'Tis the Season

The Salvation Army of Wake County is no stranger to helping families in need. In a single year, the Salvation Army provides more than 10,000 nights of shelter, helps more than 116,000 individuals, and serves nearly 50,000 meals each year. 

The holiday season is no exception. This year the Salvation Army of Wake County registered nearly 9,000 children to be part of the Christmas Cheer Program. Through this program, children receive new clothing, toys, and stockings. Volunteers and donations help provide a special Christmas for these children. 

The U10 CAYA Black North Girls, coached by Jason Wolfe, had their winter team party this past December weekend. In addition to spending time together and celebrating a great season, the team put together stockings for the Salvation Army's Christmas Cheer program. They also had a little creative fun putting together gingerbread houses! 

This kind of spirit is certainly contagious. Please share with us any community service or support efforts you are providing this holiday season, either as an individual or a group. We pride ourselves on being a committed community partner. We are nearing the end of the year and we are proud to say that through this team's service effort, we have documented our collective 40th service effort in the community! Check out all that our club and our players have done this year to to give back to the community that has supported us for so many years. 

Hamilton Night at the RailHawks game

written by Chelsey Stark, CASL intern

Despite the November rain, wind and cold weather, almost 150 Hamilton Sportsmanship Award winners and their families came out to the RailHawks game to be recognized for their outstanding fall seasons as exemplary sportsmanship role models. Thanks to the generous corporate support of Dick's Sporting Goods and WakeMed Health and Hospitals, these players were treated to a special night at the Carolina RailHawks last home game of the season. 

Named in honor of Dr. Pat Hamilton, an advocate for the development of youth soccer in North Carolina, the Hamilton award is presented to an individual from each team who is a standout not only on the field, but off the field as well. CASL emphasizes the importance of growth and development of young adults, teaching sportsmanship traits needed to be successful in life, not just the game.

one winner proudly taking her picture

With hot chocolate in our arsenal, Hamilton Award winners, families and friends corralled around our tents to receive their certificates and gift bags while enjoying a cup of liquid warmth before the game. Dick's Sporting Goods was on hand to help congratulate the award winners with additional free giveaways. Each sportsmanship award winner also received a free ticket to that night's game. The CASL Tower was packed with sportsmanship award winners and their supportive coaches, teammates, friends, and family.

Cleats leading the parade of champions down the final stretch of applause and cheers!

Luckily, the weather held off for a much drier 90 minutes as the RailHawks took to the field. In a game where the RailHawks needed a victory against Minnesota to advance to the post-season NASL Championship, the excitement of the game was at an all-time high, along with attendance. The first half closed with a 1-0 RailHawks lead.

At half, Hamilton winners lined up to start their parade around the stadium to high-five and wave to the large crowd. Cleats, CASL's mascot, was on hand to lead the parade of award winners. Many of them could look up to the videoboard to see themselves recognized on the big screen for all to see. These athletes demonstrated tremendous character, leadership, integrity and respect toward their coaches and fellow teammates for the Fall season, qualities that deserve high recognition.

The line of athletes snaked back to the field exit, and it wasn’t too much longer before the game turned into a spooky day-after-Halloween phenomenon with a power outage and only the videoboard to shed light on the stadium, delaying the second half for 30 minutes.

The RailHawks finished their 2014 NASL regular season with a 2-2 tie, and to their fans dismay, unable to advance into contention for the NASL Soccer Bowl championship.

We would like to congratulate all CASL Hamilton Sportsmanship Award winners! 

End of Year Celebration at the RailHawks Game

The Challenge and Recreation teams closed their fall seasons this past Saturday with CASL friends, family and fun at the RailHawks game.

Players in the Fan Tunnel

Many players first had the opportunity to rev up the RailHawks in the fan tunnel before the game. Swoops – the Carolina RailHawks beloved mascot – also made an appearance on the field to mingle with the fan tunnel and get them ready for the player walk-out.

Kids were then dismissed to watch the chilly first half as the RailHawks took on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The game got off to a slow start, as neither team created any quality chances.

Half-time activity amped up the spectators as CASL athletes took to the pitch for a quick-paced and fun relay race around the field. Kids of all ages were jumbled into four teams of six and assigned a jersey color (red, white, orange or black) which acted as batons.

Each relay teammate was set up at either a corner flag or the half-field line for their baton pass until the last runner arrived back at the starting line. The red team edged out all other competitors in the last leg of the relay in a photo finish with the white team.

The race took all of two minutes, props to the CASL lightning-fast sprinters who showed up for the half-time fun.

Other teams who were there anxiously waited for their team picture to flash up on the big video board. As part of the celebration, teams were able to submit their team pictures to the RailHawks and be featured during the game!

The RailHawks and Strikers then reconvened to the field to finish off the game. The RailHawks went behind 0-1 mid-way through the second half, but answered with an amazing back-of-the-heel, trick-shot goal to tie it up 1-1 in the 82nd minute of play. With this result, the RailHawks remain in contention for a spot in the NASL playoffs.

Don't forget to get your $10 discounted CASL Tower tickets for the last Carolina RailHawks game of the season. Click here to buy your tickets! 

#GrowTheGame - CASL Fall Fundraiser

Many of you may have heard, but this year's Fall Raffle Fundraiser is underway. Special thanks to BlackFinn Ameripub, Class Act Maid Services, Nick Cerullo of Merrill Lynch, and SkyZone Indoor trampoline Park, we've already kickstarted our fundraising efforts through sponsor support. 

Click HERE to purchase your tickets online.

In previous years, we executed a traditional paper ticket raffle. This year, we are catching up with the times and moving to an entirely secure online raffle ticket system. This process should make it easier for anyone to share the link and purchase tickets to help us reach our fundraising objectives:

1. Increase CASL's Financial Aid program that distributes more than $50,000/year to qualifying players
2. Improve the fields and facilities at WRAL Soccer Park and all of our other used fields in the area 
3. Provide our 500 volunteer and seasonal coaches with resources and education to be successful 
4. Grow the game of soccer through outreach programs targeting diverse, underserved populations

The raffle will be live through December 4th. Every ticket purchased will have the chance to win one of many amazing prizes, many of which were generously donated by community supporters. The grand prize winner will have the choice of three trips: Jamaica, New York, or Disney World. Others of you could win a $250 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card, Harris Teeter Gift Cards, SOCCER.com gift cards, UNC Men's Basketball Tickets, a Sonicare Toothbrush, or even a Supreme Air Birthday Package from SkyZone. We keep adding prizes, so check our updated prize list back regularly. 

We are encouraging all Recreation, Challenge, CAYA, and Classic players to sell two tickets each. All ECNL players should strive to sell 5 tickets each, and Academy players should sell 10 tickets. 

Our goal is to raise $75,000 specifically to support the aforementioned areas of need. We launched the raffle about a week ago, and have started to make a dent in our fundraising goal. We still have a ways to go, but with your help, I believe we can achieve this goal. Please help us share the link or help us reach our goal by participating in this year's fundraiser.

We've already seen success stories of many of our players who have sent out the link to friends and family. Duncan Wegner, U14 Academy, sold more than 10 tickets in about 48 hours just by sending the link out. If you need any help, please reach out to me directly - katharine.kelley@CASLnc.com  

Parents Night Out, Kids Night Donating

Parents and kids enjoyed separate entertainment before the Carolina RailHawks game this past Saturday night. Parents got to unwind in the party deck at WakeMed Soccer Park with complimentary wine and appetizers while the kids got their hands dirty with tie dye and community giving.

Pre-game festivities began when the parents dropped off their kids at the tie dye tent with members of the CASL staff (just call us your neighborhood babysitters!) before heading off to enjoy a relaxing hour among other parents and free accommodations. The kids took part in a messier evening of bright dyes and free pizza donated by CiCi's Pizza.

The most important element of the event, however, was a clothing drive to benefit Helping Hand Mission. Those who donated to the clothing drive were given a new CASL t-shirt to splatter with tie dye and take home. Thankfully, tie dye washes off both grass and hands, but the notion of supporting their community will stick with the kids as they grow. 

Helping Hand Mission provides relief and support to needy families, which often includes food and clothes. They receive reusable items from around Wake County in order to assist these families.  CASL’s event filled two boxes worth of clothing to donate to the organization. Thanks to everyone who came out and donated! 

After all of the pre-game festivities, many CASL players in attendance walked out with the RailHawks starters as they entered the field. The 22 CASL players proved to be good luck charms for the team, as the RailHawks defeated the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions 3-1, catapulting them to 4^th place in league standings. Many CASL teams and families also took advantage of the $10 discounted tickets in the CASL Tower (like the U10 Challenge Boys Boca Juniors - pictured). 

Next Saturday, September 20, the RailHawks will take on the New York Cosmos. After the game, fans can enjoy free post-game FIREWORKS!! For information on CASL Tower tickets (sections 502-504) to the next RailHawks game, click here. 

U14 CASL Beau Soleil donates to Read and Feed

Cleats Visits U14 CASL Beau Soleil to Recognize their Volunteer Efforts

written by Cleats

On May 10, U14 CASL Challenge team Beau Soleil participated in a soccer clinic to benefit Read and Feed.  At the clinic, conducted by a CASL player completing a service award, Beau Soleil enhanced both their soccer skills and their knowledge on illiteracy. They were educated on illiteracy in America and its effects on society.  

U14 CASL Beau Soleil and Cleats

Read and Feed is a local organization aiming to fight illiteracy by traveling to schools and assisting young children, helping them learn to read and get better at it while having a snack.  Collections of books as well as small prizes are awarded to the children after each session, allowing them to practice their skills at home and encouraging improvement.  

Beau Soleil donated over 50 books and prizes to Read and Feed, demonstrating their care for the world around them as well as their knowledge of illiteracy in America. In reward for their dedication and service, Beau Soleil was rewarded by a visit from Cleats, CASL’s mascot. To learn more about read and feed, visit readandfeed.org.  

CASL 40th Anniversary: CASL Teams Host School Supply Drive

It's been a while since my last blog update. The month hiatus was primarily due to my personal life developments. I was married in July so was gone for a good chunk of the summer (if you see Eberhardt come across your email - it's from me!). However, now that I'm back in the swing of things, I'm looking forward to more frequent blog updates and informally sharing with you the happenings at CASL.

This year, CASL entered a landmark year. CASL officially turned 40 in March , and we've been celebrating all year long. Most of our celebrations have come in the form of soccer specific and soccer-related service activities. It has been our goal of this anniversary year to show how we are living our mission in everything that we do both on and off the field. In case you have never taken notice, here is our mission statement:

The mission of CASL is to provide positive and high-quality instructional and competitive youth soccer opportunities at all levels of play that enhance character, community and the love of the game for a diverse membership of children ages 4-18 and their families across Wake County and to serve as a community partner in improving the quality of life in Wake County. 

The 40th Anniversary efforts have focused on the latter half of our mission: "...to serve as a community partner in improving the quality of life in Wake County". We want to show that CASL and youth soccer in general can be a platform for awareness, change, or action. As an organization, CASL has hosted events like the CASL Play 4Kay 4v4, which was a 100% charitable soccer tournament to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. With your help, we raised more than $14,000 to support their mission of ending cancer. We also hosted a food drive that generated more than 300 meals for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. We've hosted and participated in other events and community outreach efforts that have supported our community organizations including Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Ronald McDonald House of Durham, Haven House Services of NC, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and more. For a full list of our efforts, click here. 

'01 CASL Red Ladies

CASL Teams Donate School Supplies

U10G Black North CAYA

What makes us most proud, though, is our teams who take initiative on their own to make an impact in our community. This trickle down effect is powerful and will expand the reach that our youth soccer platform can have. Most recently, two of our teams, the U10G Black North CAYA team and the '01 CASL Red Ladies classic team hosted a team school supply drive to benefit Hope House Inc. located in Wake Forest. Each team spent time gathering and preparing school supply donations for Hope House. To help kickstart their collection efforts, CASL donated school folders and pencils to be distributed through the collection. We also wanted to recognize both teams for "making assists on and off the field" with 40th Anniversary CASL t-shirts.  Thanks to both teams for being role models in our community and for helping make a difference!

CASL heads to Ronald McDonald House of Durham

On Wednesday, CASL staff will join a few generous CASL families who signed up to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Durham (RMH-Durham). We will be baking brownies and cookies for the families who are staying at the house. It is our goal as an organization to live our mission and be a committed community partner.

If you don't know about the Ronald McDonald House network, here's some insights:

• the Ronald McDonald House offers a comforting home away from home and a community of support for seriously ill children and their families
• The RMH-Durham has been operating since 1980
• RMH programs provide families with private bedrooms, community spaces, home-cooked meals and a stocked kitchen, a playroom, and a computer room and laundry facilities.

This is a timely opportunity for CASL considering a local McDonald's co-op is sponsoring CASL's Friendship Cup this weekend. McDonald's is a generous corporate community partner which is proven by their long history of support for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Team Becky: Walk like MADD

This volunteer effort is just one of the many efforts CASL is having in our community. Our 40th Anniversary motto is to "make assists both on and off the field." So far this year, we've made nearly 30 "assists" in our community through various efforts. Below is a list of many of the organizations we have helped in our community through promotion, activation at our facility, volunteer support, and fundraising: 

• Inter-Faith Food Shuttle: BackPack Buddies Program and Grocery Bags for Seniors Program
  
• Kay Yow Cancer Fund: Over $14,000 raised to support breast cancer research and programming
• Haven House Services, Inc: FREE soccer clinics to youth in the programs
• Susan G. Komen Foundation: CASL team and staff participated in the event to support breast cancer reserch
• Walk like MADD: CASL supported TEAM BECKY, who was walking in honor of Becky DeNardis - a former CASL player tragically lost her life to a drink driver in March
• H.A.N.D.S: 291 lbs of gently used soccer gear donated to Helping Haiti and Soccer
• Jimmy V Foundation: CASL donated a gift/raffle basket for Red and White Soccer Classic hosted by NC State Students
• Go Red for Women: CASL promoted and help make our membership aware of the risk for women and heart disease
• Nessie Foundation: Through CASL's soccer community outreach, youth living in Parrish Manor community were given the opportunity to participate in free soccer clinics
• Wake County Public School System: CASL hosted after-school clinics for students at Forestville Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, and Hodge Elementary - all schools who have high volume of youth on free and reduced lunch. 
• WolfPack Backs Pinkerton Clinic: Through promotion and attendance, CASL supported the free clinic hosted by NCSU, which helped raise funds and support Ben Pinkerton, former CASL coach who is facing the toughest battle of his life against cancer
• NC Museum of Life and Sciences: CASL staff meeting held off-site at the museum, which supported the Friends of the Museum
• CASL Golf Tournament: raised funds to support CASL scholarships, community outreach, facility improvements, and coaching education/retention
• Comfort Zone Camps: two CASL players participated in the Beach to Battleship half-marathon in support of Comfort Zone Camps, which is a bereavement camp for grieving children. CASL promoted the event and the camp
• Boys and Girls Clubs: CASL's mascot, Cleats, added to the excitement at no charge for the spring Carnival at the Raleigh Boys and Girls Club
• Agua Viva Orphanage: CASL provide soccer balls and equipment to a mission trip headed to Guatemala 
• American Cancer Society CASL donated Davis Drive Park field space to a Relay for Life event to help raise funds and awareness for American Cancer Society
• YMCA: Cleats passed out pencils and interacted with the kids during soccer week at the YMCA of the Triangle at no cost to the community non-profit organization
• MiracleFeet: through on-site activation, flyers to families, and social media, CASL has promoted and supported MiracleFeet's "socks" campaign, which supports club foot correction in underserved countries
• Raleigh Parks and Recreation: CASL's soccer communtiy outreach programming offers free soccer programming to youth involved in community centers around Raleigh including Peach Road and Method Road
• Special Needs Population: through HEART, CASL provides a free soccer program for youth with intellectual disabilities. The program has grown over the years and the players engage in 8 practices each season. This year, games were incorporated and three teams will be participating int the Friendship Cup



CASL Community Outreach at Raleigh
Parks and Rec Facility

• Friendship Cup: CASL's Friendship Cup is a free, single day tournament for youth from underserved communities to play soccer in a safe, inclusive environment (set for Saturday, June 28)

Thanks to everyone who has supported our 40th Anniversary campaign. We are halfway through the year and well on our way to exceed our goal of engaging in 40 unique efforts in our community. If you have ideas or opportunities for CASL to support a community effort or organization, please let us know by email katharine.kelley@caslnc.com 

Hamilton Sportsmanship Award Night

by Rachel Harris, CASL Intern

More than 400 CASL players were recognized during halftime of the Carolina RailHawks game on Saturday, May 31. This represented our largest showing to date for the awards night at the RailHawks game, with nearly two-thirds of all winners being present at the game and overflowing the CASL Tower. We had to spill over into neighboring sections to accommodate all of the winners, their families, and the many coaches who came to support these outstanding players. 

thanks @jlavender24 for the picture of your players and their awards!

waiting for the masses

This past Saturday night, we celebrated the CASL Hamilton Sportsmanship Awards Night, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, as the Carolina RailHawks took on the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The night was a complete success as more than 400 CASL Hamilton Sportsmanship Award winners came to pick up their certificate and souvenir items pre-game and participated in the halftime parade. 

Halftime parade of champions

Cici's Pizza donated 100 pizzas to the night

As a server of FREE pizza (thanks to CASL sponsor CiCi’s pizza for donating 100 pizzas!) at our CASL tent during pre-game festivities, I was lucky enough to hear a lot of positive feedback from parents on the night. Several parents thanked us for making the night special for their child and emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship, a core value of CASL. We would like to specially thank Dick’s Sporting Goods and WakeMed Health and Hospitals whose sponsorship of this award helped make the event special for these children. CiCi's Pizza also helped add value to the night by providing FREE pizza to all the winners and their guests.

Each Sportsmanship Award winner received a free ticket to the RailHawks game, an official Hamilton Sportsmanship Award certificate, a CASL/Dick’s Sporting Goods folder, a CASL “Good Sport” wristband, CASL pencils, a Dick’s Sporting Goods coupon, and a CiCi’s Coupon. Cleats, CASL's mascot, was on hand to help congratulate each of the winners. We also had a large representation of CASL staff, coaches, and board members who were all present to help celebrate these good sports.

The Hamilton Sportsmanship Award is named for Dr. Pat B. Hamilton, who greatly assisted the process of establishing and developing youth soccer in Raleigh and North Carolina. His daughter, Cindy Hamilton, attended this Spring 2014 Hamilton Night, and has consistently attended our past Hamilton Award Nights, to help perpetuate the spirit of sportsmanship in CASL and youth soccer. 

Check out a list of all of this year’s winners HERE. 

#CASLpride

#CASLpride

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first ever #CASLpride social media initiative. We received tons of pictures from many of you showcasing your CASL pride. Our goal is for this hashtag to carry on throughout the summer, into the fall, and beyond? When you are traveling this summer, we'd love to see where you can represent CASL. Are you going to the beach? Going on a trip to Italy? Or road tripping around the country with your family? Wherever you are going, be sure to tweet us pictures and let us know "where in the world is CASL?" 

I finished my CASL career over a decade ago, but I am definitely still proud to be a CASL alum. I have my state cup champion shirts from 1998, that I STILL where. So, I'll be sure to show my pride when I'm out and about this summer. Just because the season may be over, doesn't mean our connection to each other has to stop. You are always a part of CASL year round, and we are proud of that. Show us your #CASLpride all year long!

Here are a few of the pictures that came through the #CASLpride initiative. Be sure to follow us (@CASLnc) on twitter and stay in touch over the summer. 

CASL Families Donate 306 Pounds of Food and Needed Items to the Food Bank

A few weeks ago, we held a week long Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. We held the kick-off out at WRAL Soccer Center one Thursday night, where CASL players and parents came to donate food and needed items to the drive. In exchange, each donor was offered a 40th Anniversary commemorative t-shirt (sponsored by Pet Mania) to showcase how they are "making assists both on and off the field". 

 Jim Wright, CASL's U15-U18 Girls Program Director, kicked off our food drive by dropping his own food donations into the bins. Car load by car load, and player by player, our bins started to fill up. People even came out of their way just to participate! One young CASL player was on her way to one of her many other commitments, a band recital, and had to swing through to drop off some food and a large box of infant diapers. Whether it was one can or a trunk full of bags, I am extremely grateful for the response of our CASL Community in response to the hunger needs of our community. The bins were left up for the remainder of the week at the Woman's Club Drive office and WRAL Soccer Center.

The trunk of my car on the way to the Food Bank! 

And, I am pleased to report that over the course of ONLY 6 DAYS, you all contributed to 306 pounds of food and needed items (toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, hygiene products) to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. This equates to 257 meals that we are providing those who face hunger in our community. THANK YOU for showing our community that CASL cares, and that together, we can help improve the quality of life in our community. When I dropped off the donation, the Food Bank expressed sincerest gratitude and was surprised by our accumulation! We will be doing other drives this coming year including a school supply drive, so keep an eye out! 

The weigh in: 306 pounds of food

Share your community events with us!

We are excited to continue providing opportunities this spring and summer for you to participate in 40th Anniversary campaign efforts. While we plan to create a sustainable service arm of CASL, this year is special as it is our 40th year. If you are participating in ANY community event, we want to know about. You can email me directly (katharine.kelley@caslnc.com) or you can tweet your service/community effort to us @CASLnc. I hope to be able to join many of you in your efforts, but if we can't, we can find another way to support if it's through awareness or giving you 40th Anniversary T-Shirts for your service team. Just ask! For example, I received a message from one of our CASL coaches who participates annually in the Walk like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). We will support this effort by alerting you all about this effort so you can rally around this cause if you choose or at least see what causes are special to our CASL families. 

CASL Photo Contest: Submit Photos until April 23

CASL Photo Contest: Winning picture will placed on billboard around Raleigh (**all others will be compiled and shared as honorable mentions**)

Beginning in early May, CASL will have billboard space around Raleigh promoting our club and the upcoming Fall season for about a month. In the past, we have turned to our photos we have collected throughout the season as options to use on the Billboard space. However, this year, we'd like to turn it over to YOU!

Billboard featured during the fall 2013

Do you have a picture that you think captures what CASL is all about? If so, we want to see them. You could have a team picture, action shot, candid shot of players or a team, or any other CASL motif picture. We know that with phones these days and many of you talented photography parents out there, many of you ahave captured so many intimate moments on the field that are worth a thousand words. These images should be shared with the thousands of drivers in Raleigh, and the families who ride in those cars.

If you have a picture that you think encompasses the mission of CASL, please send it directly to me: Katharine Kelley. Photo submissions will be accepted until noon on Wednesday, April 23. Submit today and perhaps your team could be featured above I-440, Capital Boulevard, or another main highway or road. Our location is not quite set in stone, but in the past we've been featured in key spots along I-440 in Raleigh and Capital Boulevard. 

Submit your pictures today! 

Sport Has the Power to Change the World

It's easy to get caught up in the day to day routine of school, work, practice, games, and juggling the many other family activities you have. However, have you ever stopped to think about the impact we can have as a Club of 8,000 plus families? School networks can span hundreds of people, but we have THOUSANDS. We can work together as teams on the weekend to win games, but if we work together as a team of 8,000 players, we could truly impact our community.

Nelson Mandela once said, "sport has the power to change the world." I believe this, and I believe that CASL can play a small part toward this global vision by using soccer as a platform for awareness and change.  

7Up: one of the CASL teams who participated in the 4v4

Those of you that participated in the CASL Play 4Kay 4v4 in January have already had a hand in our collective efforts of improving the quality of life of those in our community. Together, we raised more than $14,000 for women's cancer research and related programs through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Others of you have volunteered your time in our Community Outreach programs, like HEART, where you have provided a positive experience for youth in our community. If you've purchased a pair of MiracleFeet socks, then you are helping a child in another country correct club foot and have the opportunity to play soccer. Many of you showcase your generosity through donations during registration. You took advantage of the option to donate money to CASL's Goal Assist Fund, which helps open up the CASL experience to youth in our community who may not otherwise have it. There are countless other ways you all have showcased your willingness to give back to the community that has supported us for so many years. And, we know that you all do many things on your own time or as a team - so please share those experiences and stories with us! We are excited to provide opportunities throughout this year (and the many years to come) for you or your team to be involved in efforts to improve the quality of life in Wake County.

CASL Food Drive: April 10-16

Most recently, we launched the CASL Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. We kicked off the drive on Thursday night out at WRAL Soccer Center, and many parents, staff, and players came by to drop off food and other needed items (diapers, paper towels, toilet paper). We took 8 large boxes from the Food Bank for our drive, and nearly 3 of those are already filled only after one day of collecting. Those of you that came by yesterday received a 40th Anniversary commemorative t-shirt in exchange for you donation. We are planning to set up another major collection night out at WRAL so others of you have an opportunity to get a t-shirt - we'll keep you posted on those details. However, we are collecting food all week(end) at WRAL Soccer Center (bins are located at OSNC Building next to lost and found) and at the Woman's Club Drive CASL Office, so come by during our business hours (M, T, Th, Fr 12-5pm) and drop off food in exchange for a shirt! 

A few CASL players get their t-shirts after donating food

one full food drive bin!

 CASL Juggle-A-Thon: April 25 @6pm

While the food drive will have a local impact in our community, the Online Soccer Academy Juggle-A-Thon is meant to have a global impact. CASL participated in this juggle-a-thon many years ago, and we are bringing it back. Pledges that support the juggle-a-thon will 100% be supporting Nothing But Nets, a non-profit organization that provides malaria nets to children and adults in Africa. We'll be setting up a juggle-a-thon environment at Soccer Center with more details to come. In the mean time, you can go ahead and register as a juggler and start collecting your pledges!

CASL HEART: Spring Dates to Volunteer

Throughout this spring, CASL continues to host the HEART program for youth with intellectual disabilities. The program has grown to more than 60 registered youth participants. Practices take place on Saturday mornings at Davis Drive Park in Cary, and volunteers (individuals, teams) are welcome to be buddy players for each of the HEART participants. 

ECNL Blog Take Over: Part 3

Final Update:
CASL ECNL wrapped up their time in Spain at the end of last week. U14s went 2-0-1 over the course of their three games (3-0 vs. Rayo VAllecano, 0-0 vs. Madrid regional team; 4-1 vs. Madrid U16 cf) and the U16s went 1-1-1 against Madrid cf (2-1), Rayo Vallecano (3-3), and Madrid Regional Team (3-5). Morgon Goff on the U16s came away with two hat tricks and another goal on top of that for 7 total goals in Spain!

Mid-Week Update:
The CASL U14 and U16 ECNL teams are staying in touch while they are abroad in Spain this week. We just got another update from Beth Skinner, a CASL mom travelling with the teams. Accompanying her post are some pictures of teams.

From Beth:

We had a fun trip to Segovia. The town is very different from the hustle and bustle of Madrid.  As you arrive at the town the girls were in awe if the tall ancient Roman aqueduct. Walking down the cobblestone streets we saw many cathedrals.   Near the plaza de mayor they toured the main cathedral.  After lunch we has a nice view of the green countryside and ended our tour at the ancient castle.  We took lots of pictures.  Both teams have really bonded. 

At night we has our second game. CASL U14 ECNL. Vs a Madrid select team.  Both games were exciting to watch and were fast paced.  It only rained in the second half.    The parents were able to sit under a covered shelter.   The u14 girls game ended in a 0 to 0 tie. Shutouts by Marlayna Frutiger and Gabby Derosier. The referee called the game due to rain.

The u16 girls game was high scoring.  They came out with a loss with the score of 5 to 3 agsint the U18 Madrid regional team. Once again Morgan Goff has a hat trick. Her three goals were assisted by Daria Draovitch, Lily Schneider and Abby Staker.

We were all exhausted at the end of the day. 

We were glad for the late start today.  We toured the Real Madrid complex. The number and size of trophies the team has won through the years is amazing. The stadium looks quite a bit different with empty seats.  The girls met other soccer players today from France. They sat in the leather sideline seats for the players and took pictures beside the lockers of their favorite players.  They ended the tour with lunch in the Real Cafe overlooking the field.

Match 3 is tonight.  

ECNL Blog Take Over: Part 2

Hanna Dion, a member of the U14 CASL ECNL team travelling and playing in Spain this week sent in this report. I've included a few more pictures we've gotten as well. The U16 CASL Elite Boys are in Germany this week, and we'll be providing some of their updates this week as well. 

From Hanna Dion:

On day 1 of training we worked on using space and when to move forward. Day 2 we trained in our Real Madrid training gear and worked on recovery and shape. The Real Madrid youth directors ran our training sessions.

At night we watched Barcelona vs Athletico at a popular sports entertainment facility called  Marca.  It became extremely loud when each of the goals were scored. Spaniards are passionate about their Futbol. 

We were almost like the locals from Madrid because we rode the Metro to and from the hotel. The subway was very clean and had an awesome blue wall that looked like rain as you exited the train station near our hotel. 

Today it is raining. We will tour historic Segovia and play our second match tonight.  

ECNL Blog Takeover from Spain

Today's blog is taken over by '97 and '99 CASL ECNL teams who are currently in Spain. Beth Skinner, one of the mom's traveling with the teams and coaches, is sending pictures and anecdotes of their trip (despite the spotty wifi). See her pictures and write-up below!

The 99 and 97 CASL ECNL girls are having a great time in Spain. We toured the city of Madrid and had a chance to practice speaking and reading Spanish! Tapas, paella and churro are new to our vocabulary.  On Saturday we we attended the La Liga match Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano.  It was awesome.  The chants are nonstop. Ronaldo scored the first goal and Real Madrid went on to win 5 to 0. Sending Rayo Vallecano down to the second division.

On Sunday we toured the city of Madrid. In Plaza Mayor we saw many street entertainers performing for coins- tensile bulls and lots of visual illusions such as headless people.   One little boy about the age of 3 was fascinated by us and as he was leaving the Plaza with his Dad he turned to wave to us.    

In the afternoon, we toured the Spanish FA Complex and saw the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 and 2012. We watched exciting highlights of some unbelievable goals that resulted in the championships.

Our first training session with Real Madrid was great. It was challenging and we will have 4 additional sessions. 

We played our first of 3 games on Monday against women's teams from Rayo Vallecano. The u14s played against u16s and scored three goals for their first win. 3 to 0.  Avery Gardner, Grace Wagner and Audrey Prevost scored our goals, and Marlayna Frutiger and Gabby Derosier notched the shutout. Our mid field and defense were solid throughout the game with everyone contributing.  

The u16s played an exciting match against the Spanish National team comprised of u18s and above. Morgan Goff had a hat trick and led the team to a 3 to 3 tie.   CASL led the half 2 to 1. Rayo Vallecano brought on a few new team members and fresh legs in the second  half to end in a 3 to 3 tie.   

We celebrated our successes with pizza!