Bellevue Soccer Club Announces Program Enhancements

Staring in the Fall of 2011, Bellevue Soccer Club is enhancing several of its programs to provide a better experience for its players, coaches, and families.  Changes will affect the Under-7 through Under-19 recreational and the Under-9 and Under-10 developmental programs.  The remaining programs (TOPS, Super-Micro, Micro, and Select) will remain unchanged.

New Programs

The Under-7 through Under-19 recreational and Under-9 and Under-10 developmental programs will be reorganized into Jr. Academy, Academy, and Club programs

Jr. Academy

Jr. Academy is for the Under-7 and Under-8 players and will be an Academy format with teams playing in the Bellevue Soccer League (BSL) as they do now.

Academy

Academy is for Under-9 and Under-10 players and will also be an Academy format.  However, teams will play in the Eastern Nebraska Soccer Association (ENSA) instead of the BSL.

Club

Club is for Under-11 and older non-tryout teams.  Club teams will also play in ENSA instead of BSL.  Practice locations will be at local city parks and schools that BSC has contracted for use.  Teams will be formed the same as they are now for recreational teams. 

The Academy Format

The academy style is growing in popularity across the United States and is the method most recommended by national organizations for players 10 and younger.  The Academy format that BSC is adopting is a modified version of other academy programs.  With many academy programs, players are not assigned to specific teams and only play within their own club.  With the BSC Academy, players will be rostered on specific teams as they are now.  This will allow players to have both a club and team identity.  What the BSC Academy does change is how practices and training are conducted. 

Location

Academy practices and training will always be at the BSC complex.  This will provide players and teams with many of the basic facilities such as goals, mowed and lined fields, first aid supplies, equipment, and restrooms that they have been lacking at their current practice locations.  It also eliminates the need for teams to find a practice location and allows families to plan because they know up-front when and where they will be held.

Training

Players will have age-group training once a week where all players in the age group receive skills training together.  Training sessions will be led by club training staff with coaches assisting. 

Benefits

·         Player Development:  Players will be taught a proven, age-appropriate curriculum designed by experienced staff.  Players can be grouped by ability to further foster their development.

·         Coach Development:  New coaches are provided the opportunity to gain real-world experience from trainers and more experienced coaches without having to learn on their own.  Coaches can re-use what they’ve seen and learned in their team practices.

·         Camaraderie:  Players and coaches working together helps them see each other as teammates and peers rather than opponents.  Families will get to know each other better.  Getting to know others in the age group may lessen the fears that come with the inevitable switching/combining of teams as they get older.

·         Get Started Sooner:  By having age group training, players can get an early start on the season before teams are actually formed.  As soon as the age group has two or three coaches the training can begin.  New players and coaches will be able to participate as soon as they join.

Practices

In addition to training, Academy teams will have one practice night each week.  Teams will practice at the same time and in the same area of the BSC complex.  Teams have the option of practicing individually, in groups, or any combination of the two.  Practices are led by coaches so they can focus on team activities.

Benefits

·         Support:  By having teams practice at the same time and location, coaches can help and learn from each other.  Coaches can discuss methods with each other for solving problems, setting up practices, and other issues that often arise.  They can even combine their practices if they want.  With the entire age group there, they will have other teams available to scrimmage if they choose.

·         Fewer canceled practices:  With other teams at the same time and location, a coach doesn’t have to cancel practice if they can’t be there.  They can simply ask another coach if their teams can combine for the night.

·         Safety:  Having more adult supervision can help reduce safety issues if they were to arise.

Playing in ENSA

ENSA is a recreational league.  It is the most popular league in the area for Under-11 and older recreational teams and all Under-9 and Under-10 teams.  By playing in ENSA BSC teams will realize several benefits. 

More Teams

As many know, the number of teams in the BSL has been shrinking.  This has caused BSC to have to combine age groups causing some BSC teams to play only two or three different teams in a season.  Unlike the BSL, ENSA has enough teams to provide more and varied opponents.  ENSA includes teams from BSC, Plattsmouth, Papillion, Greta, Elkhorn, OFC, Toro, Council Bluffs, Blair, and others.  Most games are played in the Omaha Metro Area. 

Level of Competition

ENSA is large enough to support multiple divisions.  Having this option will allow BSC teams to be placed in divisions with teams of “like ability”.  Being able to play against better matched opponents will lead to greater success on the field.  While BSC does not focus on winning it is a known fact that success leads to having more fun and less discouragement.  Having multiple divisions also allows teams to move up as they develop.  Being “promoted” to a higher division gives teams a great sense of accomplishment.  BSC will work with team coaches to ensure that they are placed in the appropriate division.

League Management

BSC has many functions, of which managing the in-house BSL league is just one.  ENSA’s sole purpose is managing the league and has a staff dedicated to doing just that.  ENSA has an excellent record in regards to game scheduling, referee scheduling, and posting standings. 

For more information on ENSA, please visit their website: http://www.ensa.us/

What’s Next

The Bellevue Soccer club is excited to be able to provide our coaches, players, and families the best experience possible.  As with any change, there may be initial issues.  Please work with us as we transition into these new programs.   If you have any questions feel free to contact your Age Group Director or email info@bscneb.org.

Registration for Fall 2011 will begin soon.  Watch the website (http://www.bscneb.org) for important information, dates, and program FAQs.