Dear Parents and Players,

I want to take a moment to officially welcome you to the upcoming season. We are excited about the group of players we have and the opportunity to build something meaningful together.

As we begin, I believe it is important for our players and families to understand not only what we hope to accomplish on the field, but also the purpose and values that will guide our program.

We want to develop winners. We believe championships are within our reach, and we will approach the season with the expectation that we can compete at the highest level. However, meaningful success for us is measured by the impact we can have on each and every player. Championships are the result of an exceptional process — and that process is built through our actions every day.

Our focus will be on creating an environment where players are expected to work hard, compete with purpose, embrace challenges, and continually look for ways to improve. We will emphasize the details of how we train, the intensity with which we approach our work, our mentality when things become difficult, and our willingness to hold ourselves and one another to a high standard.

A major part of that environment will be accountability. We want our players to understand that accountability is not about criticism or bringing someone down. True accountability is a sign that you care — about yourself, your teammates, and the standards of the program. Our goal is to develop a player-led culture. Coaches can establish expectations, provide direction, and create the environment, but the culture of a team is ultimately determined by the players. What matters most is what they choose to do every day, how they respond to adversity, and what they are willing to invest in themselves and their teammates.

While soccer is at the center of what we do, our responsibility goes far beyond the field.

The reality is that most of our players will not play competitive soccer after high school. However, every player will eventually face the responsibilities and challenges that come with adulthood — careers, families, relationships, leadership, and difficult decisions. We have a tremendous opportunity through this program to help prepare them for those experiences.

We want our players to leave this program as better soccer players, but even more importantly, as better people. If we can accomplish that while competing for championships and building relationships that last well beyond their time in the program, then we will have truly accomplished something special.

Building that type of culture takes time. It requires consistency, commitment, belief, and repetition. Our coaching staff is committed to providing that leadership, but we also need our players and families to believe in the process and understand that meaningful growth does not happen overnight.

As we enter the preseason, every player will have an opportunity to demonstrate the type of commitment they are willing to make to themselves and to the team. Attendance at preseason activities will be expected, and communication will be required for anyone that will be missing. The only exceptions will be for our multi sport athletes who are in season. The habits, relationships, expectations, and culture we establish during this time will carry into the official season. It is difficult to become fully invested in a team and its culture without being willing to invest your time and effort into the process.

View our program calendar where I will continually update our team activities.

Our first team activity has been pushed back to next Monday, 9/14 from 4-5 PM in either the Field House or the Wood Gym at Glynn Academy. I will confirm the location this week and will update the calendar accordingly.

Thank you in advance for your support and trust. We look forward to partnering with you and your families throughout the season and, most importantly, to taking this journey together.

Go Terrors!

Coach Gabriel