EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS TEAM SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
New Staff, New Structure, New Initiatives
With the 2008-09 season right around the corner there is a buzz around the office, the fields and the community. The buzz around the office is one of excitement as the club is anxious to implement new staff, structure, programs and communication for the upcoming soccer year! The buzz around the fields and community is one of excitement but also a bit of caution and skepticism to see if all the new initiatives come to pass.
"Our goal is to create a atmosphere where the players come first!" says Technical Director Kevin Darcy. "If we make all of our decisions with that in mind and outwork all of the other clubs in the area our product will be second to none and the players will have a tremendous experience." The CUFC board of directors has taken the steps to identify and bring on some of the top soccer people in the region to develop the players and teams and the product is beginning to show that. "There have always been quality players and teams within the Chesterfield Club. The difference now is there will be many more across the board that get to the next level. We are working daily to implement new ways to challenge the player’s technical abilities and tactical outlook on the game. Most of all we want to teach hard work, respect and integrity which will hopefully stay with them in everyday life."
Former Director of Coaching, Joe Farrell, now heads up the U9-U12 Academy programs and will set the tone for development of the players. Martin Dell brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club and will serve as our Director of Player Development for the U13-U18 girls program. Former professional player, Cristian Neagu, will work as the Director of Player Development for the boys U13-U18 program and Kladji Lika will serve as the Recreational League Director of Player Development. "The staff is excited to implement our new programs for the full 2008-09 soccer year. We are fortunate to have such an experienced staff that understands player development and what programs are essential to enhance the players experience. We are committed to our three essential areas of player development, recreational leagues and our travel program and are tying them all together." Kevin Darcy.
The club has also added a senior staff of coaches that will utilize their strengths and experiences to focus on certain aspects of the game. The senior staff will include coaches such as Greg Simmonds (boys technical assistant) as well as newcomers Mary McKenzie Greir (girls technical assistant) and Director of Goalkeeping Naci Bigelturk. "The senior staff coaches will circulate throughout the teams and add technical assistance to the players and support the coaching staff. I think it is great to add a high level female player and coach to our staff that can identify with our female players and serve as a positive role model." Mary is a former D1 player at William & Mary and currently plays in the USL’s W-League for the Richmond Kickers Destiny. Naci is a former professional goalkeeper in Turkey and has coached State Championship High School teams as well as club teams in Northern Virginia. Greg has been with the club in the past and has playing experience in the MLS, the USL’s A League as well as the Jamaican National team.
CUFC is adding a United Development Program (UDP) for advanced recreational players to take the place of the "Pre-Select" program as well as Coerver training and an upscale Speed and Conditioning program. For the high school age players their will be a "College Prep" program which will include player profiles, college friendlies, showcase tournaments, Pro-game match analysis as well as direction from a college advisory board of coaches. "We are committed to helping players get into college programs and have designed the proper path for them to take." says Martin Dell. "With the contacts that our technical and senior staff have established, we can definitely help players that are capable of playing at the next level."
The club will also be releasing an annual event schedule that will lay-out the 2008-09 soccer year for all teams. This event schedule will include the leagues, tournaments and special events that we will participate in and assist the families with advanced planning. "Along with putting the players first, we feel the most important initiative for our club is a more efficient communication mechanism. The CUFC families deserve to know what we are planning and thinking so they can plan things accordingly. This event schedule will be a great step to assist with that." The club has also been working on a new look website that will provide a fresh look and will make accessing information much easier. "Many of the problems we have encountered are a result of inefficient communication. We are committed to changing that and are confident that the new website will be a big help in the process." Kevin Darcy
