WYSA PREPARING FOR 2ND ANNUAL 4 v 4 TOURNAMENT

April 29, 2008

While most of us have been watching the last of the snow melt and dreaming of what the summer has in store for us, a dedicated group of volunteers have been planning the details of one of those summer days.

Windham Youth Soccer is preparing for their second annual Windham's Backyard 4 v 4 Friendly Challenge. They have a big challenge to follow up the success of last year's tournament which had 23 teams enter in age groups ranging from U9 to U14.

This year the field will expand to a high school division with heavy participation expected from the High School girls teams. Volunteer Organizer Margaret Kneeland said, "This year we already know about adding a high school division since there's a lot of interest in it from the girls varsity coach. We'd also like to figure out a way to have a couple of adult games. There are many parents around that play in adult leagues and there's been interest expressed in doing that. So we'll accommodate as long as we have enough teams to make up a division."

Windham High School Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Wally Le Blanc said, "I think WYSA has done a marvelous job adding a summer tournament that is both a fundraiser and part of the fabric of the Windham community. I also love the idea that the tournament has a focus of playing small sided games and having fun - so we decided that every single girl in our summer program will be placed on teams if they are available. Margaret (Kneeland) and the tournament committee have really put a lot of work into the program and we are happy to support them."

The focus of the tournament is not results oriented, it is meant to be a fun experience for the participants and the community. One of the ways the league accomplishes this is by having small sided games. In this case the teams are made up of four players on the field at a time instead of 11 players that soccer usually has.

Having less players on the field at once allows more players to have more touches on the ball than they might have with a full lineup of 11 players. Players of all ages and skill level tend to have more fun if they have more opportunities to touch the ball and be a part of the game.

Small sided soccer games are not exclusive to the Backyard Challenge. Windham Youth Soccer has been using this philosophy in the younger age groups of the recreation league for years. Teams in the Pre-K league begin with games of 3v3 and progressing to 11v11 at the older ages.

Another purpose for the tournament is to raise money for ongoing field development and improvements. WYSA is a large soccer program and field space is always at a premium. Kneeland said, "We are specifically looking at Gambo this year."

WYSA has other long term field development projects in their plans that are much needed to fill current and anticipated needs for the league. This fundraiser is just one of the ways they are working to address those needs.

WYSA has secured two sponsors for this year's tournament. Mercy Hospital has graciously offered to sponsor the tournament. So has Sterling Insect and Lawn Control. That's a huge bonus for WYSA.

In addition Eastern Awards and Engraving has donated the trophies for the obstacle course.

Kneeland has some tips for anyone who would like to form a team but has been hesitant to do so:

 - Coaching: The coaching is minimal - really the role is not necessarily a "coach" position as much as it is a "facilitator". The main focus is to keep the players playing, sub in and out and be supportive. Get the team registered first and then put the roster together to hand in with the signed permission forms for each player at the registration table.

- Players: This is for fun! This is open for all players regardless of skill. It is not just for travel players. Rec. players are encouraged to come out and have fun along with anyone else who wants to play.

- Teams: The tournament is not results oriented and one of the goals is to get the community involved. Form teams that include groups of players that may not have the opportunity to play together the rest of the year. One example could be to form a coed team made up of your friends, brothers and sisters or even cousins and come out and have fun!

WYSA welcomes anyone who wants to volunteer to attend the next planning meeting on Wednesday May 7, 2008 at The Windham Public Library Crane Room (Children's Area). They will be walking the field and laying out the arrangement for the kicking challenge and the obstacle course.

Visit www.windhamyouthsoccer.com today and click on the 4v4 Backyard Challenge on the left side of the page to access the application. There is also a link on the right hand side of this page.

INFORMATION:

Links:

Windham Youth Soccer

WYSA Backyard 4v4 Friendly Challenge

Registration Form

Tournament Rules

ROSTERS:

Should consist of between 4-6 players. Keep in mind that it may be a hot summer day and the players may need periods of rest. Another thing to remember is the players are moving nearly the whole time in small sided games.

UNIFORMS:

Be creative and make your own, use shirts from an old team or use pinnies the league will have available.

GAMES:

Two games of 25 Minutes with the possibility of a third game depending on the number of teams registered in each age group.

KICKING CONTEST:

The kids will kick a soccer ball into a net and we'll give them their speed. They can post this and challenge their friends to beat their speed.

OBSTACLE COURSE:

Another fun activity for the players between games. Eastern Awards and Engraving has donated the trophies for the obstacle course.