The NSCAA is committed to celebrating and serving the needs of its diverse membership. The goal is to create a resource for the many different communities within the soccer family and the NSCAA. The 2012 Convention gives coaches the opportunity to experience an event or session from the Women’s Committee, Latin American Soccer Coaches Committee, Black Soccer Coaches Committee and the Native American Soccer Coaches Committee.

This year the Women’s Committee will be honoring Sue Ryan, the women’s soccer coach at Stony Brook University, as the NSCAA Women’s Committee Award of Excellence recipient.  “We’re thrilled to be honoring one of our own,” said Lisa Cole, Women’s Committee co-chair.  The NSCAA Women’s Soccer Breakfast, where Ryan will receive the award, will be held Saturday morning, Jan. 14, at 8 a.m. The Social for Coaches of Female Athletes, held Thursday, Jan. 12, at 9:30 p.m., is a chance for coaches to reunite with old friends and make new ones.

Coaches can take part in several sessions either led by women in the sport or lectures applicable to the women’s game. NSCAA Past President Marcia McDermott will discuss “Scouting for the Women’s National Team at the Women’s World Cup,” while Jill Ellis and April Heinrichs will lead “Moving Our Game Forward: The U.S. Women’s National Team Programs Role in Player Development.”

“The NSCAA is a wonderful organization that brings together so many coaches and soccer professionals, from so many backgrounds, with so many experiences,” says Cole. “It’s a really powerful few days where we can learn, network, catch up with friends and then bring back to our organizations so much valuable information.”

Native American Soccer Coaches Committee presents “The State of Native American Soccer in the United States” on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 9:30 a.m. with Boyna Bear as the speaker. Bear says, “The ability to collaborate and share ideas with these groups has been very beneficial to growing soccer in Native American communities.”  The Convention has given these Native American coaches the chance to meet and build a solid foundation for their Committee.

“The NSCAA has provided us with coaching education opportunities for our communities as well as mentorship for our coaches, “said Bear. The Native American Soccer Coaches Committee is placing an emphasis on the unique challenges and opportunities within Native American communities. A better understanding and respect for the sociological and psychological aspects are needed to build the foundation in Native American communities. 

The Black Soccer Coaches Committee became affiliated with the NSCAA in 2000.  It promotes the awareness of issues and opportunities for improving the participation by people of color in the game of soccer. They have more than 500 members represented throughout the world. Daniel Gordon, the current  BSCC chair and boys soccer coach of the University School of Nashville, recommends coaches enjoy the entire 2012 Convention.

“Our annual Convention lends itself to growth, development of lifelong friendship, a place to find employment and, most of all, to share with others,” says Gordon of the NSCAA Convention. “The National Convention sets the stage each year for us to make a difference.”

The Black Soccer Coaches Committee will be presenting “Diversity Awareness: The Decisions Exercise” with Mike Curry, Chairman of the NSCAA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The NSCAA Black Soccer Coaches Committee Reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13.

In order to encourage and assist the development of soccer in the Latino community in the United States, the Latin American Soccer Coaches Committee was formed. The Committee was founded with the purpose of promoting the formation and development of Latino coaches, players and referees of both genders.

Latin American coaches can listen as Jose Enrique Vaca Pacheco, General Coordinator, and Juan Carlos Ortega Orozco, Technical and Tactical Coordinator of the Mexican Youth National Teams, present “Player Development in Mexico.”  Marco Santillan, chair of the Latin American Soccer Coaches Committee, will also lead a session on “Academicos FC Player Development Program”.

The NSCAA Convention presents a diverse range of lectures and field sessions for coaches of all backgrounds to take part in. The Convention is a place to learn, participate, and belong no matter the background of the coach.

For more information about the 2012 NSCAA Convention, click here, or visit Convention Schedule to create your unique schedule.
 

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