Nomad Soccer Club Work Program Motivates Players On and Off the Field

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.

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