News and Announcements

The Canadian National Coaching Certification Program under the Coach Canada scheme has released a document titled “Long-Term Athlete Development Information for Parents” in conjunction with the Canadian Sport for Life organization.

The document is pivotal reading for all sports parents who have their children’s best developmental interest at heart. The document has been uploaded to the Documents section of the main TeamPage.

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Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo midfielder Darby Moran has accepted a great scholarship offer to continue her soccer career at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Darby, who plays her prep-soccer for Hinsdale Central, will be part of 14-year Head Coach Troy Fabiano’s 2013 recruiting class.

UW-Parkside is a perennial NCAA Division II powerhouse, and they finished the 2011 season with a 13-4-2 record after a 3-1 loss to 2-time National Champion Grand Valley State University in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.

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On Tuesday 1/24 the players from Team Chicago Academy-Santos and Botafogo were run through the NIKE SPARQ program at PlayUSA. The testing was done by the NIKE SPARQ national testing crew.

Each SPARQ Soccer Rating is derived from ranking, scoring, and adding the results of four field tests of athletic performance. Each test is ranked against a reference sample of hundreds of SPARQ Rated soccer players from around the world.

Scores on four tests compose the SPARQ Soccer Rating: 20-meter Sprint, Arrowhead Agility, Vertical Jump (for Peak Power), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test. Each test reflects a different physical requirement of the sport, and together they provide a robust snapshot of a player’s athleticism. Linear speed, change-of-direction speed, lower-body explosive power, and endurance are key athletic attributes every soccer player needs. A player’s performance on the SPARQ reveals his/her strengths and weaknesses, allowing insight into what needs to be improved upon to become a better athlete.

Zoe Swift from Botafogo came away with the fastest times on both the 20-Meter Sprint and the Arrowhead Agility Test, while Jillian Van Kampen from Botafogo set the record for the Vertical Jump, and Zoey Goralski from Botafogo blew everyone out of the water on the Yo-Yo endurance test.

In the photo Santos player Maid Harris is getting ready for the 20-meter Sprint Test.

Team Chicago’s 9th annual MLK DAY Girls College Showcase was a huge success as close to 100 players showcased their talents in front of 64 college coaches representing every level from Top-Tier Division I programs through Division II, III, NAIA, and junior colleges.

More players participated and more coaches attended than ever before, and a few tweaks in the format made for the best event ever. Team Chicago is already working on making even more improvements for the 10th anniversary of this event next year.

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Team Chicago Academy-Santos won its U16 bracket at the prestigious Disney College Showcase with a 1-0 win in the final over Cincinnati Cup Crew. Capping an excellent week of games for the team, center-back AJ Jakuszewski got the game-winner halfway through the first half off Kristen Brots’ perfect corner-kick. Courtney Keefer in goal and the stellar back-line of Talise Romain, AJ Jakuszewski, Rachael Brots, and Kelsey Pruett combined to record the shutout – the 3rd shutout at the event.

Santos won its 3 round-robin games 3-1, 2-0, and 2-0, and goals were scored by Kaela Leskovar (3), Heather Handwork (2), Olivia Schmitt (1), and Kristen Brots (1). Assisted by Olivia Schmitt (4), Kaela Leskovar (3), Heather Handwork (1), Kristen Brots (1), and Kelsey Pruett (1).

Participant on the championship team were: Courtney Keefer, Talise Romain, AJ Jakuszewski, Olivia Doman, Rachael Brots, Kelsey Pruett, Madi Harris, Anna McClowry, Katie Ciesiulka, Mary Rounce, Olivia Schmitt, Tyler Proszowski, Caitlin Tabilog, Sarah Feder, Heather Handwork, and captains Kaela Leskovar and Kristen Brots.

Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo also advanced to the Disney Showcase Final but came up short in an extremely well-played final against Davis Legacy (CA) played under very, very difficult conditions with 38 degree weather and a strong wind. Botafogo dominated in both ball-possession and chances created, but unfortunately did not take its chances on the day. Although disappointed with the final result, the team still had a very successful showing in the top bracket of the event.

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