This past Sunday, May 12, 2012, SocMM held its second ever workshop and first ever Free Spring Workshop at its home base of Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School in Glenn Dale, MD. Eighty-five motivated players and parents participated in a great day of soccer for the entire community.

The day was kicked off with an introductory speech from SocMM Executive Director Nate Baker in which he introduced his workshop staff.  The staff included an eclectic mix of people who have played the game at the collegiate or professional level.

In the speech, Coach Nate spoke about the importance of making mistakes during the process of getting better. He suggested that making mistakes is part of learning and pushing your limits is the only way to get better at anything, so before the kids went on the field to train, he implored them to do three things: to work hard, not be afraid of making mistakes and to enjoy themselves.

For the next 90 minutes, the players were split into twelve different groups where they were able to enjoy four, 22-minute stations.  Each player participated in three on-the-ball sessions where the players worked on their ball skills and techniques and one station where they worked on their soccer-specific off-the-ball skills including agility, running form, explosiveness and speed.

After the training, players and parents gathered for a special guest speaker speech. Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) Technical Director Bill Stara gave a speech that was two-fold. To the players, he stressed the importance of hard work and finding that quality that makes you special as a player.  For the parents, he expressed the importance of coaching education and MSYSA’s initiatives to certify as many parents as possible, so they can have a positive influence on the beginning of a young child’s soccer development.  For more information on the MSYSA, please click here.

SocMM is thankful for the efforts of all who made the special day possible.  One of those people is Brandon Pigg who documented the day with photos.  To view his great photos of the workshop, please go to our Facebook page by clicking here, and be sure to “like us” at the top of the page!

Extra Kicks:

SocMM Summer Camp Weeks are open for registration.  Get more information and sign up the motivated player(s) in your family by clicking here.

Soccer Means More is proud to announce that we have 150 motivated players registered to train with the SocMM staff and local pros on May 12, 2012 (12:30-4:00pm) at Holy trinity Episcopal Day School, 11902 Daisy Lane Glenn Dale, MD 20716.

The players who are registered will receive a free SocMM training shirt, a great speech from MSYSA (Maryland State Youth Soccer Association) Technical Director Bill Stara, elite training from pros & the SocMM coaching staff and much more.

Everyone is welcome to share in the day.  If you are a parent or player interested in the game, but didn’t register this time around, that is fine! There will still be vendors there that can help your motivated player find a place to play and grow in the game in the immediate future. And even though your motivated player cannot train this time around, the family can take in a guest speaker speech that will inform and inspire.

Soccer Means More is proud to announce our Spring Workshop guest speaker is current Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) Technical Director Bill Stara.

Coach Stara has held his position of MSYSA Technical Director for four years, but has been a staple in the Maryland youth soccer community for over fifteen years as technical director at Loudon Soccer Club and Soccer Association of Columbia.

His numerous successes in the game has allowed him to win numerous coaching awards including 1994 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Coach of the year and win several state, regional and national championships at the youth and high school levels.  He currently holds his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “A” License and NSCAA Premier Diploma.

Coach Stara wears numerous hats as MSYSA Technical Director, but his role in leading coaching education and providing resources for local coaches in Maryland is one of his biggest passions.  Stara will speak at our SocMM Spring Workshop (May 12, 2012; 3pm) at Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School on a number of important topics including the importance of coaching education, what it takes for the youth player to be successful in the game, why “soccer means more” to him and much more.  We would like anyone (players, parents, coaches) who is interested to take in what should be an insightful and inspiring speech that everyone can enjoy.

Coach Stara was nice enough to take some time to answer a few questions about himself.  Enjoy!

One of the many facets of the SocMM Free Workshop is our raffle.  We sell $1 tickets in exchange for a chance of winning an exclusive piece of soccer memorabilia, and this workshop’s big ticket item is an official Freddy Adu Philadelphia Union game jersey signed by the 2012 Philadelphia Union team.

Some of the notable players on their team include current and former USA National team players:  Danny Califf and Brian Carroll.  Even Executive Director Nate Baker’s good friend and former teammate goalkeeper Chase Harrison’s signature is on the jersey.

To be the future owner of this awesome prize, all you need to do is buy a $1 raffle ticket at the May 12, 2012 Free Spring Workshop at Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School (Glenn Dale campus). The more tickets you buy, the better chance you have to win.