Kids America’s 2nd Session of Indoor Soccer got underway with a mighty kick on Saturday, January 6th.
For the next seven weeks, 66 teams will play matches morning, noon, and night at Kids America.
Of the 66 teams participating in indoor soccer, only 38 squads call Coshocton County home. 19 teams come from other Ohio counties, while 9 clubs travel from West Virginia every other weekend to participate in KA’s local indoor soccer leagues.
The county by county breakdown for teams include: Coshocton (38), Holmes (9), Knox (5), Tuscarawas (2), Washington (2), and Muskingum (1).
Over 275 people attended the Kids America New Years’ Eve party on December 31st.
Families enjoyed the inflatable rides, played games, participated in the scavenger hunt, and watched movies during the 4-hour event.
The event was a family friendly event with free popcorn, .50 cent slices of pizza, soft drinks, and candy.
Businesses who donated pizzas, prizes, or in-kind services included: Papa Johns Pizza, Crowtown Pizza, The Coshocton Yard, Figaro’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Plus One Pizza, Burger King, Arby’s, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Pearl Valley Cheese, and Centre Party Rental.
With successful girls volleyball programs at Coshocton, River View, and Ridgewood, it is no surprise that Kids America’s middle school girls volleyball clinic had such an overwhelming number of registrants.
43 young ladies are participating in the clinic on Monday nights from 5:30 to 7pm. Guest instructors for the clinic include Trista Claxon, Karen Zinkon, Dan Smith, Elise Erwin, and Kyla Weaver.
Collegiate Soccer Training Comes to Kids America
Soccer players interested in collegiate level soccer training are invited to Kids America on Thursday nights from 6pm to 8pm this winter. Professional collegiate coaches will be at Kids America to offer players expert training, skills, and collegiate drills. This level of training is also a great time for student-athletes to learn more about playing the game after high school and pursuing a college degree.
Registration is $60.00 per player for all seven 2-hour training dates. A daily rate is also available at $15.00 per night. Training is open to boys and girls ages U-12 to High School.
Collegiate Soccer Training Instructors:
Eric Nichols - Coach Nichols will be entering his 4th year as Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus. Nichols played his collegiate soccer at The Ohio State University from 1988 to 1991. Nichols also played soccer professionally in the NPSL, USISL, and A-League. Nichols is a native of Kansas City, Missouri.
Paul Furey - Over the past 17 years, Furey has led the Mt. Vernon Nazarene University Men’s Soccer team to the most wins and the best winning percentage of any coach in the program's 27-year history. During Furey's tenure at MVNU, he has received several honors. He was named the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association NAIA Coach of the Year in 2000. In addition, he was selected to coach the OCSA All-Star Team following the 2000 season. Furey recorded his 200th career victory on October 12, 2005, in a 3-0 victory over Malone College. In college Furey lettered in both Soccer and Baseball for four years at Miami Christian College in Florida.
Willie Merrick - Coach Merrick has played the game of soccer at all levels. After one year at the University of Rio Grande, Merrick transferred to Marshall University in Huntington, WVA and lettered in both Soccer and Football for the Thundering Herd. Merrick also play professional soccer in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. Coach Merrick will begin his 3rd season at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus this fall. Prior to coming to ODU, Merrick was the Men’s Soccer Coach at Thomas Worthington High School in Columbus.
Recardo Warren - Coach Warren will be entering his second year as a member of the Kenyon College Men’s Soccer Coaching Staff. Ricky is a native of Kingston, Jamaica. As a player, Warren was a member of the Jamaican U-20 Youth National Team and the Jamaican U-17 Youth National Team. As a collegiate player, Warren played for Mt. Vernon Nazarene University. Warren played in 82 career matches for the Cougars. While attending MVNU, the Cougars posted a record of 58-26-4.
Jarred Renner - Coach Renner will begin his second year as an Assistant Coach with Mt. Vernon Nazarene University Men’s Soccer Team this fall. Renner is the Goalkeeper Coach for the Cougars and also works with the MVNU defensive unit. He was also a member of the Cougar squad from 2001 to 2004. Renner is a graduate of River View High School.
U.S. Indoor Soccer Officials Training
Kids America will be the site for a U.S. Indoor Soccer Officials Certification Course on Sunday, January 14th. The certification is a 3 to 4 hour class taught by Mark Dyrness from U.S. Indoor Soccer. The class will begin at 10am in Kids America’s Austin Meeting Room.
Tuition for the course is $50.00 per person. To RSVP for the class, contact Sue Renner at Kids America at 740.622.6657.
Get A Plan By Amy J. Duncan, ACE-certified Athletic Trainer
Have you ever finally mustered up the motivation to go to the gym only to find that once you arrive you’re not exactly sure what to do? You are not alone. Even the experienced fitness enthusiast needs a plan. Having a plan increases your chances of reaching your goals in a safe and timely manner. So take fifteen minutes to put your plan in writing. Kids America will now be providing a file cabinet for you to store your workout log. Not sure how to create this plan? Here are a few tips for designing a workout program:
1.) Identify Short and Long Term Goals. Give yourself a time line to reach those goals. Re-evaluate this time line on a regular basis. Be easy on yourself regarding set-backs. Everyone hits bumps in the road. The important thing is to keep moving forward.
2.) Be Realistic about the Amount of Time You Will Be Able to Invest. Start slowly if you are a beginner or beginning a new type of exercise. Jumping into an intense workout regiment as a beginner will only set you up for burn-out. It has been shown time and again that gradual changes benefit you in the long-run.
3.) Achieve Balance. Dedicate a portion of your weekly workout time for cardiovascular endurance and strength, resistance, and flexibility training. Even though you may have a favorite area, remember that each of these areas provides their own health benefits. For example resistance or strength training is not just for body builders but is especially important for women of all ages as it helps to strengthen bones and fight osteoporosis.
4.) The Ten Percent Rule. Whether you are a just starting a fitness program or have been exercising regularly for some time progress should be made in 10% increments or less per week. Use this rule to establish a timeline for your goals.
If you still have questions about creating a workout program contact one of Kids America’s trainers or fitness instructors. And as always if you have a fitness question you would like answered feel free to email me at fit.2.day@hotmail.com.