With all of the angry people and bitterness in the game, every now and again we get a reminder about all that is good in the game. Today was such a day. Working with Alex Rawlings and the coaches at CSA was great.
The day started at the OESA Olberding complex with friendlies between our U11-U14 Academy teams and the CSA Elite teams. First of all, it was our first opportunity to show off the new complex. There is still a lot to be done, but as one coach said to me today for them it was like coming from the desert. It doesn't really matter how much money you put into fields if you can't water them. We can and it showed. More on the fields in another blog.
The CSA coaches and parents were great to work with. The spirit of the games were great and having quality competition here in Cincinnati was tremendous as our boys prepare for the Gallagher Friendlies next weekend.
In developing the U9 Academy League we had several clubs that committed to the project that didn't follow through. While it has created more work for us, we are not deterred. The project is exactly what our players need. We have the opportunity to develop the entire age group while still pushing our top players through training and games. (Some of our U9 players will be asked to train up starting this week.) The Academy format is great because it allows Scott to move players around between the two teams at his discretion. We can ability group the boys or create more balanced teams.
The second part of the day were the U9 friendlies out at the Cincinnati Nature Center. Once we found the fields - can you say "deliverance"? - the games went off without a hitch. It was great to work with CSA, Fairfield and Warren County on our first Academy play date.
Thanks Alex! Thank you CSA.
