Congratulations to the U-14G SPF Red Devils for their undefeated spring season in the premier division of JAGS, capping off a great run prior to the girls’ entry to high school competition next fall. The nucleus of the team has been together since their inaugural U-9 travel season and have regularly competed with ’for-profit club’ teams, ’select-academy’ teams and town ’super-teams.’ Kudos to the players, parents, coaches and trainers, especially long-time parent helpers Kevin Harper and Heather Worthey, who echo the same sentiment. "We all like each other and the girls are best friends. We have pride playing for Scotch Plains-Fanwood, so we stay together."

Tryouts for next year’s team and a full summary of team events including late fall tournaments, winter training and MAPS play in spring 2010 will be announced shortly. Check out the team’s webpage under the Travel Program link for more information and regular updates.

Registration for the fall 2009 season is currently closed.  Late registration will open July 15th and run through midnight of July 31st.  For full details, go to the link for General Information/Registration. Thank you.

SPFSA Online Registration

Coaches, players and parents are reminded that the first sign of thunder or lightning mandates that all soccer activity be shutdown. Participants should find shelter in buildings or motor vehicles and remain there for at least 15 minutes beyond the last rumble of thunder or final bolt of lightning. There are no exceptions to this rule. Our field partners and our insurer expect  this safety policy to be honored at all times. 

The SPFSA Executive Board would like to be able to use parents’ expertise in various professional services when such input would benefit decision making and policy implementation. The panel participants simply need to be available for occasional telephone/email communications about specific topics. The board is most interested in, but not limited to, having readily available resources in the medical (pediatric medicine, social/behavorial science, physical therapy), legal (personal injury/liability, child safety, labor/employment) and financial areas (fundraising, insurance, banking). All interested parties should contact jimfawcett@comcast.net or call 908-419-4426 for details.

New challenges and new opportunities await the SPFSA as it moves forward in a troubling economy w/ growing enrollment and new playing venues. The board has pledged to keep registration fees unchanged while recognizing that financial aid will increase. However, some operating costs like training expenses and field lighting payments will grow. A lighted turf venue provides ample opportunities for new events for our children, but the current group of dependable volunteers need your help.

Specific areas as the planning and administration of social events, field maintenance, fundraising and publicity will be crucial as we go forward. These efforts do not require a soccer background, just some enthusiasm and/or organizational skills. The executive board of the SPFSA is commited to the families of our community, but is going to need that commitment returned. Please contact Jeff Kowalczyk @ 908-322-5200 or jeff@connectionspersonnel.com to join the volunteer pool.