We all worked long and hard--and with excitement--for the Sky Blue Summit meeting of soccer club presidents which was held Wednesday evening at the Marriott in Bridgewater. So imagine our satisfaction when a full room of passionate fellow soccer people accepted our invitation. The evening's script featured inspirational videos and speeches by Head Coach and GM Ian Sawyers, CEO Thomas Hofstetter, Julie Foudy and Heather O'Reilly. What was notable about their brief comments was each of their personal stories, and how their involvement in soccer created their devotion to both working in and playing "the beautiful game."
An entire array of Sky Blue programs was debuted. A CD of the presentation was given to all participants. We knew the event was a success by the immediate offers of support and desire to become concretely involved with us. Our offer to them is the same we make to all of you: become Affiliates of Sky Blue. Let us tell you how, if you want to know. Just pick up the phone, or email, and we will be glad to have a discussion with you on how you can become a part of our team.
This leads me to the central theme of the evening. If you are reading this, by definition you are interested in Sky Blue, WPS, and women's soccer in general. I am personally asking you to consider making a gesture of support for our cause, by investing in a ticket purchase. I know it is early; I know there are questions you might have. But do this for the reason some of our ticket buyers have already expressed: simply to say, and to show: I'm with you; I believe in you; I will step up and support you.
You could feel the energy in the room at the Summit following the speeches. Trust me, you would have plunked down your ticket payment right then and there. Thomas made us understand how he and Francesco Prandoni have invested in Sky Blue with the love of their European roots in the game; Julie told us what it was like for herself as a young girl, with only male athletes to emulate, and how the league will mean so much to little girls who can look toward women athletes; Heather is happy to be home in New Jersey, and to play and work hard to promote her new team.
Perhaps Ian expressed it best when he said: This game has given Julie and me so much. Now, we want to give back. (And they moved to to New Jersey from California to prove it).
So, for everything the game gives you--your players, your family, your coaches--give back. Invest in us. Tickets are only a phone call, or an email click, away.
Yours in Soccer,
SBS Blogger
100 Olympic athletes to watch: #15 Heather O'Reilly (Time)
Monday, July 28, 2008
By: Sean Gregory, Time
Soccer
United States
Age: 23
She wears the "Next Mia" label, and wears it well, thank you. She even dons Hamm's No. 9 jersey. In Athens, the then 19-year-old O'Reilly was the youngest player on the team, and scored a winning goal in the semifinals for the gold-medal winning team. She followed her Olympic run with a brilliant career at the University of North Carolina (just like you-know- who), where she scored 59 goals and won two national titles. O'Reilly is switching positions for the Olympics, from forward to midfield, to take advantage of her size and speed; after the U.S. women finished a disappointing third at the '07 World Cup, she is seeking redemption in Beijing.
View the full article: 100 Olympic athletes to watch: #15 Heather O'Reilly
Cool Q & A with Julie Foudy on her Leadership Camp
My gracious bosses at Sky Blue let me take this week to coach at the JFSLA, and how much I have to thank them!! I've been receiving the text messages from Kristin in Ops about our wins this weekend, but I haven't had much time for anything else. So far the craziest moment was being introduced as part of the staff with the likes of Julie Foudy, Cindy Parlow, Kim Pickup, and Jamie Paguilaro. When did I get into THAT group?? But I represented Sky Blue well, and have been spreading the word among staff who peppered me with questions about WPS during lunch. You can already tell where Ian Sawyers has cut his management skills, as he leads our camp during our soccer training, and in camp in general. I'm certainly proud to say he's the Sky Blue GM and head pro coach! The Sky Blue W-league team is coming by before their Wildcats game to do some team building with us. I have the youngest group of campers, so they are hyped to see these players, as they were last night when Carli Lloyd stopped by. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention future Olympian (It's official!!) and NJ native Lloyd stopped by last night to give the kids some inspiring words. She certainly has a bright future ahead of her! Anyway, I'm off to more soccer training then team building, then leadership skills development, then..... I'm loving every second, and its certainly inspired me to see why it's so important give these girls the strong, positive role models that will be, and are, the Sky Blue players. CHOOSE TO MATTER!!!!!
Peace,Natalie PS. ENGLAND!! OI OI OI (My team for the week)
I hate to give away my age, but I was a teenager for the 1999 Women’s World Cup. A fan who has probably traveled more miles than most for women’s soccer. I hit up the “local” Division I team, Penn State, saw NT games at Hershey, VA Beach, and the Home Depot Center, the “Indoor Celebrations” at Cleveland and Pittsburgh. WUSA games in Philly. Dragged my parents to DC for the 1999 nailbiter vs. Germany. I still remember the first time I met Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain. I’m reluctant to admit I even had a soccer website and was written about in Newsday. (As with Peter Wilt’s blog, some details will not be revealed...)
Now here I am, leaving more secure job offers and better paying professions behind (Whose parents don't want them to be a lawyer?), because I have the chance to be a part of something. Something so exciting and new! Who wouldn’t want to be in on the ground floor?? I think Steve Nash and I agree, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Every hour spent at soccer tournaments or club meetings, pouring over game entertainment plans or maintaining the inventory, are all well spent when I see that little 10 year old get all wide-eyed when she meets Fanta or Jillian Loyden. Maybe I see a little bit of me in that girl; just excited to meet my heroes. She’ll want to do well in school or resist peer pressure because she sees what it means to be a successful female athlete… and more importantly, a successful human being.
When I was young, I was inspired by Julie and Brandi, and now everyday I get to see more and more kids feel the same inspiration from our Sky Blue players.
See you ‘round NJ,
Natalie
PS. Picture above is Penn State vs. UNC circa 2000... Can you guess where it was played?
Sky Blue Soccer staff in the WPS booth at the 2008 NSCAA Convention with former US Women's National Team star Julie Foudy.
Julie Foudy (center in red) with Sky Blue Soccer staff (L to R): Natalie Smith, Gloria Averbuch, Katie Kranz, Patric Santo Pietro
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