Coaches Symposium Also to Focus on Competitive Training and Applying the Needs of the Game to the Field; Scheduled in Conjunction with USA-Ireland Game in Houston

CHICAGO (October 19, 2004) – The U.S. Soccer Coaching Education Department will conduct a Coaching Symposium at Rice University in Houston, Texas, on Saturday (Oct. 23) prior to the Women’s National Team “Fan Celebration Tour” game against Ireland at 7 p.m. CT at Reliant Stadium.

A classroom session with Head Coach April Heinrichs, who led the Women’s National Team to a Gold Medal at the Olympics this summer, highlights the symposium, which will focus on “Needs of the Game,” “Competitive Technical Training,” and “Applying Needs of the Game to the Field.”

Registration cost is $50 for members of the U.S.Coaches Organization and $65 for non-members. The fee includes a ticket to the Women’s National Team game on Saturday evening.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, followed by an hour-long Classroom Session with Women’s National Team Head Coach April Heinrichs at 10 a.m. There is a session on “Needs of the Game” before lunch, followed by two field sessions on “Competitive Technical Training” and “Applying the Needs of the Game to the Field.” The symposium concludes with the Women’s National Team game against Denmark at 5 p.m. CT at Reliant Stadium after a Question and Answer session from 4:30-5 p.m.

The coaching symposium in Houston is being offered for the broad base of youth, high school and college soccer coaches. Coaches who hold an “A” license will earn one Continuing Education Credit (CEU) toward keeping their license current.

Houston will be the seventh stop on the 10-game Fan Celebration Tour, highlighting the Gold Medal-winning Women’s National Team and thanking fans for their support. The tour successfully kicked off in Rochester, N.Y., on Sept. 25 in front of a sold-out crowd at Frontier Field. Thus far, more than 77,000 fans have come to support the USA in the first five games of the tour.

The entire Fan Celebration Tour marks one final chance for the U.S. Women’s National Team’s legion of diehard supporters to see this group of special players on the international soccer stage. Players and fans alike will be able to celebrate the U.S. legacy that includes two Women’s World Cup championships, two Gold Medal victories and top three finishes in each of their seven FIFA world championship events.

In addition to the retirements of Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm, the 2004 gold medal winners also include veteran defender Brandi Chastain, the United States’ Iron Woman Kristine Lilly and goalkeeper Briana Scurry, as well as the USA’s new Gold Medal and FIFA Women’s World Cup heroes: Wambach and Shannon Boxx.

 

Houston Coaching Symposium Schedule – October 23, 2004 (Tentative)
9:30 a.m.-10 a.m.              Registration
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.              Classroom Session: April Heinrichs
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.     Classroom Session: “Needs of the Game”

12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.           Lunch

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.                 Field Session: “Competitive Technical Training”
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.        Field Session: “Applying Needs of the Game to the Field”
4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.            Wrap-up and Q & A

Fee Schedule
U.S. Coaches Organization Members (Pre-registration until Nov. 3)        $50
Non-Members (Pre-registration until Nov. 3)                                          $60

Download and complete the registration form by clicking here and return via e-mail to ginap@stxsoccer.org or fax to the Coaching Education Department at 512-272-5167. Checks should be made payable to U.S. Soccer.

Questions should be directed to South Texas Youth Soccer Association by e-mailing ginap@stxsoccer.org or by calling 512-272-4553.