Hello Gryphon families!

HELLO, FALL SEASON!
The Fall Season is upon us and it is exciting to see all the kids out kicking the ball around, meeting new friends, watching new coaches enjoying the challenge and seasoned coaches having fun with their teams. I love this game and all that comes with this experience of youth soccer. I love when a player realizes they can gain from failures and I love when a kid learns a new move. I smile when I see my own kids work hard, but also when they are just nerding out with their teammates during a water break. I love when a coach asks me to come run a session and getting to meet new kids. But, I really love that I get to share what I love to do with these amazing kids and volunteer coaches.

IT IS NOT GOODBYE
As many of you know, I have started a new travel program called Impact SC. This is a huge undertaking and even though I am still very involved at Sporting Indiana FC Academy and Geist Soccer, I knew I had to step away as Executive Director. My replacement Executive Director was an easy choice because he has been a vital part of helping me grow GASL for the past four seasons. He has the same motivation to create something special, with a positive and player-first approach. Dave Benson has been amazing at this transition and I can not thank him enough for all he has done for the Club. You will still see the same fun and friendly faces around the Club like Justin, Becky, Stacy and Adam. We have our long time Director of Coaching, Matt Mayhew. 

CLUB CULTURE
First, we are proud Members of the Soccer Parenting Association and we take developing a positive culture very seriously. Our biggest rule as a Club is to let the kids play to have fun and learn. We are not here to set an unreasonable expectation that your kid is going to play in the World Cup tomorrow or not get a college scholarship because he or she missed a goal at 8U Rec. As a parent, statistically, it will be YOU that drives your player to quit a sport. Did I scare you, it scared me? Did you know that kids don’t like the car ride home after a game or practice because they are afraid of the parent-coaching. Further, they dislike when a parent will bark instructions during games because they feel that it is not okay to fail in games or practices and that is not fun.

Want your kid to love youth sports?
Here is a list of things your kid needs to have a successful season.

• Positive leaders and parents. They need a positive environment to in order to enjoy playing and learning.
• Cheering or silence from the sidelines, NOT INSTRUCTIONS. Say “Good job!” instead of “kick the ball!” No joysticking please

HAVE FUN!
I hope you see me out on the pitch and stop me to say hello. Soccer really is the most amazing sport in the world and youth players are simply the best part of the game. Please don’t forget to enjoy this time with your amazing kids. Life is too short to spend it yelling at a ref or your player. Dress your kid in their cool uniforms, grab a coffee and sit in your chair enjoying the game.  Congrats on being a soccer parent and I will see you all on the pitch!

Stay awesome!
-Fuzzy