Highline Premier Football Club

HPFC SeaTac Cup Tournament registration online until August 6th! Go to http://tinyurl.com/seataccup to learn more.

Congratulations to the HPFC Heat 93 Red for a successful weekend at the Garrett Chase Memorial Tournament in Burlington.  The team dominated the competition in the first three games; however they lost a tough match against the Northwest Nationals in the finals.  The final score 1-0.

HPFC is proud of the development and work these boys have achieved this summer and look forward to seeing them compete this fall.

Congratulations to the HPFC Eagles 98 Blue, coached by Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, for winning the Crossfire Challenge last weekend. The girls fought hard for this victory in two nail-biting overtimes and penalty kick shootouts.

In the semi-finals the girls came back from being down a goal down in the last two minutes.  This comeback lead to an overtime period and penalty kickoff where they were successful and advanced to the finals.

The girls fought another tough match in the finals against GRFC.  They were forced into an overtime period when GRFC scored in the last few seconds of the regulation match.  The Eagles won the finals by winning the penalty kickoff.  

Congratulations to the HPFC Eagles 98 Blue team for their hard fought victories in the Crossfire Challenge.  

The club's younger girls ’00, coached by Maya as well, were finalists in the U-10 Gold Division.  Their only loss of the tournament was in the finals. It was a great tournament for our young HPFC girls.

Alex Weaver, HPFC Director of Coaching, is delighted to inform you that HPFC is assigning the following coaches to HSA's four other clubs as HPFC Coaching Representatives:
 
Maya Mendoza-Exstrom - West Highline SC
Kaitlyn Jackson - Sea-Tac SC AND Des Moines SC
David O'Neill - West Seattle SC
 
HPFC Coach Representatives - HPFC Coaching Representatives are coaches from HPFC that have been through HPFC coach education and are currently coaching within HPFC that will be responsible for attending meetings, training sessions and to support communication between HPFC and the particular HSA club they are assigned to, where possible (given the voluntary nature of the role).

They are to provide assistance where possible, with the implementation of the HPFC Player Development Curriculum.  HPFC will provide curriculum information to HSA clubs and example session plans for HSA coaches. This will support the intention of creating an association-wide player development curriculum that will demonstrate quality and consistency throughout HSA's clubs.

The HPFC Coach Representatives will be open to the assigned club and club initiatives such as ‘Ask A Coach Q&A forums’. HPFC will research the option of implementing a Q&A forum for coaches to get answers for overcoming challenges specific to individual teams. Live ‘Coaches/Player’ Events – HPFC will schedule coaching/player events based upon feedback from Q&A Forums, practice sessions, and HPFC coach representatives.  Events will be announced via newsletter and direct email.

So that opportunities may be provided for HSA coaches to observe HPFC training sessions & matches, and to involve HSA players within HPFC training sessions and to arrange matches between HSA teams and HPFC teams at appropriate times within the calendar, Practice Sessions & Practice Matches will be offered by the HPFC Coach Representatives.

HPFC Coach Representatives will be a point of contact so that selected friendly tournaments or jamborees may also be created. A Spring Jamboree is an example of what may be arranged - at the conclusion of the spring league (or other appropriate time) HPFC to host an event for all U8, U9 & U10 teams within the association (other age groups could be hosted by the other HSA clubs at same time).

HSA Development Academy - the HPFC Academy & Goalkeeping Academy to begin in the fall and the HPFC Coach Representatives will assist in the communication for these programs between the assigned HSA club and HPFC. 
 
HSA HPFC Curriculum Launch - HPFC DOC and HPFC Coach Representatives to attend HSA club meetings in June, July in preparation for a 'launch meeting/presentation' of HSA Player Development Curriculum. The HPFC DOC will present the Player Development curriculum and discuss ways in which HPFC is to support HSA's coaches in providing the best possible Coach Education that will produce better players as a result.

HPFC and HSA look forward to working together through the newly appointed HSA Coaching Representatives.  Congratulations and thank you to Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Kaitlyn Jackson, and David O'Neill for their continued commitment to the development of HSA HPFC youth players.

The HPFC B99 enjoyed great success in their first stay away soccer tournament in Portland. Both the blue and red teams conducted themselves very professionally and earned many plaudits for their style of play. HPFC B99 Red played 8 a side, recording 2 wins and 2 losses. HPFC Blue B99 played 11-a-side, and won each of their four games.
Great jobs all players!

HPFC Heat 96 Blue took 1st place in the Snohomish United Invitational tournament (July 10 - 11) with a 2-1 win over Snohomish United B96 Red in the final.

HPFC won their bracket with wins against FC Alliance B96 Gold (4-1) and Northshore United (7-0), along with a draw against Snohomish (2-2). They followed up with a 2 - 0 win over Sky River in the semi-finals, before prevailing in a rematch with Snohomish in the championship.

The final represented their 3rd match of the day, played with only 2 subs, as the boys were short-handed throughout.

Congratulations to the HPFC Eagles 96 Blue team for making it to the finals of the Northwest United Firecracker tournament in Burlington, WA this past weekend.  The girls played a tough match against the Northwest Nationals.  Despite the 3-0 loss the players exceeded the expectations of many by putting into practice the key points learned at their training sessions over the past six weeks.  Keep up the good work and the club looks forward to your continued success!

HPFC has appointed Daniel Hicker as the club’s Director of Physical Development.  Daniel, the BU16 and GU14 Head Coach and Club Tournament Director, was already a primary contributor to HPFC and has now been given this additional responsibility by Director of Coaching, Alex Weaver.

Weaver said about the appointment, “The move is another positive step in attaining a fully comprehensive coaching staff that is capable of delivering the player development curriculum already in place at the club”.

Hicker takes his place on the staff following the recent appointment of David O’Neill and Maya Mendoza-Exstrom as Head of Boys & Girls Development, respectively. Daniel will provide coaching seminars and clinics as part of the continuing coach development program that Weaver has spent his first 12 months at the club delivering. He will also deliver educational seminars for players in addition to their training on the field.  

Weaver added, “Daniel’s objective is to educate the coaches, players and families within the club about the huge misconception that a large emphasis on ‘fitness’ training is required at the youth level. Daniel understands my goal and vision for the development of intelligent, technical soccer players and I know that he is determined to demonstrate just how easy technical practice sessions can be manipulated to create a more ‘physically challenging’ environment.”

In his first year at HPFC, Weaver has stressed the importance of technical training within any youth development program while accepting that the physical nature of the game is important. While HPFC's training sessions within curriculum will be delivered as normal, Hicker's appointment will enable families to seek supplemental physical training for their child from a coach with the requisite expertise in the area and a familiarity with HFPC's development methods.

With over 10 years combined coaching and management experience in collegiate, youth, and club level development, Hicker brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role.  He has attained a M.S. Degree in Exercise Science and advanced certification in corrective exercise and performance training by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  Over the years Hicker has efficiently combined his soccer and academic background to formulate his concepts of trainings specific to player development.

Hicker says about his new role. “I was very pleased to be offered this opportunity. It is something I have discussed with Alex prior to my appointment on the coaching staff.”

Regarding Hicker's philosophies; “We are in 2010 and times have changed.  The demand placed on our youth to perform at high levels continues to grow.  We simply cannot forget to be specific.  We must include the ball and all elements inclusive to developing standards of realistic feedback expressed in the game itself.  Training sessions aligning with concepts of physical development must be completely specific and aimed at developing the technical, and mental, elements of a player's preparation and recovery for the game of soccer.”

Hicker will soon post more information on the HPFC website and contribute to the HSA Coach Education newsletter. He can be contacted at hpfc.physicaldevelopment@gmail.com.

Former HPFC Eagles '91 Blue player Tanya T. has committed to Trinity Lutheran College.  Read a recent Q&A with Tanya on the Trinity Athletics page. 

Congratulations to Tanya on her recent signing.  HPFC wishes her well as she pursues her collegiate soccer career.

Our own Asia B. represented her team (G97), club and state well in a recent showcase for ODP teams in Oregon. In the Nike Friendship Cup over Memorial Day weekend, Asia helped her Washington #2 team to a third place finish by scoring 3 goals and handing out 2 assists and finishing with a 2-1-1 record. We are all very proud of her accomplishment and wish her continued success with the ODP team. Way to go Asia!

Congratulations to the HPFC Eagles '98 Blue team for winning the G12 Gold bracket at the NW United Skagit River Cup.  They defeated NW United - Powell by one point in the final match.

Congratulations to Shey, Savannah, and Kayla for their recent commitment to Trinity Lutheran College women's soccer program.  HPFC is very proud of their success on and off the field and we look forward to watching them this fall as they participate at the collegiate level.

Check them out at
Trinity Lutheran Women's Soccer 

Congratulations to HPFC Head Coach, Daniel Hicker, on his recent appointment to the position of Head Women's Soccer Coach at Trinity Lutheran College located in Everett.  As the college has just introduced athletics to the student life, the inclusion of men's and women's soccer makes soccer a primary attraction to the college and the surrounding community.  The program will participate in the NCCAA its inaugural year.  Coach Hicker is excited to be back coaching collegiately and to be the 1st coach of this program.

Former Highline Eagles and Mt. Rainier High School alumni, Kimberly Yorkers, was picked up by the Women's Professional Soccer League's FC Gold Pride. Yokers was a three-time all-league honoree at Mt. Rainier High School in Des Moines, WA. She was a two-time selection to the Valley News all-area team and a two-time team MVP helping lead her high school team to second in the state in 1999 and third in 1997. In addition, her club team, the Highline Eagles, won the Washington State Cup five times.

Best of luck to Kim and the FC Pride as they kick off their season on April 17th, 2010.  Learn more about the Women's Professional Soccer League at www.womensprosoccer.com.

March 4^th, 2010 -- HPFC Director of Coaching Alex Weaver spoke to 5th grade students from the Tukwila School District as they prepared to take the D.A.R.E. pledge to stay off drugs after graduating from the elementary 17 week D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program.

The graduation was attended by 300 5^th grade students, their families, several Tukwila council members and community leaders, Tukwila Police Chief David Haynes, Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton, and HPFC Director of Coaching Alex Weaver. As the featured speaker, Mr. Weaver talked about his experiences as a youth growing up in a tough neighborhood in England and how his good life choices have helped him succeed. He also emphasized how the skills they learned from the D.A.R.E. program will serve them well throughout and in every aspect of their lives. After a few soccer analogies, he left them with a group pat on the back and a resounding “well done”.

Under the direction of specially trained veteran police officers, these students have learned the skills they need to avoid drugs, alcohol and violence. The classes include extensive role-playing with officers on practical ways to resist pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol, and join gangs. The D.A.R.E. lessons focus on four major areas: providing accurate information about alcohol and drugs, teaching students’ decision making skills, showing them how to resist peer pressure and giving them ideas for alternatives to drug use and violence. D.A.R.E. began in 1983. It is now taught in more than 300,000 classrooms in 50 states and 53 countries around the world. It was adopted in the Tukwila School District in 1989 as a joint effort of the Tukwila School District and the Tukwila Police Department.

Highline Premier Football Club and Alex Weaver, HPFC Director of Coaching, are featured in a two-part article about youth soccer in the U.S.  Journalist David Falk recently interviewed Alex about youth soccer and Highline Premier Football Club's program. 

Journalist David Falk of the Examiner writes:

Highline Premier FC: Soccer according to Alex Weaver (Part One)

Alex Weaver, Director of Coaching at Highline Premier FC, has some definite opinions about youth soccer in America, and in the Puget Sound area, too. When I asked Weaver to talk about the Seattle United movement, he gave a respectful 'no comment.' However, Weaver was more than willing to share his insights into his strategy for Highline Premier FC, and to talk about developing players and coaches in America.

Here is part one of our interview with Alex. On Thursday we'll publish the rest of our visit, where Weaver again takes on 'winning at all costs' at the youth level, versus training players to learn the game first, and get results second.

Continue reading at examiner.com

I am delighted to announce that David O'Neill and Maya Mendoza-Exstrom have been appointed HPFC Head of Boys Development and Head of Girls Development respectively.
 
As we look ahead to next season I am extremely excited at the prospect of working with all of the staff I have selected to be part of the program. David and Maya typify the type of individual we need at HPFC in being responsible for teaching the highest standards possible at all levels and age groups.
 
Their new role is aimed at highlighting the quality of their work within the HPFC program and it means that they will be working a little closer with me in delivering the club's vision and goals that we have already set in place up to this point. They are also going to be the figure heads leading the HSA/HPFC Development Academy starting this Friday (5th February). In addition to myself, both David and Maya will be paying close attention to the development of our players within sessions and matches but also the coaching that is being practiced within the club by providing extra support for our coaching staff in any way possible.
 
Alex Weaver
Director of Coaching