FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

[offside]

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Has Tony M made any significant changes thus far or announced any plans to do so?

Don't think so.

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

The Bolts program has always had an exceptional stable of coaches and DOC’s. Paul Mariner and John Kerr to name a few. If there is a downside to having a talented group of coaches they are always in high demand for advancement within the college ranks or other organizations. As a result, the organization will be prone to a higher turnover than most of the local clubs. The other element is that some coaches, even talent ones, have big egos that put their own feelings and self interest before the long term benefit of their players. These coaches need to build a resume now and on the reputation of their youth club team victories, while other coaches already have an established pedigree from their current collegiate job or other professional experience. I have come across coaches who behave immaturely and badly toward players who voluntarily leave their teams. This indicates to me that coach is more interested in his/her ego than the player’s best interest. Conversely, I have known coaches that have maintained a keen interest and relationship with their ex-players. So, a DOC who has a longer term focus on player development will generally conflict with coaches who have a greater personal agenda. Acquiring good coaches and getting them aligned to a common purpose is not always easy. Changes are inevitable. The development benefit and value to the player is greater when they are influenced by a program and personnel who share a common model and approach to the game and player development. Sometimes this doesn’t always produce the expected results on the field, and sometimes individual coaches have a different agenda and take their flock to another organization. This is always the risk because to be true to this model you need everyone, coach’s, players and parents to buy-in. Unfortunately most chase the short –term glitter of plastic trophies

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Check out the Revs Academy thread A "Number" of former Bolts players? Hardly. Two younger kids that were with the club last year.

Anonymous guest made a good point to anonymous guest. The rising U15 Bolts will be negatively impacted by losing two national pool players to the Revs. Not the end of the world, but certainly a challenge for FCGB.

More devastating will be the loss of more than half the team to Okaroh's Blazers.

Probably not accurate - total turnover could approach 45% including moves to Revs (2), Blazers (?), lacrosse (1?), and U14 (natural age group) and may be less - we will have to see. This is high - one would expect 25%-33% I'm told - but doesn't look insurmountable. Heard they made offers to a couple of kids at tryouts, team starts working out soon and are looking ahead, not back. Wish the best to the departed, welcome the new, and move on...

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Which team are you talking about? The Bolts U16 DAP team?

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Which team are you talking about? The Bolts U16 DAP team?

The post above yours? Refers to the Rising BU15 ("The rising U15 Bolts will be negatively impacted by losing two national pool players to the Revs"), that's a club team, not DAP. I am not sure what is happening to the U16 Club (not DAP) team, but I can confirm from reading the Revs roster on the web this is a reference to rising 15 boys. Not sure how it pertains to New Director of Girls Programs, except that it's hammer the Bolts time...

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

The Bolts program has always had an exceptional stable of coaches and DOC’s. Paul Mariner and John Kerr to name a few. If there is a downside to having a talented group of coaches they are always in high demand for advancement within the college ranks or other organizations. As a result, the organization will be prone to a higher turnover than most of the local clubs. - [snip] - So, a DOC who has a longer term focus on player development will generally conflict with coaches who have a greater personal agenda. Acquiring good coaches and getting them aligned to a common purpose is not always easy. Changes are inevitable. The development benefit and value to the player is greater when they are influenced by a program and personnel who share a common model and approach to the game and player development.

Excellent post, all of it. Regarding the first excerpt, the exodus of coaches and players on the girls' side seems more like a tipping point than normal turnover. Regarding the second, with which I agree, Dewhurst and Marks have been able to impose a common approach on the Stars and Scorpions, respectively; can Mohammed do so with the Bolts? Does he intend to?

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Jessica Pfeifer – 16 Girls

Jess is currently the assistant women’s soccer coach at Wellesley College. Jess returns to FCGB for the first time as a coach. Jess played for FCGB from 1993 to 2002 winning five state championships. Her team was ranked fifth in the country. Jess continued her career at Northeastern University as a four year midfield starter. Named team captain, she ended her career 3rd All Time Leading Points. During her career she was America East All Conference Team (2004),CAA Player-of-the-week (2005); 2nd team All-New England (2004). After graduating from Northeastern, Jess earned her Master of Education from Boston University for counseling with a specializing in sports psychology. Before joining the FCGB coaching staff, Jess was a coach for the New England Eagles.

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Jessica Pfeifer – 16 Girls

Jess is currently the assistant women’s soccer coach at Wellesley College. Jess returns to FCGB for the first time as a coach. Jess played for FCGB from 1993 to 2002 winning five state championships. Her team was ranked fifth in the country. Jess continued her career at Northeastern University as a four year midfield starter. Named team captain, she ended her career 3rd All Time Leading Points. During her career she was America East All Conference Team (2004),CAA Player-of-the-week (2005); 2nd team All-New England (2004). After graduating from Northeastern, Jess earned her Master of Education from Boston University for counseling with a specializing in sports psychology. Before joining the FCGB coaching staff, Jess was a coach for the New England Eagles.

Well, it sounds like Pfeifer and Mohammed will be on the same page -- good start!

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Are the Bolts definitely fielding a U16 team next year? A few of their best players have moved to new teams, not sure about others.

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Are the Bolts definitely fielding a U16 team next year? A few of their best players have moved to new teams, not sure about others.

Where did they move?

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

stars.

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

I think one went to Scorps and one might have gone to Eagles. Not sure if any went to Stars but certainly a possibility.

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Where did they (U15, rising to U16 Bolts girls) move?

One or maybe two to Eagles. A few to Stars lower teams. The strong U14 center mid that played up is uncommitted as she's attending prep school in Western Mass. I know, because parents from our team inquired.

Anyone know how Bolts girls tryout went?

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

Does the NCAA 50 mile rule apply to all age groups and both genders? Is the distance measured from the club's location or the college? Does the rule apply to the DAP?

Re: FCGB Names New Director of Girls Programs

I think one went to Scorps and one might have gone to Eagles. Not sure if any went to Stars but certainly a possibility.

One got injured during Stars tryouts and it didn't look good when they took her off the field.