.jpg)
|
|
|
|
Odyssey Annual Meeting Friday, April 8th saw the successful staging of the Odyssey Sport Soccer Club Annual General Meeting. Well over 50 people attended, including the coaching staff, board members and special guest speaker, Phil Wheddon, former US National Team Goalkeeping Coach and current Syracuse University Head Coach of Women’s Soccer. Claire McLain emceed the evening’s activities, including raffling off the prize for the club’s fundraiser, a $3,500 voucher to the destination of the winners choice as well as a set of New England Revolution tickets, a ball signed by the Rochester Rhinos players, a jersey signed by the Rhinos players, and several other terrific prizes. Chris McLain provided a bit of perspective on where the club has come from (based on a spin-off of a club founded in Biddeford, Maine both Mclains worked for early in their careers) and where the organization is headed in the future. His comments included the observation that OSSC is a fine example of good intentions being contagious; Odyssey Maine was founded and run as a top class club, but without the intention to spin off other teams in new locations. The mission and logic behind the club’s actions, however, were excellent and worthy of imitation here in Central New York. The idea that good works can have a spreading effect, and that the founders of Odyssey Maine, Doug and Andy Biggs, could start something that has had a large impact on soccer here in our area is remarkable, as Chris pointed out. Paul Stinson spoke about Odyssey’s logic behind the club’s age-appropriate training and playing policy, illustrating many of the issues that may not be at the forefront of the minds of the parents and players in the club. The Annual General Meeting provides a great forum for the staff and board members to share information such as this with the membership. Coach Stinson’s comments discussed issues such as the effectiveness of playing up with older players (which often appears intuitively advantageous) and the risks which may be involved upon further consideration. Odyssey’s policy is that players, by and large, are best served by playing with peers, within the correct age group, although exceptions are possible (but unlikely). Paul’s talk gave the members present much to consider, and clarified the policy. To wrap up the night, Phil Wheddon of Syracuse regaled the crowed with tales from his time with the men’s and women’s national teams in World Cup competition and Olympic Games triumphs. He echoed the value of Odyssey’s focus on player development, and praised the club’s leadership and coaching staff for their efforts to create an environment in which youth players best interests are served. Phil told several stories about terrifying qualification games in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City which holds over 110,000 people, and is one of the most-feared places to play. He quizzed the crowd and awarded prizes from his travels; Olympic Village gifts and trinkets from Beijing, as well as mementos from international games. As with everything Odyssey Sport does, many people volunteered time and effort, as well as some terrific prizes for the evening’s entertainment, and the club is indebted to those who were willing to contribute to a night which lent a further sense of community to those who participate. A great night was enjoyed by everyone, and we hope to see even more people at next year’s AGM! |
|
Send mail to
Webmaster with
questions or comments about this web site. |