February 1st, 2011--CSL--Community-Minded Brantford Galaxy Prepares to Defend Title as CSL Season Approaches (from CSL news release)
COMMUNITY-MINDED BRANTFORD GALAXY PREPARES TO DEFEND TITLE AS CSL SEASON APPROACHES........London City also off the mark for 2011
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
CSL champs Brantford Galaxy pledge greater community presence
It’s not for nothing, therefore, that some CSL clubs are working hard at getting it together now.
London City is a point in question. Surrounded by all of the distractions a new year can bring, with so much going in other sports at the turn of the year, the City held a pre-season press conference on January 20 to reveal some interesting news, all with a noticeable confidence that belied their lowly standing in the CSL First Division for the past three seasons.
Gauss has put in place what many believe to be the final piece of the puzzle to ensure London City is a contender in the upcoming Canadian Soccer League campaign, says one news release which refers to a re-building of the club by Ryan Gauss, London’s CEO and general manager.
A tour round the CSL clubs reveals considerable activity with the professional teams and even more activity in areas of player development.
CSL champions Brantford Galaxy, still flush with victory following the team’s impressive 3-0 CSL championship final win over nearby Hamilton Croatia last October 31, are gearing up to defend their title and at the same time are determined to put together the right soccer structure in the Brantford community so that the young players will learn from the professional squad, a team with impressive credentials of mostly players who brought their skills from Europe.
Galaxy is reaching out to the community with a message that working together any young player who believes he or she can go far in soccer will have that opportunity in the Brantford area. Coaching, skills training, fitness and the right mental attitude with perhaps the most important ingredient of all - having qualified people to identify a promising player at the right time.
Gerry Crnic, Brantford Galaxy’s managing director explained in his recent announcement: “The Galaxy has now connected a program that will see the development of players from child to teens…..the identified players will join the Galaxy youth competitive program and will then have the opportunity to excel in a CSL youth development program.”
A turning point in connecting young players in Brantford with the pros was a key decision of approval by the Brant County Recreational Soccer Board on January 18.
London City announcements follow past declarations by Ryan Gauss - he took over following the death in 2009 of Harry Gauss who created a soccer institution following the club’s launch in 1973 - that it would take four years to have the club where it needs to be to satisfy the organization’s competition and player development objectives.
City is entering a team in the CSL Reserve Division, a move to create an interim step between the large gap that exists between youth and senior amateur soccer and the CSL pro First Division, while also using the reserve team in a traditional role to help first team players recover from injuries.
Gauss announced at his press conference that the reserve team GM will be Aldo Caranci, while Joshua Caranci will be manager of operations – both with the London United Competitive Youth Soccer Club, London City’s link to youth soccer.
There will be a process that enables reserve team players to take part in all London City First Division games, either in the starting line-up or on the bench to gain the much needed exposure.
Another significant announcement was the naming of Michael Marcoccia, 24, as the first team captain for 2011, a player who trialed with Paris St. Germain (PSG) in 2009 and played the following year with Bojano then Isola Liri in Italy. Marcoccia was later offered a contract with Campobasso but encountered difficulties obtaining European Union credentials to play in that country.
“Mike’s passion, dedication and unwavering loyalty to London City and what we are trying to accomplish, as well as his commitment to make soccer in Londonas prominent as possible, made my decision an easy one,” said Gauss in announcing the appointment.
London City announced also corporate partners for 2011 will include Mannatech, an international company in health and nutrition products, Gold’s Gym London will make sure the players are kept in tip-top condition. Libro Financial Group, Digital Solutions (IDS) and Preferred Insurance. Other community partners that continue to support London City are: Domino’s Pizza, Wotif.com, Tiger Jack’s Bar and Grill, Nothers Awards, Rogers TV and Millar Sports Chiropractic.
There will be more CSL team news, announcements, in the coming days.
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