As Cook Inlet SC closed out its 40th year as Anchorage’s largest and Alaska’s most successful youth soccer club, it can also probably be said it finished its best year in the club’s history as well. From a record nine Alaska Youth Soccer State Cup Championships, more than all other soccer clubs in the state COMBINED, to four teams qualifying for the US Youth Soccer National League series; from an increase in registered players for its Recreational program to the launch of a training program dedicated solely to the development of players for Competitive soccer; from over two dozen alumni playing collegiately to a few more being signed to MLS Academy programs; from notable additions to the administrative staff to a record of number of staff coaches furthering their coaching education, Cook Inlet SC continues to lead the way in the state and is moving forward to being the pinnacle of soccer in the region, for 2023 and beyond.
With that, please enjoy the rundown below as we welcome 2023 and all it will bring!
In this edition:
- From the Desk of the Executive Director
- Community Partners
- Rec Program update
- Comp Program update
- Alumni update
FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As we look ahead to 2023 and the opportunities the coming year will provide, I feel it is appropriate to reflect on this past year and how Cook Inlet SC continued to prove its worth as Anchorage’s largest and Alaska’s premier youth soccer club.
On the Recreational side of the club, Cook Inlet SC’s Rec program saw tremendous gains in 2022, not only in terms of numbers, but the variety and quality of programs offered as well. From the introduction of a Pre-Comp Training Academy, a direct pathway from recreational soccer to competitive soccer for U8 players, to the addition of a second outdoor season in the Fall, the Rec program showed amazing growth as participation numbers nearly doubled those of 2021 to hold its place as Anchorage’s largest recreational youth soccer program.
Finally, congratulations to Jennifer Tinsman, who’s been coaching with the CISC Rec program for several seasons, on being named the Alaska Youth Soccer Girls Recreational Coach of the Year! CONGRATULATIONS JENNIFER!! Thank you for all you do for the club and kids.
On the Competitive side of the club, Cook Inlet SC continued its reign as the most successful club in Alaska. Both boys and girls teams experienced overwhelming success competing in the Lower 48, showing well at the USYS Far West Regionals and Presidents Cup events this past June, the annual November Nights College Showcase, and finally the National League and National League P.R.O. series, one of the premier competitive leagues in the United States. That’s in addition to the record nine Alaska Youth Soccer State Cup championships Cooking Inlet SC won in 2022 (along with two teams making the Finals as well).
In addition to our teams seeing success on the field this past year, several Cook Inlet SC individuals were recognized for their contributions on and off the field as well.
Congratulations are in order for Richie Bailey and Jeff Ganotisi for being named the Alaska Youth Soccer Girls Competitive Coach of The Year and Volunteer of the Year respectively! CONGRATULATIONS RICHIE & JEFF! And thank you both for all you do for the club and kids.
We also had one of our outstanding young athletes recognized by the largest soccer coaches organization in the world, with more than 30,000 members, for her leadership on and off the field. The United Soccer Coaches named Addison Bailey one of its prestigious Youth Player Award of Excellence recipients for 2022. This is a fantastic honor and Cook Inlet SC cannot be prouder of this young lady. CONGRATULATIONS ADDISON!
As we roll into 2023, we are excited about the future as club looks to build on its success in Alaska and grow into a formidable power in the region.
Lastly, in the seven months I’ve been with the club, I have continued to be amazed everyday with the dedication and professionalism of our staff. Each and everyday, I witness them going above and beyond what is asked and expected of them. My admiration for the Cook Inlet SC coaching staff is immeasurable and I’d like to take this opportunity to express an heartfelt THANK YOU to our coaches, managers, and other volunteers.Thank you for being amazing role models for the kids. Thank you for giving the club and kids your best everyday. And most of all, thank you for being YOU. You are all AMAZING!
Shane Calvert
Executive Director
Cook Inlet SC
Without all of our community partners, Cook Inlet SC would not be able to offer the most affordable and quality soccer programs in the state. Thanks to their generosity, CISC is able to award over $15,000 in financial aid for the 2022-2023 soccer season and increase access to organized sports for more young Alaskans.
When you see owners and employees of our community partners, please thank them for their contributions to youth development and support their businesses.
We are pleased to share the latest companies supporting CISC’s programs and look forward to seeing their logos on new competitive program jerseys as well as recreational uniforms this summer.
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Cook Inlet Soccer Club is proud of its partnership with Eberle Eyecare for the benefit of Alaska’s youth. Through a generous donation from Eberle Eyecare, CISC is able to offer a record amount of financial aid for eligible applicants for the 2022-2023 soccer season.
As the Official Optometry Partner of Cook Inlet SC, Eberle Eyecare has served as a dedicated and caring provider of quality vision services to Anchorage and the surrounding communities since 2010. Patients can expect friendly and attentive care from their experienced team of eye care professionals, who leverage advanced diagnostic technology to provide modern eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams, vision correction, and more.
“This partnership is a huge milestone in helping CISC remove financial barriers for Alaska families to participate in its programs,” shared Cook Inlet SC Board Member Dylan Faber. “The impact of organized sports for youth and community development are immeasurable, and we are truly grateful to have this pillar of the community partner with CISC to benefit young Alaskans.”
As a major partner, Eberle Eyecare’s logo appears on the sleeve of all competitive team jerseys, warm-up tops, training jerseys, fan gear and coaching tops.
To learn more about Eberle Eyecare and the comprehensive eye care services they provide, please visit their website at eberleeyecare.com.
AYS COACH OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Jennifer Tinsman on being recognized by Alaska Youth Soccer as the AYSA 2022 Recreational Girls Coach of the Year!
This annual Alaska Youth Soccer award, given at the AYSA Annual General Meeting in November, seeks to extend recognition to those who give their time and effort to the organization by way of service.
In 2022, Jennifer contributed over 208 hours on-the-field time coaching over five seasons. This time also does not include the numerous hours Jennifer spent planning her sessions, corresponding with parents, getting names printed on the back of her players’ jerseys, etc.
In addition to Jennifer’s time coaching, she also has numerous requests from parents for her to coach their child. It’s not uncommon, irrespective of the age group, for one of her teams’ rosters to be at least 80% requests for her to coach. That is a significant indicator she creates an environment where the players feel safe and valued which contributes to that positive soccer experience we, as an organization, strive for for each child.
Congratulations again Jennifer!!
Your CISC family ❤️’s you and are so proud of you for earning this honor!!
CISC RECREATIONAL SOCCER SEASONS
Anchorage’s most affordable, largest, and comprehensive youth recreational soccer program continued seeing unprecedented growth, seeing nearly 400 registered players for the Fall Indoor Season! That’s on top of the 315+ for the Winter 2022 Season, 425+ for the Spring 2022 Season, 625+ for the Summer 2022 Season, and nearly 300 for our first ever Fall Outdoor Season. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
With that, registration for the CISC Winter 2023 Indoor Recreational Soccer Season, presented by Kendall Auto Alaska, is currently open with spots filling up fast!
The seven-week season will commence on January 14 and conclude on February 25, 2023 with practices and games taking place between Monday through Thursday evenings (depending on the division).The U4 Lil’ Strikers Division will play once per week with practices and games combined within the 45-minute session. The U6 & U8 Divisions will play once per week with practices and games combined within the one-hour session. The U10-U15 Divisions will practice once per week for an hour with the second day being reserved for games. The U19 Division will play once per week with practices and games combined within the one-hour session. Games will commence the second week of the season.
For more information on the CISC Winter 2023 Indoor Recreational Soccer Season, presented by Kendall Auto Alaska, please visit HERE.
Additionally, you are interested in becoming involved with the Recreational program, please email staff. We are always on the lookout for coaches and referees.
CISC PRE-COMP TRAINING ACADEMY
This Winter, Cook Inlet Soccer Club will be holding its Pre-Comp Training Academy again, its purpose being to offer those players playing in CISC’s Recreational Soccer League who were born in 2015 and 2016 and are considering transitioning to competitive soccer an opportunity to supplement their recreational soccer experience by training with the CISC Competitive Coaching Staff over a six-week period prior to the Summer 2023 Pre-Competitive Soccer Season beginning in May.
The CISC Competitive Coaching Staff will focus its training on developing an individual player’s technical ability with the ball in a game-like environment at the level a player may experience playing competitive soccer.
The Pre-Comp Training Academy will take place on Saturday mornings from 9-10am during CISC Winter 2023 Indoor Recreational Soccer Season at The Dome.
For more information and to register, please visit HERE.
In-state and out of state, our Competitive teams have been taking care of business. Check out some of the highlights below:
2022-2023 NATIONAL LEAGUE PRO
The Cook Inlet SC 07G Elite and 09G Elite teams both qualified for the US Youth Soccer National League P.R.O. for the 2022-2023 season. The National League P.R.O. provides a platform for top boys and girls teams in the U14 through U19 age groups to compete in a league format to determine the National League representatives to the annual USYS National Championships.
The Cook Inlet SC 09G Elite team played their first series of games in Round Rock, TX between November 4-6, 2022 against some of the top teams in the country in their age group. After three games, they finished with a record 1 win and 2 draws with 9 GF and 3 GA. The next round of games for the Cook Inlet SC 09G Elite will take place between February 3-6, 2023 in Tampa, FL.
The Cook Inlet SC 07G Elite team played their first series of games at the Disney Sports Complex in Orlando, FL between December 10-12, 2022 leaving everything on the field against some of the top competition from across the nation. After three games, they finished with a record 1 win and 2 losses with 4 GF and 5 GA. The next round of games for the Cook Inlet SC 07G Elite will take place between January 19-22, 2023 in Mesa, AZ.
Well done to both teams for participating in the National League P.R.O. this season and representing Cook Inlet SC with pride!
2022-2023 NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Cook Inlet SC 08G and 10G teams are both competing in the US Youth Soccer National League: Northwest Conference for the 2022-2023 season. The US Youth Soccer National League: Northwest Conference consists of teams primarily from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska. The top teams in the Northwest Conference top tier divisions will earn advancement to the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships (NCS) and automatically qualify for National League P.R.O.
The Cook Inlet SC 08G team played their first series of games in Portland, OR between December 10-12, 2022 against some of the top teams in the region in their age group. After three games, they finished with an impressive 2 wins and 1 draw record. The next round of games for the Cook Inlet SC 08G will take place between January 14-16, 2023 in Seattle, WA.
The Cook Inlet SC 10G team also played their first series of games in Portland, OR between December 10-12, 2022 against some of the top competition in the region. After three games, they finished with a record 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss while leaving everything on the field. The next round of games for the Cook Inlet SC 10G are still yet to be determined.
Well done to both teams for participating in the National League: Northwest Conference. this season and representing Cook Inlet SC with pride!
2022 NOVEMBER NIGHTS COLLEGE SHOWCASE
The Cook Inlet 06B competed in the 2022 November Nights College Showcase between November 25-27, 2022 in Carlsbad, CA.
The November Nights College Showcase is a top level, Class I competitive soccer tournament, renowned throughout the U.S. for its high level of competition, superb facilities, and spectacular scenery.
The Cook Inlet SC 06B won one game and drew two against some of the premier teams in the country and in front of some of the nation’s top college coaches. Well done boys!
2022 AK PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
Congratulations to Cook Inlet SC 2006B team on their victory in the Senior Boys Division of the 2022 Alaska Premier Soccer League (AKPSL) Championships!
The AKPSL’s purpose is to provide a high-level of play and quality exposure for young athletes being Alaska’s only 11-a-side competitive youth indoor soccer league. The season took place between October 15-December 3, 2022 at The Dome.
In addition to the Cook Inlet SC 2006B participating in the 2022 Alaska Premier Soccer League Season, the Cook Inlet 07B and 07G, the latter of which made it to the Finals losing 1-0, also competed in the league this past season as well.
USC YOUTH PLAYER OF EXCELLENCE
CONGRATULATIONS to Cook Inlet SC’s Addison Bailey on being named a United Soccer Coaches Youth Player Award of Excellence recipient!
For those of you who don’t know, the United Soccer Coaches Youth Player Award of Excellence honors an outstanding male and/or female player for exceptional contributions to their team, that exemplify the finest attributes of a team player.
These attributes include: Significant contributions to the team on and off the field; Representing the highest ideals of a team player; Consistently projecting a positive attitude; Demonstration as a leader of teammates for all team activities; Observing rules and standards set forth by their club/team including the highest level of sportsmanship, ethical behavior and respect for opponents and the game.
Congratulations again Addison!!
Your CISC family ❤️’s you and are so proud of you for earning this honor!!
AYS COACH & VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS to two of CISC’s own on being recognized by Alaska Youth Soccer for their contributions and service to the game in Alaska!
Cook Inlet SC’s Richie Bailey and Jeff Ganotisi have respectively be named the AYSA 2022 Competitive Girls Coach of the Year and Volunteer of the Year respectively.
This annual Alaska Youth Soccer award, given at the AYSA Annual General Meeting in November, seeks to extend recognition to those who give their time and effort to the organization by way of service.
Congratulations again Rich and Jeff!!
Your CISC family ❤️’s you and are so proud of you for earning this honor!!
2022-2024 COMPETITIVE KITS
Cook Inlet Soccer Club Competitive Kits for the 2022-2024 cycle are NOW available to order from Tursi Soccer. Please click HERE for more informaotn and to place your order.
All players will be required to purchase a backpack and a training kit.
For players born between, 2013-2015, this will be all that is required to purchase. For players born 2012 and earlier, white and navy game uniforms will also need to be purchased as well.
Additionally, certain teams may require additional items so many sure to check with your Coach and Team Manager before ordering.
UPSL
The United Premier Soccer League is Alaska’s top soccer league for adults and the top destination for CISC senior players looking to elevate their game.
Tryout dates for Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL Men’s & Women’s teams for the 2023 Season will be announced later this Spring.
In the meantime, for more information regarding Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL teams, please e-mail CISC’s UPSL Team Manager Cat Jörgensen Rüesch at cat@cookinletsc.com.
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CISC has sent more players to the next level than any other club in the state. To see what our alumni are up to, please click HERE.
Did we forget about a CISC alumnus who is still playing? Send updates and photos to Tim Valesko.
| CISC Board of Directors Meeting |
| The next CISC Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 19 at 6:30pm at the Cook Inlet SC Offices. In the meantime, for public comments or to send a message to the full Board, please e-mail board@cookinletsc.com. Additionally, if you are interested in the affairs of the club and have a few hours to volunteer each month, CISC is actively recruiting board and committee members to help takes us to the next level. |
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING ALASKA’S PREMIER YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATION?
As a 501(c)(3) CISC is dependent on donors and sponsorships to continue delivering the best soccer programs in the state. We have tax-deductible sponsorship packages to meet every budget and are committed to making sure sponsorship are mutually beneficial. To discuss your tax-deductible sponsorship today, email pr@cookinletsc.com.
Cook Inlet Soccer Club (501)(c)(3) | 907-344-PLAY | Email