SIU has a spring in its step

The preparations are over and Southern Indiana United’s select teams have sprung into action.

This year, the club once again has two teams playing in the prestigious Indiana Soccer League – U16 Mavericks and U17 Rampage. Both of these teams, coached by Michael Dennis and Bruce Rigsby, will finish their spring campaigns at the Indiana State Cup, which starts on May14.

SIU also has eight teams from U10 to U18 playing in the Kentucky Select Soccer League, while its U9 Academy is playing in the Kentucky Youth Soccer Academy League.

And if the first games of the new season are a gauge to future success, then there’s much to look forward to.

The U11 Thunder, U13 Strikers and U14 Stingrays all had opening wins against teams from CKSC Lightning of Central Kentucky.

For some it’s all new, including the U10 Revolution team and its coach, Rob Stevens. This is Stevens’ first year at the club, and his first season coaching a competitive travel team. He recently earned his "E" license and has been working under the guidance of director of coaching, Dutch Vigar.

Stevens, who has coached at Clark County Youth Soccer, said his goal is to give his young players the fundamentals to become the best soccer players they can be.

“Winning for me comes later when, or if, they tryout for another club or their high school team and the coach says these kids had good coaching,” said Stevens.

“I think some parents have the wrong idea about travel soccer and winning. I am as competitive as anyone and I do not like to lose. However, I do not want to win at the expense of player development.”

For more information about the club, visit SIU’s website at www.siusoccer.com.

Pictured above at Southern Indiana United’s recent coaches’ meeting to discuss the upcoming spring season were (from left): Director of coaching, Dutch Vigar; Bruce Rigsby (U17 Rampage); Mike Campbell (U11 Thunder); Brandon Rogers (U11 Blast); Allen Krebs (U9 Academy); Michael Dennis (U16 Mavericks); Rob Stevens (U10 Revolution); Paul Duckworth (U13 Strikers); Dietrich Rudolph (U14 Stingrays); and Gaius Snyder (U18 Patriots). Not in picture: Tim Rice (U12 Storm) and Jonathan Eade (U15 Renegade).