by posted 03/03/2010
 
NSA Board Meetings Are Open to All!

The NSA board will meet on Tuesday, April 6, 7 p.m., in the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC), room 106, south of Northfield High. Parent and player comments and questions are welcome during the first portion of the meeting.

    

by posted 03/03/2010
 
The Youth Sports Collaborative in Northfield is sponsoring an equipment exchange for players of a variety of sports. The idea is to offer local youth the opportunity to borrow sports shoes free of charge.

Bring your used -- but still usable -- soccer cleats to the Northfield Middle School office.

If you have questions or would like to borrow equipment, contact Jordan Taylor at 507-664-3524 or .

    

by posted 03/02/2010
 
Attention New and Returning Referees:   Please go to the MYSA Referee Webpage for valuable information concerning entry level certification, and recertification clinics.  Important changes are taking place this year, mostly concerning the requirement to take the on-line exam by the Wednesday before the clinic date.  Remember to register on-line with the USSF before you sign up for a clinic.  Remember also, those referees 18 years of age or older will also need to complete the required MYSA background check.

        Attention New Referees:   For those individuals interested in becoming a referee for the Northfield Soccer association, here are the steps you need to take:
        1)  Are you a U-12 player or older? (or are you age 12 or older if not a player?)  The NSA sets an age requirement of at least U-12 or older, so that new Assistant Referees (ARs) have an idea of how 'Offsides' works.
        2)  Go to the MYSA Referee Webpage, and click on the 'New Referees' tab.  Read the information about what is expected of a referee, what some of the costs are involved with becoming a referee, and an explanation of the different referee levels, and how to register.
        3)  Click on the 'Registration' tab, then click 'New Referees'.  Follow the directions for registering as a new referee.  The process should take all the way through to registering for a clinic. 
  
        4)  Send your contact information to Hank Tetreault, NSA Referee coordinator, at hank.tetreault@faa.gov so that he can get you on the list of referees for game scheduling. 
        5)  If you are older, but interested in becoming a new referee, please read about and register for the Grade 8 Entry Level two day course.

        Attention Returning Referees:  By now, you should be somewhat familiar with the annual registration process.  I wish it was less cumbersome, I really do, but the MYSA sets the rules.  First thing to know is I was unable to secure a local clinic for any returning referees.  Please go to the MYSA Referee Webpage for an up-to-date list of clinics that are close by.  On the website, go to 'Registration', then 'Returning Referees' for information about how to register with the USSF and sign up for a clinic.

        For Returning Grade 9 Referees:  If last year was your first year as a referee, you need to look for a 'Bridge Clinic', which is a one day course to go from Grade 9 to Grade 8 (or you could take the more intensive Entry Level Grade 8 clinic, which is a two day course.)  Either one works, to get your Grade 8 level.  As of January 11th, there were Bridge clinics as close as Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Farmington.  

        For Returning Grade 8 Referees:  Please register and sign up as soon as you can for a 3+ years experience, or 'less than 3 years' experience clinic, depending which one you are.  3+ clinics are as close as Burnsville, Apple Valley, and Shakopee.  'Less than 3 years' clinics are as close as Burnsville, Farmington and Shakopee.

        For all returning referees, please get your contact information to if any of it has changed from last year.


Thanks!
Hank

    

by posted 03/02/2010
 
Regular registration for traveling soccer closed Feb. 28.  Registrations will be accepted until May 1 on a space available basis only and subject to the $25 late fee. 

An update of rosters with available places will be available soon.

    

by posted 02/23/2010
 
Registration for 2010 Summer Traveling soccer is now open. Registration is due by Feb. 28, 2010. A late fee of $25 will be assessed for every registration received after Feb. 28.

TIME'S RUNNING OUT!
Note that teams will be submitted to the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association on March 8; after that, the NSA will accept registrations on a space-available basis only.

HOW TO REGISTER ONLINE (preferred) OR BY MAIL
Online registration is preferred. Click here for online registration or go to the "Register Online" tab on the left-hand side of this page.

To register by mail, you may download forms from this site and mail your registration and check (made out to Northfield Soccer Association) to the NSA registrar: Betsey Buckheit, 610 Union St., Northfield, MN 55057. Click to e-mail Betsey with questions.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE TO BE ENFORCED!
The registration deadline of Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, will be strictly enforced this year to help our all-volunteer organization. As of Monday, March 1, registrations will be accepted only if space is available. Every late registration will be assessed a $25 late fee in addition to the program fees.

NEW UNIFORMS POLICY
This year, traveling team players will buy their own uniforms rather than being issued a uniform by the NSA. Players may wear the same uniform for more than one season, saving families the expense of buying a new uniform each year.

The NSA will subsidize the cost of the uniform kit (2 jerseys, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of socks) to help families adapt to this change. The cost to families will be only $20 per uniform kit.

FEES  FOR 2010 TRAVELING SOCCER
With a nod to the difficult economy, the NSA has elected to keep fees the same this year, despite rising costs. Programs fees will be:
    - $210, U9 and U10
    - $255, U11 and U12
    - $280, U13 and older
    - $600, maximum per family (not counting uniform fee and/or late fees)

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
The NSA board welcomes player and parent participation at the start of its monthly meetings. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. at the NCRC, Room 106.
    

by posted 12/24/2009
 

The Girls' U-11 team battles it out at Spring Creek fields.

Here are some of the ideas that parents have submitted to the NSA. If you'd like to submit your own ideas, e-mail or click the "feedback" button on the left:

* "I think a fun way to fundraise for the scholarship program would be to make a game between traveling coaches and traveling all-stars a yearly occurrence. Keep it simple: Each team sends two or three players, and we get a coach or two from each team, reserve a field, recruit some volunteer refs and we're set. Players could walk around collecting money from spectators, and we can have a donation amount." Interested in this idea? Contact Mary Foote at or 612-730-9349.

* With reference to the idea of cleaning up litter:  I've got a better idea.  Ban all "treats" brought by parents for the teams after the games.  The treats end up being nothing more than sugary junk food, and is of course the cause of most of the litter.  Maybe make an exception for anything home baked, or fresh fruit.  This would kill two birds with one stone: less litter, and healthier kids.

Sincerely,

Andy Kornkven


    

by posted 12/22/2009
 

The U-15 boys C-1 goalkeeper prepares to fire a shot down the field.

Professional photographer and devoted soccer mom Marie Frederickson (mother of former NHS standout goalkeeper Steven Schnorr) has launched Remember Photography in Northfield. She's also launched an exciting collaboration with the Northfield Soccer Association.

Marie attended most home games at the Spring Creek fields for both the traveling and recreational programs. In exchange for our promotion of her services, she will donate a portion of her profits to the NSA.

To view more photos, or to purchase photos, please contact Marie directly: 612-703-0033 or 

www.rememberphotography.net

User name: nfield
Password: soccer
    

by posted 12/21/2009
 

A TOPSoccer adaptive soccer program was launched in Northfield during summer 2009. This program is sponsored by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association and is geared for athletes with special needs who are 8 years and older, including adults.

 WHO CAN PLAY: If you or anyone you know has a family member with special needs who would like to play soccer, or a friend or family member who would like to volunteer to support these athletes on Sunday evenings, please let them know about this opportunity.

To volunteer as a coach or coach’s helper, contact Ivan Woyno, MYSA Development Administrator, at  952-252-1688 or

• To register contact Lynn Miland, Northfield TopSoccer Coordinator at .or call  507-645-6776 
• (Letters of recommendation are issued to youth wishing to earn volunteer hours for their resume.)
• To make a donation to the TOPSoccer program contact Candace Daley, MYSA Executive Director, at  952-252-1687 .

    

by posted 06/02/2009
 

The U-14 C-2 boys' team huddles before a game.

    

by posted 05/23/2009
 

A U-12 player finds his way past an opponent.