PGSL Newsletter

Game Schedules
We anticipate that the Elk Grove Youth Soccer League will distribute game schedules for all age groups early next week – September 3. We will email them to you immediately upon our receipt.

Spare the Air Days

Coaches must cancel practices on spare the air days when they are issued for our local area. Click on the following website to see if our area is having a spare the air day. A “Spare the Air” advisory is issued when the air quality index is forecast to be 127. At this website, you can sign up to receive an email when an alert is issued, http://sparetheair.com/aqmaps.cfm.

Sideline Etiquette
How many times have we heard "Kick it" or "Shoot! Shoot!" or "All the Way! " or "Pass the Ball" with various coaches and parents shouting to their sons or daughters during the game? At times too, many parents spread along the length of the touchline, attempt to tell each player exactly what to do, where to go, or how to do it. PGSC is requesting that coaches and parents provide minimal “coaching” duringthe game. We encourage you to provide positive reinforcement, cheer for all players, or, if possible, just relax and enjoy watching the children play. Also remember to provide only positive reinforcement to the referees.

Jamboree Recap
Our 3rd Annual Jamboree was a huge success thanks to all of you and to our sponsors. After all expenses were paid, we raised approximately $7,000. Now the most important decision: how would you like to see the proceeds applied? All decisions about proceeds must be made this soccer season, otherwise we are required to turn the funds over to the League for the general fund. We will develop a survey for our next newsletter and ask you and your parents to give us
your suggestions (e.g., soccer balls, practice shirts, coaching equipment, coaching classes, etc.)

Picture Day Make-Up
Picture Make-up Day is scheduled for Sunday, October 14 (location to be determined). This is exclusively for individual players who either missed our original picture day or who wish to re-take their picture. Please call Shooting Stars to schedule an appointment 1-800-311-7784.

Field Problems
If you have any concerns about the fields on which you are practicing, please contact our Field Coordinator Wes Hughes at WHughes@GCWallace.com so he can correct any problems
before game day. After games begin, if you play on a field out of our club boundaries and you have concerns about the field, report it immediately to Wes, so he can contact the appropriate club field coordinator and ask for corrections.

League Fundraising
As we announced at Coaches’ Night in July, the Elk Grove Youth Soccer League has asked us to participate in a fundraising program to get the League started towards SOCCER CLUB 2007 funding a soccer complex. We are one of the largestCalifornia Leagues without a state of the art soccer complex. Check out the complex built in Redding, California.www.reddingsoccerpark.com The Elk Grove League has committed to set aside 75 percent of the dollars raised from this 2007 fundraiser as seed money towards this goal. The remaining 25 percent will go towards upgrades to existing fields.In a couple of weeks, you will receive a package of discount cards, which can be used with various vendors throughout Elk Grove. Each player on your team will only be asked to sell 2 cards at $10 each. Watch for the information.

Coaches’ Pizza Night
In October, we will host a coaches’ pizza night, so that coaches can come together to share their success stories as well as their “don’t try this” stories. Stay tuned for details.

Pictures on our Website
We would like to place pictures on our website of our teams and players. If you would like to submit pictures of your players in action, and you have permission from yourparents, please submit them to George Rettele, our webmaster at pleasantgrovewebmaster@elkgrovesoccer.
com. We will select the best of the best and post them. If there is a story behind the picture, tell us that too, and we will include it.

Coaching Tip of the Week
24 Hour Rule. Tell your parents not to approach you with concerns about the game until 24 hours have passed. This saves you or the parent from saying anything harmful.

Annual General Meeting
Our annual general meeting will be held in early December. All coaches, assistant coaches, and one guest of each are invited to attend. The meeting will include a complimentary dinner. At the meeting, we will discuss Club business, including nominations for open board positions
for 2008. Stay tuned for nomination information.