SIDELINESWEST VANCOUVER SOCCER CLUB

WinterEdition2015

Edmonton FC player Michael Nonni wouldprobably agree with the cliché “the apple doesn’t fallfar from the tree”. Nonni began his soccer career withWest Vancouver Soccer Club when he was eightyears old and recalls that he was always coached byhis father, Gino, until he left for the metro program inVancouver. At that time there was no metro programon the North Shore, so Nonni’s only choice was toventure over the bridge to challenge and strengthenhis soccer skills. During Nonni’s soccer career withWVSC, he was supported by other long time WVSCcoach volunteers, Stuart Bell and Bob Sloman, whocoached with Gino. The cohesive group of playersthat progressed through the club’s program createdmany fond memories of youth soccer for Nonni. “My dad is soccer obsessed, and I grew up lovingsoccer from a really early age. He played at SFU andwas drafted by the Whitecaps,” Nonni said. Whenasked about his father and his influence on his

soccer career, the 25-year-old smiled widely and hisbrown eyes sparkled, “My dad has done everythingfor me. He coached me until I was 14. When I amaway we talk everyday—sometimes for hours. Whenwe talk it’s always about soccer. I basically oweeverything to him.” Nonni’s pathway from WVSC toEdmonton FC has been quite a journey. Nonni wentfrom Divisional play in West Van and advanced tothe metro select program. He committed himself toextra training with Roman Tulis, where he and fourother buddies worked as a pack to improve theirgame. One of those players was Marcus Haber whoplayed for Whitecaps FC and is currently playing onthe Canadian National team and for Crewe AlexandraFC in England.

A significant decision to advance Nonni’s careercame when he was 16. He had the opportunity totrain in Holland, and along with his four friends whohad been playing Vancouver metro with him, theydecided to cross the Atlantic and begin the next stageof refining their soccer games. Nonni became amember of Holland’s U-19 FC Groningen, and hetrained and played for two years in their program.

Michael Nonni (front of the pack) showed hispotential at a very young age.

Ex WVSC Player Chases hisSoccer Dream to the NASL

Michael Nonni began his soccer career with WVSC at the ageof 8. Since then he has had an incredible journey taking himto Holland, Germany, and he currently plays with EdmontonFC of the North American Soccer League.

Long time WVSC coach volunteer, Stuart Bell (back left)Gino Nonni,(Michael’s father), and Bob Sloman (back right), helped to create a positive and solid soccer foundation for Nonni, which allowed him to move his soccer to the professional level. Michael is in the front row, second from the left.

“I think living in Holland made me grow upquicker. I was doing everything for myself. I wouldget dinner with my host family, but aside from that Iwas figuring out my own transportation to everywhere,and I was doing everything on my own,” he said. He compared his Dutch experience to his laterplaying experience with Germany’s SVWilhelmshaven, where he played for about half a year.The contrast between going from a European youthprogram where everyone was welcoming and there wascomradery versus being in a locker room with menwho were all thinking about earning a living andfighting for a position on the team was considerable.Nonni’s stint with SV Wilhelmshaven was a characterbuilder. Being located in Northern Germany whereEnglish is not spoken by many, he found himselffeeling isolated. He could not communicate with histeammates or his coaches, and the experience wasdifficult.

“Yeah, it isn’t uncommon that players will besigned where English isn’t really spoken, and it can bevery hard,” he said. The transition to Germany mighthave been made all the more difficult because Nonnihad just finished his university soccer career inCalifornia at UC Santa Barbara, where he had a verypositive team environment. However, things becamebrighter after Germany as Nonni came back home andwas offered a spot on the Edmonton FC Academyteam. Shortly afterward, he was promoted to theEdmonton FC First Team. Nonni is hoping for a longsoccer career. His dream is to make it to the MLS, and

being able to play in Montreal or Toronto or possiblyone of the bigger US cities would be a cherry on top.Nonni has partnered with Dylan Hughes as his agent,and Hughes’ father, Gareth, and brother, Kevin, areWVSC MSL coaches. Nonni actually played metrosoccer with Kevin Hughes while growing up, so theconnections go back a long way. The path to Edmonton FC has not always beensmooth, but Nonni would not change a single roadtaken along his journey. He credits his father forhelping him maintain his self-confidence, and hisfather’s soccer career has given him a foundationfrom which to advise him.

“My dad understands that there are hard thingsabout being a professional soccer player, but hebelieves in me, and that has helped me with my ownself confidence. I have no regrets about anything thatI have done. I feel blessed to wake up every day andbe playing soccer.” So if the apple does not fall farfrom the tree, maybe Nonni’s soccer journey will leadhim back home and to the Whitecaps. That is athought that brings another smile to Michael Nonni’sface.

Michael Nonni played against the Whitecaps last season as an Edmonton FC player. His goal is to make it to the MLS and play for one of the big franchises in Canada or the US.

Canada Soccer believes every player deservesthe best possible soccer experience.Whether they dream of playing for Canada's National Team or simply want tohave fun with their friends, taking the right approach to the game whenchildren are young sets the stage for a lifetime of enjoyment.

The Canada Soccer Pathway provides a roadmap for players of all ages andaspirations who want to play soccer at the recreation, competitive or highperformance EXCEL levels, with the aim of encouraging lifelong participation.The Pathway is built around the principles of Long-Term Player Development(LTPD).

What is LTPD?LTPD is a model of athlete development that parallels what doctors andpsychologists have long used to better understand human development: as aseries of distinct stages, which takes us from infancy through to adulthood. Aperson's abilities, behaviours and emotions, as well as their understanding ofthe world around them, varies from stage to stage.

Similarly, experts in sport science have identified seven stages ofdevelopment — each with its own physical and psychological characteristics—that form the basis for LTPD. When young soccer players are able to trainand compete in an environment that's appropriate to their stage ofdevelopment, they not only perform at their best, they also have more fun.

Why LTPD?We don't expect kids to compete in spelling bees without first teaching themtheir ABCs. When activities and expectations don't match with a child'sdevelopmental stage, this can set them up for failure.

The same is true when young children are thrust into a soccer environmentthat over-emphasizes winning at the expense of developing skills and havingfun. The negative consequences can last a lifetime: Some kids develop badhabits and poor skills and can become discouraged. Many don't achieve theirperformance potential. Others end up leaving the sport altogether becausethey don't enjoy the game.

While the recreational andcompetitive streams of play arelargely delivered through clubs andschools across the country, theEXCEL stream us designed to ensuremore of Canada's exceptional youngplayers find their way into the topcompetitive environments:professional clubs and NationalTeams.

LTPD gives all players the bestchance of success in soccer bytailoring training, competition andcoaching to their needs at theappropriate stage of development.

 When children learn the right skills atthe right time —supported by a caringsoccer community of parents,coaches, officials and volunteers —they become more confident in theirabilities and have a lot more fun. Thismeans more of them will grow intohealthy, active adults with a lifelonglove of the game.

Canada Soccer PathwayThe Canada Soccer Pathway isformed by three streams of play:recreational, competitive and EXCEL,the high performance arm ofCanada's soccer landscape. Itidentifies the environments a playershould look for, train and compete in,in order to progress from the localclub to Canada's National Teams.

Erin McLeod teaches GU11 Players How toClear their Minds, Get into the Zone, andTrain Like They are Going to the World Cup

Women’s National Team goalie, ErinMcLeod, has been providing WVSC playerswith special coaching and guest speakingopportunitiessince 2012. OnJanuary 28, Erinhelped coach theGU11 PlusProgram, andafter the on-fieldportion of thesession, she tookthe group ofyoung playersinto one of thechange rooms toexplain theimportance ofplaying with aclear mind and being in the zone. Erinacknowledged how players are often theirown harshest critics and how it’s important tobe kind to oneself after mistakes are made.“Making mistakes is part of growing anddeveloping as a player. There were timeswhen I used to be very mean to myself as aplayer,” Erin admitted. “Be kind to yourself.It’s important,” she encouraged the group ofattentive girls.

Erin and the WNT have been preparingsince early last fall in Vancouver, and theywill continue to ramp up the intensity of their

training as theyapproach theWorld Cup inJune.

The NationalTeam went toChina and wonthe BaoAn CupInternationalTournament, andthey will beplaying in theCyprus Cup inMarch where theywill see some

strong teams, such as England and Korea.Erin and her teammates have focused muchattention to strength and conditioning for theWorld Cup, and now there will be a shift totactical preparation. FIFA World Cup ticketsare on sale through Ticketmaster, and thereis great hope that Canadians will help fillarenas across the country to show theirsupport and love for our WNT and the sportof soccer.

Cheer on our men’s team and coachesLeo Nash and Dez Tachie. There is nobetter soccer to watch on the NorthShore, and it’s FREE.

1st in the VMSL Premier LeagueStandings:

WVFC will Defend its Place at the TopAgainst #2 ICST Pegasus

This Friday, 7:30 PM on Ambleside D

A Desire to Share Their Love for Soccer hasBrought Back Two WVSC Players as Coaches WVSC’s commitment to make our club a cradle to grave community soccer organization isone of the reasons we are proud to share stories of youth players who have returned as adultsto give back to the Club that helped to grow their love for soccer. Filled with passion andenthusiasm, Ben Weiss and Robin Mawson are two coaches who have returned to coach in ouryouth programs, and each hopes to inspire their players to love the game that has given themso much.

Benjamin Weiss

1.  When did you begin playing soccer?I started playing soccer when I was close to 6years old.  I spent the first 10 years of my life inMoncton, New Brunswick, so that is where mysoccer journey began.2. What is one of your fondest memories ofplaying youth soccer?  Did you have a favoritecoach?I guess my fondest memory of playing youthsoccer was close to the end of my time withWVSC as a player.  My coach at the time couldn'tbe at the game, so Jammer came to fill in.  Hegave us a new position layout. Something alongthe lines of 3 strikers, 5 midfield, and 2 defense,and myself in net.  After the first half, things werelooking grim with us down 0-5.  Yet with hardwork by everyone, we were able to pull back andwin 6-5 after the full time.In terms of a favourite coach, I have enjoyed all ofmy coaches in one way or another, so I can't findone that I found the best or my favourite.3. Describe your path from Youth Soccer towhere you have ended up as an adult?Currently, I try to play soccer three times a weekwhile working and coaching.  I think that YouthSoccer improved my drive to do things that Ienjoy because I enjoy them.  The discovery thatphysical activity in a team environment is very funand being able to coordinate with others aroundoneself has been very useful in my life.

Coach Ben Weiss enjoying some sidelinetalk with one of his players on a Saturdaymorning. Ben coaches the U10 Lions.

4. What brought you back to WVSC afteruniversity?I found that I was coming home after work andhaving a lot of spare time on my hands.  I hadrecently been playing some pick-up socceraround the North Shore and I felt like sharingmy enjoyment of the game with others.  I wentto Jammer to ask if any of the teams neededhelp, and he threw me into a head coachingposition.

5. Have any coaches or people you havemet while playing soccer made an impact onyour life?I think that every game that I have coached thisyear has had an impact on my life.  Everycoach has been very kind and the parents havebeen helping me a lot throughout this year.6. What role have your parents playedduring your career?They have encouraged me to do what makesme happy and to continue to do these thingseven when they get difficult because they knowI can pull through and I will be better off for it.7. How would you compare coaching toplaying?Coaching is like trying to see a bird’s eye viewof the field and predicting every play that yourplayers might experience, and then trying toconvey that to a first person view of the player.It’s very different.  I think that it has added anew perspective to my view on the game as aplayer.

8. As a coach, what is something you tryto bring to the field when you work withyour players?I always come to the field with a goal of tryingto make sure everyone has fun.  If the playershave fun while playing soccer then they will bedriven, even a little bit, to play more.  This is mymain goal.

(Ben Weiss Continued)

Robin Mawson

1. When did you begin playing soccer,and when did you begin with WVSC?

My first exposure to soccer was with West VanSoccer Club at the age of 5...I think my team wascalled the Spice Girls.

2. What is one of your fondestmemories of playing youth soccer?Did you have a favorite coach?

Paul Crofts was by far one of the greatestcoaches I ever had. He coached the girlsGold team - the West Van Wild - for myage group from its inception all the wayuntil we graduated high school, and Ijoined that team for 3 or 4 of those years.Paul was amazing – I don’t rememberhim ever missing a session, even on therainiest nights on the gravel field, and healways managed to strike the perfectbalance at practices: we worked hard(most of the time) but also had a lot offun. Then, at games he was a very quietcoach – you rarely heard him yellinginstructions from the sidelines. That reallytook the pressure off and made thegames fun as well. I think that funelement is what kept so many of hisplayers involved in the game at an agewhen so many other girls were droppingout of soccer. Needless to say, the Wildwas my favourite team of youth soccerand Paul’s coaching style really stuckwith me.

Coach Robin Mawson has returned fromMcMaster University to coach the WVSCU12 United.

3. Describe your path from Youth Soccer towhere you have ended up as an adult?

I played soccer with WVSC all the way through highschool, and when I graduated I ended up playingvarsity soccer at McMaster University in Ontario. Ihurt my knee at the end of first year and that prettywell ended my varsity soccer career, but I knew Iwanted to stay involved in soccer so I redirected thatpassion in a couple of ways. I found a local girls’ U13team in need of a coach and started helping out attheir practices. I absolutely loved the girls and theenvironment of that team, and from then on they werestuck with me. I coached them until the day Igraduated university, and it was one of the mostmeaningful and rewarding activities I did in my fouryears away.

In fourth year I also sought out a university professorwho agreed to supervise me in a thesis project onneuromuscular training programs to prevent injuriesin youth soccer – I was able to get even moreinvolved in the local soccer community through thatproject.. The enjoyment I got from being involved inthe soccer community combined with the connection Istill felt to my childhood soccer club is what broughtme back to WVSC after university – I have so manygreat memories from playing soccer with the clubthroughout my youth, and I wanted to see if I couldhelp the next up-and-coming players experience thatsame kind of enjoyment.

4. Have any coaches or people you have met while playing soccer made an impact on your life?

Saibo Talic, head coach of European Football School, was my academy coach for many years. I would not be who I am today if we had not crossed paths. He is a brilliant teacher because he believes in his students and he challenges his players so that they strive continually to achieve new goals. When I first arrived at his soccer academy at the age of twelve, I was a shy and nervous player with little confidence in myself or my soccer abilities. However, Saibo made it clear that he thought I had potential, and to have somebody believe in me was

a great thing. His belief gave me the confidence tomake mistakes without worrying about them, andthe motivation to work hard every single practice.The inevitable result of having somebody believein me and challenge me in soccer was that theconfidence couldn’t help seeping into otheraspects of my life – I began to apply those newattitudes to everything I did. In this way, Saiboultimately taught each and every player farbeyond the scope of soccer: he taught people tobecome not only better soccer players, but alsobetter people. He taught his players the value ofhard work, self confidence, and perseverancebecause he knew how to believe in us and how topush us.

5. What role have your parents played during your career?

My parents are the reason I learned to lovesoccer and was able to play it throughout my life.They drove me all over the lower mainland forgames, and would stand in the sun or the pouringrain from the time I was U6, with both teamsswarming the ball like ants, until I was U18. Theywere a constant source of pep talks, feedbackand encouragement all the way through youthsoccer and supported me on soccer trips toplaces like Europe and the US. My dad wasalways game for a trip to the island fortournaments, and my mom somehow neverstopped picking up her phone when I would callfrom university to talk soccer, school or anythingelse.

6. As a coach, what is something you try to bring to the field when you work with your players?

For me, soccer always has to be fun. I want myplayers to see soccer as a sport they can enjoyfor the rest of their lives, and if they want to cometo practices and games because they love beingthere, then I think this might just be a lifelongsport for them.

7.What is the name of your team?  Age group?

I coach the U12 WV United (I think!) alongside two awesome coaches: Fabia and Human. Our team is the most fun, inclusive and rowdy group of girls you will ever have the pleasure of meeting.

(Robin Mawson Continued.)

West Vancouver Soccer Club is proud to be hosting North Shore District Metro SoccerLeague teams at nearly every age group. By the 2016-17 season, the club should have ateam for each age group: U13-U17/18, boys and girls.

WVSC strives to provide the most qualified and capable coaches for each of itsMetro Soccer League teams. Players who are selected to be a member of one of theclub’s MSL teams will be expected to show the highest level of commitment to fellowteammates and the coach. Each player will be challenged to develop to his or her fullestpotential, and every player will be encouraged to strive toward playing at the highestlevel possible. WVSC’s MSL level is where players make a team because they aretruly one of the top players of an age group, and when the opportunity arises for the clubto support and strengthen its program with out-of-club players, it will do so with carefulconsideration. Soccer clubs from the Sea to Sky are considered an extension of ourMSL program because none of them has yet the ability to create a viable MSL programof their own. All MSL teams on the North Shore are District teams, not teamsbelonging to any single club, so it is important to ensure an opportunity for our partnerclubs and their players the chance to play at the MSL level if they fit the criteria that wehave set for our own club members.

WVSC members are always a priority for our club, but being a club member doesnot entitle a player the right to a spot on a MSL team. The Metro Soccer League isstructured to provide the highest level of soccer for clubs throughout the LowerMainland, and in order to compete and succeed in the league, the club will do what isreasonable to ensure that its own teams are competitive with the rest of the MSL teams.Tryouts for MSL teams will begin February 19 with Boys U13 and U14 goalkeepers.Girls U13 tryouts will begin March 2. More information on MSL can be found atwestvansoccer.com under the MSL link.

**Please note that teams that finish at the bottom of league standings are vulnerable tobeing relegated by the MSL Committee, so it is important to be competitive.

What is Metro Soccer League,MSL, and is it for Everyone?

All on a WeekendThroughout West Van