Thunderbolts Win!

Woo hoo! That was some amazing soccer this Saturday. It was incredible to watch everything we've been working toward come together.

Every single player on the team made this win happen. We played with confidence, intelligence, and tenacity.

I would also like to thank Kaya for organizing the shoot-around on Friday. I wish I could have been there but it sounds like everyone had a great time. I definitely think it had something to do with our win.

Very nice! Have a good week and we'll see you on Saturday for another great game!

—Coach Dave

The Final Countdown

Hey Thunderbolts!

I just looked at our calendar again and we've only got two more games. There was a game scheduled for the 21st but it was taken off by the league. It seems like just yesterday that we were starting practices. You should all be proud of how far you have come.

One sad fact is that this is our last season as Thunderbolts. I mean, I know you'll always be Thunderbolts in your hearts. I know that Caitlyn shouting, "When we rock we rock like THUNDER!" still echoes in my head. Like right now... seriously, I can still hear it. But this will be the last season we play together officially as Thunderbolts.

It has been a privilege to be your coach. I have learned so much about soccer and about life by practicing with you at Garden Home Park in the Fall. I'd like to thank each and every one of you for that. I'd like to thank your parents for raising such wonderful and talented young women and showing up every Saturday to cheer them on. And finally, I would like to thank Mike Gourlay, Mary Collins, and Jimmy Patten for all the great advice and amazing coaching you have shared throughout the years.

BUT! We still have two games left! Let's make the most of them!

Thanks,

Coach Dave

PS— I still need volunteers to head up the end of season party and trophies. Kim Parsons sent an email about charms but I never saw any one respond. Please email me and let me know if you can help.

Amazing practice tonight!

Wind, rain and cold combined with amazing attitudes made tonight's Thunderbolts practice one of the best ever.

Picture day is October 10th! We're scheduled for 12 noon so we should probably get there around 11:30 to line up and get our paper work all ready.

Game Schedule is up! First game this Saturday 10:30AM at Powerlines

Hey Thunderbolts!

The game schedule is up! You can access it here:

ThunderCal on Google (the same one located to the right)

Or:

On the West Hills site.

Let me know if you have any questions. All fields can be found on the map to the right or by clicking here. Remember, it is extremely important that I know ahead of time that you will be at the game. Please make sure and call or email me if you are going to be late or absent.

As with last year, I want you all to be at the field and ready to play 45 minutes before game time. We will need the time to do our warmup and drills.

Go Thunderbolts!

Coach David

Vote for your team captains!

Hey Thunderbolts! Time to vote for team captains! Choose your fearless leaders:

Vote!

Practice - Tuesday August, 18th

We had a few less players tonight but we had some new things. Caitlin Henderson rejoined the team and brought with her the ear-shattering, kindergartner-terrorizing,Thunderbolt Cheer. We also learned the new PEP warm up (http://bit.ly/oMlR0). It was grueling and awkward at times but I have faith we will run it like clockwork in a few weeks.

My Goals for This Season

Although we will always be Thunderbolts in our hearts, this season is the last for the team. Next year is high school and we will all be moving on to new adventures. Let's make the last season as the Thunderbolts the best season.

With that in mind, I'd like to share my goals for the season:

1. Have fun.
2. Work hard and commit 100%.
3. Talk less, listen more (this could be the hardest one for me).
4. Build individual soccer skills.
5. Juggle the ball 50 times (a personal goal for the coach).

These are simple goals but I think they will have a big impact. I look forward to hearing the goals from the team at tonight's practice.

—Coach David

First Practice Tonight!

Hey Thunderbolts!

First practice is tonight. Looking forward to a good scrimmage. Also, I set up a Facebook group for the team. If you use Facebook be sure to join. Between email, this blog, and Facebook I think we should have pretty good communication.

See you tonight!

Coach David

Practices Start Tuesday, August 11th 6PM

Hey Thunderbolts!

Practices start next week! We've got our field and we're ready to go! You can see the calendar of practices and games (as soon as I get them) here:

Thunderbolt Schedule

See you next week!

Coach David

Think Fall

You may not have noticed, but it is freaking hot. ONE HUNDRED AND THREE DEGREES? You have to be kidding me. All I can think about is how hot it is. It is inescapable, unrelenting, and cruel. But instead of dwelling in our over-heated self-pity, I suggest the following:

Think Fall.

Think about leaves changing, rain falling, wind blowing, chilly fall. Think about soccer. Kicking the ball across a muddy field, a cold mist touching your cheeks, and the sound of the brisk evening air blowing past your ears as you sprint for a well placed cross.

I feel a little cooler already.

—Coach David