Guys:
Good evening.
If you have taken the time to look over the schedule you will note that we have some very competitive fixtures, which hopefully will provide us with the challenges we need to develop two competitive squads each working hard to secure a place in the A side squad. Traditionally we start training for the Fall after Labor Day, but both Dave and I agree that this is too late in order for us to get into shape as well as develop a a game plan for the fixtures ahead. Therefore, we are proposing the following preseason schedule:
Thursday August 12 - Hampton Park 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Pre Season Training (fitness, skills and drills) plus and a review of the goals, objectives and team rules for the Fall season
Tuesday August 17 - Hampton Park 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Pre Season Training (fitness, skills and drills) plus a run through of the basic plays
Saturday August 28 - Hampton Park 10:00am - Noon
Pre Season Training (fitness and drills) plus a semi opposed run through of the game plan
Regular Season Practice Begins - September 7th - Hampton Park 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Every Tuesday & Thursday going forward)
Moving forward for this season, we are going to incorporate a few new ideas that we believe will not only enhance the standard of play within the club but also foster better competition among all players who come to practice. The goal for all players should be first and foremost to secure a spot on the first team squad. You have our commitment as coaches that if you are good enough, prepared to put in the graft, pay your dues and maintain your discipline you will get every opportunity we can afford to you, to get onto that squad.
Further, we want to develop 2 competitive squads and ensure that any player regardless of his experience who joins the club will be given the the coaching in order to guarantee improvement and be a competitive influence to and within the squad. To this end at each practice we will work together on our core drills but then split into two squads in order for the newer and lesser experienced players to get up to speed on the fundamentals of the game and our plays etc.
Please be assured that we are not in any way dividing the club or fostering a mentality/culture of us and them! Far from it. As a club we are one and we want to get better as one. The sole objective is to get everyone up to speed and push for that A side spot. The fixture list provides games for both squads, the goal is that by the end of the fall we will all be on the same page and ready for the Spring season ahead.
Being totally honest with everyone, over the summer, both Dave and I have done a fair amount of soul searching re the way we ended the spring season. As coaches we have to take the ultimate responsibility for winning and loosing as we are the ones week in week out who pick the side and determine the game plan. The loss against New Orleans has been very difficult to take and we both have questioned whether or you as the players have what it takes to win - the mental toughness to gut it out, the discipline to work as one and not individually, the smarts to recognize where the game can be won and lost and the respect of us as coaches to follow the game plan to the letter regardless of whether you agree or disagree?
We have also been honest with ourselves and agree that there are many things we could have done better in all aspects of practice, game time and overall preparation. What we also realize is that we have perhaps come to a fork in the road. Do we want to get better or do we want to stay where we are? Dave and I know which road we are taking and the one we are not. The next few weeks will perhaps tell us which road you as players have decided to take.
Finally, I make this passionate call to all those players out there who are on the fence about coming back, feel as though they are getting too old, having played for a season or two, or feel as though they don't perhaps have a part to play anymore in this great club of ours. If you believe in what we had and can help both Dave and I re-ignite it - come on out. We need you now, more than ever. The Outlaw shirt has lost some of its fire and heart, the reputation has taken a bit of a beating and we are where we are because perhaps we have lost our will to fight for that extra point. Perhaps we have believed that we are better than we really are. At the end of the day we deserve nothing, we earn everything and we ignite the belief in the concept of team not me, you or any other individual out there, but as one in all that we do.
See you Thursday, no excuses.
Taffy
