Livingston Youth Soccer Association

Final touches to Phase 1 of the Northside Park and Soccer Fields Project are being completed this week. In addition to the 22 evergreen trees – Ponderosa Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce and Austrian Pine – that were planted this summer,  26 deciduous trees, including varieties such as Poplars, Red Maples, Burr Oaks, Ash and Flowering Crab-apples, have been installed. On Friday, October 15^th, members of the Livingston Rotary Club helped plant one of the final trees to be installed, a Crabapple. With the assistance of the Rotary’s $1500 tree sponsorship, the Northside Park and Soccer Fields project is that much closer to fulfilling its motto “People, Parks and Pathways”.

Phase 1 of the construction for NSPSF – which includes over 7.5 acres of new green space and grass, the south parking lot, a cement pathway along the west side, over 50 trees, picnic tables, benches and allowance for the placement of two soccer fields – is now complete. A capital campaign is now in full force to raise the $600,000 -$700,000 needed for Phase 2, which includes over 7.5 more acres of park and green space development, more trees, picnic tables and benches, a pathway that traverses the park, room for a third soccer field, the west parking lot and site preparation for a support building and east parking lot. All of this completes the goal for converting the 18 acres of city land into park space. Area residents are encouraged to go to the Park and see for themselves how NSPSF will be a wonderful asset to the Livingston community as a whole. While the pathway is open for use, the grass areas are at a critical growth stage and people are asked to refrain from walking on the grass until the Park officially opens in August 2011.

The NSPSF Project is a collaborative effort between the City of Livingston and LYSA. In August 2011 and after the Grand Opening, the Park will be accessible to everyone. For more information about the NSPSF Project visit www.livingstonyouthsoccer.org or contact Jeff Dickerson at (406) 220-3011 or jeffdickersondvm@mcn.net. You can also follow the Park progress on Facebook at www.facebook.com/northsideparkandsoccerfields

For the past six weeks 25 Park High School soccer players have mentored 10-11 years old recreational league soccer players. The four week program, not only focuses on helping younger soccer players with their skills but also sharing with them how to prevent injuries, building endurance and what it takes to be a team player. This student athlete mentoring program began in 2006. This program is a collaborative effort between Park High School and the Livingston Youth Soccer Association. Since inception, this program gives students the opportunity to complete potentially 15 of 40 service hours required to graduate from Park High.

While maintaining rigorous school and sometimes work schedules these athletes not only attend soccer practices, but they attend games and help LYSA in other ways. Just recently some of these athletes helped LYSA pick rocks at Livingston’s newest city park – Northside Park and Soccer Fields.

These athletes enjoyed participating in this year’s program so much that they are looking forward to doing it again next year. When asked how things could be different in the coming year, the responses overwhelming included the idea that the program should be longer. These athletes want to spend more time connecting with youth and passing on their love of soccer.

This program is a win-win collaboration and goes full circle – many of the students who started out as “mentees” are now mentoring others. The program though, is not developed overnight. Dedicated parents Barbara Stewart and Amy Titgemeir began planning and organizing back in May. Many hours were spent coordinating the student athletes schedules with the younger soccer players.

Since Northside Park and Soccer Fields are opening in 2011, these athletes were asked how they think the park will benefit Livingston as a community. While the athletes are looking forward to playing on brand new fields, they recognized that being able to host tournaments will help out the local economy. It just goes to show how our younger generation truly is the future of our community.

A huge note of thanks to the over 40 people who showed up Sunday afternoon at the new Northside Park and Soccer Fields Complex to pick up rocks on the field surface! We gathered quite an impressive pile and hopefully that plus a little time and grass growth will assure a nice smooth playing surface. Thank you everyone for your contribution this weekend towards helping make the fields a reality!

DEADLINE EXTENDED TWO WEEKS!

If you and/or your friends missed LYSA Competitive Soccer registration last week, don’t despair!

Competitive soccer registration numbers have been strong, but to make sure we get as many players registered as possible, registration has been extended until Friday, November 19th.

Because of season planning, we cannot accept registrations after the 19th.

Download the required forms below.
2010 Parent Info Letter Final- Oct 2010
LYSA Commitment Agreement doc
LYSA Travel Permission doc
MedicalReleaseForm
Player_Registration_Form

Mail to: LYSA, P.O. Box 556, Livingston MT 59047
Or…
Drop off at: Tim Stevens’ house: 315 N. 3^rd St.

Include: a deposit check ($100), birth certificate copy (does NOT have to be notarized) and a 2×2 player photo.

Scholarships: Scholarships are still available! If you want to be considered for a scholarship, you’ll need to fill out a request form. Please contact Tim Stevens to get one or if you have any other questions.

Fees:
Ages 9-11 (Academy): $200
Ages 11-18: $300
Scholarships are available
Second payment is due Dec 15th

Questions:
Tim Stevens, Competitive Committee Chairperson
222-5148
223-7148- cell
tstevens@npca.org

On Wednesday, September 15th the Livingston Youth Soccer Association and Livingston’s Chamber of Commerce hosted an After-hours social at Northside Park and Soccer Fields. City Commissioner Steve Caldwell, former Commissioner and current State Representative Bob Ebinger, Livingston City Attorney Bruce Becker, former Commissioner Vicki Blakeman, and Livingston Public Works Director Clint Tinsley were present among nearly 60 community members to enjoy a beautiful evening in the park. With great food and beverages and a magnificant view of the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains, a great time was had by all!

Around 5:30pm, Chamber and community members began to arrive and observed in awe the progress of the park and the spectacular view from there. At about 6pm, NSPSF Chairperson and LYSA President Jeff Dickerson welcomed everyone to the park, shared some information about the park’s progress and thanked all of the donors who so generously supported Phase 1. Representing the Livingston Rotary, Club President, Cyndy Rigler presented Jeff Dickerson with a check for $1500 to sponsor a tree in the park. Rotary members will help plant the tree.

Phase 1 of the construction for NSPSF – including over 7.5 acres of new green space and grass, the south parking lot, cement pathway along the west side, over 50 trees, picnic tables, benches, and allowance for the placement of two soccer fields – is complete. A capital campaign is now in full force to raise the $600,000-700,000 needed to build Phase 2, which includes a third soccer field, more trees, picnic tables and benches, a walkway that traverses the park, the west parking lot and site preparation for a support building and east parking lot. All of this completes the goal of converting the last 7.5 acres of city land into park space. In the next six weeks the park will see more trees planted, the park benches installed along the pathway, the west hill construction edges reseeded to native grasses,  erosion mats placed and winter prep for the underground irrigation system. While the pathway is open for use, the grass areas are at a critical growth stage and people are asked to refrain from walking on the grass until the park officially opens in August 2011.

We played two games this Saturday and both went very well. The first game against Stevensville was a good matchup, with each team placing shots on the goal throughout the first half. We tried a new formation to give the kids a different perspective of the game … but it didn’t last long. I quickly found out that I actually weakened the core of our midfield. It was my fault we didn’t win that game, but I feel like at this age it is important to educate the athletes on all aspects of the game. We hung in for an exciting 3-1 loss, that the scores didn’t justify.

Our second game was our best yet this year. We played Missoula Strikers U-12 all boys team. This is one of the most highly respected teams in the league this year. We held them and stood our ground for the first half at 0-0. The second half proved to be a tiring one. The Missoula Strikers passed the ball well. We were also passing well, but of course, our efforts took a lot of energy. We started to tire toward the end of the second half, which I like to see, because it means the athletes were playing hard throughout the entire game. We had a few slips that missoula took advantage of ending the match with a 3-0 loss. We fought for the ball, we obtained it and we protected it well this game. Each one of us made an effort to beat our opponents. We didn’t back down in the face of a good team and that alone takes courage and confidence.

I feel like we are starting to make things happen, work as a team and recognize what is what on the field. GOOD JOB PLAYERS. I am excited for this week of practice.

Coach Matt

Hey folks. The time has come to register for fall recreational soccer. Kids aged 5 to 15 (age on August 1, 2010) are welcome to register. Any 15 year olds that play on the high school team are not eligible. If you register now, and make the high school team later, we’ll refund your money.

Teams have already been created and practices will begin soon. But you can still register. You might not get a jersey; but you will still be able to play a whole season of soccer.

Download the Payment Form, print and fill out one per family.

Download the Registration Form, print and fill out one per player.

Mail to or Drop off:

LYSA
126 South 6th Street
Livingston, MT 59047

Questions: 220-2083

Games: This past weekend was spent in blustery conditions in Billings at the Magic City tournament in the U-17 Gold division. The team had a good tournament – playing to a 0-0 tie against a Canadian team, Swift Current United, before dispatching the Rushmore Soccer Club of South Dakota by a scope of  2-1. We went out at the Semi-final stage – losing to Helena Arsenal 4-2 in a tie that really could have gone either way. We were disappointed to not go further in the tournament – but our co-ed team left with their heads held high after putting in great performances against all-boy Premier level clubs.

Practice: Our practices don’t tend to vary a great deal from a consistent pattern – as we focus on three key areas – decision making, passing and movement off of the ball. Working hard on all three has served us well this season as we continue to rack up wins using those attributes of our game as part of a game that emphasizes possession. Another aspect of our game that we focus on is improving our weaker foot – for all but one of our players that means our left foot. We play a fast, short passing game requiring the player to pass the ball with either foot if the opportunity arises, so a lot of our dribbling or passing drills require that players use both feet. A player comfortable with either foot is a player who can make things happen on the soccer pitch. Keep that in mind when you want to work on your soccer skills.

Hot Shots: Our Girls! Playing a tournament against boys teams in this age-group can be pretty difficult. All of our girls came out with flying colors – holding their own against players much bigger and faster than them. A special shout out needs to go to Lani A. and Kelsey V. who battled all weekend long and made a number of brave interceptions and penetrating passes against opposition that might have thought that they could outmuscle an all-girl center midfield. Well done girls!

Homework: Juggle the ball 5 times with your right foot and then 5 times with your left. Run for 10 minutes (on a machine or outdoors) on days when you don’t have training or competitive matches.

Games:  This weekend our U14 co-ed players competed in the Magic City tournament.  On Saturday (and what a blustery Saturday it was), our team played against two Wyoming opponents.  In the first half of the first game our offense generated numerous attacks on goal: many of which were a brilliant string of passes up, down and across the field.  Our opponents got two lucky goals from one very large and aggressive player.  Matt B. countered by scoring a penalty kick to finish the game at 1-2.  In the second game of the day, the team fought a tough battle against another Wyoming team.  They came up shorthanded, but learned a lot about what role attitude plays in the game of soccer. On Sunday, another hard fought battle that left us just barely at a loss: 1-2.

Practice:  Though our practices regularly address a wide range of tactical and skill based drills and lessons, recently we have been working at going through the ball with the body and making decisions about positioning off the ball.   As a young team, it is important for the players to learn to use their bodies effectively when winning balls and going up against larger players—not only for the sake of gaining possession, but also for winning space.  Also, the players are just beginning to acquire a grounded sense of positions on the field and what each job entails.  This is where positioning off of the ball has become essential to understanding what the most effective choice is for a flank mid-fielder vs. an outside back.  The kids are certainly coming along well in this area.

Hot Shots:  Ari B. was unmatched in soul this weekend.  We talked a lot about passion and playing with heart, regardless of the score, and Ari showed her teammates what this really means.  She went hard to every ball, every time and was tireless out on that field.  Also this weekend Amanda played her position as right back amazingly.  She has been one of the first to really enact the defensive positioning we have been learning and working at diligently.  Last, but not least, Matt B. did a great job at sparking our offense through his quick and smart decision making—his leg was hurting, but he kept on and created several really awesome goal-scoring opportunities.

Homework: Come to practice with a good mindset.  Be ready to work hard and improve.  Attitude is everything!