WHY PHOENIX???

A better question might be, “Why NOT Phoenix???”

Whether you are an “established star” or a developing player, “Why NOT Phoenix?”

With this tryout season, we, the Phoenix, are beginning our fourth year of operation. As a “startup”, then, we have stood the test of time. We have not only survived we have prospered in spite of some very significant challenges.

Those challenges have made us, shaped us and defined who and what we are – an organization that is proud to work with, and develop, every child that is interested in playing “the beautiful game”.

For the competitive players among you, take note.

How many other clubs can say they have placed teams in the state rankings in their second year of operation? How many other clubs have placed teams in the state (Top 10), regional (Top 20) and national rankings (Top 100) in their third year of operation?

And we’ve done this, as everyone knows, by developing players. We’ve had to.

As a startup, we understood we were not going to attract many top flight athletes or top flight talents – if any. We knew we would attract risk-takers as well as those players that were going nowhere with their current club - players playing on “C” or “D” teams, players mired in the lost and forgotten teams, teams just there for the revenue stream.

We knew all this and proceeded anyway, doing what we do best – developing players. We put our reputations, efforts and commitment into players that desired more and were willing to do more to achieve more. And, many of these players, for the first time, found someone that believed in them.

I am proud to say, we have most definitely proven ourselves - such that now, we are attracting top athletes and top talents.

This year’s tryouts will be very exciting for the Phoenix!

With our successes on the field combined with our players’ successes off the field – in the classroom and in the community, we are now a highly thought of entity. And we did it all the hard way – we earned it.

Know that we will never forget our roots. We will always stay committed to those players that just want to learn more and be all they can be. Players who may never be stars but players who will become the fans, coaches, referees and administrators of the future. Players who will bring their kids to “the beautiful game” – to share the “magic”.

That is why we do not cut anyone at tryouts.

You never know.

You just never know what sincere effort and commitment will create when combined with expert guidance. To us, that unknown is unbelievably exciting. It’s what drives us and motivates us.

It’s why the win at all cost attitude is scorned by us. We expect our players to “play” not just kick the ball.

We strive to develop skill so there is beauty in the game – not just athleticism. And if a child is blessed with athleticism, we enhance that with skill development - and expect that child to use skill and not just their athleticism to excel.

And we expect our players to be risk-takers.

To see a player confident enough to execute a 1 v 1 move in a game is “magic”. To see them persist when they’ve not gotten the result is inspiring. And to see it finally come off is exhilarating.

This is also why it is so very flattering to hear that our players are attracting the interest of other clubs – especially their original ones, now that they have been developed to a degree.

For players to develop requires the proper ambiance so that not only is the skill developed but so is the confidence. Creating that ambiance is an art unto itself. Does your player have that ambiance and expertise where they are now?

Competition and choices will continue to force us to evolve as change is the only constant. Many of the things we believe in and have in place are now being copied.

For instance, Winter training, usually an after thought before we arrived on the scene, has now been given its just due by others, at least in time and acknowledgement.

What we call the “National Team” experience, something others call the high school / college experience in the club setting is now being developed at other clubs in lieu of joint ventures for tournaments.

And we continually “raise the bar” - pushing the competitive and challenging environment that our players compete in so no one gets settled into a comfort zone.

Also, our players know they are not locked into a roster “for life”. With improvement comes additional challenges and opportunity. That is why we encourage our players to “cross train” – to work out with older, more experienced and better players at training sessions other than those scheduled just for their team.

And, as our players progress and need more and demand more, so we, as coaches, continue to “raise the bar” on ourselves. Coaching education is an ongoing process in our club.

And, as coaches, we look to make things fun, challenging and exciting. Because if it’s not that way for us, how can we create that for the players?

Yes, we are different. And we will always be in a state of flux as we are never satisfied with what we do and how we do things.

From what we hear, our constant growth is an indicator that more and more people see the Phoenix difference.

Same old, same old breeds same old, same old. That will never change.

If you want a different result, YOU have got to DO something different.

If you feel it, then do it!

See you at tryouts!!!

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GO PHOENIX!!!