President’s Update
Aspartofourcommitmenttofosteringgrowthandexcellencewithinour organization,wearepleasedtoannounceseveralkeychangestoourstaff structure.Thesechangesreflectourongoingdedicationtorecognizingtalent, enhancingoperationalefficiency,andensuringourteamiswell-positioned tomeetfuturechallengesandopportunities.
WearethrilledtoannounceMarkGibbsasourSportingDirector,MichelleCox asourFinancialDirector,BrittanyAxfordasourGirlsTechnicalDirector, BrandonHomasourBoysTechnicalDirector,andSeanDunbarasour RecreationalTechnicalDirector.Theseoutstandingteammembersexemplify hardwork,dedication,andcommitmenttoourclub.Theirnewroleswill enablethemtofurtherdriveourmissionforwardandinspirecontinued success.(Continuedonpage2)
Wedeeplyappreciatethededicationandhardworkofallourteam members.Thesechangesareareflectionofourstrategicvisionandthe collectiveprogresswestrivetoachieve.Everyindividualplaysavitalrole inoursuccess,andwearecommittedtoprovidingsupportand opportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopmenttoeveryone.
Welookforwardtoabrightfuture,confidentintheabilitiesandpotential ofourteam.Thankyouforyourongoingdedicationandforbeingan integralpartofourjourney.
Sincerely,
RJMoore-President OnbehalfoftheBoardofDirectors
AFreshApproach:RevolutionizingTasks withYourMobileDevice
Experienceauser-friendlyandpowerfulwayto manageallyourtasksthroughasingleapp.This appenablesyoutoregisterplayers,track schedules,facilitatecommunication,process payments,andmonitorplayerwell-beingwith ease.Enjoyseamlesscommunicationand registrationtailoredforyourmobiledevice.
THIS MONTH’S SPOTLIGHT PLAYER
CongratulationstoTuckerBurns!
WearethrilledtoseeTuckertakethenextstepin hissoccerjourneywithhismovetoSt.LouisCity SC.Overthepastfewyears,I’vehadthepleasure ofwitnessinghisrelentlessdrivetosurpasshis ownlimitsandcontinuallyimprove.Tucker’s passionforthegametrulyembodiesthespiritwe valueatArkansasRising.Withhisincrediblework ethicanddetermination,there’snotellinghowfar hecango.We’llbecheeringyouonfromhome andeagerlyanticipatingtheexcitingpaththatlies aheadforyou!
BrandonHom BoysDirectorofCoaching
“WefirstscoutedTuckerBurnsinSeptember2023 andwereimmediatelyimpressedbyhis1v1ability andtechnicalfoundation.Duringhistryout sessionsinMay2024andpreseasoninAugust,he demonstratedstrongcoachabilityandtheathletic qualitiesneededtocompeteattheMLSNextlevel. Aftercarefulconsideration,weareexcitedtooffer TuckeraspotintheSt.LouisCITYSCAcademy.We alsowanttoextendaspecialthankstoMark Gibbs,TechnicalDirectoratArkansasRising,forhis roleinTucker’sdevelopmentandsupport throughoutthisprocess.”
ShawnHewitt HeadofTalentIdentification
St.LouisCITYSCAcademy
CLUB CONGRATULATIONS
TheArkansasRising2010Girlshadanincredibleseason,cappingitoffwithastrong showingattheUSYSNationalChampionships.Thisteam’scollectivestrengthand unitywerethebackboneoftheirsuccess,showcasingtheirabilitytocompeteat thehighestlevel. Individually,EllaDietzstoodoutastheGoldenBootwinnerand
earnedaspotontheBestXI forheroffensiveexcellence, whileLexiRitchieandLyndsey Boone,twooftheteam'spivotal defensiveplayers,werealso recognized.Lexi’sdominant presenceinthebackline landedherontheBestXI,and Lyndsey’sconsistent,tireless effortsearnedheranhonorable mention. Theseplayers’accoladesarea reflectionoftheentireteam’s hardwork,dedication,and talent,highlightingwhata remarkablegroupthis2010 teamis.Theirsuccessthis seasonisatrueteameffort, witheveryplayercontributing totheoutstandingresultson andoffthefield.
WAYS TO BE INVOLVED WITH ARKANSAS RISING
-SEAN DUNBAR, ARSC RECREATIONAL DIRECTOR
Whetheryou'reaparent,youthplayer,orsimplya soccerenthusiast,ArkansasRisingSCneeds passionateindividualstokeepoursoccer communitythriving.Therearecountlesswaysto contribute—coaching,refereeing,orvolunteeringat events. Theinvolvementnotonlysupportsthe growthofsoccerbutalsocreateslastingexperiences forourplayers. Joinourclubinfosteringapositive, fun,anddevelopment-focusedenvironment. Let’s discusssomeofthewaystobeinvolved.
Coaching:
SkillDevelopment:Gainacomprehensive understandingofthegame,improvingboth coachingtechniquesandpersonalknowledge.
Networking:Buildconnectionswithothercoaches, players,andsoccerprofessionalswithinArkansas RisingSCandbeyond.
LeadershipGrowth:Enhanceleadershipand communicationskillsthatbenefitbothonandoff thefield.
RecreationalSoccer:Forthoseinrecreationalsoccer, coachingisawonderfulwaytogiveback. Arkansas RisingSCoffersresourcesforcoachesofallskill levels,includingcommunity-basedcoursesfocused onteachingfundamentalsandfosteringalovefor thegame.(Continuedonpage6)
“When you win, you don’t get carried away. But if you go step by step, with confidence, you can go far.”
DIEGO MARADONA
Volunteercoachescanplayapivotalroleinplayerdevelopmentby creatinganencouraging,low-pressureenvironmentwherekidscan enjoylearning. ContactSeanDunbar,ArkansasRising’sRecreational Directoratsean@arkansasrising.org,togetstarted.
Forthoseinterestedincompetitivesoccer,advancedcoaching certificationsliketheUSSoccerFederation’s“D”and“C”licensesoffera deeperunderstandingofplayerdevelopmentandtactics.These programsareperfectforthoseaimingtocoachplayerswithamore competitivemindset,ensuringthatathletesarepreparedforhigher levelsofplay.MessageMarkGibbs, ArkansasRising’sSportingDirectorat mark@arkansasrising.org,togetstarted.
Refereeingisacriticalcomponentofboththerecreationaland competitivesoccerprogramsatArkansasRisingSC. Refereeshelp maintaintheintegrityofthegamewhileprovidingopportunitiestostay physicallyactiveandengaged.
BenefitsofRefereeing:
GameKnowledge:Developadeeper understandingofthegame’srulesand strategies.
PhysicalFitness:Stayactivewhilemakinga valuablecontributiontobothrecreationaland competitivematches.
LifeSkills:Enhancedecision-making, confidence,andtheabilitytomanage pressure.
Foryouthandadultsinvolvedinrecreational soccer,ArkansasRefereeProgramoffers grassrootsrefereecertificationprograms. (Continuedonpage7)
BRIGHAM YOUNG
learning.ussoccer.com,withthefullcourse(includingafieldsession) costingaround$100. Oncecertified,refereescanworkanygameinthe state,providedallrequirementsaremet.
BenefitsofVolunteering:
CommunityEngagement:Workalongsideotherswhoshareyour passionforsoccer,strengtheningthesoccercommunityatArkansas RisingSC.
OrganizationalSkills:Developandrefineleadershipand organizationalskillsthrougheventmanagementandleague organization.
GivingBack:Contributetothegrowthoftheclub,ensuringfuture generationscanenjoythesportasmuchasyourplayerdoes. Nomatterifyou’rearecreationalorcompetitivesoccerenthusiast, whetheryou'relookingtoassistatevents,supportcoachingstaff,orhelp withadministrativeorgame-daylogistics,there’saroleforeveryone. Volunteersareessentialtothesuccessofour
Forthoseinterestedinofficiatingcompetitive soccer,ArkansasRefereeProgramoffers advancedrefereecourses.Theseincludehigherlevelcertificationsthatqualifyrefereesto officiatetournamentsandstate-level competitions.Registrationisavailableonlineat programs,providingplayerswithapositiveand well-organizedexperience. Whetheryou're passionateaboutsoccerorsimplywanttogive backtoyourcommunity,ArkansasRisingSC invitesyoutogetinvolvedandmakea meaningfulimpactonourplayers’development. (Continuedonpage8)
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Stayinginvolvedthroughcoaching,refereeing,or volunteeringprovidesopportunitiesforpersonal growth,skilldevelopment,andcommunity engagement. Byparticipatingintheseactivities,you canhelpensurethecontinuedsuccessandvibrancy ofsocceratArkansasRisingSC. Theclubthrivesbecauseofdedicatedindividualslike you—so,whetheryou'reputtingonawhistle,stepping upasacoach,orvolunteeringatevents,your involvementmakesalastingimpact. Let’swork togethertokeepsoccerflourishingatArkansasRising SC!
