{"id":5309,"date":"2020-04-21T14:47:56","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T18:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/?p=5309"},"modified":"2021-07-28T14:49:43","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T18:49:43","slug":"marin-fc-staff-parents-discuss-importance-of-players-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/marin-fc-staff-parents-discuss-importance-of-players-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Marin FC staff, parents discuss importance of Players First"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5309\" class=\"elementor elementor-5309\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-379b277 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"379b277\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d815547\" data-id=\"d815547\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-787dd32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"787dd32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Marin FC staff, parents discuss importance of Players First<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-719f3ba elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"719f3ba\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-260da85\" data-id=\"260da85\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23dbaae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"23dbaae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"layoutContainer row layout-50-50 \"><div class=\"column-1 column col-sm-12 col-md-6\"><div id=\"pageEl_486106991\" class=\"pageEl\"><div class=\"pageElement heroPhotoElement\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn4.sportngin.com\/attachments\/photo\/da3f-144259293\/Imogen_Jenkyn_large.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn4.sportngin.com\/attachments\/photo\/da3f-144259293\/Imogen_Jenkyn_large.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"column-2 column col-sm-12 col-md-6\"><div id=\"pageEl_486106996\" class=\"pageEl\"><div class=\"pageElement heroPhotoElement\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.sportngin.com\/attachments\/photo\/008e-144259298\/Casey_Walls_large.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.sportngin.com\/attachments\/photo\/008e-144259298\/Casey_Walls_large.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"layoutContainer row layout-100 \"><div class=\"column-1 column col-sm-12 col-md-12\"><div id=\"pageEl_486106857\" class=\"pageEl\"><div class=\"pageElement textBlockElement clearfix\"><div class=\"text clearfix\"><p><em>Editor&#8217;s Note: US Club Soccer continues to showcase the growing community of Players First-licensed clubs.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usclubsoccer.org\/news_article\/show\/981544\">Marin FC<\/a>\u00a0was one of the first clubs to get licensed, and club directors and staff continue to take advantage of Players First offerings to the fullest.<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pageEl_486106874\" class=\"pageEl\"><div class=\"pageElement textBlockElement clearfix\"><h3>FROM THE DIRECTOR:<\/h3><div class=\"text clearfix\"><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>Why does your club feel the need to focus on the long-term interests of each individual player?<\/p><p><strong>Evan Cross, President \/ Josh Kalkstein, Technical Director:<\/strong>\u00a0Players learn and grow, but it would be foolish to think they do this either on our command\u00a0or for our purposes. To understand the longer arc of a developing player is to uncap their individual potential and channel it towards the mutual goals of the player, their team, the coach, and only distantly, the club.<\/p><p>If you want to go fast, go alone \u2026 we want to go far, so we go together.<\/p><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>How does the Players First philosophy relate to your club\u2019s mission?\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Cross\/Kalkstein:\u00a0<\/strong>Marin FC\u2019s mission boils down to four words: \u201cInspire and Advance Players.\u201d This places an inescapable focus on everything we do:\u00a0what inspires and advances each player? Identifying these two puzzle pieces for each player becomes a force-multiplier for team and club. Players First embodies the same focus, albeit from a wider perspective.<\/p><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>If you could \u201cshout out\u201d one member of your club (could be a player, coach, or parent) for representing Players First in the best way possible, who would it be and why?\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Cross\/Kalkstein:\u00a0<\/strong>In keeping with the Players First philosophy and Marin FC\u2019s mission statement, we would like to highlight two players\u00a0<em>(pictured above)<\/em>.\u00a0They are quite different, with one towering over 6-feet-3-inches\u00a0and the other just over 5 feet,\u00a0but each has an emblematic player development path.\u00a0<\/p><p>Imogen Jenkyn, Girls 2004 Blue (2005 birth year playing up), embodies, in her compact, yet powerful frame, our desire to inspire players. She could play anywhere and chooses Marin FC for the various opportunities our club can afford her including: playing up for challenge, Olympic Development teams, state cup champion teams, Surf Cup champion teams, ECNL league and showcases, and as an ECNL regional team selection.<\/p><p>By comparison and contrast, Casey Walls, Boys 2001 Blue (2003 birth year playing up), exemplifies our mission\u2019s second component, which is advancing players. After years of development and inspiration with Marin FC, Casey\u2019s path was leading further. He needed to advance and is now, at the age of 17, playing professionally with the San Jose Earthquakes\u2026 \u201cInspire and Advance Each Player.&#8221;<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pageEl_486106888\" class=\"pageEl\"><div class=\"pageElement textBlockElement clearfix\"><h3>FROM PARENTS:<\/h3><div class=\"text clearfix\"><p><strong>Question:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>What does Players First mean to you? Why is it important for your child to play soccer with a club that has met the standards of a Players First club?\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Beth Jenkyn, mother\u00a0of Imogen Jenkyn:<\/strong>\u00a0A Players First mentality places the growth and development of each player, and of the collective team, above statistics. The Players First approach results in youth reaching their full individual potential on and off the pitch.<\/p><p>Physical and emotional development \u2013 whether it\u2019s a dedication to a strong and healthy body, or learning to celebrate a team\u2019s effort and growth above wins \u2013\u00a0instills habits and skills that enable our youth to become happy, healthy and successful adults.<\/p><p>When clubs like Marin FC put their players first, statistics inevitably improve because shared goals align the team, and individuals play their best soccer for something larger than themselves.<\/p><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>Players First clubs are committed to placing the long-term interests of each player at the heart of every decision in structuring, operating and managing the club. How do you see this in your child\u2019s experience?<\/p><p><strong>Jenkyn:\u00a0<\/strong>Marin FC helps each player achieve her\/his personal soccer goal whether it is having fun with friends while keeping fit, or securing a coveted roster spot on a D1 college or national team. Not every player wants or needs the same thing, and Marin FC coaches are adept at setting up each player for success and ensuring that every player\u2019s contribution to the team is valued.<\/p><p>My daughter is one of the Marin FC players who dreams of going \u201call the way\u201d in soccer. Her MFC coaches, and the Division and ENCL directors do everything they can to help her realize this dream by providing\u00a0supplemental training opportunities, advocating for high-level experiences outside of the club and accommodating those experiences in her club schedule.<\/p><p>The coaches\u2019 and club\u2019s support for my daughter is sincere and personal. That support helps give my daughter the confidence she needs to put herself out there,\u00a0to try out for the most competitive soccer opportunities available to her and then give it her all on the field when she earns a spot. We are grateful for the club\u2019s encouragement and support.<\/p><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>What aspects of your child\u2019s soccer experience are most important to you, and why?<\/p><p><strong>Jenkyn:\u00a0<\/strong>I want my daughter to enjoy playing soccer and being a member of her team. If she is not having fun then it wouldn\u2019t be worth the family sacrifice (time, money, etc). But, Marin FC, by creating an environment where they put their players first and celebrate both individual and team goals and success, fosters a supportive environment that brings out the best in the youth.\u00a0<\/p><p>The girls and the boys have fun while working hard and becoming the best soccer players they can be. It\u2019s more than worth it.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pageEl_486106892\" class=\"pageEl\"><div class=\"pageElement textBlockElement clearfix\"><h3>FROM A COACH:<\/h3><div class=\"text clearfix\"><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>How do you feel your club best exemplifies a Players First club?<\/p><p><strong>Phil Billeci-Gard, Director of Coaching and Player Development, Younger Boys U13-U15, Coaching Boys 2008 Blue (first team) and Boys 2007 Red (second team):<\/strong>\u00a0The Players First approach shines through with our staff, including myself, as we all take an individualized approach towards developing each player. That approach is what makes Marin FC special. \u00a0Soccer is simply the vehicle we use to develop the young men and women of the club. \u00a0<\/p><p>Marin FC fosters development in attributes such as conflict resolution, problem solving, goal identification, and personal achievements. \u00a0Character is simultaneously developed in areas such as respect, humility, and integrity. I layer these parallel lessons into each training, knowing they will carry forward for a lifetime. \u00a0<\/p><p>Personally, I feel every chance I have to step onto a soccer field with my teams\u00a0is an opportunity to develop not only soccer specific skill sets, but also an opportunity to develop the person. While doing so, I know I am doing my job as coach\u00a0which is to prepare young adults for life beyond the soccer field.<\/p><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>Why do you believe teaching your players lessons that will help them both on and off the field is important?<\/p><p><strong>Billeci-Gard:\u00a0<\/strong>I feel teaching lessons that carry beyond the soccer field is what coaching is all about. At some point in a young person\u2019s life, the cleats will be put away and traded in for job interview attire.\u00a0All the lessons from the soccer field should shine through in these \u2018other\u2019 moments. \u00a0<\/p><p>A competent, confident and decent person, with or without cleats, is most important. Less than one percent of the players who come through our club will play for a professional club, or national team. Knowing this clarifies that we as coaches, have a greater responsibility to our players than to just teach soccer solutions. \u00a0<\/p><p>We owe it to our players to prepare them for the future and to teach them solutions to what life may bring their way.<\/p><p><strong>Question:\u00a0<\/strong>How do you best teach these types of lessons at practice? Feel free to share a story or give an example.<\/p><p><strong>Billeci-Gard:\u00a0<\/strong>Every player starts\u00a0training with a handshake and a\u00a0formal greeting. Failure to do so will result in training being delayed. This sets the tone for the\u00a0training session,\u00a0demonstrates a sign of\u00a0mutual respect\u00a0and\u00a0teaches the life long lesson of\u00a0greeting people when you meet them. This action is also repeated at the end\u00a0of\u00a0training\u00a0and, again, this action will carry forward as it provides the life long lesson of showing respect and\u00a0acknowledgment\u00a0of completion. \u00a0<\/p><p>My main\u00a0coaching technique that pulls\u00a0out lessons in\u00a0training\u00a0is asking the players guided questions\u00a0versus giving them direct solutions to\u00a0their soccer problems.\u00a0 Sometimes I simply ask them to answer\u00a0the \u201cwhy?&#8221;\u00a0When players are asked\u00a0to solve problems without the direct\u00a0solutions\u00a0they must communicate, think on\u00a0their own and take risks.\u00a0If\u00a0their\u00a0solution\u00a0doesn&#8217;t work, I only offer brief moments of correction, then encourage them to keep trying new\u00a0solutions\u00a0in an\u00a0effort\u00a0to\u00a0repeat the\u00a0growth and learning process. \u00a0<\/p><p>Allowing players to think on\u00a0their own, to take their own risks\u00a0and to\u00a0fail and\u00a0learn what worked and\u00a0didn&#8217;t\u00a0work\u00a0are the lessons and skill sets that will carry well beyond the lines of the soccer field.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marin FC staff, parents discuss importance of Players First Editor&#8217;s Note: US Club Soccer continues to showcase the growing community of Players First-licensed clubs.\u00a0Marin FC\u00a0was one of the first clubs to get licensed, and club directors and staff continue to<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/marin-fc-staff-parents-discuss-importance-of-players-first\/\"> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[31,32,89],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-5309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home","category-news","category-players-first"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5309\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5309"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=5309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}