As we kick off another exciting season, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to both our returning players and those who are joining us for the first time. Whether you’re a familiar face or new to the Lakers FC family, we are thrilled to have you on board for what promises to be a fantastic year of soccer.
For our returning families, we’re excited to see the progress you’ve made since last season and to continue building on the foundation we’ve created together. Your commitment to the club has been invaluable, and we’re eager to support your growth as players and teammates.
To our new families, welcome! We are confident that you will find Lakers FC to be a supportive and nurturing environment for your player’s soccer journey. Our experienced coaches are here to guide your player every step of the way, helping them to reach their full potential and enjoy the game we all love.
This season marks a significant milestone for Lakers FC as we continue to grow and thrive. We’re proud to announce that we have 50 teams and over 750 players competing this year! Our teams will be showcasing their talents in some of the most competitive leagues, including the Young Sportsmen’s Soccer League (YSSL), Illinois Women’s Soccer League (IWSL), Midwest Conference (MWC), Midwest Conference Qualifier, and the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) State Cup, Presidents Cup, and Illinois Cup.
Lakers FC is committed to fostering a competitive and inclusive environment, offering opportunities for players at all levels. Our teams compete in both high divisions and lower divisions, ensuring that every player can find the right level of competition to challenge and develop their skills. Whether your player is striving for elite competition or looking to grow in a supportive team atmosphere, Lakers FC provides the platform for success.
Important Information:
- New Jersey Sponsor: We are pleased to announce Leelyn Smith as our new jersey sponsor. Their support will enhance our club’s offerings and visibility, and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring.
- Training Schedules: Preseason and regular season training schedules have been uploaded to PlayMetrics. Check your player’s training times and locations.
- Game Schedule: We’re finalizing the game schedule this week, and it will be uploaded to PlayMetrics as soon as it’s confirmed. All games will be uploaded by Wednesday 8/21.
- Field Map: Please review the updated field map, which is attached below and can also be found in the club resources section on PlayMetrics.
- Document Packet: I will be sending out an Adobe DocuSign packet via email containing essential documents that need to be completed by September 7th. These include the Parent/Player Code of Conduct, YSSL or IWSL Waiver, US Club Soccer Waiver, IYSA Medical Release, and CISL Waiver.
- New Website Launch: We are excited to announce the soft launch of the new Lakers FC website this upcoming week. Stay tuned for more information and features!
- Parent Meeting: Expect to attend a parent meeting with your player’s individual team coach to discuss team-specific details and expectations for the season.
- Lakers Fall Classic Tournament: Scheduled for September 27th – 29th, this annual event is one of the oldest tournaments in Illinois, anticipating participation from close to 175 teams, including some from out of state. It is entirely volunteer-run, and we ask each family to contribute 4 hours during the weekend. Volunteer sign up will be available in early September.
- Optional Training: Foot skills training sessions are available on Mondays and Fridays, and Goalkeeper Training sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These sessions are optional and open to all players seeking to enhance their skills.
As we look ahead, we’ve got a packed calendar full of training sessions, games, and special events designed to enhance your player’s experience. We encourage you to stay engaged with the club through our communications and by participating in the various activities we’ve planned.
Thank you for entrusting us with your player’s development this season. Together, we will make this a year to remember.
If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of our coaching staff.
- For coaching specific questions, please contact Ruben Stivan, Director of Coaching, at rubenstivan@yahoo.com.
- For tournament specific questions, please contact Gabe Billings, Director of Tournaments, at gabebillings@ymail.com.
- For General questions, please contact Darshan Addanki, Manager of Soccer Operations, at daddanki@gepark.org.
Looking forward to another successful and enjoyable season!
Welcome to the Lakers FC family!