Club News & Info
Select/Premier Operating Rules
Striker Payment Schedule:
Payments are to be made in install ments of $150 due July 1, September 1, November 1, and February 1.
Tournament News:
Next upcoming tournament:
Jr. Irish Memorial Day Invitational in South Bend, Indiana
May 23-25 2008
Strikers Home Games:
Clawson Strikers League Standings (updated 11/07/07)
Clawson Youth Soccer Club headed in a new direction
One of the smallest soccer clubs in Oakland County is on the rise under the direction of newly appointed Director of Coaching and Player Development Aaron Roy. The face of soccer in Clawson has changed with proper development becoming the top priority. The club has already risen from the shadows of an 11-42-2 record last season to a 27-21-9 club record that has everyone’s spirit soaring. Four of the club’s 6 teams finished in the top 3 of their division, when only one accomplished that feat the previous season.
How is this happening you might ask? The game has been given back to the kids and they are having fun. New coaches have been brought in and great coaching relationships have developed between the staff and Coach Roy. All of the teams and coaches are on the same page with regards to style of play and expectations. The importance of ball skills has been re-introduced and the kids are developing a new love-affair with the ball.
As a club trainer and coach within CYSC, Coach Roy believes the players’ having a strong relationship with the ball is the key to success. “I encourage the kids to be creative. To imitate great players. To laugh at their mistakes and move forward,” says Coach Roy. “We base our success on our ability to not only practice until we get it right, but to continue practicing until we can’t get it wrong. In matches we base it on our ability to discuss second half adjustments needed, successfully apply them and play a better half than the first. Not worrying about the “W” is what keeps them (the wins) coming.”
New additions to the CYSC program include free quarterly coaching clinics for the house and travel coaches instructed by Coach Roy, and twice-a-week skill sessions run by a licensed staff for all of the kids in the program. “The hardest part of implementing a new program is getting the word out to everyone,” says Coach Roy. “Secondly, they have to put their trust into a new program when they have grown accustom to doing things a certain way for so long. Everyone needs to realize that the proper development of the players starts with the soccer knowledge that the early house coach possesses and their ability to keep the game fun for the kids. Club unity is key.”
Last but not least, much emphasis has been put on the players and coaches exhibiting class. It’s not uncommon to see a Clawson Striker player helping an opponent to their feet, complimenting an opposing keeper on a great save, or shaking an officials hand after the game. “Our ultimate goal is to help develop world-class people,” says Coach Roy. “Soccer is in-addition to life and everything else that comes with it. But it is an experience that can help significantly in the shaping of proper ethics. I want the kids to look back upon their soccer experiences with a smile on their face.”