May 17, 2005


Greetings Girls,


    The end of the school year is almost here!  Many of you have asked about our summer schedule. As we enter the next few months I would like to remind you of what I said at the end of last season.  Physical fitness is your personal responsibility. It must be your goal to achieve and maintain the highest level of fitness. To be physically fit is one of the three major components of soccer, along with technical and tactical skills. Not being in top physical condition will cause your technical and tactical skills to suffer. What you do or do not do between today and August 1, 2005 will have an impact on all of us.  In soccer, and in life, continue to set your sights high and work hard!!! Next Fall during tryouts I expect everyone to run a mile under 8 minutes.
   
    Several people have asked about lifting weights this summer. We have developed a 15 weight training session program for this summer that will be run by Coach Duell.  Attendance will be taken at every session.  You will need to make to at least 10 sessions to receive a special free t-shirt this summer. Check out the t-shirt design on our website.

    Once again this year I will be spending the month of June in Brazil relaxing before next season.  While I am gone all varsity letter winners should sign up for 6vs.6 soccer.  Both JV and Varsity players are expected to come to our scrimmages against Northridge/Bethany and our open field sessions.  You should also try to attend at least one soccer camp this summer if you are set on playing varsity soccer next Fall.  

 

SOCCER NEWS:

¨     Josh Duell has officially resigned as the JV soccer coach.  We are still searching for our new JV coach.  Please have any interested candidates send their resumes to the athletic office.

¨     The middle school team looked strong this Spring.  There are several freshmen that will contribute heavily to our team next Fall.

¨     The GHS girls soccer website address has changed to: http://ghs.goshenschools.org/departments/athletics/girlssoccer/index.html

      Continue to check our website for news and updates this summer.

¨     New home uniforms and goalkeeper jerseys are being ordered this week.  The JV will be receiving the old varsity away jersey’s and brand new home shorts.

¨     Lindsay Jones Going to Indiana Tech: GHS senior Lindsay Jones has decided to continue her soccer career at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne.  Jones who played midfield for the Lady Redskins reportedly will receive a 50 percent scholarship for her first year on the team.  Indiana Tech of the Wolverine Hoosier Conference is coached by Dave Allway.  Lindsay plans on majoring in sports management.

¨      Schedule Change: The 2005 schedule features the addition of girls soccer powerhouse Elkhart Central to the schedule.  Mishawaka was dropped from the schedule to make room for Elkhart Central. 

 

As you begin to plan for the summer please consider the following dates. Your family vacations and work schedules should not interfere with soccer events if you are committed to playing soccer next Fall.

 

-SUMMER-

 

Þ    $10 dollar Physical Saturday (May 24): All players must have a physical before they participate in any activities this summer.  The earlier you get a physical on file the better.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get a cheap physical at Goshen Orthopedics.

 

Þ    6 vs. 6 Soccer- These games will be played every Thursday evening at the Concord Youth soccer fields.  Concord, Northridge, and Bethany are some of the teams involved. All returning varsity letter winners should sign up.  Send your applications ASAP to coach Graber. Cost $15 dollars.

 

Þ    Weight Training- We have developed a 15 weight training session program for this summer that will be run by Coach Duell.  All players should meet in the GHS weight room.  You need to make at least 10 sessions to receive a special free t-shirt this summer. Check out the t-shirt design on our website.

 

Þ    Open Fields-There are 6 open fields at GMS this summer.  Everyone should come for a fun hour of soccer games.  Meet in the back of the school at the soccer field.

 

Þ    Junior Irish Soccer Tournament - Mark your calendars! The varsity team will be playing two games on the weekend of July 23-24 against two teams that we do not face in the regular season. All varsity players are expected to complete a registration and send it in to coach Graber.   

 

Þ   Summer Scrimmages:  We are playing 3 scrimmages this summer.  Everyone one should be at these scrimmages. 

·        June 27: HOME vs. Northridge(GMS Back field  7:00pm) be there by 6:30pm

·        July 16: AWAY vs. Northridge (Northridge High School  10:00am) be there by 9:30am

·        July 19: AWAY (Bethany Christian 7:00pm)  This scrimmage will take place on the Tuesday night of team camp.

 

Þ    Summer Camps:  Check out our website for some suggestions and contact information.  I highly recommend Goshen College and FC Indiana’s Ajax Amsterdam camp.

 

Þ    Team Camp (July 18-22   6:00-8:00pm): This is a very important team building event.  During this time we start getting ready for our Fall season.  There will be a variety of small-sided games.  Cost: $15 (You do not need to fill  out a camp application – just show up ready to play with registration fee)

 

Þ    Fall Season Registration July 25-29 in GHS athletic Office (8:00am to 3:30pm)- A parent/guardian needs to watch a drug testing video and sign insurance documents.  Athletes will not be allowed to start practice on August 1st until all documentation has been completed.  On July 28th the athletic office will be open in the evening from 7:00-8:30pm to accommodate parents who work during the day. THIS IS A REQUIEREMENT.

 

    If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me this summer. I will be in Brazil from June 6-July 10.  You may contact me during this time at grabermeister@yahoo.com. If you have any questions that need immediate attention please contact Nate Duell at 537-0414.
When it comes to your soccer involvement during the off-season remember: “Whatever you do in this world, you have got to be totally committed, or you have no chance for success.”  Have a wonderful summer.


Sincerely,


 
Dan Graber
GHS Head Girls Soccer Coach