Recreational Soccer

Spring Season Strikes Soon!

The Recreational Program will commence on March 13. Registration is open now - click here.

IMPORTANT!!! If you purchased a uniform for the 2010 spring season, please bring a printout of your Online Registration Confirmation showing that you paid for your uniform with you on Saturday morning. This will ensure that uniforms are distributed effeciently and that you will not be charged twice.

WE NEED YOU!  Train-the-trainer sessions are scheduled for March 6^th and 27^th Please consider become a coach or an assistant coach.

HELP US HELP YOU! Please help us provide you with great customer service by registering in advance. Register at least one week prior to the start of the season (by March 7), and place one special request in the “comments” section such a preferred coach or one preferred friend to be on a team with, and we will do our best to honor those requests. We may not be able to honor those requests if they come in at the last minute (after March 7).

Spring Dates:

March 6                      Train-the-Trainer at 13:30 at ABF
March 7                      Deadline to Request a Coach or particular friend on your team (use Comments section when registering)
March 13                   Week 1 (OPENING DAY)
March 20                   Week 2
March 20                   Train-the-Trainer Part II at ABF (tentatively scheduled 14:30)
March 27                   Week 3
April 3                         No play
April 10                      No play
April 17                      Week 4
April 24                      Week 5
May 1                         Week 6
May 8                         Week 7
May 15                       No play                                 
May 22                       Week 8 
May 29                       No play
June 5                        Week 9
June 12                     Week 10 (picnic and awards)

Tykes (4 year olds) and PeeWees (5 and 6 year olds) will practice and play on Saturday only. The older groups will have schedule play and practice on both Saturday and Sunday. The schedule dates are listed below:

TENTATIVE times of play:

• Tykes (aged 4) (Saturday Only) 10:00 to 11:00
• Peewees (Age 5-6 years) (Saturday Only) 11:00 to 12:30
• F Division - (Age 7-8 years) (Saturday 12:30 to 14:00) and Sunday (14:00 to 15:30)*
• Girls Division (7 to 12 years old) (Saturday 12:30 to 14:00) and Sunday (14:00 to 15:30)*
• E Division - kids born 1999 to 2000 (Saturday 12:30 to 14:00) and Sunday (14:00 to 15:30)*

*Saturdays will be traditional teams that train together for the first portion and then play games. Sundays will run academy/clinic style….meaning kids will not be assigned to specific teams on Sunday, but will be split on a weekly basis based on age/ability.

Thinking about coaching in the recreational program?…YOU’RE INVITED!

If you are planning on (or thinking about) coaching recreational soccer at ABF, you’re invited to attend train-the-trainer sessions on March 6 (before the season starts so you can get prepared) and again on March 20 (after the season starts so you can get your questions answered).  At the sessions, you’ll be guided through the keys to being successful at the recreational level by Joost de Gelder, a professional coach under the direction of ABF Technical Director, Wouter van Bruckenfock.Founder of Socatots and the Brazilian Soccer School in the Netherlands, Wouter holds a Degree in mental coaching sport. He is a certified speed, agility and quickness trainer and a two-time certified soccer coach of the Rene Meulensteen (Manchester United) Academy. He is also currently coaching Dutch professional league players in a one-on-one setting. You’ll get an overview of the program along with info and walk-throughs of how to run the training sessions with kids of particular ages. You’ll also get some materials to help plan your team’s specific sessions. And, you’ll have an opportunity to get any of your coaching questions answered. The session will be low-key—and we’ll have some complimentary beverages. Send an e-mail toinfo@abfsport.nl to RSVP. There is no fee, but we need to know how many people to expect.

Some General Practical Information:

• Park in the ASH parking lot across from ABF. Take the walk-through tunnel to ABF.
• Players should wear their soccer kits—they are the same ones as last season. If it’s cold, bring layers: sweatpants, sweatshirts/jumpers, hats or whatever the weather calls for to keep the kids comfortable (especially important for the little ones.)
• All players need to wear shin guards and cleats/football boots.
• Consider bringing a water bottle for your child.

ABF Winter Indoor Soccer Clinic 2010

SOCATOTS program for the little dribblers!!!

Who: For Soccer-loving 4 ½ - 10 year old boys and girls

(We organize the training groups in age divisions and if we have very few players in one age group, we reserve the right to cancel the session...so, in order to avoid disappointment, we urge you to register early and bring your friends!)

What: During the clinic they are trained on the basic elements of Brazilian football—focussing on ball handling skills and fun! This is the real Brazilian way, with training drills, which stars such as Ronaldinho, Kaká and Robinho have used in former days...it’s a very festive program. Specially trained coaches give the coaching. And of course they train to your level, therefore beginners and advanced are all welcome. Players should must wear shin guards.

When: Saturday, January 16
Saturday, January 23
Sunday, January 31
Saturday, February 13
Saturday, March 6

Ages 4.5 - 5, - 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Ages 6, 7, 8 - 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Ages 9, 10 - 12:00-13:00
(For the one Sunday, times will Start at 13:00 and we will work around baseball.)

Where: ASH Indoor Gyms  - Wassenaar

The cost, last year’s fee, is €70 for Tykes and Pee Wees and €115 for all other ages if you register on or before March 7 + the membership fee.

If you have any questions about program specifics, please contact info@abfsport.nl.

_______________________________________________

ABF Recreational League trains with Small-Sided Approach

ABF takes the small-sided approach to soccer. When girls and boys sign up to be a part of the recreational program at ABF, they’ll enjoy a formalized (and FUN) training program and curriculum for all recreational players that will include simple, clear information for planning and running training sessions. The new skills development program is based on a progressive curriculum that is focused on age specific skills development for all players. 

ABF offers English–speaking soccer and baseball programs where kids learn technical skills, rules and teamwork and have fun playing the game.

What is small sided soccer?

Small-sided soccer starts with games of 3–on–3 from the youngest participants and progresses to 4–on–4, 7–on–7, 11–on–11, in a graduated manner for the older groups. Small sided games give kids a better chance to engage in the game, touch the ball and get excited about the game of soccer. The small-sided approach gives each child more individualized attention so they can each hone their skills. And, it’s FUN!

Small-sided soccer will be implemented for the recreational programs only and will not affect KNVB.

For more information on Small-Sided Games please check these links:

·         From US Youth Soccer: http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/assets/coaches/why_small_sided_games.doc

The US Youth Soccer SSG program was developed with input from FIFA.

·         From FA in the UK:

http://www.thefa.com/GrassrootsNew/Player/Postings/SmallSided_GetInvolved

Can I coach?

Of course! ABF is always looking for volunteer coaches. Coaches who volunteer prior to the season starting will be invited to complimentary training sessions and all coaches will receive support regarding small-sided approach. ABF will provide coaches plans for activities and drills, and help setting up the small-sided fields. It’s a great opportunity to get involved with kids and help develop their love for sports. For more information on how to volunteer, send an e-mail to: info@abfsport.nl.

How can I volunteer in other ways?

It’s your club and you are welcome to volunteer! There are volunteer opportunities with programs, fields, publicity, facilities, uniforms, web site development, and the board, to name a few. Let us know how you’d like to help—and we’ll put you to work! For more information on how to volunteer, send an e-mail to: info@abfsport.nl

 
What’s the difference between the recreational program and the KNVB program?

The recreational soccer program is an intramural program that takes place on Saturdays and Sundays at ABF in the spring and fall, and an indoor program in the winter. It starts at Tykes (4 year-olds) and runs through E division. Tykes and Pee Wees (5-6 year-olds) are Saturdays only while the E’s and F’s play both days of the weekend. Girls and boys play together on mixed teams through the F division. Children falling into the D divisions and older are encouraged to sign up for KNVB soccer due to the numbers of athletes participating. ABF also runs an intramural all-girls division in the recreational league on Saturdays and Sundays in the Fall and Spring for girls born from approximately 1999-1997.

The KNVB league is a 9 month season. It runs from September to May of each year with a winter holiday break. The ABF KNVB teams meet 3 times per week: two trainings (Sunday and Wednesday) and one game (Saturday). Games are at home on the ABF fields and away at other fields usually within a 20 minute drive. KNVB league play begins at the F division. Athletes playing on KNVB teams are expected to be on-time for practice and games, as well as attend at least 80% of training sessions and games. Click here for more KNVB information.

How much does it cost?
The cost for the recreational program is €70 for Tykes and Pee Wees and €115 for all other ages + the membership fee. Click here to register.

Do parents stay?
Yes. Parents are strongly encouraged to stay and support their children and the club. Our trainers are working with many athletes and our coaches are volunteers. They cannot be expected to take sole responsibility for the needs of the athletes.
The club is a volunteer-run organization. Parents and athletes are encouraged to help with clean-up and set-up activities.

Some General Practical Information for Training Days:
Park in the ASH parking lot across from ABF. Take the walk-through tunnel to ABF.
Players should wear their soccer kits—they are the same ones as last season. If it’s cold, bring layers: sweatpants, sweatshirts/jumpers, hats or whatever the weather calls for to keep the kids comfortable (especially important for the little ones.) New uniforms can be ordered during the registration process.
All players need to wear shin guards and cleats/football boots.
Players should bring their own water bottles or drinks to training.

If you have any questions about program specifics, please contact info@abfsport.nl

Club News

WANTED: Volunteers
Have you been thinking about how you can get involved to make ABF an even better club? We need some motivated people to help us provide great services for our membership community for the upcoming year. Besides volunteer positions on the pitch, field or court, ABF need lots of volunteers to fill other positions.

In particular, the board is still searching for volunteers for several specific positions including:
Assistant Treasurer
Vice President of Basketball
Volunteer Coordinator for Recreational Soccer
Volunteer Coordinator for Baseball
Volunteer Coordinator for Basketball
Scheduler
Uniforms

If you are interested in volunteering, or have any questions, please send us an e-mail: info@abfsport.nl. We want to hear from you!

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