Leighton fills us in on the latest Winter Classic info and club happenings along with another great video clip.
What can we expect at this years GRFC Winter Classic?
Get ready to watch great competition from high caliber soccer teams. We have a record high number of 212 teams this year from Idaho, Oregon, Canada, and of course Washington! This is our 3rd year and it has quickly become one of the finest tournaments in Washington.
You can expect to be a part of a great event. We have a number of prized contests, a variety of food vendors, an indoor kids activity center with inflatable slides, mazes, and obstacle courses, and some shopping opportunities to join in before, during, and after the soccer games. "
Goal Keeper Wars" this year will be held on Sunday on the Pavilion Field where all penalty kick shootouts will also take place througout the tournament.
One great contest is the "
Kids vs Pros" contest that is new this year. An online bidding challenge will determine which 10 teams (pairs of 2) will go head-to-head in a soccer tennis match against 3 of our very own Seattle MLS professional players! This event will take place on Saturday on the Pavilion field from 12-2pm. Stay tuned for an email coming your way announcing more information like which MLS players, how to bid, when the bidding begins and ends, and what is included in the actual event. This will be a crowd favorite for sure!
Thanks to all the teams that entered! Best of luck to each of you.
What new YouTube video do you have for us?!
Several years ago when I was with the Sounders, we had the opportunity to train and play in Argentina. I was able to see first hand what some call the most intense rivalry in the world, a game between the Boca Juniors vs River Plate. This short video will show you what incredible passion they have for soccer in that country.
Are there any GRFC training events taking place in the next 3 months?
Yes!
- Our FREE club wide training for all GRFC members is this Friday, January 7th from 5-8pm, and, Saturday, Jan. 8th from 12-3pm at Renton Stadium. This is a perfect way after this long winter break to get extra touches on the ball to prepare for the Winter Classic tournament, state cup and spring league games. Viet Nguyen (USSF A License), Keith Larson (USSF A License), Cletus Coffey (Speed and Agility Trainer), Justin Mak (Goalkeeper Coach) and Myself will conduct the Free Trainings for everyone. The schedule is listed below.
Fri, Jan 7th
U10 - U12 is from 5-6pm
U13 - U14 is from 6-7pm
U15 and above is from 7-8pm
Sat, Jan 8th
U10 - U12 is from 12-1pm
U13 - U14 is from 1-2pm
U15 and above is from 2-3pm
- GRFC Futsal sessions with Viet Nguyen start this Sunday, January 9th. This is a great way to encourage all of our players to play with skill, creativity, and passion through this exciting indoor game. This is great for all levels of players, as it demands a development of quick thinking, pinpoint passing, quick reflexes, and technical skill. Click on the Futsal link on our home page to sign up.
- The GRFC U-9 Development Academy starts back up again on Jan, 28th with Keith Larsen. This program is a great way to successfully teach the beginning stages of soccer development to the younger kids. This can be a great introduction for kids who aren’t yet in premier soccer to have fun and gain confidence. Click on the Developmental Academy link on our home page to sign up.
Anything else we might want to know?
Our new
annual calendar, for all GRFC events is finally here! Located on the website, this calendar will list all of the important GRFC soccer related dates for every age throughout 2011. Look for it to be finished in the coming weeks.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to track me down at the tournament headquarters at Starfire, shoot me an email at leightonobrien@sprint.blackberry.net or call me at 253-732-1601
Thanks,
Leighton O’Brien
Director of Coaching
