- North Naples Middle
- NNM Girls Soccer
-
24-25 NNM Girls Soccer
Dear Wildcat Families,
On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, we will begin our girls’ soccer program for the 2024-2025 academic year. In furtherance of CCPS stated objectives, we intend to (1) provide opportunities for as many students as possible to participate in an intramural setting, (2) provide opportunities to pursue excellence in their sport through interscholastic competition, and (3) promote enthusiasm in students and a positive perception of their school experience. If your student is interested in participating, here’s what you need to know:
Athletic Clearance
All students who wish to participate in the program MUST be cleared through Aktivate prior to stepping onto the soccer pitch. Aktivate instructions can be found on the North Naples Middle School website under the “Activities” tab.
Safety and Wellbeing
Students must have proper attire and equipment to participate, which includes cleats, shin guards, and appropriate clothing for athletic performance. Water for proper hydration is also a must.
Intramural Soccer Club
Beginning Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM, all students are welcome and encouraged to join us for our intramural soccer club. We expect participation from several dozen students, at which coaches will facilitate full-sided and small-sided soccer matches, along with other fun soccer activities. Students will be released with enough time to catch after-school bus transportation home. Our intramural soccer club will meet on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 [Recovery day. No afterschool girls’ soccer.]
- *Friday, November 15, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Monday, November 18, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Thursday, November 21, 2024 [Recovery day. No afterschool girls’ soccer.]
- *Friday, November 22, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
*There is no after-school bus transportation home on Fridays. Please arrange transportation for your student athletes on these days.
Interscholastic Soccer Competition
After the Thanksgiving Break, beginning Monday, December 2, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM, all students are welcome and encouraged to try out for the North Naples Middle School girls’ soccer team. The team will participate in an interscholastic competition against other Collier County middle schools during January and February of 2025. The tryout schedule is as follows:
- Monday, December 2, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
- Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 4PM to 4:55PM
Based on performance during tryouts, invitations will be extended to 22 students to join our girls’ soccer team.
The student numbers of those selected will be posted on the gymnasium door on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Selection Criteria
While one of our, and the school district’s stated objectives, is to “provide opportunities for as many students as possible to participate in an intramural setting,” the other part of the stated objective is to “pursue excellence in their sport through interscholastic competition.” To that end, our coaches will seek to evaluate and invite student athletes to join the team based on a combination of (1) physical athletic ability, (2) technical soccer skill, (3) tactical soccer knowledge, and (4) psycho-social development (e.g., courage, coachability, leadership, character, etc.). Not every student can be selected to join the team. Evaluations and selections of this nature present difficult challenges for our student athletes to process. However, it is through these challenges that our students are molded, shaped, and learn how to take on, and succeed, in difficult challenges.
Communication
After the team is selected, players will receive a SportsYou App code for parent and player season information. All athletes and parents must sign up for the SportsYou App to receive important team updates and notifications. This app will be our primary method of communication for announcements and schedule changes throughout the season.
Trainings Sessions and Game Schedule
The team will commence training sessions on Monday, December 9, 2024. The typical weekly training schedule shall be as follows:
- Mondays from 4PM to 4:55PM [Training Session]
- Tuesdays from 4PM to 4:55PM [Training Session]
- Wednesdays 4PM to 4:55PM [Training Session]
- Thursday from 4PM to 4:55PM [Training Session]
- Friday RECOVERY DAY [No training]
We will continue this training schedule until Friday, December 20, 2024, when CCPS breaks for the Winter Break.
Games will not commence until the first week back to school following the Winter Break. We will resume the training schedule above, except that WEDNESDAYS are typically game days. The 2025 game and training schedule will be released through the SportsYou app after the team is formed.
Playing Time
To meet the three stated objectives of the CCPS middle school athletics program, our team will train to compete and compete to win ("excellence in sports through competition"). HOWEVER, we will do this in a manner that allows each student athlete to contribute to the team, experience the joy of team sports, and build confidence ("maximize participation" and "promote enthusiasm"). These are not mutually exclusive objectives. To that end, each game will be managed by the coach to achieve the win, but every opportunity will be taken to allow as many players as possible to share in that win. Playing time is not guaranteed every or any game, but players will not be selected for this team just to sit on the bench for the season.
Academic and Behavioral Expectations
Academics are our top priority at North Naples Middle School. If a student has an F in any class, they will not be permitted to participate in games until their grades improve.
Similarly, students who receive Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) will not be allowed to participate in practices or any games. Students who receive In-School Suspension (ISS) will be required to sit out of practice and possibly games. Major disciplinary offenses will jeopardize an athlete’s placement on the team.
Questions or Concerns
We look forward to a joyful, confidence-building, and character-shaping experience for all of our student athletes this season. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Coach Jason Mikes
(239) 287-7507