead and a win tonight against them, would vault us into 5th place. Two wins this weekend, would give us 5 which would be the highest total in 4 years (we had 4 wins and a tie in 2007). Now for some, saying we got 5 wins might seem like "what is the big deal" but when you are trying to rebuild you look for signs of progress, for concrete proof that you are moving forward and improving and to finish 5-9 in a solid 5th place would be a big step...especially when we consider the # of players who can return next fall. It is hard to see all the hard work that this group has put in and to witness the steady improvement and then have to wait until next fall to hopefully see the results but that is coaching at the university level, you coach for the short-term but build for the future. GO STINGERS ! |
AuthorAfter many years of coaching at various levels and with different teams, I thought I would share some of my experiences and thoughts about coaching. Archives
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