We are so excited to share with you the NEW Carlisle Soccer BenefitBar, a communication AND a fundraising tool.

It is the same size and shape and fits in the same location on your computer as any other toolbar. This will not replace your existing toolbar: its stays where it is on your computer, and the Carlisle Soccer BenefitBar appears just below them.

The features on the BenefitBar are all designed to help us communicate better with you in a non-intrusive way. Also it is designed to make your life on the internet easier. THERE IS NO COST TO YOU. It is easy to download… just click this link and follow instructions. Just by downloading the BenefitBar a donation to the Carlisle Soccer Club will be made by the corporate sponsors. Then, by using the Carlisle Soccer Club BenefitBar, you’ll help raise dollars for the Club and get current information in an entertaining and efficient way.

We are proud to have you as a supporter of the Carlisle Soccer Club, and we hope you are proud to have the Carlisle Soccer BenefitBar on your computer. Please feel free to share the Carlisle Soccer BenefitBar with your friends so they can have the same benefits as you.

A sample of benefits you receive by having the Carlisle Soccer BenfitBar are:

• Yahoo search engine; by using the Yahoo! Search engine that is conveniently located directly on the Carlisle Soccer BenefitBar just to the right of our logo, you are raising dollars for the Club. You’ll get the same search information you receive using whatever search engine you use today, but now you help raise money for Carlisle Soccer, at no cost to you.
• No spyware or adware on our BenefitBar.
• Important dates reminder/calendar
• Discounts on goods and services
• Quote of the day
• Tip of the day
• Joke-recopies-inspirational messages
• Current event updates

There is no cost to our organization or to you; this is truly a win-win for everyone!!

If you’re not interested in loading the Carlisle Soccer BenefitBar on your computer…no problem. Thanks for checking it out.

And thanks for your support of soccer in Carlisle! Go Pride!

For three days, Carlisle Soccer volunteers quenched the thirst of visitors at the Des Moines Arts Festival. They sold beer and wine at one of four beverage stands during the downtown event and earned $1,600 in tips and $2,997.97 in commissions for a total income of $4,597.57, according to Lisa Wilson, Club development director. 

"This was an awesome fundraiser," says Lisa. "When we talked with the Arts Festival about this opportunity, this was at the low end of the expected earnings from running all four tents, so, to earn this much from just one tent was an amazing job by all the volunteers." 

"Thanks again for everyone’s hard work and ongoing dedication to our club," she adds. 

The volunteers worked three-hour shifts - some more than one - to help raise the funds which will go to further development of the soccer complex.

Thanks to the following volunteers who gave their time and energy to our effort: Katy Petersen, Gina Stone, Melody Ammons, Joel Pech, Andrea Conroy, Lloyd Jones, Dawn Payne, Brian Payne, Paul Gruber, Chad Cooper, John Kamerick, Tiffany Kamerick, Christina Middleswart, David Steen, Tom Nelson, Kim Nelson, Leslie Vanhauen, Mark True, Sara Cooper, Stacy Harding, Tara Morris, Katie Shields, Leslie Stahowick, Eric Mcgarrah, Megan Morris, Michelle Manders, Deb Lancaster, Cheryll Polley, Jake Whipple, Joy LeClaire and Tim LeClaire.

Carlisle soccer players Lindsey Kamerick, Valerie Goodhue-Nolte, Ashton Goodhue-Nolte, Taylor Whipple, and Madison Polley (pictured at right with Women’s National Team veteran Julie Foudy) all had an opportunity of a lifetime when they attended the Julie Foudy Leadership Academy in Chicago this summer. What sets it apart from other soccer camps is its world-class staff, including founder and facilitator Julie Foudy (Former Captain of the USA Women’s Soccer Team, National Hall of Fame inductee 2007, Olympic Gold Medalist 1996, 2004, Olympic Silver Medalist 2000, Two=time World Cup Champion 1991 and 1999, 17-year veteran of National Team and star of the film documentaries "The World at Their Feet" and "Dare to Dream"). Other coaches included Lorrie Fair (World Cup Champion 1999, Olympic Silver Medalist, and three-time NCAA Champion at UNC), Jaime Pagliarulo (former Arizona State Asst. Coach, professional player for WUSA San Diego Spirit and US Women’s National Team member), Lindsay Tarpley (Two-time gold medalist US Women’s National Team star and player with the Chicago Red Stars) and several other national players from around the world including Brazil, Mexico and Afganastan.  

Another aspect of the camp that sets it apart from the rest is its emphasis on leadership, on and off the field. Every day the girls would do leadership activities and learn how they apply not only to soccer, but also too life. One whole day was commited to community leadership and the importance of giving back to the community. The campers worked with handicapped children, held a soccer camp for underprivileged children and gave a helping hand to the Ronald McDonald House.  

The Academy was an amazing experience for all the girls who not only learned soccer skills from the best players in the world but also how to be leaders in life. "Live. Lead. Pass It On!"

Coach Ken and I are settled in our dorm-type apartment. For the money, the food is included and has been good. 

One instructor we have has coached several national US men’s teams and in this just past Confederations Cup. Seven of his former players played on the US national team. There are 53 coaches attending this course, many from out of state, as far as Seattle, WA. Des Moines Menace player Ross Moffett is also attending this course and I had the opportunity to do my D license with him back in 2006, so some familiar faces other than Ken.  Great bunch of people who all share a common obsession of the sport of soccer. 

The real stuff starts tomorrow with us in the afternoon where we start to do our practice lessons in front of the instructors and fellow coaches.  There are 3 groups and there will be a vote of who everyone feels did the best session from each one.  We’ll of course will be graded on the real lessons this next coming weekend.  Should be a physically taxing day tomorrow activity wise.  Looking forward to getting into soccer shape.

Here’s a report from Coach Paul Gruber as he and Coach Ken Sadler take the C License coaching course in South Dakota.
 
Tomorrow’s the big day. Coach Ken Sadler and I travel to Brookings, SD to take the C License course for soccer. This would be a big move for any club.  For a club our size serving rec soccer players only, its unheard of. I’ll admit I’m nervous. There is potential to fail the course but I know regardless of the outcome I’ll come away from the experience having learned a thing or 100 about coaching soccer. As for the course, it is 9 days long starting at 8 in the morning and ending 8:30 at night.  There’s some pre-requisite homework that’s due day one. Glad I’ve got it done. All that is left to do is to catch a Menace playoff game tonight and a 5 hour drive tomorrow morning to SD. Everything’s packed and I’m ready for the adventure. I plan on keeping everyone posted on what we’re doing. With all that running around, maybe I’ll look different too when I come back a week from Sunday.