Dear Athletes, Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers:
On behalf of the entire volunteer coaching staff which includes Maggie Trayah, Lori Uerz, Erin Plaza, Matt Gamache, Forrest Lombard, and Thomas Moore, let me welcome you to the Chittenden Delegation’s 2014 Soccer Program.
We are happy to announce that this year’s program officially begins on Tuesday, August 19 at 5:45 pm at our practice field located at the Willey Family Farm in back of the Fairgrounds in Essex Junction. Two changes from past years – we will be starting 15 minutes early in hopes of beating the sun and we will be practicing at a new site so that we can have bathroom facilities. Take the back entrance to the Fairgrounds (also road to St James Church) right to the Fairgrounds gate and park in the stone parking area. The fields are just to the right of the access road – roughly ¼ mile up from Route 2A.
Practices will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:45 pm – 7:15 pm right up to the Special Olympics Vermont Statewide Tournament at Norwich University on Saturday, October 18th.
You can expect that our coaches will be working with each athlete to have fun, to teach the game, to build a sense of teamwork and most importantly promote good sportsmanship in practice and in competition.
You can expect that our coaches will treat all athletes, parents, guardians, and caregivers with respect and ask you to provide that same level of respect to our coaches and to other athletes.
We ask you to comply with the Special Olympics of Vermont’s Spectator Guidelines which is attached. In addition, we ask you to review with your athlete the Special Olympics Vermont Athlete Code of Conduct form then sign and return it to me as soon as possible.
Like last year, we will be organizing athletes into three groups to maximize their skill development while maintaining our focus on safety for all athletes.
As coaches, we have an expectation that athletes will arrive on time for practice and will be are picked up on time at the conclusion of practice --- as our volunteer coaches have commitments as well. We will also make an extra effort to end practice on time.
As coaches, we have an expectation that each athlete will arrive wearing a team purple practice t-shirt, black shorts, soccer cleats, shin guards, with a water bottle, and a soccer ball --- ready to play.
Per the requirements of Special Olympics Vermont, please understand the need we have up-to-date medical forms and information on each athlete. Please submit any and all required form as quickly as possible.
If you have an issue of concern, please call me at 802.598.3123 so we can resolve it as soon as possible.
Dedicated to keeping it fun, safe, and respectful,
Head Coach Giles Willey
PS.
With regard to inclement weather, please go to the Chittenden Delegation website/blog located at http://sovchittenden.blogspot.com to learn if practice is canceled. Once practice has been canceled for the day, it will not be changed even if the weather improves later in the day!
PPS.
In order to keep expenses down, we will again be car pooling to the Statewide Tournament at Norwich University. So please consider helping us in this regard, if possible.
