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NYW ADOC Program at Work
By Mark Spacone, Southern Tier ADOC
 Imagine one of those nice crisp Saturday mornings in early spring, but in reality, winter still hadn't loosened its grip with its low temperatures and snow flurries flying about. It was here in the Southern Tier where the true heart of soccer in America was beating.
There they were in a little room in a small local restaurant. Three soccer moms discussing how many paint cans they needed to order so that lines could be painted on the soccer fields they use. We arrived just at the end of their meeting and listened in as these true volunteers finished their budgeting of paint and setting registration dates for their program, which provides about 200 children the chance to play "The Beautiful Game."
They are true volunteers because without their involvement, there probably wouldn't be soccer for those players. They do what they do because they want to ensure their own children have a place to play in addition to the other children in their community. More than likely, they inherited this unenviable position because the last group of soccer moms and dads saw their children grow up and leave the program. Now, they are picking up where the last group left off until the time comes when their own children grow out of the program.
Does this sound familiar? As the Assistant Directors of Coaching program continues to reach out to clubs throughout New York State West, we are coming across so many clubs that fit the same profile as above. It is within these clubs and communities the true heart of soccer is beating. It is within these clubs that "Elite" programs, "ODP" and "State Cup" (or even the World Cup for that matter) are just names and acronyms. None of that helps with the amount of paint needed to line fields for 200 players!
This is where the ADOC program has begun and will continue to make an impact in soccer communities that play a vital role in the growth of the game in this country. By the time this article is published, there will have been two Youth Modules and one Intermediate course held during the month of May in the Southern Tier for the Lakewood and Salamanca Soccer Clubs to assist them in providing tools their coaches and club administrators can use in helping make their programs even more successful than they already are. In addition to this, there are plans for an "E" and "D" license to be held in the Southern Tier in late Summer/early Fall.
These US Soccer-approved courses that the ADOC program presents to clubs, and the clinics we can individually tailor to each club, are New York West's attempt to reach out further to soccer communities and assist in any way we can. The goal is to now provide coaches in these clubs (whose experience in the game varies from college coaches to high school coaches to a mom or dad who are doing what they do because nobody else would or could take a team) with activities to use with players, information on how to structure practices, the chance to collaborate and share experiences with one another (no, you are not alone!) and to show how to provide an environment for players where they can continue to have fun and grow with the game.
That is the goal and we continue to work towards that end. As you read this, regardless if you are in the Southern Tier or any other part of New York West, we will continue to reach out to you. However, by all means, contact us and we will be more than happy to find out how we can provide services and help continuing to make your program a success. Even if it means figuring how much paint is required to line fields ... maybe even help line them for you! As you are in the midst of your soccer seasons, we wish you the best with your programs!
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