Cliff has started a good dialogue in his post below. I thought I’d add my 10 cents, for what it’s worth.

A program rises and falls on the experience and ability of its players, and experience and ability are obtained by participating in intensive practices and meaningful games. Players who immerse themselves in that environment year-round tend to refine their skills and knowledge of the game faster than the players who don’t.

The chart below illustrates the correlation between varsity-player club soccer participation and winning percentages throughout my 11 eleven years as Parkview’s head coach. While the numbers are partially from my memory, the numbers are very close, and the general trend clearly shows the impact of year-round soccer participation on the team’s success each season. Everyone might consider too how the Parkview program has ebbed and flowed over the years (see chart at the very bottom of this post).

Number of Club Players to Winning Percentage, 2000-2010. The numbers are bit from memory but still show the relationship between club participation and winning percentages. The numbers focus on the varsity rosters. A variable for which the chart does not account is schedule strength, which generally has become much more difficult now that 10 years ago.

Imagine a violinist who doesn’t perform or take lessons nine months out of the year and yet hopes to be selected to the Springfield youth symphony. Others will arrive at the audition better prepared to execute to their full potential under pressure, and they likely will be the ones chosen. That’s not a surprise. The point is that kids who devote themselves year-round to their craft are the ones who achieve the most. » Read more: Coach’s Commentary: Play More Soccer

Players and parents, linked below is a flyer detailing the time and location of Springfield Legends/SpringHigh Select high school boys tryouts, scheduled for Nov. 23 at the Cooper #1/Greenwood Stadium at the Lake Country Soccer Complex.

We all recognize the benefit to our program when our players pursue the game the other nine months of the year outside of the high school season. Please give serious thought to trying out for club soccer this spring. The coaching staff in place for Springfield Legends’ high school boys spring soccer program are well experienced to accelerate each player’s development. The club aims to deliver high quality at a reasonable cost for its players.

While I am partial to Parkview players, I cannot guarantee that all Parkview players will be selected to play on a Springfield Legends roster. I do encourage all of our players with the ambition to raise their game to come out and give the tryout process everything they’ve got.

Get a hold of me to answer your more detailed questions.

Thanks… Clint

Springfield Legends Tryout Information

Congratulations to the Kickapoo boys’ JV team for claiming the 2010 Parkview JV Tournament championship. Kickapoo defeated Ozark, 2-0, to win the title.

The Chiefs had to work hard to get both their goals, scoring both of them in the second half of the championship match. Freshman Mac Hoogeveen headed home the game winner on a corner kick with roughly 22 minutes left to play. Sophomore Zack Boeding got the insurance goal with roughly 10 minutes left in the game by chasing down a through ball and then winning the 50/50 in Ozark penalty area with the Ozark sweeper, finally slotting his shot underneath the charging Ozark keeper.

The Kickapoo Chiefs boys' JV team won the 2010 Parkview JV Tournament Oct. 23, defeating Ozark, 2-0, in the championship match. Kickapoo did not allow a goal in all three of its matches during the tournament.

» Read more: Kickapoo Wins Parkview JV Tourney

Here are the scores for the Friday evening games played at Kickapoo:

Flight A

Kickapoo won, 5-0, against Parkview.

Parkview won, 2-1, against Catholic. (The game ended 1-1 in regulation, and Parkview won in penalty kicks.)

Flight B

Ozark won, 2-1, against Nixa. (The game ended 1-1 in regulation, and Ozark won in penalty kicks.)

» Read more: Parkview JV Tournament Friday Results

Here the seeds for the Class 3, District 11 Boys Soccer Tournament:

1. Kickapoo
2. Glendale
3. Nixa
4. Ozark
5. Parkview
6. Branson

Saturday, Oct. 30 Games

5 PM – #4 Ozark vs. #5 Parkview

7 PM – #3 Nixa vs. #6 Branson

Wednesday, Nov. 3 Games (Semifinals)

5 PM – #1 Kickapoo vs. winner of Ozark/Parkview game

7 PM – #2 Glendale vs. winner of Nixa/Branson game

Friday, Nov. 5 (District Final) @ 7 PM.

All games will be played at the Lake Country Cooper/Greenwood Soccer Complex (field #1).