Orientation Meeting Agenda: June, 2009

1.      Welcome / introductions

2.      Names:

                           i.      NASA Academy U10 Girls

                         ii.      United Quest Park (UQP) / NASA North / Canterbury / Noonday

                        iii.      Metro North Park (MNP) / NASA South

3.      Review registration process:

                           i.      On-line registration system: access via an e-mail from NASA Registrar Jane Jarrett or link from our Academy web site

                         ii.      Payments:  $340 due at registration, $240 in August, $340 in October, $240 in December

                        iii.      Academy player agreement & code of conduct

                       iv.      Parents agreement & code of conduct

4.      Uniforms:  2nd year of a 2-year / 4-season cycle - Fall 2008 through Spring 2010

                           i.      Uniform coordinators: need 1 lead person, 1-2 assistants

                         ii.      Uniform orders: $250 for the uniform package

                        iii.      Fitting

                       iv.      Ordering: done on-line as part of the registration process

                         v.      Uniform number selection:

1.      odd numbers for UQP girls, even numbers for MNP girls

2.      priority: 2nd year players, 1st year players, oldest to youngest

5.      Collect paperwork:

                           i.      two notarized medical consent forms

                         ii.      two copies of the player's birth certificate

                        iii.      a small picture (ID-sized); a school picture from last year will do; note your daughter’s name on the back

6.      Other fees:  "in house" fees (vs. NASA fees), collected on an as-needed basis:

                           i.      tournament entry fees ($40-50 per tournament, covers entry fees and coaching per diems, two tournaments per season)

                         ii.      communal goalie gloves ($1-2 per family)

                        iii.      overhead for our Academy web site and phone hot-line ($5 per family)

                       iv.      indoor rental?

7.      Schedule:

                           i.      Summer break until Academy camp (possible optional informal kick-arounds)

                         ii.      AC Milan Junior Camp: June 29 - July 3 @ MNP

1.      Optional

2.      Cost isn't included in Academy fees

                        iii.      Academy Camp: July 13-17 @ MNP / July 20-24 @ UQP, 9 AM - 3 PM

1.      Cost is covered by Academy fees; no special registration required

2.      Advance prep: get some outdoor time during the daytime heat

3.      Foot care: no brand new shoes, bring sandals / Crocs and a change of socks

4.      Hydration: start the Friday before camp

5.      Every year we have someone who ignores our advice on foot care and/or hydration. Please don't be that person!

                       iv.      Fall training schedule:

1.      Training starts in August, exact date TBD by NASA in late July

2.      UQP (likely): Mon / Wed / Fri

3.      MNP (likely): Tue / Thu / Fri

4.      Fridays

5.      “open door” policy between the two parks

6.      goalkeeper training

                         v.      August jamboree?

                       vi.      Tournaments: NASA Classic (August 29-30), post-season the weekend before and/or after Thanksgiving weekend

                      vii.      Games start in September the weekend after Labor Day weekend

1.      typical game-day setup

2.      "DH" opportunities

3.      cross-over opportunities

8.      Equipment needs:

                           i.      Turf shoes or cleats

                         ii.      Size 4 ball (smaller is OK)

                        iii.      Shin guards

9.      Communication channels:

                           i.      web site:

1.      UQP:  www.nasaathenaacademy.org/g10n-home.htm

2.      MNP:  www.nasaathenaacademy.org/g10s-home.htm

                         ii.      group e-mails (blind carbon copy, we can handle 1-many addresses per player)

                        iii.      hot-lines:

1.      U10 Girls Academy:  1-866-206-9066, ext. 8870#

2.      NASA field status:  770-512-2985

                       iv.      e-mail:  wcswain3@mindspring.com

                         v.      in person:  best time is after a training session, not before or during training or game days

10.  Volunteers needed:  if someone served in a role last year and would like to do so again, that person gets first priority

                           i.      Manager: creates team binder, assembles player passes, handles NASA club communication to Academy members, prepares game cards

                         ii.      Treasurer (PayPal account would be great!)

                        iii.      Social directors: 2-3 events per season

                       iv.      Tournament coordinators: make sure applications are submitted on time, get signatures on release forms, handle on-site registration

                         v.      Picture-day coordinator

11.  New parent information:

                           i.      What the girls can expect:

1.      a high energy, educational environment

2.      potential adjustment period (more fish, bigger pond)

3.      mix of ages

                         ii.      What we expect from the girls:

1.      The “Big 3:” effort, enthusiasm, respect

2.      Mistakes are OK. Coaches will help you understand and learn from them. "Can you fix it?"

3.      The smaller stuff:

a.      Ball: always bring one, get it pumped if needed

b.      Hair: keep out of your face and eyes

c.      Shoelaces: keep them tied

d.      Game day procedures (team, field, uniforms)

4.      link: training guidelines

5.      link: game day guidelines

                        iii.      What we expect from parents:

1.      arrange to get your daughter to training sessions and games

2.      when fees are due, pay promptly

3.      communication: keep coaches informed, check web site, respond to e-mail polls

4.      parent’s role: be your daughter’s biggest fan, every other player’s 2^nd biggest fan

5.      coaching is done by the coaches

6.      link: training guidelines

7.      link: game day guidelines

                       iv.      What you can expect from the coaches: teaching, positive, competitive and fun environment, every player belongs

12.  Q & A:

                           i.      How many teams, how many players per team, playing time?

1.      regular season games

2.      tournament play

                         ii.      What if I have a schedule conflict?

                        iii.      Will my daughter play with player x?