The Midfielder
Heartland Soccer Association Newsletter
July 2016
Heartland Soccer Association
9161 W 133rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: 913.888.8768


Heartland Soccer Association is recognized as one
of the largest soccer leagues and tournament hosts in the country. We offer recreational to premier divisions, ages U8 through U19.
Fall 2016 League Schedule
Will be posted Friday, July 29 th after 5pm.
click on logo for schedule
2016 Heartland Numbers

league teams this fall
1260
league teams last spring
1296
league players in 2015
40,000
tournament teams this year
2,634
tournament players this year
42,000+
referees
1,600
coaches
1,400
Tournament Numbers
(number of teams)

Border Battle
159
KC Champions Cup 410
Mothers Day Classic 407
KC Invitational
282
Fall Kick Off Challenge
224
Sporting KC Affiliate Friendlies
125
Heartland Midwest Classic
202
Midwest All Girls
300
Girls HIT
238
Boys HIT
382
NCAA Men's College Showcase
104

In the last 12 months Heartland welcomed teams from a total of 17 states and Canada.
This Month in History: July


July 13, 1930- The first World Cup soccer competition
began in Montevideo, Uruguay

July 1935- A form of the US Youth Soccer National Championships were first held. Reached the present format in 2013.

July 16,1982- Carli Anne Lloyd was born

July 2015- THE U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM WINS THE WORLD CUP!

July 2015- Ticker Tape Parade held in NY, an accolade that hasn't been bestowed upon a non-New York team (much less a women's team) since 1984.

July 2016- for the first time in FIFA history, a female soccer star-USWNT's Alex Morgan-will grace the cover of this year's game, appearing on FIFA '16
ImPACT Baseline Concussion Testing

Open to all Heartland Soccer participants
for more information click here.

Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Get certified to be a referee!
  Sign up to be a referee for
Fall 2016 Heartland  league.
  
Click here
Health Tip from HCA
 
All About Casts
Did your child's summer activities leave behind a broken bone and a bright colored cast? Help you're your athlete understand how caring for it correctly can ensure a speedy recovery.
A cast plays a critical role in helping heal your broken bone quickly and effectively. Use this Q&A to remember important information about caring for your cast. Here are answers to some common inquiries about casts:       
What is the purpose of a cast?
A cast heals a bone by keeping it immobile. It has two layers: a soft cotton layer rests on top of the skin and a hard outer layer covers the cotton to prevent the broken bone from moving. Not all broken bones need casts, however. Some fractures, such as fractures to the rib or collarbone, do not require a cast and are instead healed with a sling or strap. Other broken bones can be set with a splint or taping method.
Are there different types of casts?
There are two different kinds of casts. Plaster of Paris casts are made from a heavy white powder that forms a paste when mixed with water. It then hardens quickly to form a cast. Synthetic (fiberglass) casts are made out of a moldable plastic and come in many bright colors.
How is a cast put on?
Your doctor will wrap several layers of cotton around the injured area. Then the plaster or fiberglass outer layer is soaked in water and wrapped around the cotton. The outer layer will dry to make a hard, protective covering.
Can my cast get wet?
A Plaster of Paris cast cannot get wet! The plaster will begin to dissolve in the water, preventing it from holding the bone in place. It could also irritate the skin. Although a fiberglass cast is water-resistant, it should not be submerged in water. It is possible, however, to get a fiberglass cast with a waterproof liner. Ask your doctor about a waterproof cast, since only certain types of breaks can be treated with that option. If your cast is not waterproof, wearing a plastic bag or purchasing a special sleeve to protect your cast from water is the way to go.
How do I scratch under my cast?
Try using a hair dryer to blow some cool air into the cast to calm the itching. Never pour baby powder or oil into the cast and never stick long pointed objects into the cast, as they could cause irritation and infection.
When should I get my cast replaced?
 
If your cast gets a crack, call your doctor as soon as possible for a replacement or repair. If your fingers or toes begin changing color, call your doctor right away because the cast may be too tight. Redness and rawness are typically signs the cast is wet inside from either sweat or water or the padding has been stripped away. To prevent infection, call your doctor to have the problem fixed immediately.
How is a cast taken off?
Your doctor will use a small electrical saw with a dull, round blade to break apart the cast. The saw will not hurt your skin, but it may tickle. The area under the cast will be pale, dry and weaker than other parts of your body. This is all temporary and will change with time and physical therapy.

                
Referee Appreciation Night
at Sporting KC

On July 10th Heartland Soccer referees had the opportunity to attend  the Sporting KC game for Heartland Referee Appreciation Night. Referees took part in a pregame chalk talk with the official and were recognized on the field during half time. 
Thank you Sporting KC for hosting the Heartland Referee Appreciation Night.
Coaching Requirements

Heartland soccer league is sanctioned by Kansas Youth Soccer. There is a minimum coaching requirement. All recreational and premier coaches must complete the F license course. It is online and can be found at the following link. 
NATIONAL "F" LICENSE
National C License Course  
KSYSA is hosting a USSF National C license in Ottawa KS and then testing in KC at Swope Soccer Village,  July 31 to August 7 and Nov 18-20 respectively. 
Now Hiring: Fall 2016
Heritage Soccer Park Concession

Part time seasonal work on Saturdays and Sundays

Concession cart drivers (need to have a valid driver's license)

Concession front window/register attendant

If interested please contact Ramiro at [email protected]

Link to download application: http://heartlandsoccer.net/league-forms/
Huge Thank you to Scheels!

Thank you Scheels for hosting our spring Heartland Soccer monthly referee meetings  in the Steven D. Scheels Training Center located in their Overland Park store. We are extremely appreciative of all the Scheels gift cards donated as door prizes.
We will see you in the in August.


While the Heartland Soccer league continues to reach new heights (over 1250 teams), so do Heartland tournaments. This fall, HSA will host four tournaments; the Fall Kick Off Challenge, The Heartland Midwest Classic, the Sport Shake Midwest All Girls tournament and the Aldi Heartland Invitational. These four tournaments take place over a total of 5 weekends and bring in competition from across the Midwest. The tournaments accept players of all skill levels including recreational and premier level players and teams.

The Fall Kick Off Challenge, which is the newest tournament to Heartland, will take place August 12-14. It features three levels of play- gold, silver and bronze. In 2015, the tourney brought in 224 teams and we expect that number to grow once again this year.

The Heartland Midwest Classic takes place over Labor Day. The longer holiday weekend allows for easy travel and game schedules, and is free of league conflicts. Last year, we were proud to welcome 202 teams from across the region and Canada.

The Sport Shake Midwest All Girls tournament continues to be one of our largest and one of the largest all-girls tournaments in the country. In 2015, we drew in 300 teams to the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex and Swope Soccer Village. The Sport Shake Midwest All Girls tournament will be held October 7-9.

Finally, our largest tournament of the year- the Aldi Heartland Invitional-once again will bring in well over 600 teams. With the size of the tournament, it is divided into 2 weekends: girls and boys. Last year, there were 238 girls teams and 382 boys teams! It's reputation for being the biggest and best tournament in the Midwest is something we are very proud of.

Last fall marked the most tournament teams we have welcomed in a season with a whopping 1,330 teams. We can't wait to see that number grow this season!

Coaches Corner
1 v 1 Dribble through the gates
Soccer Drill Image
Setup -
Large field with a bunch of "cone gates" about one yard apart. Pair up players One of the two players needs a soccer ball.

The Game -
On the coaches whistle, players try to dribble through as many gates as possible while the other player tries to steal the ball. Play for a certain amount of time. 30 to 60 seconds. Cannot go through the same gate twice in a row. One point for each gate. If the other player steals the ball, he gives it back to attacker. When time is up, switch positions.
Heartland Soccer 2016 Referee Meetings Dates
 
Referees of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to attend Heartland's monthly referee meetings! Join us to learn tips and tricks for ARs and Referees, fun games, vital information, and fabulous prizes! Parents are always welcome.

 
Monday, August 8th
Monday, September 12th
Monday, October 10th (Columbus Day)
Monday, November 14th (End of Year Party)
 
Meeting times:
Mentors  will meet 6pm-7pm
Monthly Referee Meeting from 7pm-8:30pm

  Meetings will be held at the "Steve D. Scheels" Training Center in the northwest corner of the second floor of the Scheels store located at 6503 West 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66223  
Congratulations to all our local teams!


The 4 Missouri State Cup Champions that went  to Regionals!

U-15 Girls                            FCKC Ristov 00/01
U-16 Girls                            FCKC Pink Panthers Elite
U-17 Girls                            FCKC Elite 98/99
U-18 Girls                            FCKC Vardar 97/98

Missouri President's Cup Champions that went  to Regionals!

KC Prime SC Academy 98/99                       U-17 Boys
KC Prime SC Elite Academy Navy               U-17 Girls

Missouri FCKC Pink Panther Elite U16 has advanced to Nationals in Frisco Texas!
                      
Congratulations!

Kansas Referee's Excel  at  Youth Regionals, Amateur Regionals, President's Cup, and the US Soccer Developmental Academy.
Selected to attend the President's Cup Nationals: Luis Tribaldo
Selected to attend the USYSA Nationals: Alex Buehler, Ricky Gutierrez, Caitlyn Sabbert
Selected as a returning top performer to the Youth Nationals: Jack Feldman
Selected to Attend the Developmental Academy: Alex Hamel
Selected to Attend the USASA National Amateur Championships: Jon Freemon
Congratulations to each of you, and thanks to all the Referee Program Support Staff, for assisting the honorees, in realizing the next step in the ladder of success.

      
              
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS
 
101 Ladies Accessories
3 Women and an Oven
AAA Insurance
Academy Sports and Outdoors
Advocare
Aldi
Arvest
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Buca di Beppo
Burger Fi
California Pizza Kitchen
Casey's
Chartroose Caboose
Chevrolet
Chick fil A
Corner Bakery Cafe
Damsel in Defense
Dick's Sporting Goods
Drs. Hawks, Besler, Rogers & Stoppel
Edible Promotions
Farmer's Insurance
FC Kansas City
Gift Gallery
Global Connections
Goodcents
Gordon Biersch
Grey Grace Boutique
Grimaldi's
Harlan C Parker State Farm Hasty Awards
Hayward's Pit BBQ
HCA
Healpains
Heart of America Golf Academy
Huntington Learning Center
iFly
Isagenix
J&K Soccer
Jamberry
Jimmy John's
Johnny Cascone's
Jon Russell's Barbeque
Kansas Athletics
KC Running Store
Kincaid Coach Lines
Legoland/Sea Life
Lenny's Subs
Le-Vel
Levine Advertising
Lululemon
Mary Kay
McCarthy Auto Group
Menorah Medical Center
Missouri Comets
Molle Toyota
Momo Bands  
Moneytalks Financial Foundation
NAIA
Nature's Select
 Nerium
Norwex
Oak Country Club
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Overland Park Soccer Club
Pacific Dental Services
Paciugo Gelato
Panera
Papa John's
Pickleman's
Pie Five Pizza
Pinstripes
Prairiefire
Premier Designs Jewelry
Price Chopper 
Rasmussen College
Research Medical Center
Rock and Brews
Rosati's of Overland Park
Salty Iguana
Scentsy
Scheels
Scott the Electrican
Shred-It
Skyzone
Slim Chickens
Smoothie King
Soccer Master
Southern Charmed
Sport Shake
Sporting Kansas City
Storage Mart
Strouds
Sunflower Bank
Swope Park Rangers
Tastefully Simple
The Roasterie
The Storage Place
Thirty-One Gifts
Three Sisters
Tick Tock
Tiger-Rock Martial Arts
T-riffic T-shirts
University of Missouri Kansas City
Urban Air
Valley View Bank
Which Wich
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun
You Oughta Be In Pictures
Young Living Essential Oils  

If you would like to nominate a player for the play of the month email Katie Falco [email protected]
If you have a referee, coach, club, team or player accomplishment that you would like to share please email [email protected]

           
Division Winners Awards Night  at  Sporting KC Spring 2016
Of the 150 division winning teams, nearly half chose to participate in the Sporting Kansas City half-time awards ceremonies.  Forty-two teams enjoyed the game and field-level recognition on June 19 and another 29 teams participated on July 7.








               
From the Heartland League Director, Richard Davies
  
The new season is almost upon us!
The seeding saga is over and the schedule is being set. The new birth year mandates made the seeding process a little tough, it will take a season or two to get things back to normal. In one age group we had 23 teams all requesting the same division! We tried to accommodate everyone but with those numbers it was impossible. I'm sure we have made a few errors but they will be worked out between Fall and Spring seasons. We appreciate your patience as we work to get things lined up. Lets all see these changes through together.

With the new teams being formed, it is exciting to think about all of the new friendships that will take place between teammates that will cover different grades. The kids will adapt to it in no time and the birth years will just become the norm.

Enjoy what is left of your summer and get ready to watch the players back on the pitch this Fall. When we expect them to be perfect, lets remember that possibly the best player ever, just smashed a ball over the crossbar in a shootout that lost his team the Copa America Championship. If he is allowed a mistake then surely the kids are.

Thanks,
~Heartland Staff

 Heartland Soccer Changes Fall  2016- Spring 2017
  • There will be no true U8 Division.
  • U8 Teams will play in U9.
  • U9 and U10 will play 7v7 on fields that are approximately 50 yards x 30 yards.
  • U11 and U12 will play 9v9 on fields that are approximately 80 yards x 50 yards.
  • There will be no divisions of U10 9v9 and U12 11v11.
  • There will be no 7v7 games at Swope Soccer Village. At the other facilities there will be 4 x 7v7 fields on one full size field. So the fields will be assigned as part of a quad, for example 1 full size field will be broken down into NE, NW, SE, SW.
All divisions will be birth year with the following breakdowns.
AGE
Birth Year
GRADE
U5
2012
Pre-K (9/1-12/31)
U6
2011
K and PreK
U7
2010
1st and K
U8
2009
2nd and 1st
U9
2008
3rd and 2nd
U10
2007
4th and 3rd
U11
2006
5th and 4th
U12
2005
6th and 5th
U13
2004
7th and 6th
U14
2003
8th and 7th
U15
2002
9th and 8th
U16
2001
10th and 9th
U17
2000
11th and 10th
U18
1999
12th and 11th
U19
1998
12th
Premier roster sizes are the following:
7v7     U9 & U10            KS = 12, MO = 14, Heartland Game Day 14
9v9     U11 & U12          KS = 14, MO = 18, Heartland Game day 18
11v11 U13 & U14          KS = 18, MO = 22, Heartland Game Day 18
11v11 U15 and above    KS = 22, MO = 22, Heartland Game Day 18
In the (02) U15 Division Only , the guest player limit is 5. In all other age groups guest players are limited to 3.
During the U15 (02) gender specific high school season we will still have true U15 divisions. Teams can reform from the existing 8th graders and make up numbers from the U14 (03) by double rostering and guest playing.
Age Eligibility
Gateway Sports Village Update

Grandview's Board of Alderman voted unanimously on a public-financing plan to bring a $300 million, first-of-its kind youth soccer complex to the city.
The largest youth sports complex plan in Missouri state history will create 14 lighted artificial turf soccer fields, hotels and retail space along Highway 150.  Fields are slated to begin play in Spring 2017 with Heartland Soccer League play and tournaments partnered with Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex.  


You can become a Heartland Soccer referee at the age of 12 and this is something that a lot of youth have taken advantage of, including the Cramer sisters. Page, who is now 16, became a ref in 2012. Meanwhile, her sister Linsey endured her first season with the whistle around her neck this spring.

The Cramers started playing soccer in preschool. Linsey played rec through 2nd grade and competitive from 3rd-5th grade. She recently made the decision to hang up the cleats and focus on other activities. But she didn't want to completely leave the game that she loves.

"I enjoyed playing soccer and it (refereeing) was a great job for someone my age," Linsey said.

When she isn't running up and down the soccer field, she is playing volleyball, cheering with KCAC and rooting for the Chiefs.

She looks up to her sister Page, who finds the biggest satisfaction in leaving the soccer fields after a long day of refereeing, knowing she did the best job she could possibly do. Having to make fast decisions and staying confident on all her calls is something that Page takes a lot of pride in.

The soccer field isn't the only place you will find Page. She also works as a cashier at Corner Bakery and is a proud member of the Blue Valley West golf team.

Both of these girls have the key elements that make a great soccer referee. They demonstrate integrity, judgment, hustle and courage. Thank you both for your hard work.
               The Heartland Soccer Association Ecosystem                  
  Making Everyone Better


The Heartland Soccer ecosystem vision is that all of the constituencies work together to deliver the best soccer experience for all of the constituencies. 

The primary parts, the reason we have agreed to work together, are the Clubs and the Players.  The Clubs want the best experience for their players, and increasing competition with inter-club scheduling delivers on this experience.  More teams with similar levels of skill creates the opportunity for better player development.  Cooperating provides the critical mass to get access to the best fields, which contributes to player skill development.  Seeing their players have these opportunities to get better faster (fields and competition) is a benefit to both the coaches and the fans (parents).  The Referees role in the ecosystem is to manage these matches so that play is both FAIR and SAFE.  Higher levels of competition creates additional demands on the Referees and helps them to become more effective.

The results from the 2016 Regional Championship confirm the power of the Heartland Soccer ecosystem.  Your Referees have been selected to represent Region II at the National Championships in Frisco, Texas.  Each of these Referees has worked hard to become the very best Referee that they can be.  We won't take this away from any of them.  But, working with the Heartland ecosystem added an additional level of success.  So, we thank you for helping us to work harder so we can be better. 

The Do's and Don'ts of Sports Drinks
By Betsy Kellerman, ATC/LAT, Manager of the Overland Park Regional Medical Center Sports Medicine and Concussion programs.
When it comes to keeping kids hydrated, particularly those who play sports, there's a dizzying array of sodas, juices, iced tea, and bottled waters to choose from. And another category of beverages is causing a buzz: sports and energy drinks.
Sports and energy drinks can include anything from sports beverages to vitamin waters to highly caffeinated drinks. What they all have in common is added ingredients that say they "do" something extra, whether it's increase energy and alertness, boost nutrition, or even enhance athletic performance. But are they good options for kids?

Evaluating the Choices
Everyone needs to stay hydrated to stay healthy, and you can't go wrong giving kids plain water. But what about kids who play sports? Do they need something extra to avoid dehydration?

Not necessarily. The average young athlete can and should get all the necessary nutrients and hydration by eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise. During games and competitive events, drinks should be available at all times and regular water breaks should be scheduled about every 15 or 20 minutes. The amount of water needed can vary depending on the child's age, weight, intensity of the activity, and weather conditions.

Soda is not recommended for hydration during sports and should be avoided because it contains excess sugar, which can lead to weight gain. What's more, the carbonation can cause an upset stomach. Soda also often contains caffeine, which should be limited in kids.

Other Choices
Many drink options are out there. Here's a closer look at the ingredients they contain and how they measure up:

Sports Drinks
Sports drinks may be beneficial for kids who participates in prolonged vigorous physical activity lasting longer than an hour (such as long-distance running and biking, or high-intensity exercise such as soccer, basketball, or hockey).

These drinks contain carbohydrates (sugar), which can provide an immediate source of energy at a time when the body's stores are becoming depleted. Sports drinks also contain electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which the body loses through sweat, that are necessary to keep the body's fluid levels in balance and for muscles to work properly.

Sports drinks are sweet, which may aid hydration in kids who otherwise wouldn't drink during periods of intense activity. Of course, these drinks contain calories, too, and can increase the risk of excess weight gain - if your child is active and drinks these in moderation, this shouldn't be a problem.

However, sports drinks are not necessary for the casual athlete and should not be consumed on a regular basis. If your sedentary child is a fan of sports beverages, consider sidelining these drinks in favor of plain water.


Vitamin Waters
These drinks, also known as fitness waters or enhanced waters, come in many flavors and contain various combinations of supplemental vitamins and minerals. They also often contain extra calories, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, or herbal ingredients whose effects have not been studied in children (such as ginseng or St. John's wort).

Vitamin waters may look like a quick way to fill any nutrition gaps in your child's diet, but these nutrients should come from healthy meals and snacks. Also, they can provide too much of a good thing, particularly for kids who already take a daily multivitamin. Getting more than the recommended daily allowance of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful to a child's health. Keep in mind that the daily allowances listed on the label are recommendations for adults, not kids.

The best place for kids to get daily nutrients is from balanced meals. If you're concerned that your child isn't getting enough, talk to your doctor, who may recommend a daily multivitamin formulated for kids.

Energy Drinks
These are becoming increasingly popular with middle- and high-school students who are looking for a competitive edge. And while some energy drinks are clearly labeled as unsuitable for children, others are specifically marketed to kids as young as 4, promising boosts in energy and nutrition as well as enhanced athletic performance.

Most energy drinks deliver a stiff dose of sugar and caffeine - sometimes as much caffeine as in 1 to 3 cups of coffee. Too much sugar can put kids in the fast lane to the dentist's office and also contribute to weight gain. Excessive caffeine comes with its own set of problems - especially in younger kids, it can negatively affect attention and concentration.

Few studies have examined the effect of caffeine on children, but consider how you feel when you've had too much. Caffeine is indeed a stimulant - though a widely used and accepted one - and because kids are smaller than adults and its effects on them will be more pronounced.

Too much caffeine can cause:
  • jitteriness and nervousness
  •   upset stomach
  •   headaches
  • difficulty concentrating
  • difficulty sleeping
  • frequent urination (peeing)
Large amounts of caffeine can have even more serious side effects (including fast or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures), especially for kids with certain medical conditions or who take medications or supplements.

Many of these drinks also contain additional ingredients whose safety or effectiveness has never been tested in children - including herbal supplements, guarana (a source of caffeine), and taurine (an amino acid thought to enhance performance and caffeine's effects).

The bottom line is this: Energy drinks pose a real health risk for kids and teens and should be avoided. Kids who participate in sports should learn that they can improve their game through hard work and practice - values that will serve them well both on and off the field.

Encouraging kids to believe that they need something "extra" to perform at their best is a slippery slope that may lead to the use of other performance-enhancing substances.

Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be critical when reading labels, and talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. And teach your kids not to be so quick to believe the hype when it comes to sports and energy drinks.

For athletes and non-athletes alike, nothing beats a well-balanced diet. Most kids who eat well, stay hydrated, and get enough physical activity and rest will have plenty of energy - naturally.

Consult your primary care physician if you have additional questions. As an added resource, the staff at Overland Park Regional Medical Center is available to diagnose and treat sports-related injuries for young athletes. To make an appointment, call (913) 541-3365. For more information about the Sports Medicine Program at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, visit oprmc.com/sportsmedicine.

� 1995- 2016 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth�. Reprinted with permission.
 
      

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