Iowa City Alliance

About the Club

What is the Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club?

The Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club is a non-profit organization of youth players, parents, professional coaches, and sponsors committed to:

	providing high-quality instruction regarding both individual and team soccer skills
	organizing competitive soccer teams for league and tournament play
	ensuring opportunities for all interested youth to have safe fun in competitive soccer
	developing good learning habits
	supporting fair play and good sportsmanship
	offering developmental opportunities for players.

Club Philosophy [Top]

Soccer is a simple, competitive team game which should provide enjoyment and a sense of achievement for each participant. It should allow for individual expression within certain guidelines. Players should be encouraged to think for themselves, to make decisions that benefit the team as a whole, and to enjoy both the mental and physical aspects of the sport.

Skills and techniques must be nurtured as key elements of playing the game. In addition, players should be educated in the game's underlying tactics and strategies. Instruction and competition should occur as part of a positive, supportive learning environment. Players should come to understand the game - to know it, feel it and live it - to get inside it. Soccer is about being empowered through an experience built on grace and athleticism, skill and know-how, teamwork and honest endeavor, desire and commitment.

Why join the Alliance? [Top]

	fun and challenge playing soccer
	technical and tactical training
	professional coaches
	players matched for skill and commitment
	learning skills and creative play
	physical and mental growth and development
	quality play with a traveling team
	club clinics and special events
	develop life-long healthy habits

Alliance Soccer Staff [Top]

Coaching Director: Andrew McKnight

A native of Scotland and former youth player with professional clubs Airdrie and Motherwell, Andrew has coached youth soccer for many years. A product of the United States Soccer Federation's Coaching Schools, and holder of the National Youth License, he has worked as the Associate State Director with the Iowa Soccer Association. Andrew is currently on the state licensing staff.
See Also Coaches Profile "Andrew McKnight"

Senior Coach: Ian Parratt
The Director of Coaching from 1994 to 2005, Ian came to Iowa City after spending four seasons with the professional indoor Detroit Rockers. Possessing a wealth of experience as a player, coach and administrator, Ian continues to be involved in a variety of soccer activities which include coaching Iowa Olympic Development teams and writing a column for the Iowa City Press Citizen.
See Also Coaches Profile "Ian Parratt"

Instructional Program [Top]

A variety of instructional experiences are provided:

	team-centered strategies and tactics
	instructional scrimmages
	skill stations
	theme practices
	specialized position sessions
	developmental program for players not assigned to teams

Practices: U10 and younger teams meet with a professional staff coach once per week during each soccer season, for a total of 35 scheduled practice sessions yearly. Additional practices are held by a volunteer coach, typically an experienced parent.

Teams U11 and older meet with a club professional 2 or 3 times per week during the outdoor seasons and once per week during the indoor season, for a total of 55 scheduled practice sessions yearly.

Games: Staff coaches target an additional 35 games in league and tournament play to watch players, identify their needs, and teach.

Teams

	Teams are managed by a volunteer Parent Manager. A volunteer Parent coach assists the Professional coach.
	U9 & U10: 6v6 games; roster of 9-11
	U11 & U12: 8v8 games; roster of 12-14
	U13 and Older: 11v11 games; roster of 15-18
	U10 and younger teams are formed based on factors such as geography, current recreational teams or player friendships
	U11 and older teams are formed by the coaching staff who, with parental input, place players on teams based on ability, interest and commitment levels as shown through year-round practices and game play
	Numbers permitting, multiple teams will be formed at any age group
	Parents and older players may indicate playing preferences (e.g., playing up an age level)
	The coaching staff is responsible for final team assignments
	Players are notified of team assignments no later than July 1.

Teams for the 2007-2008 Soccer Year

U10 Fusion (Boys) � Steve Klemm
U10 Speed I (Girls) � David Rosenthal
U10 Speed II (Girls) � David Rosenthal
U11 Dynamo (Boys) � Kevin Birusingh
U12 Matrix (Boys) � Andrew McKnight
U12 Xtreme (Girls) � Andrew McKnight
U12 Heatwave (Girls) � Andrew McKnight
U13 Shockwave (Boys) � Paul Nylen
U14 Earthquakes (Boys) � Paul Nylen
U14 Starz (Girls) � Ian Parratt
U15 CRSA/Alliance (Boys) � Eli Wynes
U16 Attack (Boys) � Eli Wynes
U16 CRSA/Alliance (Boys) � Ian Parratt
U16 Panthers (Girls) � Andrew McKnight
U18 Xplosion (Girls) � Ian Parratt

The Soccer Seasons [Top]

Alliance plays for approximately nine months of the year. Breaks between seasons help maintain interest and avoid burnout. Some players place priority on other activities during certain seasons.

Fall: mid-Aug. - Nov. 1

	pre-season clinic
	two or three practices per week
	league and tournament play for all
	State Cup for U15-U19 teams

Winter: mid-Nov. - mid-March

	two practices per week
	optional league and tournament play

Spring/Summer: Apr. 1 - mid-July

	two or three practices per week
	league play (Apr-May) for U9-U14 teams
	State Cup for U11-U14 teams
	June-July tournaments for all teams

In addition to practices and team events, a rich calendar of soccer is available throughout the year.

Expenses [Top]

Administration Fee:

Players on teams $130 annual fee

Professional Coaching Fee:

	$546 annual fee (U8-U10)
	$682.50 annual fee (U11-U19)

Equipment:

	uniform approximately $85 (2 jerseys, 1 pair shorts, 1 pair socks)
	shoes, shin guards, etc. Expenses vary with individual tastes and requirements.

Competition Costs:

	practice field rental (approximately $30 per player per season)
	league fees paid by individual teams (e.g., $300 / 15 players = $20/per season, usually 1 in fall - all players - and 1 in spring - for U14 and younger)
	tournament fees paid by individual teams (e.g., $360 / 15 players = $24/per tournament entered - usually 2 per season)
	travel (including overnight accommodations)

Scholarships [Top]

A number of partial and full scholarships are available to enable players needing financial assistance to participate. An application form can be downloaded from the website. Contact the Alliance Soccer Club for details.