Let’s take a step back and see how many players get to the MLS in America. According to recent research,  only 1.6 percent of all NCAA male senior players will be drafted by a MLS team. So, you think, what about the 98.4 percent of players?

As I mentioned in my College Glimpse post, for some it is quite liberating to feel that another soccer chapter has completed, and of others a bit saddening to know how uncertain the future will look in terms of kicking the ball around. Juggling between taking a break from the game and traveling, finding a job and working right away, and pursuing teams and trying out, the possibilities are quite daunting.

When I graduate in 2008 I didn’t stand alone with this overwhelming feeling as to what I should pursue. I certainly wasn’t in the 1.6 percent of college seniors drafted to the MLS. What did I do? Like most, I took some time away from the game, packed my bags and traveled a bit. At that time I started this blog with my first post “Note from Spirrs Guys” highlight this very feeling of where to and what to do next.

After spending significant time volunteering in South Africa, I returned to the states and sought comfort in what I was passionate about. Although I did not come back to playing on any professional team, at the time, being apart of the game through coaching and amateur teams was just enough to satisfy my need to be in and around soccer.  As the weeks went by, the restlessness grew and returning to part-time teams and coaching kids really made me reflect on how much time I have left to play. The fire burning from within changed my mentality toward getting to the next level. It prompted me to write “Essential Components of getting to the Next Level” where I reflect on how prepared I was at that time to get signed by a pro club.  The reflection made me realize a few very important aspects of becoming a professional and absolute thing I needed to have before I even consider trying out for any teams: 3 Pre’s; Pressure, Preparation and obvious Prefix (prior to).

Setting goals, applying pressure to be prepared and doing all in advanced will give anyone a good measurement of readiness and ultimately success. If you are one of the 98.4 percent out of college looking for direction, ask you self: how much do I want to get to any next level? Do I have to determination to apply the right amount of pressure on myself? Do I have and can I get what I need to be prepared? And to address the third “Pre” (doing it all prior to trying out): If the club of your choice invited you to a trial tomorrow, will you be ready?

Evaluating personal goals and determination will get anyone closer to get that break. Proper planning will get you to the do the door step and proper execution will get you through. Please Share your stories and experience with the Spirrs Team and we will highlight your personal “NCAA to Pro Start” story!

Next, we will look at Goal Setting and Finding the Right Level and Club. Stay Tuned.

MySoccerGuide Powered by Matt Avellino Enterprises is proud to present it’s newest Soccer training series. This innovative training method bring together progressive, step-by-step process for players, parents and coaches to systematically improve skills, tactic and physical fitness.  The Spirrs Network is proud to announce the long awaited launch of MySoccerGuide: The Professional Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer.

What’s All the BUZZ behind the Training?

The highly motivating book was written for hard-working players trying to improve your game, dedicated parents looking to help their child practice at home, and volunteer coaches that are interested in becoming more knowledgeable on soccer and improving their team.

The book uses verbal descriptions, hand-made diagrams, and home videos to fully demonstrate every drill and technique of The 10 Stage Progressional Training Program. This training program begins with young players and systematically takes them through 10 stages of soccer development. It is a progressional training program because the players must learn the basic drills first in order to build on them and perform the more advanced drills. These stages are not only described to players, coaches, and parents through words, diagrams, and videos; but the age specifications of each stage are included in addition to when every skill is used during a game. All guesswork is taken out of the equation! Players who complete The 10 Stage Progressional Training Program will be playing soccer with technical mastery, tactical precision, and a high level of fitness.

SPIRReview and Who’s the Man behind the Method?

The author of this book, Matt Avellino is neither a professional author nor a professional publisher.  He is a professional soccer player and coach. His specialty isn’t hidden in something he is not. The language used and the instructions demonstrated makes the series easy to understand and easy to use. The series is set up in a way much like coaches speak to players or parents speak to children. It is down to earth and it gets to the point without confusing terminology or overly complicated training pattern. It gets the right information to it’s audience directly without complication. The series is direct and effective for players, parents and coaches to follow, as the valuable information can be uses and implemented as soon as they leave the computer.  I enjoyed the videos included. They depicted highly dedicated players with various skill levels, which is very motivating for anyone watching them. Overall, the instructions, videos and easy 10 step process easy breaks down the most essential parks of improving ones technical, tactical and physical ability as a soccer player and leads the way in becoming a better player.

For more information on The Professional Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer Please Check out MySoccerGuide’s Website at www.mysoccerguide.com

To Learn more about each of the 10 Step Developmental Method Click on the links below.

The Spirrs Network is a proud supporter of the MySoccerGuide in it’s pursuit to develop youth players across the country and around the world.

Rich Soccer Tradition Promotes College Recruitment

Over the last 77 years, the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) has provided thousands of players with the opportunity to thrive, progress and grow through the sport of Soccer in the greater New York area.  Established in 1933, the CJSL boasts a legacy pre-dating the United States Soccer Federation.  As the ever growing league takes a big leap into the 21st century, developing players on and off the field has become a greater priority. This year together with AndGoSports, the CJSL announces their 2010 Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League College Showcase.

New Player in Town

With the growing demand of young players competing at the collegiate level, president Scott Knight of AndGoSports, envisioned a solution that met the frustrating problems of recruitment. With decades of experience coaching and developing youth players for club, college and professional competition, AndGoSports looks to provide motivated, determined and talented player prospects with the knowledge and connections that will take them to the next level. AndGoSports founded in 2008, is not only a University Placement and Player Management Company providing service to aspiring young players in the New York area, across the country and internationally, it is a first step for all athletes alike in the right direction.

This year AndGoSports with it’s extensive network of college coaches, and it large pool of prospective players from the Tri-State area, will host the 2010 CJSL College Showcase.

CJSL College Showcase

CJSL College Showcase will take place Saturday, April 17, 2010 at John Dewey High School Click here for Directions.

• 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM will be CJSL Freshman vs. CJSL Sophomores
• 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM will be CJSL Juniors vs. CJSL Seniors
• For a List of all Participating Players Click here.

Please visit the following websites for more Information:

• The Cosmopolitan Soccer League
• AndGoSports.com

The Spirrs Team is a Proud Supporter of AndGoSports and the CJSL.

Together they develop players and provide them with the proper exposure that will turn aspirations into reality.

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Contribute to the Best Soccer Information Sharing Network and Stay tuned for more exciting News and Updates. Cheers!

Spirrs team donated Tai Chung FC Fan Shirts to support Football for Life and local team Tai Chung FC.

Recently, I had the great pleasure of volunteering for a charity called Football for Life. Located in the heart of Hong Kong, Football for Life was founded Phillipe Bru in 2006, when the growing number of underprivileged children in Hong Kong sparked his initiative to change the desperate situation.  Bru was able to successfully merge his passion for the game and his calling to help by creating an alternative experience for children through football.  Since the organizations start, it has been dedicated to bettering the lives of underprivileged children through the sport of football.

Currently, the organization is working with over 10 organizations including Hong Kong Children & Youth Services, Hong Kong Federation for Youth Group, Christian Action, the Boys and Girls Clubs Association, HK Society for Protection of Children, Social Welfare Dpt, ISS, Evangel Children & the Neighbourhood Advice Action Council.

The growing organization has attracted world class footballers such as Didier Six and HK movie star, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai. Many more Football for Life Ambassadors have since joined the cause and the organization has continually shown its impact on the Hong Kong Community.

Football for Life-  It has become a phrase I have really grown to appreciate.  Football for Life represents an enthusiasm for the game of football we all love and enjoy, while directing all of it’s passion towards a very important cause. It reveals the need to pay attention to lives outside of our own, and shows us that football can be a celebration of life by sharing its joys with those less privileged. Football for Life Stands for more than just an organization that provides a place for kids to play, it provides hope, inspiration, and motivation for those who are passionate about the game and the lives of those around them.

To learn more about Football for Life, please visit their website at www.footballforlife.org

The Spirrs Team is a Proud Supporter of Football for Life and their efforts in promoting quality experiences for underpriviledged children through the power of FOOTBALL.

“73% of players changing their lives for the better by coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, education, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for pro or semi-pro football teams.”

Just several days after landing in Hong Kong I was able to catch a glimpse of a very special annual fund raising tournament held in the heart of Hong Kong. Located at the famous McPherson Playground in Mong Kok where intense small-sided concrete soccer matches have been brewing for generations, the competition and start studded celebrity matches were played throughout the afternoon heat for one a common cause.

The Kick-Off Poverty Campaign is a “4-a-side soccer fund raising tournament to support the HK Contingent to join the Milan 2009 HWC and other related training programmes. For it’s charity game, it attracts quite a number of Teams from the social service sector and the business community to donate HK$15,000 for a team to participate. Players also gain public support through the street soccer events. Players’ social image, self-competence and self-esteem are then rebuilt and enhanced.”

Hong Kong's 2008 Team

The Homeless World Cup (HWC) is an event of the International Network of Street Papers. It creates chances for people in crisis situations through social programmes and by selling their own newspaper directly on the streets. The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, use of football as a trigger to inspire and energize people who are homeless and excluded to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. It is a 4-a-side street soccer event, which is fast and entertaining. The first tournament took place in Graz 2003 uniting 18 national teams. 6 years on 56 nations were united for Melbourne 2008, which included the first Women’s Cup.

The impact is consistently significant year on year with 73% of players changing their lives for the better by coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, education, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for pro or semi-pro football teams.The Game is now on the road to Milan 2009 on 6-13 September.

To find out more about the Homeless World Cup 2009 in Milan visit http://www.homelessworldcup.org

Click Kick-Off Poverty for more on Hong Kong’s HWC Team Campaign.

The Spirrs Team takes on Hong Kong.  Follow the Team as they travel across Asia. Spirrsblog Hong Kong is the Spirrs Network’s sister site, dedicated to finding the joys of traveling through every aspect of the beautiful game we love.  Football is a culture and a way of life. We look to explore this part of the world to see how football has evolved into this unique lifestyle, while discovering Culture, Food, Language and Tradition.  “Feeling Like Chinese Anyone…?” Come venture off with us in this segment we call “Take-out Football.”

Check Out www.HongKong.Spirrsblog.com for the latest from HK.

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What is Twitter?

People are eager to connect with other people and Twitter makes that simple. Twitter asks one question, “What are you doing?” Answers must be under 140 characters in length and can be sent via mobile texting, instant message, or the web. Twitter’s core technology is a device agnostic message routing system with rudimentary social networking features. By accepting messages from sms, web, mobile web, instant message, or from third party API projects, Twitter makes it easy for folks to stay connected.

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Recently, I had the wonderful oppourtunity to work in spec for Visa’s 2010 World Cup Mobile Commercial. The selected winners of mobile video competition host by Mofilms.com, will be entered into the advertising film festival at Cannes. The Visa requirements were simple: “Show us why football fans love the game more than any other sport- how it divides us, how it unites us, how each nation, culture, team and individual fan expresses their passion in their own unique way.”
Local advertising professionals, Vanessa Katz and Lindsay Coomes came up with the creative for the competition and director Colin Lewis executed the witty treatment for their unique creative. In the three extremely short weeks the team had to submit the project, they shot, edited and completed the One mintue commercial. Here’s what they came up with: The Visa Mobile Video “Beyond Ready”

Colin Lewis on the project,”This Visa spot was special because someone else came up with the creative for me. It is an example of great work with talented people in advertising to visualize a common goal.” In the effort to create a larger campaign and gear people up for World Cup 2010, a channel was create called “World Cup Ready.” Visit World Cup Ready for more on the Visa spec and other videos on 2010 promotion.

Check out other Spec from the director:

• Blue Point “Boyfriend”
• Blue Point “Toasted Lager”
• Fabreeze “Fast Food”
• Fabreeze “Party”
• Gas X “Meeting”
• Gas X “Dutch Oven”

For more information on Colin’s past project and upcoming specs visit Colin Lewis’ page.
For more information on Vanessa Katz and Lindsay Coomes, please contact us.

The Spirrs Teams is proud be apart of the creative scene “Parting of the Red Sea” and greatly thankful for playing a role in the making of  the 2010 World Cup Spec.  Spirrs Team will continue to support the young vibrant advertizing proffesionals and directors of the Big Apple. 

Press Release:

Chinatown NYC June 24, 2009- NBA stars. Soccer’s best. An urban field. A sweet 8-a-side game of futbol in the middle of a city benefiting children’s programs on three continents.Steve brings his passion play back to NYC and this year to Vancouver in this innovative match that any sports fan will love. Showcasing athletes from two sports, Showdown is the beautiful game at its most creative. With international rosters including Steve Nash, Thierry Henry, Yao Ming, Claudio Reyna, Tony Parker, Adrian Mutu, Grant Hill, Giovanni van Brockhurst, Raja Bell, Ivan Cordoba, Baron Davis, Javier Zanetti and Chris Bosh the Showdowns are events not to be missed! Set amongst a sea of concrete, the Park is an oasis in an urban jungle. In 2008, fans of all ages crowded the pitch to watch Thierry Henry, Salomon Kalou and soccer greats match skills against Steve, Jason Kidd, and other NBA stars.The Showdown is a free-to-the-public event. See you there!

This is a FREE event, so show your support.  Here’s a Run Down of the day.

• 9:00 am                                              Venue Opens: NYC Parks Kids Clinic #1
• 10:00 am                                            Street Festival Opens : NYC Parks Kids Clinic #2
• 11:00 am                                             NYC Parks Kids Clinic #3
• 1:30 pm                                               Reyna Academy – Warm-Up
• 2:00 pm                                               Reyna Academy – Match
• 4:00 pm                                               Showdown Pro Players – Arrive
• 5:00 pm                                               Showdown– 1st Half
• 5:30 – 5:45 pm                                 Showdown- Half-Time
• 5:45 – 6:15 pm                                  Showdown – 2nd Half
• 6:30 pm - 7pm                                  Block Party

Please Visit the Claudio Reyna Foundation’s New Website and the Steve Nash Foundation’s Homepage for more information on helping the global youth develope through the sports and education. For more Information on the Soccer Showdown, go the event’s official site: Soccer Showdown NYC.

This years Showdown:

The Spirrs Team is a Proud Supporter of the Claudio Reyna Foundation and the Steve Nash Foundation.