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!