News & Info

  

Coach Of The Year Awards Up For Grabs
Annually, PA West Soccer recognizes Coach of the Year in five categories.  Coaches can be nominated for their outstanding contributions to the game in the following areas:  In-house, Travel-Girls, Travel-Boys, Classic-Girls, and Classic-Boys.

To nominate a coach for one of these awards please complete the form and mail it to PA West Soccer, 111 Whitehead Lane, Suite 200, Monroeville, PA 15146  Attn: Coach of the Year.  The nomination form is available on the Forms Page.  Deadline to nominate a Coach is March 31, 2010.

PA West Soccer Offers National C License
PA West Soccer hosts a National C License from August 6-14, 2010.  The course will be held at the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg.  The course is open to any coach holding either a USSF National D License or NSCAA National Diploma.

Registration is available online...visit the Coaching Calendar.  The cost of the course is 900.00...to reserve a spot a $250.00 deposit is due by May 1, 2010 (balance due by June 15, 2010).  The fee includes the course, meals and accomodations.  Credit Card and eCheck payment will be accepted on line.

All registrants must complete the USSF C License application and bring it with them to the course.  Click here to download the form (PDF).

C License info sheet (PDF) 

Coaches...US Youth Soccer Needs Your Help
US Youth Soccer is building a national database of coaches.  The goal is to establish accurate contact information to share information with coaches about programs, benefits and educational opportunities offered by US Youth Soccer to those who impact the game daily, specifically at the grassroots level.

The National Coaching Database is live.  The information is for internal use and not intended for sale to third parties.  The privacy policy can be found on the US Youth Soccer web site.

Now's the Time to Schedule Licensing Courses
The PA West Soccer Coaching Program's licensing courses help coaches improve their knowledge, give insight into age appropriate activities, and can make the job easier. Plus, the courses are fun! Whether it's a Youth module course for in-house coaches or an E certificate for travel coaches, there's a course to help your club provide better coaching to your players. To visit the coaching course descriptions Click Here. To contact Amy Fogle about scheduling a course, email her at afogle@pawest-soccer.org .

• Emphasizing that playing soccer should be made an enjoyable experience.
• Encouraging the creation of age-appropriate environments through the use of small-sided games.
• Asking coaches to utilize appropriate teaching methods (age-appropriate activities and games), whilst letting the game be the teacher.
• Increasing the awareness of safety issues/adult behavior issues.
• Allowing participation in that level of competition that enables players to be challenged at their appropriate level....including the elite player.
• Emphasizing player development over winning/losing, especially amongst younger players.

Coaching Development

• Improve the soccer education of coaches working with recreational players, with specific focus on those coaches new to soccer (U6 and U8).
• Support the development of coaches working with 10-14 year olds, who are emphasizing "technical development in the game," through the provision of PA West Coaching Schools.
• Identify and educate coaches who can enhance coaching development and player development programs.

• Enable 4 to 10 year old children in recreational soccer to have fun, to develop a passionate desire to play and to acquire new skills in age-appropriate environments.
• Enhance the technical development of players by offering player development programs.
• Support the player development efforts of clubs in older age groups by reducing conflicts/overlap with programs like the PA West Olympic Teams.
• Make PA West Olympic Teams identification orientated, competitive and inexpensive.

• Aid in the creation of "Fear Free" and age-appropriate environments for our younger players that prioritize player development over winning and/or large-sided games.
• Develop competitions/awards that encourage/recognize skill development and the promotion of other "task goals" amongst PA West clubs and players.
• Lobby clubs with older teams (U15+) to participate in the highest level of competition available (e.g. for elite players, regular participation in recognized regional leagues/tournaments).
• Help the spread of soccer into all communities regardless of race, gender, disability, etc.
• Encourage and nurture a passion for soccer amongst our member players, so that retention rates improve and the continued growth of the Amateur Division is enhanced.