ASA House League Training -- 3/23 and 3/25   (7-9pm), at the Lee Center; must be turning 13 years old in 2010; graduates are eligible to center and be an assistant referee (linesman) in ASA U8-U11 games; if you’re interested please contact Jon Fleuchaus (jfleuchaus@comcast.net )

Please contact the office or your age coordinator as soon as you can if you are interested in attending this free clinic on Saturday March 20 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Ramsay Recreation Center.

Click here for information on U5, U7, U8 and Goalkeeper Clinics

Thanks to all three Pizzaiolo restaurants, the ASA U10G's and ALL U11G's teams and patrons who helped raise $1300.00 over three days for the Support Haiti Micah Project.  The project contributes 100% of the funds directly to those in need in Haiti, with a focus on children.

Well done!

Our newly forming U5 coed age group (August 1, 2004-July 31, 2005) needs coaches !  Without them there will be no season.

We have a volunteer to coordinate the division, so please consider coaching.

Coaches are responsible for contacting and communicating with all their players, attending the coaches meeting, organizing and running practice, and coaching during games. Must have e-mail. We require a Kidsafe form from all of our coaches to run a VYSA required background check.

Questions?  Call or e-mail the office at asasoc1@alexandria-soccer.com, 703.684.5425.

REGISTRATION FOR SPRING 2010 (Recreation League) is now closed.  Our next registration will begin the last week in August 2010 for the Fall Only 2010 season.  Visit the FAQ’s for more information on the Recreation League.

THE OFFICE IS OPEN to the public during our regular hours of 9:15 am to 12:15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Uniforms may be purchased, or picked up if previously purchased, during office hours. The office is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

The Spring 2010 Calendar is posted below.  Scroll down to see the dates of the scheduled games for Spring 2010.  Coaches will notify players in mid-March of the times and places for both games and practices.

COACHES: Please remember that practice field reservations must be obtained each season.  There is no carry-over from the previous season.  Go to Coaches Corner for contact information.

The Coaches Meeting for Spring 2010 will be held at the Lee Center on Wednesday, March 10th from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.  We look forward to seeing you there!

For weather related field closings please call the youth sports hotline at 703.883.4697. 

Click here to see Travel Team Success from 2009 Fall Tournaments

Registration for the SPRING 2010 season begins Tuesday, January 5th and ends Thursday, February 4th.

See 2010 age group list below.

Three Ways To Register:

1. On-line at www.alexandria-soccer.com with a Visa or Master Card.  Click on the registration link.  Birth certificates are required for all new players. Required birth certificates must be RECEIVED by mail, email or fax, in the office by 2/4/2010 (NOT post-marked) or the registration will be considered a Late Registration.

2. By mail with a check or money order.  Print form and instructions from the website at www.alexandria-soccer.com.  Mail to PO Box 25996, Alexandria, VA 22313.

3. In person with cash, check or money order.  Print forms at home or come to the office and fill them out there.  Office opens 1/5/10 for regular hours of 9:15 to 12:15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Also from 6:00pm - 8:00 pm on 2/2/10, 2/3/10, and 2/4/10.  The office is closed to the public on Mondays and Fridays.

The deadline for all complete registrations is 2/4/10.  "Complete" registrations include the registration form, birth certificate (if required) and payment, and whether mailed, delivered or filled out on-line, must be received in the office (NOT post-marked) by 2/4/10.  Any registration not complete by 2/4/10 will be considered a Late Registration. 

Late Registration: Late registrations will be accepted in-person or on-line (with an additional $25 late fee) during office hours on  2/16, 2/17 and 2/18. Late registrants will be placed ONLY if there is a need for additional players in an age-group.

Uniforms may be ordered and pre-paid, and picked up at the office at a later date.  Or they may be purchased in the office at the time of your visit. If you are unable to visit the office for pickup, please call and other arrangements can be made.

Please note that cash and checks (NOT credit cards) are accepted during office visits.  Credit cards are ONLY accepted with on-line orders.

Dear Soccer Parents and Players:                                                            January 2010

In my 2009 letter to you, I spoke of economic difficulties. Little did I realize those difficulties would persist and even deepen. This has had and will continue to have consequences for the ASA program. While we have a number of issues to confront, like always, I wish to share the good news.

ASA continues to grow. Probably reflecting the demographics of Alexandria, our 6’s and 7’s age groups are the largest in memory. We expect the same with this spring’s U5 group. If any of you had players of that age or happened by Potomac Yards this past fall on a Saturday morning, you saw what appeared to be a soccerfest every Saturday morning. It was really great to see hundreds of athletes. Their families and friends swarming the complex. The fact that we were able to put these children at PY and create such a festive atmosphere owes in part to our past efforts to get some “turf” fields built in the City.

The past year also saw a continuation of the ASA program, begun in the Fall of 08, run in conjunction with local PTA’s, to introduce soccer training as a component in after-school programs at several elementary schools. We have now done this with three schools and hope to do it with a fourth this Spring. This program has helped us expand our outreach in pursuit of ASA’s goal that every child who wants to play organized soccer can do so, regardless of economic circumstance.

Now, the challenge ahead. ASA is facing economic pressure as we all are. We have held our fees steady since 2004 while other local jurisdictions have raised theirs’ substantially. In the interim, the ASA budget has taken a number of direct hits: (1) the City has discontinued its assistance to the program ($5000/annually); (2) our insurance costs increased significantly; and (3) other critical expenses have increased as well (referees, paint, goals, etc.). At the same time, we have faced increased cost associated with our scholarship program which assists those in financial need so that their children will be able to participate in the ASA program. The cumulative result is we must raise fees. The 2010 annual rate will increase by $15 per player. This will enable us to maintain our services at their current level.

Additionally, the program to upgrade the fields in the City faces renewed pressure. Last year the City Council, after urgings from folks like you, set aside money in the Capital program to construct another turfed and lighted playing field. That was a tough decision for the Council in light of the constrained budget situation. This year the budget situation appears to be even worse. Recent indications are that the School Board wants the money set aside for another turf field to be shifted to cover the schools’ capital needs. We must remain vigilant on this front and remind the Council of their previous commitments.

I am confident if we all pull together we can get through the tough times we are currently facing and come out the other side with a stronger, more vibrant program that continues to serve the needs of all of our members.

SPRING 2010 TOPSOCCER (FOR ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES)

Thank you to Dr. Cindy Durakis and Director of Coaching and Player Development Ryan Quinn for organizing ASA’s first Performance Enhancement/Injury Prevention Clinic.  Many interested parents, players and coaches attending the session.  In her presentation, Dr. Durakis highlighted The Santa Monica ACL Prevention Project which developed a training session as a replacement for a team’s traditional warm up. The Prevent injury, Enhance Performance (PEP) Program, developed by a team of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers and coaches, is designed to integrate an injury prevention program into a team’s regular training routine.  

Below is information on how to download the program for use in practice and more information on Dr. Durakis.

To download Dr. Cindy Durakis’ presentation:  http://www.alexandria-soccer.com/docs/injury-prevention.pdf

To download the program:  http://www.aclprevent.com/pepprogram.htm

To view the Web-based lesson:  http://www.la84foundation.org/3ce/acl_frmst.htm

THE CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATES AND ELITE SPORTS REHABILITATION, LLC
Dr. Cynthia Durakis, PLLC
drcindydurakis@chiroassoc.net
 
Dr. Durakis has had 15 years of experience in private practice as well as lecturing and writing on the subject of chiropractic as the Professional Affairs Director for the International Chiropractic Association.
 
Extended study in the areas of sports rehabilitation, nutrition, exercise physiology, prenatal care, pediatrics and veterinary orthopedic manipulation has allowed her to provide a comprehensive approach to healing.  A lifelong sports enthusiast, weekend warrior and mother of two soccer-playing daughters has guided her practice in the direction of sports injury rehabilitation, leading to the opening of Elite Sports Rehabilitation, LLC in 2008.
 
Dr Durakis holds a bachelors degree from Colgate University, and a DC from Life University.  She served on the Alexandria City Public School (ACPS) Wellness Task Force 2006-2008, served as chairperson for the Alexandria Professional Women’s Network and has been a frequent contributor to the Old Town Crier. 
 
Dr. Cindy has coached ASA soccer for three years and has earned a black belt in taekwondo.