Head Coach Report July 2011

Dear Membership,

The second year of Semiahmoo Soccer Clubs new direction is now complete and it gives me great pleasure to announce our clubs programming has continued to make progress. In doing so, Semiahmoo is now recognized as one of the top community clubs in the province, and indeed the country, when it comes to technical programming, facilities and organizational structure. In short, there are fewer better places for your child to participate in soccer, whether it is at beginner, recreational, or competitive levels.

As I did last year, I have prepared a brief summary of some of the tweaks and changes for the purpose of bringing you all up to date. In addition, it allows us to look at whether the Club has or will benefit going forward and gives everyone an opportunity to have some input or raise any questions:

EA Sports BC Premier League

Year 2 saw the most profound achievement in our clubs history as it was awarded an EA Sports BC Premier League franchise. The awarding of the franchise is in recognition of the club's status as one of the best in the country when it comes to providing excellence in technical programming, facilities, and administrative structure. Subsequently, the club (South Fraser) now hosts the highest level of club soccer in the province, meaning that we can now cater to every level of player in the club from recreational to elite. Previously, our clubs (SSC and PASC) elite players had to leave their own community to play at the highest level, but the the awarding of a BCSPL franchise now allows for those players to remain at home along with those of other levels to continue their development. The hard work of the club executives and technical staff in securing one of only 8 franchises in the province is a monumental achievement, and one that ensures a very bright future for all our players and clubs.

Further information on the EA Sports BC Premier League click here.

Coaching Staff
The Club increased the technical staff for our technical program from 3 the previous year to 4 this year. The staff consisted of Mark McQueen, Greg Berry, Chris Johnston and Adrienne Cook/Rod Buckham. This consists of 2 full time outfield staff and 2 goalkeeping staff on the field on a regular basis.

Kristin Heggs continued to work in the gyms with our U5/U6 program which ensured we had professional staff for every level at the club from U5-Adult.

Turf Schedule
The turf schedule remained the same as year 1 in that it allowed teams of similar age groups and abilities to work alongside each other during sessions, developing relationships between coaches, identifying players for developmental opportunities (moving to the next level). This arrangement was viewed very beneficial in providing an excellent player development and player identification environment.

Technical Programming

Technical Development Program (warm up)
Having identified the need for better technical ability in all youth players, this program continued to operate as it had done in year 1. An aspect of Speed Agility and Quickness exists, however the main focus has been to improve technical ability (a topic much publicised after the Canadian Woman's Teams exit from the recent Woman's World Cup). The technical staff continue to view this area as critical to the overall development of our players.

For further insight into the need for continued technical development click here.

Injury Prevention
In cooperation with the University of British Columbia and University of Calgary, Semiahmoo adopted an injury prevention program aimed at reducing the number of serious soccer related injuries within our club. The results of the study are yet to be released, however, initial feedback suggests the outcome was very positive.

U8-U10 Tiered Training
Tiered training sessions for these age groups remained in effect for the second year. A slight adjustment was made from year 1 in that players were tiered into "A" and "B" divisions during game day and training environments. While tiering was in effect, the option of player movement between groups was implemented in order to allow players success within a level appropriate to their stage/level of development. Feedback from coaches, players and parents with respect to this structure was very positive, and the general consensus was that this environment allowed optimal player development especially for the weaker players who were now able to find more success against players of a similar ability.

Professional coaching for every player and coach from U5-U10
As in year 1, every single mini player and coach continued to be impacted/supported on-field weekly by the club technical staff and the club training curriculum. The impact of our coach development program was evident as the training standards of our coaches improved significantly throughout the season. In this sense this program was a massive success and our players benefited significantly. Feedback from coaches and parents regarding this approach was again very positive.

U8, U9, U10 Development Program
The introduction of a U10 Development program in year 1 was increased to the U8 and U9 age groups also. These programs were introduced to serve the appetite of young prospects whom have the desire, motivation, and concentration to participate in higher level programming at a young age. These programs were formed by way of player evaluations. Those not initially selected were monitored and added at a later date once deemed to meet the technical, physical and mental competencies. Once again, the introduction of these new programs were hugely successful and seen as being ahead of the trend as compared to other club environments. It should be noted that these environments are non-competitive and strictly for the purposes of identifying and developing young prospects at the earliest age possible.

U8 Program goes outdoors
It was identified that our U8s would benefit more from training outdoors in the same environment in which they play. This would allow the technical staff to work with coaches and players on a weekly basis. This program remained the same as in year 1.

U7 Program receives technical support
As in year 1, the U7s have been rotating through the turf with the U8s in order to receive technical support. In doing so, the U7s gain some insight into what they can expect the following year and the coaches receive support though our coach development program.

Bronze Programs
Coach Development Clinics were delivered to our Bronze program at the beginning of the season and well attended. Thereafter, fortnightly clinics from November - February for our Bronze groups were run by our professional staff, Kristin Heggs and Rebecca Klien in order to ensure that our Bronze program is well catered to in terms of technical support. Individual team support was also made available and administered whenever requested ensuring our bronze environments receive significant support from the technical program throughout the season.

Professional coaching for every player and coach from U11-U18 Rep
Since the introduction of the Technical Development Program (warm up/injury prevention) in year 1, every single rep player and coach is being impacted by the technical staff. In addition, the usual support remains on the training field.

Goalkeeping Program
As previously mentioned, the goalkeeping program was increased by one from the previous year to provide more support for our club keepers. The new program directed by Chris Johnson, and implemented by Chris, Addrienne Cook and Rod Buckham allowed our goalkeepers up to 2 hours of goalkeeping specific training each week making it one of the top goalkeeping environments in the province.

Coach development for U7-U10
As implemented in year 1, coach development sessions for every coach from U7-U10 continued to take place 3 times per month. Prior to their respective training sessions, all coaches attend a brief clinic where the Club curriculum is delivered to them. The coaches then repeat the session with their own groups.

Rep Coach Feedback
Coach feedback forms have been introduced and distributed to all our rep coaches as a way to assist them with their development. This will be particularly beneficial to coaches looking to progress through their licenses. It should also assist in raising the overall quality of coaching to our players.

Player Report Cards
Player report cards have been introduced and distributed to all coaches at our Club. It is hoped that this will assist all our players with their development. It is also hoped that it will provide our members with more value for their membership.

Player Evaluations Restructured
Year 2 saw a shift in how we evaluate players for selection to select/rep teams. Where previous selections were made on 3 end of season tryouts, the club this year implemented a 7 month player evaluation process that ensured the main evaluation period was from September to April. In doing so, players selected were given a more thorough assessment of their abilities. This was found to be a far more suitable way of assessing players as it related to the criteria for selection.

Coach Interviews Restructured
Carrying on from year 1, interviews for coaching positions were not necessary unless someone wanted to challenge the existing coaching staff. Interviews remained necessary at the U10/U11 levels.

Club Wear Program
The Club Wear Program established in year 1 continues been a massive success with all new members to rep levels now wearing the club brand. Many of our recreational teams are now moving towards the club branding. The Club now has a very professional on field image and all purchases can now be made through the club website from our club store.

Club Academy
The club academy continued to show good numbers and was delivered by the clubs professional staff, Kristin Heggs and Rebecca Klein. Feedback and appetite for this program remains strong among our younger age groups.

Soccer Travel Academy
The Soccer Travel Academy was another massive success in its 2nd season. Rebranding and restructuring of this program saw an increase of 6 teams from year 1. A total of 9 teams signed up for the Soccer Travel Academy, two of which signed up for our Ambassador program consisting of a European trip to London and then Sweden to compete in the Gothia Cup. The remaining teams competed successfully in the Baker Blast and Yakima tournaments in Washington State. The success of this program has put it among the top travel environments on the province.

Whitecaps FC Spring/Summer Camp Partnership
Building on our partnership from Year 1, Semiahmoo and Peace Arch Soccer Clubs were able to support the Whitecaps FC with the biggest summer camp program numbers in the lower mainland. Given the success of the partnership with the Whitecaps, we also implemented a Spring camp for the first time which was also very well attended. We look forward to building on another successful partnership with the Whitecaps FC.

Pre-Season team training programs
This season saw a full program of pre-season camps for our select/rep teams. A maximum number of 8 spots were available last year and all spots were filled by teams ranging from U11 Select to U14 Metro. Another busy pre-season program is anticipated with teams already securing spots in the 2011 program.

Womens Program

Metro Gerella was hired as the head coach for the Womens Select program. Metro came to the club having previously been involved with the Canadian Womens National Programs and various others levels of youth and adult programs.

Employment Opportunities

In consistency with our long term vision, Year 1 saw some of our current players and club coaches experience part time employment in programs such as our summer and spring camps, club academy and our U5/U6 indoor programs. Year 2 saw a slight increase in part time employment opportunities for our youth players and club coaches.


Prepared by Mark McQueen
Head Coach
Semiahmoo Soccer Club