PAL is hosting a “Final Final” coaches clinic for those of you who had parents step up and want to help, but missed out on the clinics we did over the summer. Parents on teams with only one coach are welcome to become certified:

Friday, September 5, 2008
6:00 - 9:30 PM
PAL Stadium, 680 S. 34th St. San Jose, 95116.

Remember, only licensed coaches can represent a team during practices and games. If your team has only one licensed coach, it would be good to recruit a parent to get their license for those times you might not be able to make a game or practice.

The tentative First Half Schedule has been released by the Metro PAL organization, and is available on line.

As with all schedules, it is subject to change. Please confirm with your coach before each game to be sure the schedule has not changed. Up to date PAL Soccer Field Locations are also now online.

On any given day, more than 6000 men, women and children are searching the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry for a life-saving donor like you. This year one of those 6000 in search of a match is also one of our neighbors in Willow Glen. In fact, he’s a five-year-old kid who played Willow Glen PAL Soccer last year.

These patients have leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases that can be treated by a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. For many of these patients, a transplant may be the best and only hope of a cure.

Our five-year-old player is a fighter … currently battling through Chemo. His dad was a volunteer coach last year, and his whole family is fighting by his side for a cure. They’re doing everything possible for their five-year-old, but dad is naturally unable to coach this year.

Unfortunately, a Marrow Transplant is not an option for our soccer player, because there aren’t enough donors that match his blood and ethnic makeup. But maybe we can all join the fight, and find a transplant match.

During our Kids Safety Fair on Saturday, August 16, you will have your chance to help us expand his options by being checked for a match.… The National Marrow Donor Program will be taking samples from 9-2 at River Glen Park.

It just a simple swab on the inside of your mouth and some paperwork ….. Please join us and expand his — and other kids’ — treatment options …

Who knows … maybe his dad could be your coach next year.

The pre-season game schedule for Saturday, August 16, has been released. Of course, it’s a “Pre-Season” schedule for a reason, and it is subject to change.

The day will be a low-key affair on the field, with Willow Glen teams playing each other. Coaches, referees, players, and parents will all be enjoying the first game together, celebrating the return of a another great season!

Don’t forget to visit the Community Safety Fair, too!

On Saturday, August 16, Willow Glen PAL Soccer will be hosting our first day of games. Our “Pre-Season” games are each team’s first opportunity to play together against an opponent — and most teams against another WG team at River Glen Park. Schedule details will be released soon.

In addition, local realtor Holly Barr is coordinating a special “Willow Glen Safety Day” for the community. Of course, PAL kids are invited, too! (more…)

Just a reminder that our last Metro PAL coaches clinic will be held on Saturday, August 2, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at Pearl Zanker Elementary School in Milpitas . (more…)

We’re almost ready! Are you? We’ve been accepting registrations, training coaches, recruiting referees, and organizing teams … all in anticipation of practices and games starting in August!

In a few days, your coach will contact you with your team assignment. We do not release rosters until coaches have completed training and fingerprinting, so you may not hear until as late as August 6. With almost 350 players on 25+, we will not able to contact you directly with your coach’s information.

Practices may begin as soon as you hear from your coach, and will be scheduled by your coach. If you have specific scheduling requests, please tell your coach when you first hear from him or her.

Our informal pre-season game is scheduled for Saturday, August 16. Almost every team will play at River Glen Park on that day. We will also be co-hosting a “Family Safety Fair” on that day (more info to follow).

The regular season begins Saturday, August 23!

Effective July 20, we are forming waitlists, rather than accepting registrations for the following divisions:

U6 Coed — U8 Coed — U10 Girls — U14 Boys

Space is still available in other age groups, although this is subject to change without notice.

Since we are in the late stages of registration and team formation, it is unlikely that additional teams will be created in these age groups, and therefore registrations will only be taken to replace previously-registered families who withdraw from our program.

If new teams are created, priority will be given to players whose parent commits to being a HEAD coach for the Fall 2008 season and completes the necessary training at our coaches clinic. To become a PAL soccer coach, you must attend a three hour clinic as well as go through the Live Scan procedure (fingerprint and background check).

Space in these age groups may still available in our Cambrian, East Valley, and Rose Garden PAL districts. Please contact those districts for details.

Due to scheduling conflicts, Ian has had to cancel his camp scheduled for August 2008. We apologize for any inconvenience.

After July 1, registrations in the Willow Glen PAL Soccer League are only accepted on a space-available basis. We still welcome your Family’s registration, but may not be able to accommodate your child if space is not available in their appropriate age division.

In some cases, we may not know if space is available before we receive and process your registration (along with others received on the same day); you will receive a full refund if we are not able to accept your registration.

Because of the overwhelming number of registrants in our U8 age group, we are accepting registrations for this division (6 and 7 year olds as of July 31st 2008) on a wait list basis. This is effective July 1, 2008. (more…)