CHICAGO (June 19, 2008) - The Nomads Soccer Club (La Jolla, Calif.) has created a special program in response to the changing demographics of San Diego. One of the biggest challenges the club has faced is funding, with financial burdens being placed on both the players and the club.
“We’re drawing from people who are financially challenged, so we’ve become an organization that raises funds from different directions other than registration fees,” said Derek Armstrong, President of the Nomads Soccer Club.
One of these directions is a work program, similar to a scholarship program, where players can apply for work within the club to wave participation fees. Under this program, players can put in time helping at the Nomad’s major tournaments, as well as performing jobs such as cutting the field grass or painting the bleachers. The aim is to avoid losing potential talent based on financial challenges. Armstrong says the Development Academy is helping to lessen this burden by condensing some of the travel.
“Basically, we try to get people to help the club save money. It affects the bottom line in the end,” said Armstrong, who added that around 100 players are involved in the program. “Some youth clubs don’t have the wear-with-all to fund their travel. The only way is to charge the players and that is self-regulating because many players, especially in our population, just can’t pay.”
In keeping with the Development Academy’s mission, the Nomad Soccer Club’s work program is motivating players both on and off the field. By committing to work in order to play, the program builds the club community and allows for many the chance to play the sport they love.
“The Academy is giving us the platform for development to take place,” said Armstrong. “We want to win just like everybody else, but it’s not the main priority for us. Both teams have developed. We’ve moved our tactical knowledge quite a bit in this past season.”
Armstrong’s adherence to the Academy principles should come as no surprise, as he has been involved in the program since its conception. When the U.S. Soccer Player Development Task Force was appointed by U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati in 2006, he tasked Kevin Payne with the mission to evaluate the state of the men’s game against the world’s elite soccer countries. Payne amassed a group of National Team coaches, U.S. Soccer officials and senior level soccer officials from professional and youth organizations and began tackling this issue.
As a former coach of the U.S. Under-20 National Team, founder of the Nomads Soccer Club and integral voice in the creation of U.S. Club Soccer, Armstrong was one of several experts who contributed to the discussions that lead to the launch of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Along with his role as President of the club, Armstrong has also overseen the execution of his club’s participation in the new program, acting as both the Director of Coaching for the program and head coach.
Armstrong and the Nomads will finish their last non-conference matches in the upcoming weekend, traveling to Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California. Both teams will face Real So Cal (Calabasas, Calif.).
Last Weekend Results: U-15/16 | U-17/18
U-15/16 Age Group
Friday, June 20
Home vs. Away
FC Milwaukee vs. Sockers FC
PDA vs. Match Fit Academy
Scott Gallagher vs. U.S. Youth Soccer National Team
Saturday, June 21
Home vs. Away
FC Greater Boston vs. Potomac
Real Colorado vs. Cal Odyssey
FC Portland vs. Crossfire
FC Westchester vs. Met
South Central Premier vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
Arsenal FC vs. Chivas USA
Casa vs. Internationals
Empire United vs. Carmel United Soccer Club
Colorado Rapids vs. Washington Premier FC
Colorado Rush vs. De Anza Force
Crew vs. Ohio Elite Soccer Academy
New York Red Bulls vs. Baltimore Bays
Atlanta Fire United vs. Chicago Fire
PA Classics vs. FC Delco
Seacoast United vs. DC United
Greensboro Soccer Club vs. Richmond Strikers
Real So Cal vs. Nomads Soccer Club
South Charlotte SA vs. North Meck
AFC Lightning vs. Clearwater Chargers SC
Birmingham United vs. Chicago Magic
CASL vs. Richmond Kickers
B/W Gottschee vs. Albertson Soccer Club
Sunday, June 22
Home vs. Away
Concorde Fire vs. Clearwater Chargers SC
Atlanta Fire United vs. Chicago Magic
FC Greater Boston vs. DC United
Metro United vs. U.S. Youth National Team
Real Colorado vs. De Anza Force
Birmingham United vs. Chicago Fire
Seacoast United vs. Potomac
Colorado Rapids vs. Cal Odyssey
Virginia Rush Soccer Club vs. Michigan Wolves
Bridge FA vs. Vardar
CASL vs. Richmond Strikers
Greensboro Soccer Club vs. Richmond Kickers
Crossfire vs. LAFC
Monday, June 23
Home vs. Away
Concorde Fire vs. Sockers FC
Washington Premier FC vs. LAFC
Tuesday, June 24
Home vs. Away
AFC Lightning vs. Sockers FC
Richmond Kickers vs. DC United
Carmel United Soccer Club vs. Vardar
U-17/18 Age Group
Friday, June 20
Home vs. Away
Scott Gallagher vs. U.S. Youth National Team
Virginia Rush Soccer Club vs. Vardar
PDA vs. Match Fit Academy
FC Greater Boston vs. Potomac
Seacoast United vs. DC United
Real Colorado vs. Cal Odyssey
FC Portland vs. Crossfire
FC Westchester vs. Met Oval
Greensboro Soccer Club vs. Richmond Strikers
Arsenal FC vs. Chivas
South Central Premier vs. Oakwood Soccer Club
CASA vs. Internationals
Empire United vs. Carmel United Soccer Club
Colorado Rush vs. De Anza Force
Colorado Rapids vs. Washington Premier FC
Crew vs. Ohio Elite Soccer Academy
New York Red Bulls vs. Baltimore Bays
Atlanta Fire United vs. Chicago Fire
PA Classics vs. FC Delco
CASL vs. Richmond Kickers
Real So Cal vs. Nomads Soccer Club
South Charlotte SA vs. North Meck
AFC Lightning vs. Clearwater Chargers SC
Birmingham United vs. Chicago Magic
B/W Gottschee vs. Albertson Soccer Club
Sunday, June 22
Home vs. Away
Virginia Rush Soccer Club vs. Michigan Wolves
Greensboro Soccer Club vs. Richmond Kickers
Birmingham United vs. Chicago Fire
Concorde Fire vs. Clearwater Chargers SC
Atlanta Fire United vs. Chicago Magic
FC Greater Boston vs. DC United
Seacoast United vs. Potomac
Metro United vs. U.S. Youth National Team
Real Colorado vs. De Anza Force
Colorado Rapids vs. Cal Odyssey
Bridge FA vs. Vardar
CASL vs. Richmond Strikers
Crossfire vs. LAFC
Monday, June 23
Home vs. Away
Concorde Fire vs. Sockers FC
Washington Premier FC vs. LAFC
FC Westchester vs. B/W Gottschee
Tuesday, June 24
Home vs. Away
Richmond Kickers vs. DC United
Carmel United Soccer Club vs. Vardar
AFC Lightning vs. Sockers FC
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