staff report
The weather is getting warmer, the grass is greener, and the SoDuck Spurs Soccer Club is back in action with a big spring.
Club director Paul O'Brien said: “After four or five months of hibernation in an indoor football facility, it's great to get out and play some real football.” “It’s great to be able to train all year round, and our coaches do a great job of keeping our players focused and motivated during the winter, and ready to play outdoors when the weather changes. He did it for me.
“Since mid-March, we have traveled twice with our team to Kansas and Omaha, as well as the Twin Cities and Iowa. Our men’s and women’s teams represented themselves and their club in great fashion. Most, if not all, of our teams have been finalists or champions in every tournament we have participated in.
The SoDuck Spurs were one of four teams to compete in the Kicks for a Cure Tournament in Omaha, with both the 2012 Boys and 2012 Girls winning. The 2014 Boys and 2009-2010 Boys were each tournament finalists.
The high school girls team won the Rush Champions Cup in Kansas City, and the high school boys team advanced to the finals of the Emerald Cup in Omaha.
“A lot of the events we participated in were pretty high level,” O'Brien added. “Some are attracting clubs with 200 to 400+ teams and over 800 players. This shows they have a really strong team. Therefore, we Not only competing at that level, but playing in the finals of these events speaks volumes about the progress of the club and players, as well as the dedication of the coaching staff.”
Spurs executive director Reece Webber added: “It's been fun to watch the growth of the club over the past year, the huge differences in the level of play of our teams, and the huge changes in the level of players themselves.” Being able to train all year round and having an experienced soccer director who doesn't talk about anything but soccer was definitely a game changer. The days of going to tournaments just to participate are long gone, as evidenced by the number of posts I make on social media about my team's success after each event I attend.
“The sheer excitement that is happening around our football club right now is second to none. We held our first Goals and Appreciation Banquet in February, and the sold-out event was a huge success, exceeding expectations. did. We received great reviews from everyone who attended, and some have already inquired about holding the event next year. Yes, spring is definitely here! ”
The SoDuck Spurs' spring/summer season continues with the team participating in tournaments in Yankton, Sioux Falls and Minnesota, as well as the Fishback Classic at the end of May. This includes the State Cup in Sioux Falls, where four Spurs teams compete for a spot in the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Region.
The Spurs are also preparing for the 2024 Competitive ID Clinic, which will be held May 13-16. The SoDak Spurs ID clinic will be where a player is selected to his 2024/25 team. Starting from 2006, all those born in 2016 will be invited to participate in order to have the opportunity to participate in the SoDak Spurs Competitive Program. For more information, visit his website for SoDak Spurs.
