Fall soccer is in the air.  Yea!  A great time of the year for kids, parents and grand parents.  We are excited about this year’s fall season.  We have coaches that are excited about working with our youth and kids who want to learn how to play the game better.  A great combination.  The Paola Soccer Board is also planning on continuing our commitment to our coaches and players from U8 – U14 with the Paola Soccer Academy.  If you hadn't heard, the Academy we piloted a number of years ago was brought back with more emphasis and opportunity.  We hired an experienced soccer player/teacher/coach to work with the U8 – 14’s each week.   For a session each week, he/she leads all teams of the same age group through ball technique skills and drills.  Each coach has his/her players come to one location and have that practice run by the club’s academy instructor and then follow that up with their own team practice on a different night of the week.  This allows for all players to be exposed to the same skills and techniques that they should be learning at their age and skill level.  Each coach will be able to assist their players and also learn or see new skills and techniques themselves.  The Board is excited about continuing this.

2008 Paola Soccer has experienced a renewed excitement and dedication from among our Board Members, advisors, parents and players.  From U-6 to U-19 and the PHS soccer team, we are excited about this great sport.  Derci Pinto, who heads up the Paola Soccer Academy, has teamed up with Jose Perez to work with the high school aged kids to improve their soccer technique and tactical awareness.  They meet Monday and Thursday nights at 6pm at the Cottonwood practice field.  The only cost involved is for tournaments.  Contact Jose at 913-207-3269.  Jorge Torres and Xavier Sagal have started a new program for the 8 - 13 year olds.  Called the Player Development Academy, they meet Thursday nights from 6 – 8pm on the Sunflower practice field to work on basic to intermediate soccer skills and fun.  Cost is $55 per month.  For more information contact Jorge Torres at 816-739-6475.  Some consider this our club camp - but it's more and it will continue year round.  We thank Jorge and Xavier for their commitment to youth soccer.  Open all play pick up soccer is up and running again.  Sunday and Wednesday nights on the Sunflower practice field from 6:30 – 8pm.  Come with water and ready to have fun.  All ages are welcome to play.  Lots of room to spread out and breakout into groups for the nights that a big crowd shows up.

Thank you for your involvement.  We are open for new energy.  If you are looking forward to the season and would love to help during it, please so not hesitate to contact me or any board member personally or through the web site.

John Freeman
President,
Paola Soccer Club