USPSA E-newsletter for February 2011

President's Letter

Dear Members,

I have just returned from the US Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) and once again US Power Soccer was announced in the roll call for involvement with the business of mainstream soccer in America. While there was no direct action taken that will effect our great sport, there are a number of people who ask the question, "what is power soccer?" That is typically followed by, "I didn't know anything like that existed!" I get an opportunity to discuss and share what our sport is about to program directors and leaders in the soccer community. I also get a chance to share information about the World Cup. Being part of mainstream soccer is an important connection we need to continue to maintain. I had an opportunity to thank Dan Flynn, the Secretary General and CEO of US Soccer for their generous donation of team kits for our National Team. It is a valuable relationship we will continue to develop. We remain the only National Disabled Soccer Organization member. It was a great two days.

Nominations and applications for office are due soon. If you are interested and capable of fulfilling a role on the board I would encourage you to submit your name for the up coming elections.

Agenda items are also due soon. If you have an item you wish to submit for the AGM, please them forward to USPSA Secretary, Jenny Mitchell.

On the international front, FIPFA has made some changes to the laws. We are still reviewing the changes and how they will affect the game. We will not be implementing these new laws until next season. We will be sending out more information about these changes at some point prior to the AGM.

Team USA travels to Birmingham, Alabama for a three-day training camp, starting February 17th. The team is looking very good and the players are dedicated and committed to defending the Cup. The team can still use your financial support. We had a disappointment from the US Soccer Foundation, as we were denied our grant request for $62,000. This would have paid for Team USA registration and air travel to France. Please consider making a donation to the team today.

Thank you and keep rolling!

Dominic Russo
President
United States Power Soccer Association

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REGISTRATION REMINDER

March 1st: New Player Deadline

If teams wish to add new players to their rosters, they must be completely registered BEFORE MARCH 1ST to be eligible to play in the Conference Cup Championships. Any new players may still join the team and play in regular matches, but NO players added after March 1st may play in their team's Conference Cup tournament.

If you have questions about team or player eligibility, please do not hesitate to ask: email secretary [at] powersoccerusa [dot] net!

Sincerely,
Jenny Mitchell
USPSA Secretary

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TOURNAMENT NEWS AND INFO

PowerBlast 2011
Hosted by: Arizona Disabled Sports

Friday, March 4th: 12pm - 9pm
Saturday, March 5th: 8am - 7pm
Sunday, March 6th: 8am - 12pm

12 teams from all conferences welcome. All teams guaranteed a minimum of 5 games.

The hotel is located walking distance from the venue and provides continental breakfast each day.

For more information, or to participate, please contact Lane Jeppsen at 480.835.6273 or lane [at] mesadisabledsports [dot] com

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Santa Barbara Power Soccer Tournament
Hosted By: Santa Barbara Power Soccer Teams

April 9th-10th, 2011
Saturday: 9am - 6pm
Sunday: 9am - 3pm

Carpinteria Middle School
5351 Carpinteria Ave.
Carpinteria, CA 93013

5-8 teams, $150 per team.If you are interested in coming to sunny Santa Barbara to play, please RSVP by March 15th, 2011.

Teams from all conferences welcome. Additional information regarding lodging, food, etc to be provided at a later date.

Contact: Bill Balles, RollinGauchos [at] yahoo [dot] com, 805-745-5909

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2nd Annual Want-2-Roll Tournament
Hosted By: Royalty Power Soccer

CANCELLED

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Metal & Muscle Expo 2011
Hosted By: Houston Parks & Recreation Department

May 13th-15th, 20119am - 6pm

George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida de las Americas
Houston, TX 77002

No Registration Fees! 4-6 team Round Robin tournament Friday and Saturday, elimination championship Sunday.

Contact: Charles French, Charles [dot] French [at] houstontx [dot] gov, 713-562-4089

 

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TEAM USA PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

 

This is the first month of having a "Player of the Month" and we are privileged to have two, Michael Archer & Case Calvert. These two players are not only teammates on the US National Power Soccer Team but have been local teammates on the Circle City Rollers for five years. They have accomplished a great deal in soccer but never have they had the chance to represent the United States together.

Michael Archer was a member of the first US National Power Soccer Team that won the first ever World Cup. According to Michael, "Power soccer means the world to me, without it I would not be the person I am today." Even though Michael and his teammates won the first Powerchair Football World Cup in Tokyo, Japan in 2007, he has bigger goals for 2011. "In 2011 I hope to achieve the ultimate goal in power soccer, that is to compete at the World Cup and come home with a second world championship." Not only is Michael an athlete but he is also a student at Purdue University where he is studying for his degree as an Air Traffic Controller. He decided on this career path after taking a tour of an air traffic control center. Michael and his family live in Greenwood, IN.

Case Calvert has been playing power soccer for over 5 years and was selected as a member of the US National Power Soccer team in November 2009. It is a great honor for Case to be a member of the defending World Champions. Case believes that, "Power Soccer has allowed me to dream of things that I never could without the sport. It allows me to accomplish things based on my own ability and not the ability of others." He also wants to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a second World Cup for his country. Competing at the highest level of competition has always been a goal of his and now he has the opportunity. As a recent graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors degree in Visual Communication, Case is in the process of securing a job. He hopes to "be that influence toward others that make them want to step up, be successful, and give back to their communities. I want to be in a place in my life that I can give advice, inspiration, support, and help create meaningful influences in others."

These athletes are very motivated and have committed two years of their lives to Team USA. Their mentality is, "I can do anything I put my mind to!"

 

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TEAM USA NEWS

Team USA has been practicing for the last year to prepare for the 2011 World Cup on November 2-6 in Paris France. We will be having upcoming training camps in Birmingham, Alabama February 17-19, Berkeley, California in May and Indianapolis, Indiana in August. Everyone on the team has been working hard every week to train and help the team improve. We are starting off the New Year right by setting a goal, to win the World Cup! The team is proud to be partnered with Power Soccer Shop and is still looking for more support and sponsorship. For more information or to contact us, please visit our website at www.powersoccerteamusa.org.

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TAMPA THUNDER'S BEN CARPENTER AT 2011 EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME

Click to watch Ben's speech

"Strong legs run so weak legs can walk," a motto that has carried through all eighty-six years of the East West Shrine Game, and a line that has inspired many of today's great National Football League players. This statement truly encompasses all of the East West Shrine Game, and serves as a reminder of the amazing work of the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, which are located all across the world. This past January I had the honor of experiencing the full extent of this saying and its importance to inspiring today's youth to become active in philanthropic organizations, such as the Shriners.

Being selected as the Patient Ambassador for the game was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even for someone like me, who has been used to giving speeches and meeting large groups of people, this event was gigantic. Every room at every facility we traveled to, pregame and postgame, it was standing room only, because everyone knew that this event was the Shriners event to go to; you could not ask for a better crowd of people who were so dedicated to aiding the disabled. The one line I always told people when they thanked me for what I had done for the Shriners was that "the Shriners are what made it possible for me to do what I do," and nothing could be more true. From power soccer and the Tampa Thunder to numerous speaking engagements across Florida, the Shriners are the driving force behind my every move, and I am grateful for them every day.

The game itself was not as down-to-the-wire as some past games, with the East team and their head coach Dan Reeves always leading the way by at least six points. It was exceedingly cold and windy, but that was all the better, as it brought out the true skill of every player, which created an amazing show. There were punters having to kick almost directly at the stands in order to have their kick go down the middle of the field, and there were several interceptions, including two back to back. Despite the diminished crowd numbers due to the cold, the cheering in the Citrus Bowl rivaled that of any playoff NFL game.

All in all, the 2011 East West Shrine Game was a great experience, and I strongly encourage anyone who can go to do so in order to support the Shriners and their mission to help tomorrow by caring for kids. It was an honor to be a part of it this year, and to represent the sport of power soccer which I hold so close to my heart.

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LAKESHORE FOUNDATION SEEKS NEW POWER SOCCER COACH

Patty Cornelius, head coach of the Lakeshore Power, athletic director at Lakeshore Foundation for the last eight years and former USPSA Board member has resigned from the Lakeshore Foundation to pursue a new path in the world of disability sport. Patty will be taking a job with Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and relocating to the UK at the end of March.

Patty has worked with the Lakeshore power soccer team for the last eight years and is looking to secure a power soccer coach for the team before she departs. This person should be enthusiastic, motivated and either have a good knowledge of the game and power chairs or a strong willingness to learn. The coaching position would be a stipend position and report to the new athletic director, once that person is hired.

Please contact Patty at pattyc [at] lakeshore [dot] org or 205-313-7433 before March 13, if you know of anyone who might be appropriate for this position.

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COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS FOR THE 2010- 2011 SEASON

Barbara Peacock	Athletes Advisory Committee
Mark Pratt	Legislative and Bylaws Committee
Joe Carrow	Equipment Specification Committee
Jonathan Newman	Tournament Selection Committee
Ericka Sutton	Elections Committee
Case Calvert	Marketing Committee
Don Faria	Rules Committee
Jenny Mitchell	IT Committee

 

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USPSA on YouTube

In a concerted effort to bring relevant video to people searching out information on the internet about power soccer and the USPSA, we are introducing a You-Tube page specific to the USPSA.

If you have power soccer videos (games, clinics, etc.) that you have taken at a recent USPSA event, or you are interested in video taping upcoming events and helping with this project, please contact Tony Jackson at: azpowersoccer [at] gmail [dot] com