August 6, 2010
To: Coaches, players, and parents of
CFYSC and Dynamos teams
From: Olivier Finidori, Director of Training.
Written and edited by Jim Walker
SUMMER CAMPS
IT’S SELECT TIME!
Next week is the biggest of the Dynamos Summer Camps program, the Select Camp, bringing together the most advanced players, some 200 of them, and the finest training staff, for five days of double sessions. and later in the week the Goalkeeper Camp, which helps enliven activities at Dyess Park. “A staff of top-class coaches, awesome hard-working assistants, great players and friendly families, beautiful cool weather,” mused Director of Training Olivier Finidori, perhaps misplacing the word “cool,” who added: “Everything is in place for a great week.” The all-star cast of trainers starts with the newest Dynamos employee, Head Trainer and Technical Director Mark Wilkinson and Dynamos staff of Freeman Turkson, Roland Sikinger, Chris Wells, and Lauren Prewitt. The guest list features veterans Bill McDonald (Strake Jesuit), David Deverteuil (Space City FC), Don Gregory (Southwestern University), Carlos Lessa (Texas United Premier), Andreas Lessa (Texas United Premier), and newcomers Andy Smith (Eclipse Soccer Club), Meagan Reimer (Space City FC), and Lorne Cameron (Houston Baptist University senior player). Stephen Gonzalez, who plays at Schreiner University, will be the camp manager. Assistants, who will be assigned a group to remain with throughout the camp are Dynamos alums Lindsay Griffin, Sanmai Gbandi, Alex Weidenheft, Lauren Trapani, Shelby Jones, Philip Anderson, Derek Brosky, Ryan Garant, and David Lewis.
Goalkeeper Camp
An important adjunct to Select Camp is the Keeper Club’s Goalkeeper Camp, which begins Thurs., Aug. 12 and continues through Sat., Aug. 14. Directed by Jim Walker, the camp this year features the legendary David Benner and Keeper Club alumnus Heather Koudelka as instructors, with assistance from Dynamos and Keeper Club alumni John Kowalczyk and Jonathan Kauffman.
FUNdamental Camp
Finishing up a successful week’s run of FUNdamental Camp were: Austin Davis, Carson Lorch, Conner Morris, Kai Teelucksingh, Max Babineaux, Ryan Boffa, Anthony Chmielewski, Grant Gore, Ethan Haidik, Carter Hilsher, Joshua King, Roberto Larson, Colin McGarity, Everett Owens, Ethan Urrutia, Mitchell Wallace, Will Shelberg, Morgan Greensage, Abby Rodionov, Constance White, Olivia Shadick, Linnea McClendon, Kenley Frazier, Morgan Mcneill, Macy Rockey, Lane White, Allyson Anderson, Michaela Nelso, Bailey Peschel, Madison Frazier, Danielle Taylor, Christopher Cabe, Hunter Fritz, Connor Hoffman, Jacob Sustala, Quinn Black, Ian Cormier, Halen frost, Jakob Frost, Matthew Hoffman, Seth Matusalem, Michael McClendon, Mitchell Mulinix, Ian Quintero, Margaret Denena, Lauren Lathrop, Shanley Mullenax, and Nathaniel Lira.
Worried About Weather?
If doubtful about weather conditions, parents of boys and girls attending Dynamos Summer Camps should first call the Dynamos weather line, 281-374-7800, and press #4. This will be updated first regarding poor, or dangerous, weather conditions. Director of Training Olivier Finidori and his staff are equipped with the latest technology in storm tracking, lightning detectors, and weather updates. “Camper safety will always be our first and foremost priority,” said Olivier. “Please note that if the message says, ‘fields are open‘, it means the camp is on as scheduled, despite possible poor conditions at your residence.”
WELCOME WILKIE!
After launching his career as a professional trainer in the mid-1990’s with the Dynamos, Mark (Wilkie) Wilkinson departed to hone his trade with several other Houston-area clubs. But through the years, 15 of them to be exact, the genial Scotsman loyally returned to the fields of the Dynamos to work summer camps. This past week, Dynamos coaches, parents, and players opened their arms to him as the new Head Trainer and Technical Director. “Once more, we have added to our staff a top class trainer and a great guy,” said Director of Training Olivier Finidori. “He is familiar with our program, players, and staff, and a respected figure in the soccer community. He has been a great and loyal friend since he arrived in the United States.” Wilkie will fill an important role for the Dynamos, a position held previously by Marty Espinoza, who died earlier this summer after a long battle with cancer.
The Wilkinson bio:
Played Scottish Junior Football Leagues, Semi-Pro (1985-1994), Newtongrange Star Football Club (1985-1987) and the Arniston Rangers Football Club (1987-1994). He holds a a USSF 'A' License, a USSF 'B' License, USSF National Youth License, and a Scottish Football Association 'C' License. Mark was most recently a Senior Coach with the Albion Hurricanes here in Houston, 2006-2010. He also was Director of Coaching for Seniors at the Texas Rush Soccer Club (2005-2006). He has coached with Xtreme Soccer Club (2000-2005), Woodlands Elite (1998-2000), and Boss Soccer Club (1994-1998). Since 2002, he has served as a summer camp staff coach with Rice University (since 2002). Mark has affiliations with the US Soccer Coaches Organization and United States Soccer Federation.
THE BUZZ
Showing up unannounced at last Monday’s Summer Fitness and Technical Program session at Dyess Park was Lt. Carolyn Kenaley, a former Dynamos’ player who will be a senior midfielder at Virginia Military Institute this fall. Carolyn, who will serve in the U. S. Navy upon graduation next year, led the group in stretching and remained for the rest of the session. . .Summer fitness coaches Aleks Alanis and Jim Walker surprised attendees with a pizza party when the program ended last Thursday. The players were also surprised they weren’t asked to run dreaded “70‘s“ in the 100-degree heat, but found the runs demanded by coaches in the 45-minute conditioned full-field scrimmage were nearly as demanding. . .Houston’s primary soccer voice, multi-media soccer personality Glenn Davis, holds forth weekly on his popular talk show on AM Radio 790 about international, national, and local soccer news. Check out his website at www.glenndavissoccer.com for a schedule of appearances and insightful World Cup commentary. . .If you have news or photos, for the Coaches Memo, or for The Buzz, email JWalker332@aol.com.
GARDNER HONORED
Paul Gardner, who has written more than a thousand columns for Soccer America, and has covered American soccer for England’s World Soccer magazine since 1973, will receive the 2010 Colin Jose Media Award by the National Soccer Hall of Fame and be inducted Aug. 10 at the New Meadowlands Stadium. Gardner’s start as a full-time free-lance journalist coincided with the emergence of American pro soccer in the late 1960s and he has since covered soccer for publications on both sides of the Atlantic. In explaining why soccer cast some sort of spell over him, Gardner has written: “I find in soccer what I have found in life: unpredictability, constant surprises, and a fascinating contrariness. It is an activity that suggests it has a mind of its own, one that will tease and disappoint as much as it rewards. A little world where players don’t do things you were quite certain they would do, and other players do things you never thought they were capable of. A world where planning goes astray and experts are repeatedly confounded.” Among the many publications for which he has written are Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, USA Today, The New York Daily News, The Sporting News, The Village Voice, The Times (London), The Guardian (London) and The Independent (London). Gardner is known for columns criticizing influences on the game–especially business and coaching--that threaten the beauty of soccer and its fundamental values as entertainment. "Paul is the ultimate 'soccer in-law,'” former Duke University coach John Rennie once said. “He is overly critical, nothing seems to please him and of course he has the only correct opinion about everything. He's never done anything in our sport except sit and watch. I guess that qualifies him as an expert. Having said that, I still read every word he writes.” Gardner has consistently advocated for soccer’s governing bodies to crack down on thuggish play and to reverse the trend of low scoring. Some of his recommendations have been carried out. In 1977, he began urging that the offside rule be changed so an attacker in line with the last defender would be considered onside. FIFA made the change in 1990. FIFA also adopted his suggestions on how refs deliver second yellow cards, requiring numbers on the front of jerseys, and clarifying in its rulebook the ejection of coaches.--From a Soccer America article by Mike Woitalla
A THOUGHT ON COACHING
(Reprinted from August issue of Keeper!)
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
Now hear the word of the Lord.
Toe bone connected to the funny bone,
Foot bone connected to the wish bone,
Leg bone connected to the back bone
With apologies to the traditional spiritual, we’ll proclaim right now that we’ve found boys and girls carrying those three extra kinds of bones--funny bone, wishbone, and backbone. The funny bone enables them to enjoy a laugh, even at one’s own expense. The wishbone inspires forward thinking, setting goals high and fostering dreams and ambitions. And the backbone, well, that’s what a boy or girl needs to get up and go to work and make all those dreams come true. We were fortunate this summer to associate with more than 30 players who proved over ten weeks that they indeed possess all three. Sometimes their moan and groan bones showed, too, but mostly the funny bone prevailed and they laughed a lot. Sometimes they hankered for less running and more popsicles, but spurred by their wishbone, tired bones showed up early and stayed late for conditioning that worked. And as for backbone, well, when the going got tough, these marvelous athletes turned it up a notch. Not a quit bone among ‘em. Thanks to all who made the summer fitness program a great place to be three times a week. The “Honor Roll“ of players who attended a healthy amount of the summer‘s fitness sessions: Patty Walrath, Jonathan Kauffman, Kevin Hobart, Sabrina Pasier, Calvin Anderson, Jessica Lykins, Ashley Coil, Michael Ferioli, Clark Kauffman, Judah Craft, Ricky Cary, Kacie Cardenas, Stephanie Thetford, Taylor Hutcheson, Monique Hutcheson, Stephen Sorensen, Jimmy Meyer, Mark Glen, Delaney Reynolds, Kylie Austin, Chase McLaughlin, Alexia Segovia, Oscar Barron, Kacie Paine, Delaney Reynolds, Olivia Urrutia, Savannah Mallon, Kylie Austin, Ricky Cary, Joey Ferrante, Kaylee Barrett, Gabe Naudin, Alexis Ledesma, Cesar Barron, Daniel Cooper, Brady Clark, and Emma Urrutia.--Jim Walker
ANOTHER THOUGHT
“Brian Ching has raised $50,000 of the $75,000 he committed to a Habitat for Humanity home--‘The House that Ching Built.’ He’s hoping to begin construction in October. His interest in the project began last year when he was asked to do a public service announcement for the Houston chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He met some of the families Habitat had helped, and was moved to become involved. ‘I saw the impact they’re having on people,’ he said. ‘This program is not a handout. It’s a helping hand. These families are hardworking, deserving families in need of a helping hand. I’m looking to give them a little boost.’ Brad Davis‘ most recent fundraising effort was called Brad‘s Brigade, which raised money to buy tickets for military families. He has hosted military members at every Dynamo home game since the team arrived in 2006.” --David Justice, Houston Chronicle
IT’S ONLY FAIR
Ever since the World Cup, Coach Cy Fair has been running on South Africa time. You usually pass failure on your way to success, Coach Flo told her players.