July Calendar and Tryouts

Good morning, the Lady Generals Soccer team will be gearing back up for the start of our July practice sessions on Monday, July 11th. I hope everyone has had a restorative summer break and dead period and is ready to rock-n-roll for the 2016 season. This blog post will provide updates to our July team calendar.

July Schedule

Our Official Team Calendar will continue to provide stakeholders with an overview of what to expect in the months ahead. The calendar is living in that dates and times are always subject to change. Therefore, my recommendation is to not print this calendar; instead stay informed with the most up-to-date calendar by accessing the links on our blog. Click HERE to access our calendar.

Overview of Next Two Weeks

July 11 - July 14 (M-T-W-Th) - Open Practice Sessions. These practices remain open to all girls interesting in trying out for the team. Practice times are unique this week as they will occur in the from 6:00-8:00PM. My apologies for the last minute change in practice times. Also, starting Tuesday, July 12, specialized goalkeeper training will occur from 5:00-6:00PM. Girls interested in coming out for goalkeeper will be asked to attend both sessions. 

July 18th and July 19th - Tryouts. Tryouts are mandatory and are open to all interested players. Sessions occurring this week will shift to our morning time slots. Goalkeepers will train from 8:00-9:00AM, all players will train from 9:00-11:00AM. On Tuesday, July 19, coaching staff will contact all interested players to inform them about their status of making or not making the team. On Wednesday, July 20, only players selected will continue to practice with the team. Practices will remain in the mornings until the first week of school. 

Logistics

1. Make arrangements to attend upcoming practice sessions. All players should bring cleats, shin guards, indoor shoes or tennis shoes everyday for practice.
2. Bring an up-to-date physical to Coach Martin ASAP. I must have these for my records.
3. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Next Steps Entering Dead Period

As the first week of open practices concluded on Thursday, I couldn't be more excited for the upcoming fall season. Throughout the week, I witnessed players with high energy, pushing themselves to improve, and players supporting each other. These core pieces will be essential to maintain when we hit the ground running in July. 

So, what are the next steps for our program? First, we will not meet or practice again until Monday, July 11. Our current plans are to host open practices throughout the week of July 11 (M-T-W-Th-F) from 9:00-11:00AM. Note, these dates and times are subject to change. You will be notified well in advance of any changes. Open practices are again voluntary and are open to any girl interested in trying out for the team. Official team tryouts will begin on Monday, July 18; these practice sessions will be mandatory for girls wanting to join the team.

To summarize our next steps, players and parents should follow this list of links and action steps.

1. Living Team Calendar
2. What is your level of fitness and will you be prepared for July practices?
• June Open Practice Fitness Marks - this link includes the running marks of players who attended open practice sessions. Compare these numbers to the guideline goals established on the Fitness Program (linked below). Where do you need to be in order to be an "impact JV player"?
• Fitness Program - follow this running program and guidelines to continue to get better.
• Fitness Running Groups - click on this link to view when and where groups of players are meeting to run. Please update this if you start a group.
3. Physical Forms - ensure that you have an active, up-to-date physical before July 11. Players without an active physical on file by July 11 will NOT be able to practice.

Legacy Core Meeting 2.1 - What do we want to create together?

Agenda

1. Welcoming!
• Who are we? What roles do we play?
• Reflection of Legacy Core 2015
• Team Norming
2. Brainstorming
3. Next Steps
4. Gratitude Circle

Kicking Off - 2016

Lady Generals Soccer is about to be in full swing! Although the 2016 fall sports season doesn't officially kick-off until July 15, the Lady Generals Soccer team will have several open practice sessions to start preparing for the upcoming season. These practice sessions are open to any girl interested in playing soccer at TNHS. Additionally, these sessions are completely voluntary as players will not be penalized for missing an open practice session. However, participation and involvement is highly encouraged. Tryouts for the team will not begin until the week of July 18.

Open practice sessions will start Monday, June 13 and will occur from 9:00-11:00AM at Thomas Nelson High School. We will host open practice from June 13-16 (Monday-Thursday). Players should make sure they arrive by 8:50, meet at TNHS athletic field house, and bring their cleats, shin guards, and flats (indoors or tennis shoes). Click here for our official team calendar (Note: I would not print this calendar as all times and dates are subject to change. Simply click on the live link to view the most up-to-date calendar).

Players should be aware that when we start practice and tryouts officially on July 18 that they should ENTER our pre-season in-shape. Our first official practice will not be fun for those players who are not fit. I recommend that you start running today and work to increase your intensity up until July 18. To help you prepare for our pre-season fitness tests, I've created a Fitness Plan Program. The program details what running marks you should be hitting when July 18 rolls around, communicates your fitness levels from last season, and it describes a running program for you to follow. Click on this presentation to view to the fitness program. Contact Coach Martin if you have any questions.

Finally, please ensure you have an up-to-date physical on file with Coach Martin. Schedule your physical ASAP, have the doctor fill out this form, and bring it to practice upon completion. I will keep a copy for myself and then make a copy for you to keep.

Summary With Important Links:

1. Official Lady Generals Soccer Calendar - includes all important dates, it's living
2. Fitness Program - start running today
3. KHSAA Physical Form - make sure this is up-to-date

Introducing.....The 2016 Legacy Core Team

The Lady Generals Soccer Program is proud to announce its 2016 Legacy Core Team! The Legacy Core is founded upon the core beliefs of shared ownership and effective partnerships. Members of this leadership team will collaborate with our coaching staff to offer their experiences, input, and leadership with the ultimate goal of continuing to develop a world class soccer program that will endure for years to come.

In its second year since its incorporation, the Legacy Core will look to build upon the systems and structures that were established last year. Outcomes for this year's Legacy Core team include developing and refining our mission and vision, engaging in an annual improvement process, and leading in a variety of ways throughout our program. We're extremely proud of these girls for having the courage necessary to step into a formal leadership role. I'm excited to see what we will create together.

Interested student-athletes were required to apply for the Legacy Core by writing a letter to our coaching staff. I want to encourage you to read a few of these letters by clicking on the name of the student-athlete listed below to view their application letter.

Freshman:
Izzy Whitis

Sophomores:
Maddie Byrd
Amelia Watkins

Juniors:
Alex Barlow
Caroline Middleton
Julia Rogers

Seniors:
Cameron Boone
Claire Hicks
Grace James
Marley Rogers
Joanna Whitis

You can stay informed with actions taken by the Legacy Core team by periodically reviewing our team blog as all agenda, links, and outcomes will be ran through our blog.

2016 Pre-Summer Meeting

All players interested in trying out for the 2016 Lady Generals Soccer team met with Coach Martin on Thursday, April 28. If you were unable to attend, CLICK HERE for the presentation notes from this meeting as it previews our summer plans, options for Centre College team camp, and Legacy Core applications. 

Legacy Core Applications - players interested in applying for the Legacy Core LEADERship team should complete the following.

1. Think about what being a TNHS Lady General means to you and what attributes you could bring to the LEADERship team.
2. Write a letter of interest to our TNHS coaching staff by completing these instructions.
3. Share your applications with Coach Martin at alex.martin@nelson.kyschools.us before May 6.

Next Steps for All Interested Players

• Talk to your parents about Centre Soccer Camp and your options on attending. All players should text Coach Martin about their intentions (attending or not attending camp) so he can calculate numbers.
• Submit Legacy Core applications before May 6.
• Make sure your physical is up-to-date before June (click here for the form).

Preparing for 2016

Lady Generals Soccer Community,


Good afternoon, I hope everyone has had a restorative winter break following the conclusion of our 2015 season. Temperatures are warming up, days are getting longer, many players are in full swing with their spring activities, and with only 106 days until the official start of the 2016 soccer season, there are a number of planning and brainstorming items to address in the months ahead.

Coach Hurst, Coach Michael, and I are proud of the growth our program has experienced over the last four years, and we are excited about the potential our program possesses. Heading into the 2016 season, we are looking to continue building upon concepts aligning with our TNHS athletic mission of Community, Care, and LEADERship. In order for this work to align, there are a number of logistical and planning items that will take place.

Next Steps and Future Agenda Items

1. Uniform Return - All players should return their full TNHS uniform to Coach Martin for inventorying purposes. Expect an updated list of who has and hasn't returned their uniform in a future blog post. Any senior who wishes to keep part of their TNHS uniform for keepsake purposes may do so by paying for the cost of a replacement piece.
2. Legacy Core 2016 - Student-Athletes who wish to take on essential leadership roles within our program will have an opportunity to apply after spring break. Once the Legacy Core team is announced, we will begin meeting regularly.
3. Parent Partnership Meetings - Coming soon! Meetings to take place following spring break.
4. Lady Generals 2016 Match Schedule - Official release of our 2016 schedule is coming soon!

 I'm grateful for our continued support. Go Lady G's.


Sincerely,


Alex Martin