Monday, March 31, 2008

U8 Game Schedule Completed

U8 Boys Coaches:

Game Schedule Completed
I've completed the U8 Game Schedule, and I've added it to my U8 Boys website. The pink column represents the games I've decided to cancel for this coming weekend. I would really like the 9am coaches in the pink column to take responsibility for lining the fields this weekend (that is you Don & Jim). As mentioned earlier, the 9am Home Coaches are responsible for delegating/managing the lining work. We are responsible for PSC 3, 4 & 5, and Venetia B (although it would be nice to take care of Venetia G if you are there).

Field Diagrams & Numbers
Hopefully I'll get a chance to update the field diagrams - so you know where to practice and play games. In the meantime, note that we made sure to label the PSC fields with large "3", "4", and "5" numbers next to each field.

Fields Still Closed
I called the hotline this morning and the fields are still closed. Keep checking the hotline this week.

--Tony

Sunday, March 30, 2008

U8 Spring Soccer to begin... maybe.

U8 Coaches:

Here are my latest thoughts/notes on the Spring season.

Fields still not open
Parks & Rec still has not open the fields for our use. Please stay off of them until you hear the hotline say they are open. We are trying very hard not to destroy our already poorly conditioned fields.

Fields are created and lined
With the help of some great volunteers on Saturday morning, we were able to create all 7 U8 soccer fields (it took 5 hours to get everything completed). Like in the fall, U8 Boys will be assigned PSC U8 fields 3,4 & 5 - and one U8 field (marked with a "B" for Boys) at Venetia.

Games will be delayed 1 week
Our first game will be April 12th. Last game will be May 31st (trophy and picnic day), as originally planned. That is a 7 game schedule. Optionally, I'll let you decide if you want to make up the game originally planned for this coming weekend. Just pick a practice night sometime during the season and have a friendly scrimmage.

I need a few volunteers
I will be out of town this weekend, and a badly need a couple of volunteers to re-line our U8 fields so all of our hard work does not get erased by the weather. It should only take an hour or two if I can get a handful of volunteers. I'd like the work to be done sometime on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Anyone, anyone? Bueller, Beuller?

I should have a full game schedule completed tonight or tomorrow (I keep saying that... sorry).

--Tony

Friday, March 28, 2008

Need Volunteers For U8 Soccer Fields This Weekend

U8 Coaches:

Here is the latest information I have on fields, practices and games. I need volunteers for this weekend. Please email me or call me (412.327.6464) if you have the time to help. It will be greatly appreciated.


Where will we play U8 soccer this Spring?
Unfortunately, we still have not heard back from Parks-N-Rec regarding the availability of the PV space. This puts me in an awkward position since we need to line fields this weekend. I've talked with Pete Chiste and other board members, and we've agreed to go ahead and put 5 U8 fields at the Peterswood Soccer Complex (PSC) and 2 U8 fields at Venetia. This is the same configuration as last fall (however, we'll rotate the fields 90 degrees at PSC).

If PV becomes available we'll address moving all U8 fields at that time (this would allow for PSC rework and rest). I'm hoping we get a response today confirming or denying PV availability. I would hate to have to create U8 fields twice. But for now, I'm assuming PV will not be available to us. I can't hold off any longer.

Will the fields be open next week?
Currently, all fields are closed. It's up to (a) Mother Nature and (b) our Director of Fields to determine availability next week. Keep in mind that it is not uncommon, in the Springtime, for us to have little-to-no-practice before our first games. It's not ideal, but what can we do? Check the hotline if you want to know if they are open or closed.

I need volunteers for this weekend
Ok, I just looked at weather.com and it looks like we will have a window of opportunity to get the U8 fields lined and set up tomorrow (Saturday). I plan on starting at 8am at PSC, and won't stop until all of the fields are complete. The more volunteers, the faster it will go. The work that needs done includes:
  • Measuring & Staking all of the fields (7 total fields).
  • Lining/painting all of the fields.
  • Moving goals into place.
  • Inspecting and repairing any netting issues.
  • Inspecting and placing all goal sand bags.
What will be the practice schedule?
As of today, I plan on keeping the same practice schedule as the fall. New coaches can send me their requests. If we get PV, this will need to change.

What will be the game schedule?
My policy is that I won't build a game schedule until all of the fields are lined and completed. It would be a mistake to create the game schedule not knowing what will happen with the field situation (number of fields, locations, etc). Hopefully I can get the game schedule done on Sunday.

--Tony

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Fwd: E License Clinic

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Manuel Politis <mannygp@comcast.net>
Date: Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Subject: E License Clinic
To: Peter Chiste <pmchiste@hotmail.com>

Commissioners 

I wanted to bring to your attention that there will be a E-license clinic in Pittsburgh on March 29 and April 5th (2 full Saturdays). Please forward to your coaches which may be interested. Signup is at the PA West website:

 




Friday, March 21, 2008

Soccer Fields Not Open

U8 Coaches:

Just a heads up on fields.

As far as I know, Parks & Rec still has not allocated fields to the soccer association. Also, Parks & Rec has not opened the fields.

So, until you hear from me, assume the fields are closed for practices.

Sorry for the delay. This is out of my hands.

It's possible the season will get pushed ahead one week. Stay tuned.

--Tony

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Fwd: FW: Project HOME team

U8 Coaches:

See below for a slight change in Field Lining procedure (from our Fields Coordinator) for this Spring. I've also updated the U8 Coaches Guide.

The Bottom Line: Home Field coaches of the early games are responsible for the coordination and delegation of lining their game day field. They are encouraged to get help, if necessary, from the Visiting Coaches and/or Parents from their respective teams.

--Tony

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Chiste <pmchiste@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Subject: FW: Project HOME team

Commissioners,
 
Please forward to all Coaches.  Dave Vaughan has jotted down Field Guidelines for Coaches re lining fields and corner flags ... please instruct Coaches to adhere to these, as was suggested / discussed at last weeks' Coaches' meeting.

Pete Chiste pmchiste@hotmail.com 724-969-1070 h 412-327-8538 c



Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:50:22 -0400
From: dvaughan15@gmail.com
To: pmchiste@hotmail.com
Subject: Project HOME team


Pete,
 
Please forward to all coaches.
 
Field Guidlines for Coaches
 
To help keep the fields in good shape we have instiuted a HOME team policy.  The HOME team for each given game is responsible for the field they are playing on at that time.  The responsiblites of the HOME team are as follows:
  • First game of the day the Home team coach is responsible to line that field.  If you can't do it before the game then do it Friday night or arrange for the other coach to line the field.  If field liners needed repaired or if more paint is needed please let the field director or I know. dvaughan15@gmail.com 724-207-3911
  • Check the nets and goals.  Portable goals must have a sand bag on them.  Net repair kits will be made aviliable at the fields.  If you see a net that needs repaired then please repair that net.
  • Home field coach is responsible to ensure that the field area is clean after the game.  Please clean up water bottles and other trash and remind the visting team to do the same.
  • Last home team coach of the day should put away the corner flags.
  • Coaches see the field more then anyone elso so please report issues and problems so we can document them and repair the problem.
If you have a Wensday practice and have a parent that is consintelt there then try and encourage them to line the field during practice.  This will make a huge diffrence in the quality of the field lines.
These tasks can be done quickly if they are done weekly and by all the coaches.  These tasks take along time if they are done once a season by two or three volunteers.
--
David N. Vaughan D.M.D
724-207-3911
www.romanvaughan.com

Fwd: Riverhounds are back! Free Exhibition Match April 8th @ USCHS Field - See Flyer

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Chiste <pmchiste@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Subject: Riverhounds are back! Free Exhibition Match April 8th @ USCHS Field - See Flyer

Commissioners,
 
Please forward attached to Coaches / Players.

Pete Chiste pmchiste@hotmail.com 724-969-1070 h 412-327-8538 c

Fwd: Character Counts Program by Tunch Ilkin (former NFL All-Pro & PT Resident

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Chiste <pmchiste@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Subject: Character Counts Program by Tunch Ilkin (former NFL All-Pro & PT Resident

Please forward attached flyer to all Coaches' Players.

Pete Chiste pmchiste@hotmail.com 724-969-1070 h 412-327-8538 c


Subject:
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:38:06 -0400
From: RecreationDirector@peterstownship.com

Hi everyone,

Attached is a flyer for a Character Counts program presenting Tunch Ilkin.  Please get the word out to all of the parents and coaches in the different sports association and any other group you may feel would be interested in hearing him speak.  Let me know if you want copies of the flyer made, I can do that for you. 

Thank you, have a great weekend!

Michele


Thursday, March 13, 2008

Coaches Meeting Notes

U8 Coaches:

Here are my notes that I think are relevant to U8 and not already documented on my U8 Coaches Guide from the coaches meeting last night.

--Tony

Out of Town
I'm going to be out of the country from this weekend to next Wednesday. It's bad timing, so bear with me. I'll try my best to pull everything together on time. I may be able to check my email while I'm gone.

New Teams
I'm still in the process of forming new teams for this Spring. Please be patient as I wait for registrations to come in, and as I try to round up volunteers for coaching.

Practices & Fields
Practices will likely begin March 24th. Please don't prematurely play on the fields, as they have not been opened yet, nor have they been allocated to PTSA. It's possible that part of the Peterswood Soccer Complex and/or Venetia will be shut down for maintenance and repairs. I'll get you information as soon as I receive it.

Games
Games start April 5th, and end May 31 (no games Memorial Day weekend). I'll send out a game schedule as soon as I complete building the new Spring teams. I'm waiting for registrations to come in.

Street Soccer
There will be Street Soccer May 3, 10, and 17. It's basically pick-up soccer for the kids - where the parents let the kids manage everything. More information to come later.

PTSA Annual Coaches Meeting
The annual PTSA Coaches Meeting and 2008-2009 Board Election will be at Bella Piatto Restaurant on June 5th. Please contact Bill Weyers if you have any interest in serving on the Board.

British Camp
The Challenger British Soccer Camp will be July 14-18. Look for more details at ptsoccer.net.

Setting Up the Fields and Nets
I'll be looking for volunteers to help set up the U8 soccer fields. Any help I can get will be appreciated. I need to wait until I hear about field allocation, and from the Fields Coordinator, before we go out and set up all of the fields. Stay tuned.

Background Clearances
Any new coaches need to get Background clearances. See the handout for the coaches meeting for more information.

Photo Day
We will have team Photos taken this Spring. Dates have not been determined.





Fwd: Urgent: Commissioners - Please Forward Again to Your Coaches re Special Soccer Event March 16th @ PT



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Chiste <pmchiste@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Subject: Urgent: Commissioners - Please Forward Again to Your Coaches re Special Soccer Event March 16th @ PT

Commissioners,
 
Please forward this again, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, to all your Coaches for their forwarding to PTSA Member players ... the event coordinator has informed me today that registration for this program is very low and is in jeopardy of being canceled if more participants don't register by this Friday ... note that pre-registration is essential and detail is in the attached flyer.
 
Thanks.
 
Pete Chiste

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
The Peters Township Public Library in conjunction with the PTHS Varsity Boys PIAA Class AAA State Championship Team, is sponsoring a "Soccer Event" to kick-off PTSA's Spring Season. On March 16th at 6:00pm a special airing of the Peters Township v. Downingtown West state championship match will be played on a large screen HDTV in the lobby of the Peters Township Library and youth players (boys and girls) from PTSA's U10 to U15 teams are invited to watch and interact with the varsity players and members of their coaching staff.  Attached is a flyer I'd like you to distribute ASAP to all your coaches (U10 teams and older) via email with a request they send it to all their players.  The flyer has all the details (pre-registration is recommended to reserve a seat).  Also, below is a press release PT Library has sent to the media, with some information as well.
 
Please encourage all your coaches and players to support this program at the PT Library by participating in it on Sunday, March 16th @ 6:00pm ... the event will be fun and instructional and for many in attendance will be great motivation to "step-up" their game so one day in the not too far future, they can play at the varsity or junior varsity or freshman level for a Peters Township High School team.
 
Again details and registration information is in the attached flyer that you can forward with an email.

Pete Chiste pmchiste@hotmail.com 724-969-1070 h 412-327-8538 c
 

Peters Township Public Library
616 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317
724-941-9430       www.ptlibrary.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Headline – Peters Township Kicks Off Spring Soccer Season with the State 
                  Champions



McMurray, PA – March 2, 2008 – Soccer fans and players in Peters Township will kick off the spring soccer season at a special event at the Peters Township Public Library, reliving all the exciting action of Peters Township's victory against Downingtown West in the PIAA Class AAA boys' soccer championship. The match will be shown on the big screen in the library's main lobby, and players from the championship team will attend the program, along with their Coach Bob Dyer.

Younger soccer players age 10 and up from the Peters Township Soccer Association (PTSA,) the township's recreational soccer program, will receive a special invitation to the program through their coaches. Those attending will have an opportunity to meet the team who brought home the gold medals, get their autographs, and see the skills that brought the first championship since 1989 home to Peters Township.

Pete Chiste, President of PTSA, expects a standing room only crowd for this event, calling it "one of the best high school games I've seen ... a very hard fought, high skilled match . (Peters Township) deserved the win as the players' desire was just too much for Downingtown to overcome."

Seating is limited for this special "after hours" program at the Library on Sunday, March 16. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. with showing of the match to begin at 6:00 p.m. You must pre-register to attend this exciting event by Friday, March 14 by visiting the Library's circulation desk or calling 724-941-9430. Please contact Carrie Weaver at caweaver@ptlibrary.org  if you have any questions about this event.

 

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

U8 Rosters

U8 Boys Coaches:

Roster Confirmations
Can everyone please email me their roster. I want to check it with my records.
I'd like to know if any kid quit in the Fall or does not plan to play in the Spring.
I also need to know this for ordering trophies.

Unusually Weak or Strong?
Based on the honor system, please let me know if your team was unusually strong or weak. I'd like to know how good or bad competitiveness was in the Fall. Any comments would be appreciated.

--Tony

Monday, March 10, 2008

Spring U8 Boys Soccer Registrations Still Open

U8 Coaches:

I wanted to pass the word that Spring U8 Soccer Boy Registrations are still open.

If you know anyone that is interested I have room for more kids.

If you like, feel free to pass this on to your parents.

--Tony

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Fwd: PTSA Coaches Meeting: Wednesday, March 12th @ 7:00pm

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Chiste <pmchiste@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Subject: PTSA Coaches Meeting: Wednesday, March 12th @ 7:00pm

Commissioners (and other Board Members),
 
Please inform all Coaches that the Spring Session Coaches meeting will be held:
 

Wednesday, March 12th @ 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Peters Township Community Room (by PT Police Station)

All Coaches (or a designee from their team) are requested to attend.

 

Note the location is not at Peters Township Community Center since the Multipurpose Room was not available.


Pete Chiste pmchiste@hotmail.com 724-969-1070 h 412-327-8538 c

 

p.s. Attached is the Spring Session Information that will be reviewed during the meeting.  Also, a form for Kohl's American Cup festival is attached and applies only to U6, U8 and U10 In-House teams.  Please distribute to all Coaches.

 

p.s.s.  There are still Coaches that have not yet obtained their eKidSafe background clearance check ... they must do so immediately and will not be able to coach practices or games or serve in any PTSA volunteer capacity until they do so.

 

p.s.s.s.   There are still some Board Members that have not yet obtained eKidSafe background clearance check ... they must do so immediately and will not be able to serve in any PTSA Board capacity until they do so. 

p.s.s.s.s.  Information on how to obtain eKidSafe background clearance check is in the attached information piece.


Tuesday, March 04, 2008

2008 Spring Soccer Notes

U8 Boys Coaches:

We had our PTSA meeting last night and I wanted to pass my notes.

I need coaches
I need at least two or three more coaches for this spring. Please pass the word to anyone you know that might be interested. I received a lot of registrations for this Spring and I'm in a bind until I can find some more volunteers. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Coaches Meeting

There will be a Coaches Meeting next Wednesday (March 12th 7pm-9pm) at the old Rec Center near the Police Station.

Field Help
I will need lots of help setting up our fields for this Spring. I would greatly appreciate anyone willing to help.

Other noteworthy items
  • There will be a "Y" Coaching course March 22nd. Let me know if you are interested.
  • The Challenger Soccer Camp will be held July 14-18 this year. More information can be found on our website.
  • It's possible that part of the Soccer Complex will be shut down for renovations. I'm not sure if we will get Venetia again. Stay tuned.
  • There will be a fund raising Golf Outing May 16th. I encourage all of you to participate. More information to follow in the next few weeks.
  • New coaches only need to get the eKidsSafe check (through PA West). Parks and Rec are not forcing us to get both checks moving forward.
  • The soccer picnic is set for May 31st.
--Tony