PMSC - Partnership with Glen Buckley
This was an email sent to the PMSC community on August, 18, 2011:
Dear Pittsford Mustang Parents, Players and Coaches,
The Board of Directors has made a commitment to move the club in a forward direction in both player and coach development. After reviewing multiple proposals we have entered into a partnership with Glen Buckley to assist us with this commitment. It is with great pleasure that we introduce Glen and present his note as he introduces himself and explains the PMSC plans for this coming fall, winter and spring of 2012.
For ten years I served the state as the technical director. I worked closely with many clubs but could only go so far so as not to be seen to be favoring any one club... I had to remain neutral. I had a desire and passion for coach and ultimately player development but could never realize my ambition of time on the field with either for any length of time.
Through the foresight of the PMSC board I have now been given the opportunity to work with one of the more progressive clubs in the state and given the challenge of creating an environment where player and coach learning complement each other over a period of time.
From my observations of the travel clubs across the state it has to be said I arrived at the conclusion that they were not really clubs at all... in the true sense of the word, but merely a collection of 20,30 or more separate teams operating individually under the banner of a club name. Many teams consist of the same players year after year, even though there was a “tryout” each fall. Personnel rarely changed.
That in itself is totally contradictory to what we know about the cognitive, physical and psychological growth patterns of young children. Sadly this way has remained and so our children and their parents have become complacent about earning the right to play or be a part of the group, moreover it has created entitlement. In the past following tryout the players are placed on a team and then they disperse into other sports, school activities etc and don’t touch a Soccer ball for up to three or four months. They return to indoor practice in late winter and expect to pick up where they left off. Playing games in indoor leagues is not enough, as little to no technical repetition has been practiced. To become competent at anything you must practice... regularly.
As for coaching, over the years the Pittsford club encouraged the parent coach volunteers to seek coach education courses. I myself taught many Youth Modules and E certifications for the club. For that they are to be congratulated, however as with most clubs it falls away as the majority of “parent coaches” have little time or desire to continue their education. It is in this area that I now feel we can move forward with immediate effect. I will hold coach learning opportunities for the selected coaching staff for next season within the club. The learning will continue through the new indoor development sessions from November through April on a weekly basis with coaches putting into practice what has been learned through the coach learning clinics.
Age-appropriate curriculum will be provided based on proven solid player development activities for the various age groups and the coaches will work from those under my watchful eye.
The U8 through U17 tryouts will be in September. They will actually be evaluations that will continue through the indoor sessions. As each age group is evaluated the players will be placed in one of three “Training Squads,” Principle, Transitional or Fundamental. They will practice in that group indoor. They will be continually evaluated by me and the age-group coaches. A player in the transitional group will have the opportunity to move up if their commitment, desire and ability so proves. By the same rules that a principle player can move down, a fundamental player can be moved up. The teams will only be formed in late March/April following and toward the end of indoor training. In this format we have the ability to move players up or down not only within an age group but into an older age group should their ability, commitment and desire show us as much. This process will be the first of a kind in this area and will reward those that are committed to improving their Soccer skill. Remember every indoor session you miss is one less opportunity the staff have to evaluate you.
Ultimately we will place the players at the level their current commitment, physicality, desire and competency portrays, creating a FUN learning environment for player, coach and parent.
The USL program it has to be said is one of the best in the state and requires little change. I will be working with the program director to make a few little changes for the program next year.
As with all change there will probably be dissent albeit from a coach that has had ownership of the team for a few years or a parent that believes their player has the right to be placed on a certain team because they were last year. That is inevitable. I ask that you try to see that the club has the best interest of over 800 players as their primary concern and are seeking ways to improve the environment for ALL of its players. The Webster Soccer Association some years ago put into place a similar version of this program. I told them at the time that the results would be seen in 5 to 8 years... sure enough last summer Webster placed 6 teams across both genders and age groups in the final 4 weekend of state cup, with the U12 boys crowned state champions... who incidentally were the U7 players that were not allowed to travel at U8 when all others were... Hmm! There is no reason whatsoever that the Pittsford Mustangs cannot mirror that feat. With patience and an open mind together we can create a footprint for the club and be seen as a coach and player development program that others will look up to and respect.
I am looking forward to working with you all and can’t wait to get started. If you have any questions or comments I would be more than happy to speak to you on any of the communication tools listed here, however I do prefer the phone or even face to face, I would be more than happy to let you buy me a coffee... well tea actually.
Attached is my BIO or “Bravado” and is that which someone wrote for me for my website...
Take care and hope to see you at evaluations.
Glen Buckley
glenbuckleysoccer.com
585-831-7465
The Pittsford Mustangs Board of Directors
Glen Buckley Bio
If you are serious about soccer then as a player, coach, administrator and parent you need to expose yourself to quality information and instruction. Renowned as one of the major coach and player educators in the USA Glen Buckley has grown up around the game and made it his life. He has amassed close to 30 years of experience in the coach education and player development arenas. From his early days in his native England working for his home town club Wigan Athletic, the English Football Association, and Lancashire Football Association, he focused his attention and devoted his adult life to further education, gaining his FA “Full Badge” at just 27 years of age. He was selected as one of the first 30 coaches in England to be a Tutor Assessor of the FA, shortly afterward completing his UEFA A license. Following successful stints as a manager in the Semi Pro leagues he arrived on these shores to take up a role as a Club Director of Coaching in Minneapolis, MN. Following 5 years in that role he was appointed State Director of Coaching for the New York State West Youth Soccer Association. A position he held for 10 years transforming the state coach education program into one of the most successful in the country. During this period he successfully acquired the USSF A, B National Youth License and the NSCAA premiere diploma.
He currently serves as both a US Soccer and US Youth Soccer National Staff Instructor.
If you have been in his classes or attended his clinics or lectures then you will fully understand his infectious personality and will certainly appreciate his quick wit. His knowledge is unsurpassed and is delivered with a calm and controlled demeanor that both players and coaches welcome and appreciate, normally with a smile on their face!
Dear Pittsford Mustang Parents, Players and Coaches,
The Board of Directors has made a commitment to move the club in a forward direction in both player and coach development. After reviewing multiple proposals we have entered into a partnership with Glen Buckley to assist us with this commitment. It is with great pleasure that we introduce Glen and present his note as he introduces himself and explains the PMSC plans for this coming fall, winter and spring of 2012.
For ten years I served the state as the technical director. I worked closely with many clubs but could only go so far so as not to be seen to be favoring any one club... I had to remain neutral. I had a desire and passion for coach and ultimately player development but could never realize my ambition of time on the field with either for any length of time.
Through the foresight of the PMSC board I have now been given the opportunity to work with one of the more progressive clubs in the state and given the challenge of creating an environment where player and coach learning complement each other over a period of time.
From my observations of the travel clubs across the state it has to be said I arrived at the conclusion that they were not really clubs at all... in the true sense of the word, but merely a collection of 20,30 or more separate teams operating individually under the banner of a club name. Many teams consist of the same players year after year, even though there was a “tryout” each fall. Personnel rarely changed.
That in itself is totally contradictory to what we know about the cognitive, physical and psychological growth patterns of young children. Sadly this way has remained and so our children and their parents have become complacent about earning the right to play or be a part of the group, moreover it has created entitlement. In the past following tryout the players are placed on a team and then they disperse into other sports, school activities etc and don’t touch a Soccer ball for up to three or four months. They return to indoor practice in late winter and expect to pick up where they left off. Playing games in indoor leagues is not enough, as little to no technical repetition has been practiced. To become competent at anything you must practice... regularly.
As for coaching, over the years the Pittsford club encouraged the parent coach volunteers to seek coach education courses. I myself taught many Youth Modules and E certifications for the club. For that they are to be congratulated, however as with most clubs it falls away as the majority of “parent coaches” have little time or desire to continue their education. It is in this area that I now feel we can move forward with immediate effect. I will hold coach learning opportunities for the selected coaching staff for next season within the club. The learning will continue through the new indoor development sessions from November through April on a weekly basis with coaches putting into practice what has been learned through the coach learning clinics.
Age-appropriate curriculum will be provided based on proven solid player development activities for the various age groups and the coaches will work from those under my watchful eye.
The U8 through U17 tryouts will be in September. They will actually be evaluations that will continue through the indoor sessions. As each age group is evaluated the players will be placed in one of three “Training Squads,” Principle, Transitional or Fundamental. They will practice in that group indoor. They will be continually evaluated by me and the age-group coaches. A player in the transitional group will have the opportunity to move up if their commitment, desire and ability so proves. By the same rules that a principle player can move down, a fundamental player can be moved up. The teams will only be formed in late March/April following and toward the end of indoor training. In this format we have the ability to move players up or down not only within an age group but into an older age group should their ability, commitment and desire show us as much. This process will be the first of a kind in this area and will reward those that are committed to improving their Soccer skill. Remember every indoor session you miss is one less opportunity the staff have to evaluate you.
Ultimately we will place the players at the level their current commitment, physicality, desire and competency portrays, creating a FUN learning environment for player, coach and parent.
The USL program it has to be said is one of the best in the state and requires little change. I will be working with the program director to make a few little changes for the program next year.
As with all change there will probably be dissent albeit from a coach that has had ownership of the team for a few years or a parent that believes their player has the right to be placed on a certain team because they were last year. That is inevitable. I ask that you try to see that the club has the best interest of over 800 players as their primary concern and are seeking ways to improve the environment for ALL of its players. The Webster Soccer Association some years ago put into place a similar version of this program. I told them at the time that the results would be seen in 5 to 8 years... sure enough last summer Webster placed 6 teams across both genders and age groups in the final 4 weekend of state cup, with the U12 boys crowned state champions... who incidentally were the U7 players that were not allowed to travel at U8 when all others were... Hmm! There is no reason whatsoever that the Pittsford Mustangs cannot mirror that feat. With patience and an open mind together we can create a footprint for the club and be seen as a coach and player development program that others will look up to and respect.
I am looking forward to working with you all and can’t wait to get started. If you have any questions or comments I would be more than happy to speak to you on any of the communication tools listed here, however I do prefer the phone or even face to face, I would be more than happy to let you buy me a coffee... well tea actually.
Attached is my BIO or “Bravado” and is that which someone wrote for me for my website...
Take care and hope to see you at evaluations.
Glen Buckley
glenbuckleysoccer.com
585-831-7465
The Pittsford Mustangs Board of Directors
Glen Buckley Bio
If you are serious about soccer then as a player, coach, administrator and parent you need to expose yourself to quality information and instruction. Renowned as one of the major coach and player educators in the USA Glen Buckley has grown up around the game and made it his life. He has amassed close to 30 years of experience in the coach education and player development arenas. From his early days in his native England working for his home town club Wigan Athletic, the English Football Association, and Lancashire Football Association, he focused his attention and devoted his adult life to further education, gaining his FA “Full Badge” at just 27 years of age. He was selected as one of the first 30 coaches in England to be a Tutor Assessor of the FA, shortly afterward completing his UEFA A license. Following successful stints as a manager in the Semi Pro leagues he arrived on these shores to take up a role as a Club Director of Coaching in Minneapolis, MN. Following 5 years in that role he was appointed State Director of Coaching for the New York State West Youth Soccer Association. A position he held for 10 years transforming the state coach education program into one of the most successful in the country. During this period he successfully acquired the USSF A, B National Youth License and the NSCAA premiere diploma.
He currently serves as both a US Soccer and US Youth Soccer National Staff Instructor.
If you have been in his classes or attended his clinics or lectures then you will fully understand his infectious personality and will certainly appreciate his quick wit. His knowledge is unsurpassed and is delivered with a calm and controlled demeanor that both players and coaches welcome and appreciate, normally with a smile on their face!