Director’s Update
DearArkansasRisingFamily,
We’re thrilled to be back on the fields after the winter break! There’s nothing quite like the buzz of a game the roar when a goal hits the net or the cheer after a big-time save. The energy is contagious, and it’s already shaping up to be an exciting season. Here’s a quick look at what’s makingthisspringextraspecial:
Record breaking participation: More players than ever are lacing up their cleatsandjoiningtheRisingfamily!
Summer camps are on the horizon: We’re busy planning fun, challenging, andaction-packedcampsforallages.
College commitments are rolling in: Congratulations to our high school athletestakingtheirnextbigstep!
ECNL-RL Regional qualifications: Our boys and girls teams are making wavesastheychasesummergloryontheregionalstage.
TryOutDates-Registrationisopenandthedatesareset!
Andaswelookahead,excitementisalreadybuildinghereinArkansasforthe 2026 for the FIFA World Cup! The momentum is real, and we’re just getting started.
AlwaysRising! MarkGibbs
ArkansasRisingSportingDirector
TRYOUTDATESALERT!
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B u r n s P a r k ( 5 : 3 0 p m a n d 7 : 0 0 p m )
2 0 1 2 - 2 0 0 7 G i r l s : M a y 2 7 - 2 8 p l u s J u n e 3
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2 0 1 2 - 2 0 0 7 B o y s : J u n e 3 , 4 , 5
B u r n s P a r k ( 5 : 3 0 p m a n d 7 : 0 0 p m )
$ 1 0 t o r e g i s t e r - i n c l u d e s t r y o u t s h i r t
R E G I S T E R A T a r k a n s a s r i s i n g . o r g / t r y o u t s
CLUB NEWS
CoachingEducationUpdates
BrittanyAxford-CurrentlyworkingonUSSoccerAllfemaleClub TechnicalLeadershiplevel1course. RecentlycompletedECNL CoachingEducationtriptoBarcelona,Spain.
BrandonHom-CurrentlyworkingonClubTechnicalLeadershiplevel1 coursethroughGeorgiaYouthSoccerAssociation.
SeanDunbar-CurrentlyworkingonClubTechnicalLeadershiplevel1 coursethroughGeorgiaYouthSoccerAssociation.Recentlycompleted UnitedSoccerSpecialtopicsdiplomaonGameModelandUnited SoccerSpecialtopicsdiplomaYouthAcademyDirector.
MarkGibbs-AcceptedintoUEFAYouthALicensestartinginthefallof 2025.RecentlyCompletedUEFABandCcourse. MastersofBusiness AdministrationatFOCUSSportsEducation
BillyClements-CompletionofUSSoccerCcourse
StevenLaster-CompletionofUSSoccerCcourse
DylanWaugh-CurrentlyworkingonUSSoccerCCourse
TrystenDavis-CurrentlyworkingonUSSoccerDCourse
RECREATIONAL UPDATES
Firstandforemost,thankyoutoallofourvolunteercoaches! Recreationalsoccerwouldn’texistwithoutyousteppinguptoprovide afun,engaging,andpositiveenvironmentforourkids.Werecognize thatmanyofyouareparentsfirst,balancingjobs,family,andother responsibilitieswhiletakingonthechallengeofcoaching.Yourtime andeffortdonotgounnoticed,andwedeeplyappreciateallthatyou do.
Thatbeingsaid,wealsowanttoresetexpectationsforparentswhenit comestovolunteercoaching. Everymonth,RisingClubleadersgather toensurethatgamesarescheduled,fieldsareprepped,andreferees areassigned.Inevitably,onequestioncomesup:“Whatarewedoing tosupportouryouthcoaches?”
Often,there’ssilence.Notbecausewe don’tcare,butbecausesomuchof recreationalsoccerrelieson volunteerswhoarealreadystretched thin.Manyarecoachingmultiple teamsinadditiontoservingasleague administrators.Therealityisthat recreationalsoccerthrivesonlywhen parentsstepuptohelp.
Weunderstandthateveryparent wantstheirchildtohavethebest experiencepossible,butit’simportant torememberthatrecreationalsoccer isnotaprofessionalacademy—it’sa community-drivenprogram,ledby volunteers.
RECREATIONAL UPDATES
Solet’saddresssomecommon misconceptions“Thecoachshouldknoweverything aboutsoccer.”
Nottrue!Manyofourvolunteer coachesarelearningrightalongside thekids. Thebestyouthcoaches aren’tnecessarilysoccerexperts; they’reencouragers,facilitators,and organizerswhomakesurekidsare engagedandhavingfun.
“Practicesshouldbehighly structured,withdrillsjustlikethe prosdo.”
Professionalteamspracticeforhours everyday.Recreationalteamsget1-2 hoursaweek. Thebestpractices focusonkeepingkidsmoving,keeping thingsfun,andlettingthemplay. Expectingperfectioninorganizationor technicalskillisn’tfairtothecoach orthekids!
“Whyisn’tmychildplayinginasetposition?”
Becausetheyarelearning!Youngerplayersshouldexperienceallpositions,rather thanbeinglockedintoasinglerole.Thishelpsthemdevelopwell-roundedskills andabetterunderstandingofthegame.
“Thecoachshouldberesponsibleformychild’sprogress.” Whilecoachesprovideguidance,skilldevelopmentalsohappensathome.
RECREATIONAL UPDATES
Dribblinginthebackyard,passingwithaparent,orjugglingaballoutsidefor10 minutesadaymakesaworldofdifference.
Herearesomewaysparentscansupportvolunteercoachesinsteadofstanding onthesidelinesorcritiquing:
✅ Encourageyourchildtolistenandrespecttheircoach.Apositiveattitudegoes alongway.
✅ Volunteertoassistatpractice.Youdon’tneedtobeasoccerexpert justan extrasetofhands!
✅ Helpkidsfocusoneffortandimprovement,notjustwinning.Thegoalis developmentandfun.
✅ Offerwordsofencouragementtothecoach.Coachingisathanklessjob,anda simple“Thanksforbeinghere”canmeanalot.
Atitscore,recreationalsoccerisaboutcommunity.Whenparents,coaches,and leagueorganizersworktogether,itcreatesthebestenvironmentforkidstogrow, learn,andlovethegame.
Solet’sresetourexpectationsandrememberthatmostvolunteercoachesare doingtheirbest. Supportthem,encouragethem,and,ifyoucan consider steppinguptohelp!Thankyouagaintoouramazingcoachesandparentsfor makingthisseasonasuccess!
A First-Class Coaching Experience in Barcelona
Rising’s Girls Technical Director, Brittany Axford, is currently participating in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at increasing the number of women in leadership roles within the soccer landscape. The first-ever all-female entry-level course for the Club Technical Leadership Pathway (CTL1) is being hosted by US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, Women and Girls in Soccer, and U.S. Soccer’s SheChampions Coaching Initiative. Formerly known as the Director of Coaching License course, the CTL1 is designed to help club technical leaders develop key competencies while aligning with their club’s mission, values, and principles. The course, which began in January and runs through April includes both virtual and in-person components. The in-person portion took place from January 30 to February 2 at the U.S. Olympic Performance Center on the campus of UNC Charlotte in North Carolina, bringing together 30 female technical leaders and four female coach educators for an immersive learning experience. (cont. page 7)
Axford is part of this select group of participants engaged in this pioneering course, which represents a significant step forward in increasing female representation in soccer leadership. She looks forward to applying the knowledge gained to further her impact within the game.
Axford shared, “I’m excited to share that ECNL recently partnered with Coaches Voice for the first time to offer a unique coaching education experience in Europe. Having had the opportunity to participate in this trip, I can confidently say it was an unparalleled learning experience that provided deep insights into elite coaching methodologies.”
Held from March 1-6, 2025, the trip offered direct access to top European clubs, including FC Barcelona, Girona CF, and RCD Espanyol. Participants engaged with academy coaches from these clubs, gaining first-hand knowledge of their training philosophies, player development models, and tactical approaches.
A major highlight was the chance to earn a Tactical Analysis Diploma from the MBP School of Coaches located near the iconic Nou Camp stadium In addition to the tural ball
environments.
This Coaches’ Voice x ECNL Advanced Coach Education Trip to Barcelona delivered an unforgettable experience, blending world-class coaching insights with the rich football culture of Spain.
