Who we are
ANCHORAGE’S SOCCER CLUB SINCE 1982
Since its founding 40 years ago, Cook Inlet Soccer Club (CISC) has grown into the largest youth soccer club in Anchorage and the most successful in the state. Each year, CISC has 2,500 registrants at the recreational and competitive level. CISC has won more than 68 state championships, including seven of 16 state championships in 2023, and over 100 local and national tournaments. Additionally, CISC has sent more players to play at the next level than any other Alaska soccer club.
MISSION
Develop, promote and administer the best competitive and recreational youth soccer programs in Alaska for the development of youth on and off the field.
VISION
As a club, we strive to:
- Develop and prepare players for their futures, both on and off the field.
- Teach and apply life skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, responsibility, discipline and respect.
- Raise the standard of soccer in Alaska.
- Increase access to our programs so that all players have the chance to participate regardless of financial circumstances.
- Ensure all staff and volunteers work together showing enthusiasm and professionalism.
- Engage the community to be involved with CISC through a variety of alliances, partnerships and networks.
About
CISC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and a member of the Alaska Youth Soccer Association, which is part of the United States Youth Soccer Association. The club is based in Anchorage, Alaska and conducts year-round Recreational and Competitive programs for Alaskans ages 3-18.
CISC’s competitive program is the most successful in the state, winning eight state champions with an additional three finalists in the twelve divisions in which CISC teams competed. CISC is the only club in Alaska to have five teams invited to play in the US Youth Soccer National League.
CISC’s recreational program is the largest in Anchorage and the only recreational program that plays in The Dome, Alaska’s premier indoor facility, during the fall and winter months.
CISC is run by the most experienced staff in Alaska and governed by a volunteer board of directors according to the club’s bylaws.
Cisc’s Development Philosophy
There are four components that comprise the complete athlete: technical, tactical, psychological and physical. CISC’s developmental philosophy recognizes that the holistic development of the player depends upon training that addresses all four of these areas.
Inherent in this is the understanding that
- Individuals develop (technically, tactically, psychologically and physically) at different rates and different times. It is therefore important to be patient with each individual to allow that individual to develop at an acceptable and natural pace.
- To develop effectively, individuals need to be placed in an optimal learning environment whenever possible.
- The goal is to develop all participants in accordance with their commitment level, work ethic and desire.
- Every participant is entitled to a high level of coaching regardless of whether they are on the so called “A” or “B” team.
- It is natural for everyone involved (players, parents and coaches) to want to win. However, in soccer particularly, you can play much better than the opposing team and lose or play much worse than your opponents and win. When everyone involved comes to understand this, winning in and of itself is viewed in the proper perspective.
- Part of learning to deal with a highly competitive environment is learning both how to win and how to lose. Understanding that competitiveness can develop in stages and at different ages and understanding that this can be a big challenge for coaches is imperative.
- In the hierarchy of importance, each participant’s individual development comes first, then the team, then the club. If you take care to develop everyone in the group, the team will (for the most part) take care of itself and winning won’t be a problem. The club functions merely as a vehicle through which we provide the environment for positive individual growth and development.
- Most games are used to evaluate the training and preparation which has previously taken place.
As a club we encourage and develop creativity, confidence and character.
- Creative soccer players come from an environment where repeated mistakes with the ball are encouraged and understood in terms of long-term growth.
- Confidence comes from knowing that you can attempt things with the ball and after repeated trial and error, in training and in games, permanent execution and mastery is developed.
- Character is developed on and off the pitch, and this is where the support, understanding and partnership with parents is important, this will be the most important long-term driver of development.
