Grand Island Soccer Club Player Development Page

This Page Is Dedicated To Keeping Parents & Players Informed On The Latest Opportunities For Playing Soccer & Attending Clinics

Player Development Resources:

NEW - Easter Camp at Niagara University (more info)
Goalkeeper Academy at Sahlens - Jan 12 (more info)
Rhino-Tees Sports Complex (more info)
Goalie Clinic - Winter 2011 (more info)
KEEPER KLUB Goalkeeper Training (more info)
GISC Academy 2011/12 Session 2 underway - registration for Session 3 open (more info)
GISC Travel Age Group Training 2012 announced (more info)
Sahlen's Player Development & Team Training - (more info)
GISC Player Development Strategies: A Must Read for all involved in GISC (more info below)
Inspiring YouTube Video - fun for all players to watch (here)
NY Premier Soccer SOE Jamboree 2010 - YouTube video (here)
Local Area Premier Clubs (more info)
Charging Rhinos Soccer - Flier (pdf)
Empire United Soccer & Young Guns Program

2011/12 GISC Academy Dates Announced & Registration Open:

Again this year Grand Island Soccer Club is offering 3 Academy sessions, but this year they are open to players aged 6-13 years.

This is a development, skill-based soccer program with professional trainers that make the training high quality, challenging and fun for all the players regardless of current skill level.

Session 1 (complete): November - December, 2011
- Nov 2, 9, 16, 30 & Dec 7, 14
- Epic Center
Session 2: (started) January - Fenruary, 2012
- Jan 11, 18, 25 & Feb 1, 8, 15
- Epic Center
Session 3: May - June, 2012
- May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & Jun 6
- Veteran's Park
Who: Boys & Girls, must be 6, but no older than 13 as of Aug 1, 2011 (Check the Academy Age Matrix (updated 10/20) to ensure a players eligibility - this document has a matrix for each session.
Cost: $65 per session, $180 for all three.
Registration: Online Registration Now Open for Session 3.
Session 3 Registration Still open
Flier with more information (pdf, updated 10/20).
Registration questions - Lisa Harrigan at registrar@gisoccerclub.org
Program related questions - Bethany Bernatovicz at playerdev@gisoccerclub.org

Some fun facts & testimonials about last year's Academy:

100% of those surveyed say that their child had fun!
85% of those surveyed say that their child's soccer cills improved!
"I wanted to mention how wonderful I thought the Academy was this winter. He improved so much and learned some tricky ball work so I encourage parents to register. We were so happy with it. the coaches were high energy, fast-paced and tons of fun"
"Don't know much about soccer, but I loved it and will bring my other son next year as well."

2011/12 GISC TRAVEL Age Group Training Dates Announced:

NEW this year Grand Island Soccer Club is offering Age Group Training Sessions to any 2012 registered GISC Travel players, U9 to U17. NO COST.

Age Groups: U9 to U17
7 dates per age group:
- U8, U9, U10 - Nov 5, 19, Dec 3,17, Jan 14 & Mar 3, 21
- U11, U12 - Nov 5, 19, Dec 3,17, Jan 14 & Mar 3, 21
- U13 - Nov 12, 26, Dec 10, Jan 7, 21 & Mar 14, 28
- U14, U15, U16, U17 - Nov 12, 26, Dec 10, Jan 7, 21 & Mar 14, 28
- see flier for detailed times
Where: Epic Center (map & directions)
Cost: FREE, $0 for any 2012 GISC registered Travel players.
Registration: None required, but must be a registered 2012 Travel player.
Flier with more information (pdf, updated 1/20)

For additional questions contact Bethany Bernatovicz at playerdev@gisoccerclub.org

Niagara University Easter Camp:

The NU Purple Eagles Easter Soccer Camp:

April 9-13, 2012
Cost: $85 (half day), $135 (full day attendance)
Flier with registration & more information

Rhino-Tees Sports Complex:

The opportunities below may be of interest to GISC players, though are not affiliated with Grand Island Soccer Club:

2409 Whithaven Road, Grand Island
Individual Player Development
Team Training
Speed Training coming soon!
Call 716.725.2085 or email sales@rhino-tees.com for more information.

"Small Sided Games: The best Way To Learn Soccer Quickly!"

Goalkeeper Academy at Sahlen's Sports Park

Scott Vallow, assistant coach of the WNY Flash & ex 12 year professional goalkeeper in the MLS & USL1 is running this clinic:

Goalkeepers, Ages 10-17
6 weeks session, Thursday evenings 6-7pm
Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16
Sahlen's Sports Park
Cost: $130 for the entire 6-week program
To Registration: Call Scott 716.655.7529 or email trainlikeachampion@hotmail.com

Rudy Pompert Winter Goalie Training Sessions:

Three 7 week training programs at Epic Center for goalies:

Goalies, Ages 10-18
Friday evenings (time varies by age)
Session 1 starts Nov 4 through Dec 16
Session 2 starts Dec 23
Session 3 starts Feb 17
Cost: $120 per session
Flier with more information & registration.
Contact Rudy Pompert at ruud.pompert@yahoo.com or call 716.664.0830

KEEPER KLUB Goalkeeper Training

Goalkeeper Training is held weekly at the Village Glen, starting in November. Open to Amherst non-residents as well.

U8-U12 - Sunday's 1-2pm
U13-U19 - Saturday's 5:30-6:30pm
Village Glen, Amherst
Register online at www.amherstsoccer.com
Wear long training pants & long sleeve shirt

Sahlen Sports Park - Player Development & Team Training:

The opportunities below may be of interest to GISC players, though are not affiliated with Grand Island Soccer Club:

Player Development - click the link for more information
- Call 716.655.7529 for more information
EuroChampions - click the link for more information
- Contact coachkiwi@yahoo.com (boys) or alexsahlen@yahoo.com (girls) with any questions.

GISC Player Development Strategies:

This article (Player Development) is required reading for anyone involved with Grand Island Soccer Club, especially Coaches & Assistant Coaches:

From BWNY soccer, it explains player development in a nutshell and summarizes several of the initiatives made by GISC these past few years: the redesign of our U7 program, the street soccer program, U9 player 'pooling', player development initiative, the foot skills clinics and the new Grand Island Year Round Academy for our U6 to U10 kids. I bolded several key points from the article. This article is everything that will be drilled into you at a “D” license course if you decide to pursue.