Training update...

Everyone, please continue to follow the small-group training schedule below until further notice. AND if you cannot make a session and know this ahead of time, contact Mr. Robinson or Malefyt so we can plug someone else in your time slot!

Good job this past week to everyone who participated. Keep it up!

OFFICIAL small-group training schedule:

Be aware that we start with this training next Tuesday (1/19) and Thursday (1/20) on the balcony of the middle school gym. In addition, Mondays and Wednesdays are for general conditioning from 3-4 P.M. and anyone is welcome to participate.

PS: Zach Beyer, Zach Driesenga, Deban Scholten, and Shannon Blourne are "alternates", so if any of you happen to NOT be able to make a session, either see one of them or me (or both) well enough beforehand and we can fit one of them in your slot!

Tuesdays (3:00-3:30):
_________________Sarah Baker___________________________
________________Jenna Brunger____________________________
________________Joslyn Blood____________________________
____________________Carley Geurink________________________

Tuesdays (3:00-3:30):
__________________Frannie Steele (GK)__________________________
___________________Kelsey Whitcomb (GK)_________________________
________________Emily Grady____________________________
________________Sidney Grady____________________________

Tuesdays (3:30-4:00):
___________________Brittany Holyfield_________________________
_______________________Chelsea Adkins_____________________
_______________________Justin Blacklock_____________________
____________________Dylan Guillozet________________________

Tuesdays (3:30-4:00):
_____________________Travis Williams_______________________
___________________Kray Freestone_________________________
____________________Shelby Reaume________________________
____________________Josh Brigham (GK)________________________
(alternate: Zach Beyer)

Thursdays (3:00-3:30):
__________________Tyler Immink__________________________
_______________________Aaron Polet_____________________
____________________Brittany Holyfield________________________
______________________Heidi Mihm ______________________

Thursdays (3:00-3:30):
_______________________Sarah Baker_____________________
_____________________Jenna Brunger_______________________
_____________________Sidney Grady_______________________
_____________________Emily Grady_______________________

Thursdays (3:30-4:00):
___________________Shannon Blourne_________________________
___________________Chelsea Adkins_________________________
_____________________Shelby Reaume_______________________
______________________Josh Brigham (GK)______________________

Training SIGN-UP

We're still looking for players who are interested in small-group training sessions.

SIGN UP on the back of Mr. Robinson's classroom door ASAP!

Remember, the weekly training schedule officially start on Monday, Jan. 18.

Take care, everyone.

OFFICIAL post-break training

Ok, folks. Here it is: beginning on Monday, Jan. 18, we (Coach Malefyt and Robinson) will be having the following weekly training schedule at the middle school upper balcony level until further notice...

**Mondays and Wednesdays (3-4 P.M.) = conditioning for both sexes and for any number of players

**Tuesdays and Thursdays (3-4 P.M.) = small-group training sessions (SIGN-UP SHEET GROUPS OF 4 AND TIMES IS LOCATED ON COACH ROBINSON'S DOOR...FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!)

Fridays = off

Please contact Robinson or Malefyt for any questions, concerns, etc.

Hope to see a lot of you out for training!

After-break training...

First, I hope the holiday break is treating everyone well thus far! It was good seeing a number of you out for the 5 v. 5 soccer tournament today. Keep taking any opportunity to simply play! And have fun doing it.

Regarding training (skill work AND conditioning) for after our break, please stay tuned for a SPECIFIC announcement on this site regarding the times and places. Coach Malefyt is checking on the exact availability of the middle school upper balcony for January on, so nothing is official at this point.

Tentatively plan on the following weekly schedule though:

**Mondays and Wednesdays: conditioning at the middle school from 3 to 4 PM (for anyone interested, no matter the number of players)

**Tuesdays and Thursdays: small group skill work at the middle school from 3 to 4 PM (for sign-ups only)

**Fridays = off

More later!

Take care, everyone.

Small-group training for next week...

...Dec. 14-18. MONDAY and THURSDAY

3:00-3:30: Sydney Grady, Joslyn Blood, Sarah Baker, Jenna Brunger

3:30-4:00: Aaron Polet, Dylan Guillozet, Chelsea Adkins, Kassi Aalderink

4:00-4:30: Emily Grady, Shelby Reaume, Tyler Immink, Deban Scholten

4:30-5:00: Niki Deneef, Carley Geurink, Dani Klein, Travis Williams (?)

We'll meet in my room. Be warmed up, stretched, and ready to hop right into skill work training!

Please see me with questions/concerns.

4-person skill training...

...for next week (Dec. 7-11)

Monday and Thursday:

*250-330 PM = Sydney Grady, Joslyn Blood, Sarah Baker, Jenna Brunger

*330-4 PM = Aaron Polet, Dylan Guillozet, Chelsea Adkins, Kassi Aalderink

*4-430 PM = Shelby Reaume, Emily Grady...??

We'll meet in the carpeted area just above the cafeteria. Have indoor wear on...and be on time! Also, the latter two groups should be warmed up, stretched, and ready to jump right into training at the scheduled times above.

See you soon!

OFF SEASON TRAINING

Gentlemen, anyone who's interested in a bit of off season (non-summer), small group ball work and training, please let me know when you get a chance. I will be coaching JV girls soccer come early March so any time you'd like to schedule something beforehand, i'm here to help.

Also, don't forget to sign up for the winter break 5 v. 5 tournament if you're interested.

Get a hold of me! And remember: the off season is when real players are made.

Good luck to all of you playing a winter (and/or spring) sport!

Congrats to the SENIORS!

JACOB SWARTZ: Academic All-State, winner of the Travis Hulsman Character Award

HUNTER TOWNSEND: All-Conference (OK Green), All-District

MICHEAL PANDO: Honorable Mention All-Conference

MITCH GAGE: for a GREAT performance as the lead in the school "Fools" production!

Way to go, guys! The hard work definitely paid off.

Program-wide BANQUET

On Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 P.M. in the high school cafeteria, we'll honor the J.V. and Varsity players and their families.

Please bring a dessert to share with the whole group as well as personal beverages and utensils for your families. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.

Dress for players is "business casual"; that is, no jeans or t-shirts!

See Coach Stieper or Coach Robinson with questions and/or concerns.

"Soccer Cleat" WINNER

Congratulations to Dylan Guillozet for the "new beginning" he exemplified in the past few weeks. His inspired play out of the back earned him a narrow victory over newcomer Aaron Polet in a team vote.

No Regrets

Gentlemen, you should feel no regrets this morning as you reflect on yesterday's District effort. I know it's not the result we were looking for, but we as coaches are very proud of the overall effort you displayed...and (it may take time) you should too.

Overall, a job well done this season, guys. We really came on at the end of the season. Plus, all you can ask for is improvement (team and individual) over the course of a given season, and I think we can all agree that said improvement took place.

Keep your heads up! Now, the most important part of next season begins today: THE OFF SEASON...WHEN INDIVIDUAL IMPROVEMENT MUST TAKE PLACE FOR US TO HAVE SUCCESS NEXT SEASON! Thank you to the 3 seniors who battled for us and represented us well all season.

We'll be in touch.

Reminder: We have a meeting in my classroom right after school tomorrow (Thursday). Please bring all of your soccer items to turn in--warm-ups, backpacks, white/black shorts and jerseys...don't forget!

LAST TEAM DINNER:

...at the Townsend's on Monday, Oct. 19 (7 P.M.)

**Freshman/Sophomores: fruit and veggies
**Juniors (minus Zach and Cam): main course
**Seniors (plus Zach and Cam): bread and beverages

DISTRICT reminder:

1st round of Districts: Home on Tuesday, Oct. 20 vs. Zeeland West at 5 P.M.

The winner moves on to play the winner of the Byron Center vs. Zeeland East match in the lower half of the bracket. The other side of the bracket includes Middleville vs. Wayland and Holland Christian vs. Unity Christian.

OVERACHIEVERS

Gentlemen, doesn't it feel good to raise standards and expectations and strive to meet them...SUCCESSFULLY? Tonight, you guys did exactly that. Job well done vs. Park.

Once again, it matters more how we end the season than anything before. Today (and vs. B.C.), we really did have a "new beginning" of sorts...let's keep up this momentum!

Wednesday...CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT:

Our game tomorrow (Wednesday) is at 5 P.M. (JV) and 6:45 P.M. (Varsity). The bus will leave at 3:45 P.M. Food and beverages are currently being arranged by parents for the varsity team.

Wear your warm-ups to school and dress warmly for the game!

POTENTIAL

That's the one word that comes to mind as I reflect on the 3-1 win tonight vs. Byron Center. I loved that everyone, even our new arrivals, played a part in the win despite the fact we were missing a key starter.

It was a job well done, guys, but an even bigger challenge awaits on a tough field vs. an opponent who took it to us not too long ago.

Let's keep it up!

Last Team Dinner:

Gentlemen, the last scheduled team dinner at the Townsend's has been changed from this Sunday, Oct. 18 to the following evening (Monday, the 19th) at 7 P.M. (still at the Townsend's). We play in our home district game the next day.

Here are the dinner responsibilities:

**Freshman and Sophomores: fruit and veggies
**Juniors (minus Cam and Zach): main course
**Seniors (plus Cam and Zach): bread and beverages

Monday:

Gentlemen, a few items:

*We will be a bit short-handed up front for the game (and most likely beyond) what with Pando's dislocated shoulder in the football game last night. It's time for some guys to step in and step up (including the new guys). Turn a new leaf!

*We will "dress up" in school.

*We will meet in my room at 3:30 P.M. for a quick snack and meeting.

*Ball boys for the J.V. game are A.K., Julio, and Polet.

*Check the weather tomorrow, but right now it's calling for chance of rain and low 50's...dress accordingly.

*Yet again, it's a NEW BEGINNING on Monday and a chance to prove that our previous B.C. win was no fluke!

*Have a good weekend and enjoy what little sun we have!

2nd round Conference Game:

Monday, Oct. 12...#6 seed Hamilton vs. #7 seed Byron Center...at Hamilton...JV at 4 P.M./Varsity at 5:30-ish.