Issue: #2.4
June 2013 

Register for Fall Intramural Soccer


Children ages 5-18 interested in playing recreational soccer should register now. Fall teams are forming.  June 30 is cutoff date for registration. 

 

Spring Division Champs

Congratulations goes to the following VSA teams who captured their flights during the spring soccer season:  
  • Boys U14 Villians
  • Boys U16 Force  
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How to Be a Great Sports Parent

by Joel H. Fish
 
Youth sports remain a great place for children to learn life skills such as goal setting, dealing with frustration, discipline, and teamwork. But just because we throw a uniform on a child does not guarantee that he or she will have a positive youth sports experience.   
Coach's Corner
Reaction Drills for Goalkeepers
Want to help your goalies improve  their reaction skills? View this video for ideas  for your next practice.
Soccer Drill: Reaction Drills for Youth Goalkeepers 
Soccer Drill: Reaction Drills for Youth Goalkeepers
 
We Want to Hear From You

VSA values your input and feedback.  As we strive to make VSA one of the best soccer programs in the state, we can't do it alone.

Feel free to contact any of our board members to discuss any concerns, ideas or thoughts you may have regarding the program and/or organization. 
    
Voorhees Memorial Day Classic Attracts Over 220 Teams 
 
VSA hosted its 21st annual travel tournament over Memorial Day weekend despite a cold and wet start.  The four-day tournament has grown considerably over the last two years increasing attendance from 150 teams in 2011 to 222 teams in 2013.

To support the growth, two additional locations were added: Berlin and Marlton, bringing the field count to 23 fields at 7 different venues!
"We also increased the size of our committee to get more people involved and help grow the event," stated Christian Blasberg, Tournament Director.  "This year's tournament would not be as big or as successful without the help of all of those involved including volunteers, coaches, board members, and the committee," added Blasberg.

The event committee also took many of the suggestions received from a 2012 post event survey including starting registration earlier for teams, introducing eCheck-In, expanding the event apparel selection, adding more sponsors and vendors, and including the Philadelphia Union mobile tour and guest player appearances.

Many local businesses and families showed their support through purchasing ads in the event program book as well as various event sponsorships.

The Voorhees Memorial Day Classic remains one of the largest tournaments on the East Coast over Memorial Day weekend and will return in 2014 for its 22nd year.  "I'd like to break our record of over 265 teams in attendance," declares Blasberg, "It will take a lot of work, but it's possible." 

Here are some statistics regarding the event: 
  • 4 days 
  • 6 states (teams represented)  
  • 7 venues 
  • 23 fields 
  • 95 referees
  • 222 teams
  • 465 games
  • 3,250+ players
  • 10,000+ attendees

Special thanks to this year's Tournament Committee:

  • Christian Blasberg - Tournament Director
  • Heather Ems - Assistant Tournament Director
  • Lou Shapiro - Assistant Tournament Director
  • Steve Aspinall - Fields & Facilities
  • Mike Tierce - Fields & Facilities
  • Judy Marsden - Program Book
  • Gina Stewart - Program Book
  • Dori Bryson - Vendors
  • Stephanie Krause - Sponsors
  • Ed Eichen - Check-in
  • Ron Filak - Scheduling
  • Bruce Torok - Scheduling
  • Howell Dilks - General Support 
  • Joe Lovallo - Township Liaison 
Change of Heart in the VSA 

Whether you have been part of the VSA for one season or 15 years, you know that the "Heart of the VSA" has always been Hope Doherty. For more than 15 years, Hope has run the administrative offices of the VSA. She has done everything - registration, scheduling, forming teams, ordered uniforms, fielded thousands of emails and calls from all of us - you name it, she has done it. She has done it with tremendous patience, courtesy and professionalism. Everyone at one time or another has likely asked a question to a Board member or coach and received the answer, "I don't know, ask Hope". She never disappointed and always had the answer.

 

The VSA would like to congratulate Hope on becoming a new grandmother! Unfortunately, this great news means that Hope will be moving on and will no longer be working in her position with the VSA. We all wish her the best of luck!

Donna Pallante
joins the VSA Staff
 

 

With Hope's departure, we are pleased to announce that Donna Pallante will be taking over the position this Summer. We

are excited to have Donna's experience, enthusiasm and passion for youth sports. Donna was a long-time VSA board member who served as treasurer, tournament director, travel coach, intramural coach and more. These assets will help us transition and keep the soccer program running well and serving our kids.

 

Please join us in congratulating Hope and welcoming Donna! 


A variety of soccer camps are available for VSA players this summer. And the best thing is they are all in Voorhees!

 

DOTTsoccer Summer Kick Off 

July 15-18, 9am - 12:30pm

Kirkwood Park

$110/player

 

Eastern Girls Soccer Elite Identification 

July 29 - August 1, 8-11am

Eastern High School

$100/player

 

Voorhees CER Soccer Clinic

July 29 - Aug 1, 9am-12pm or 12:30-3:30pm

Voorhees Middle School

$99/player (am or pm session) 

 

Voorhees Soccer Prep

July 22-25, 5:30-7:30pm  

Echelon Complex

$85/player (before July 7)

   

Special Offer for the July 12 Philadelphia Union Match   

VSA is offering its membership a limited number of tickets for the Union's July 12 match against Chivas USA. The Friday night game begins at 7:30pm.  Tickets are $20 each. There are a limited number of tickets available at this price; first come, first serve.

As a bonus, the first 12 VSA players to purchase tickets for the match will have the opportunity to watch pre-gamphiladelphia_union_logoe warm ups from the Union Bench.  (Note we are limiting the benchwarmer opportunity to active VSA players only.)

Anyone interested in purchasing tickets should contact Christian Blasberg at [email protected].

Trainer Highlight:
Hayden Woodworth 

As part of a continuing series VSA will routinely profile one of the top level professional trainers employed here in town. This issue's trainer is Hayden Woodworth. By Jim Schade, Director of Coaching.

 

For those of you lucky enough to have had your child trained by Hayden Woodworth, nothing I say here will heighten how you feel about him. Although very successful at training older teams, Hayden's special abilities make him one of the best I've ever seen at developing young players.

 

Most people know that developing the soccer skills in youth players is the best way to get them to the top. There is no better example of this than Hayden himself. Playing 4 years for soccer powerhouse Messiah would be impressive enough. But add to that, winning 2 national championships and being named National player of the year in his senior year then drafted by DC United, he has certainly seen the top. All that have seen him play have remarked on his superior skill with the ball.

 

As head trainer for the boys U8 travel program, it's these fundamental, necessary skills that he consistently develops in the youth players of our town. The most common question I'm asked by every U8 team is, "Why can't we just keep Hayden as our trainer"? The reason you want him for the U9's is the same reason we need him with every U8 team, he's the best.
Health Series: Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you've been exposed to high temperatures for several days and have become dehydrated.

 

Although heat exhaustion isn't as serious as heat stroke, it isn't something to be taken lightly. Without proper intervention, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs, and even cause death.

 

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Confusion
  • Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea
  • Pale skin
  • Profuse sweating
  • Rapid heartbeat
Treatment for Heat Exhaustion

If you, or anyone else, has symptoms of heat exhaustion, it's essential to immediately get out of the heat and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room. If you can't get inside, try to find the nearest cool and shady place.

Other recommended strategies include:

  • Drink plenty of fluid (avoid caffeine).
  • Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing.
  • Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
  • Apply other cooling measures such as fans or ice towels.

If such measures fail to provide relief within 30 minutes, contact a doctor because untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.

 

After you've recovered from heat exhaustion, you'll probably be more sensitive to high temperatures during the following week. So it's best to avoid hot weather and heavy exercise until your doctor tells you that it's safe to resume your normal activities.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/heat-exhaustion
Voorhees Soccer Association is a 501(c)3 non profit organization serving the Voorhees and Gibbsboro communities. For more information visit www.voorheessoccer.com