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News
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Grand Rapids Crew 2013-2014 Coaching Lineup
April 25, 2013
| Select Boys |
Select Girls |
| U7 Gold |
Nick Gorbach |
U7 Gold |
TBD |
| U8 Gold |
Matt Roberts |
U8 Gold |
Ken Tamke |
| U8 Black |
Matt Roberts |
U8 Black |
Ken Tamke |
| U8 Silver |
Mark Barone |
U8 Silver |
TBD |
| U8 Grey |
TBD |
U9 Gold |
Paul McGuiness |
| U8 White |
TBD |
U9 Black |
Ken Tamke |
| U9 Gold |
Matt Roberts |
U9 Silver |
TBD |
| U9 Black |
Matt Roberts |
U10 Gold |
Jeff Brown |
| U9 Silver |
Jim Fuller |
U10 Black |
TBD |
| U9 Grey |
Mike Baas |
U10 Silver |
Mckenzie Cole |
| U10 Gold |
Leo Garcia |
U11 Gold |
Paul McGuiness |
| U10 Black |
James Gilpin |
U11 Black |
Garry Larkin |
| U10 Silver |
Jaime Fuller |
U11 Silver |
Jeff Brown |
| U10 Grey |
Nick Gorbach |
U11 Grey |
Mckenzie Cole |
| U10 White |
Jim Fuller |
U11 White |
Karen Crase |
| U11 Gold |
Neathan Gibson |
U12 Gold |
Lewis Robinson |
| U11 Black |
Juan Delgado |
U12 Black |
Garry Larkin |
| U11 Silver |
Chris Deiss |
U12 Silver |
Jeff Brown |
| U11 Grey |
Chris Deiss |
U13 Grey |
Chris Deiss |
| U12 Gold |
George Moni |
U13 White |
TBD |
| U12 Black |
Neathan Gibson |
U14 Grey |
Mckenzie Cole |
| U12 Silver |
Marc Frankland |
U15 Silver |
TBD |
| U12 Grey |
Jaime Fuller |
U16 Silver |
Chris Deiss |
| U13 Grey |
TBD |
U16 Grey |
Jim Fuller |
| U14 Silver |
Jim Fuller |
U17 Silver |
Nick Gorbach |
| |
|
U17 Grey |
TBD |
| |
|
U18 Grey |
Karen Crase |
| Premier Boys |
Premier Girls |
| U13 Gold |
George Moni |
U13 Gold |
Leo Garcia/Josh Sheldon |
| U13 Black |
Paul McGuiness |
U13 Black |
Garry Larkin |
| U13 Silver |
TBD |
U13 Silver |
Mckenzie Cole |
| U14 Gold |
Neathan Gibson |
U14 Gold |
Lewis Robinson/Josh Sheldon |
| U14 Black |
Juan Delgado |
U14 Black |
Steve Herdsman |
| U15 Gold |
Joey Barone |
U14 Silver |
James Gilpin |
| U15 Black |
Juan Delgado |
U15 Gold |
George Moni |
| U16 Gold |
Steve Herdsman |
U15 Black |
Neathan Gibson |
| U16 Black |
Paul McGuiness |
U16 Gold |
George Moni |
| U17 Gold |
Lewis Robinson |
U16 Black |
Paul McGuiness |
| U17 Black |
Chris Deiss |
U17 Gold |
Josh Sheldon |
| U18 Gold |
Neathan Gibson |
U17 Black |
Joey Barone |
| U18 Black |
George Moni |
U18 Gold |
Lewis Robinson |
| |
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U18 Black |
Leo Garcia |
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U18 Silver |
Joe Brefzynski |
2012, A Year in Review - The Sum of the Parts
April 10, 2013
Aristotle said it, “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts,” but he wasn’t talking about his Greek National Soccer Team or Panathiakos FC, he came a little bit before their time. Aristotle’s maxim has often been applied to sport and the overachieving team however; when everyone works together, feeding off of each other, something very special can be created, something that otherwise might not exist-remember the “Amazing Mets of 1969,” or “Hoosiers.” How about the US Men’s National Team that beat England in the 1950 World Cup.
Ken Tamke takes keyboard in hand and relates 2012 to the parts, the sum, and the whole.
- Link to 2012 A Year in Review
U-14 Boys team looking for additional players
March 4, 2013
Our U-14 boys team coached by Jim Fuller is looking to fill some spots on their roster. The players on this team can be U-13 or U-14 ages. If you know of any players or are interested please contact Jim Fuller- jim_fuller53@hotmail.com or our DOC Josh Sheldon - jsheldon@mvpsportsclubs.com
GRCJ boys invited to attend 2013 ‘U.S. Soccer player of interest’ training
January 16, 2013
Several of our U-14 and U-15 boys had the honor of being invted to attend the 2013 "US Soccer player of interest" training session in Detroit on 15 January. The training was run by members of the U.S. Soccer technical staff. This training center serves as an early identification step as they work towards forming United States Youth National Teams. Congratulations boys!
Giuseppe Barone, Jacob Crabtee, Max Postlewait, Jose Lopez, Matt Zadel
Jeff Brown's U-18 Girls - "The Road Not Taken"
December 2, 2012
The “road” in Robert Frost’s famous poem, “The Road Not Taken,” is one of metaphor, about choices one has to make in life, about which path to follow. There have been two “roads” in the world of Jeff Brown’s U-18 Girls team, a figurative road about choices, involving a literal road that traverses our state...
(Click here for the full article)
State Cup Semifinals - Sheldon's U-16 Girls
November 16, 2012
Refraction is the way sunlight strikes moisture, bends, and bounces back. Dispersion is when the moisture acts as a prism, splitting white light into seven colors. Internal reflection is when that sunlight passes through moisture and reflects back off of its surface, one bounce creates a single, two bounces a double.
We’re talking about rainbows here and that was the final scene under which the MSYSA State Cup Semifinal would play out, in the sky at least, a double rainbow.
On the ground you could cut the tension with a knife amongst the Grand Rapids Crew supporting spectators...
(Click here for the full article)
Another Day with Rene
November 16, 2012
After a full year to reflect as a graduate of his academy coaching course, Moves & Skills, countless hours spent watching ManU on ESPN2 and Fox Soccer, the reward, another camera shot of a man at the top level of the game in Europe who finds time to come across the pond to Grand Rapids to coach our kids and our coaches. “Hey, I know that guy.”
(Click here for full article)
State Cup Semifinals - Moni's U-15 Girls
Novermber 2, 2012
Quarterfinal and Semifinal State Cup weekend in Saginaw was new territory for George Moni’s revamped GR Crew U-15 Girls’ team, but the personality of this group welcomes a challenge. That’s been their trademark, the foundation on which they’re built, and the glue that’s holds them together. Throw in a little adversity, their unshakable work ethic, a genuine team harmony, and anyone who might doubt their abilities and you have the recipe for what makes them tick.
(Click here for full article.)
State Cup Semifinals - Robinson's U-17 Girls
October 22, 2012
Semifinal Sunday in Saginaw was none too kind to the Crew overall and Mother Nature was a cruel mistress. Three of the four teams still standing at the beginning of the day had fallen by the end. Weather was most certainly a factor, intermittent rain caused slick conditions, and winds buffeted the fields in varying degree. Coin flips to see who received wind aid took on increased importance and if you could score against it, you were golden.
(Click here for full article.)
Girls State Cup Quarter and Semi Recap
October 16, 2012
Five Grand Rapids Crew Juniors teams and one each from Kentwood Crew and TKO Crew (a record for a West Michigan soccer club) earned trips to Saginaw this past weekend for the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association’s (MSYSA) State Cup Tournament for Girls quarter final and semi final round of play.
(Click here for full article)
National Teamer Duback Means Business on GR Crew Visit
August 12, 2012
Another great read by Ken Tamke
Click for article
Christian Ouding ~ "21" jersey retirement
August 18, 2012
Hello Soccer Family,
On behalf of Mike, Katie, Blessing, Victoria and Evie Ouding, We would like to invite you to a very special event taking place on August 24, 2012.
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors will be retiring Christian's #21 jersey in a ceremony before the start of the Crew Cup. This is a huge honor and Christian would have loved for all of you to be a part.
At 4:15 pm there will be a ceremony open to everyone that includes a presentation of jerseys to the Ouding Family.
Thank you for your continued support of both the Ouding Family and Christian's friends and teammates.
U-18 Boys punch ticket to Nationals for the 5th time!
June 29, 2012
The U-18 boys Gold team continue their quest for a second National Championships title as they win at Region II Championships in Sagianw, MI
http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/06/grand_rapids_boys_soccer_team.html
Christian Ouding Memorial
June 18, 2012
Christian Ouding was loved by all and will forever be held close in our hearts.
Friends are invited to come together to remember and celebrate Christian’s life with his family on Tuesday from 1-4 and 6-9 PM at Monroe Community Church, 800 Monroe NW in Grand Rapids. His family asks that their extended soccer family and school friends please come during the evening when parking is more available, if you can’t make it to the evening visitation, then please come to the afternoon visitation. We encourage everyone to bring photos and ideas so you can express your memories and thoughts on paper during that visitation time.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday at 1 PM at Sunshine Community Church, 3300 East Beltline NE in Grand Rapids. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Christian Ouding Memorial Fund are appreciated. Please see www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory, to upload photos, to sign the guestbook, for directions and further information about the services and memorial designation.
Christian Ouding Memorial Fund
1. In person at any Fifth Third branch - simply give the name of the fund
2. Through Monroe Community Church - put Christian Ouding Memorial Fund in the memo of the check and send to: Monroe Community Church, 800 Monroe Ave NW #140, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The checks will be deposited directly into the account.
3. Call any Fifth Third branch (616-771-5730 is the number for the branch on Leonard)
Thank you so much for your willingness to help the Ouding family.
State Cup finals - Frankland's U17 Boys
June 8, 2012
State Cup finals - Frankland's U14 Boys
June 7, 2012
State Cup finals - Herdsman's U15 Boys
June 5, 2012
State Cup Finals Action
June 4, 2012
We turn to the next chapter in the quest for State Cup, as the teams reach the finals.
- State Cup finals action
And even more from State Cup… Barone’s U-13 Boys
May 31, 2012
The State Cup story would not be complete without including Joey Barone and the U-13 Boys.
- Joey Barone U-13 Story
And, More from State Cup… U-14 & U-17 Boys
May 29, 2012
The State Cup saga continues, with the story of the U-14 and U-17 Boys teams.
- Marc Frankland U-14 & U-17 Story
More from State Cup, U-15 & 16
May 28, 2012
Ken Tamke continues coverage of the battle for the State Cup, with the story of the U-15 and U-16 Boys teams.
- Steve Herdsman U-15 & U-16 Story
MSYSA State Cup Quarter-final and Semi-Final Recap
May 23, 2012
Ken Tamke once again takes keyboard in hand, this time to recount the excitement of the 2012 Boys State Cup Quarter-finals and Semi-finals:
- MSYSA State Cup Quarter and Semi Recap
2011, A Look Back
March 8, 2012
Our author-in-residence, Ken Tamke, summarizes the accomplishments of 2011, and then waxes poetic of the early days of soccer in west Michigan and our soccer heritage.
- 2011, It Was a Very Good Year - A Look Back
Signing Day 2012
Updated March 14, 2012
We are honored to announce the Class of 2012 members who have committed to Colleges and Universities around the country on Signing Day. These players have all worked hard over the past years to accomplish this goal. We are proud of all of their achievements and wish them great success as they continue on to the next level. Thank you for representing the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors in such a great way!
U-18 Girls
Ashley Bradstreet ~ Ferris State, Big Rapids, MI ~ Grandville HS
Olivia Emery ~ Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI ~ Grandville HS
Ellie Gabriel ~ Butler University, Indianapolis, IN ~ Grandville HS
Mikayla Goldsmith ~ Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI ~ Rockford HS
Syd Kinney ~ Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI ~ Grand Rapids Christian HS
Katie Klunder ~ Grand Valley State University,, Allendale, MI ~ Calvin Christian HS
Madi Morgan ~ Lehigh University, Bethlem, PA ~ East Grand Rapids HS
Kaitlin Mokasak ~ Alma College, Alma, MI ~ Rockford HS
Kailey Naumcheff ~ Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI ~Catholic Central HS
Allie Rossi ~ University of Miami, Miami, Florida~ Grandville HS
Allie Russo ~ Central Michigna University, Mt Pleasant, MI ~ Kalamazoo Central HS
Presley Tibbetts ~ Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI ~ Grandville HS
U-17 Boys
Enrique Padilla ~ Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI ~ Northview HS
U-18 Boys Gold
Luke Bestrom ~ Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI ~ Caledonia HS
Sean Conerty ~ MI State University, Lansing, MI ~ Forest Hills Central HS
Chad Gordon ~ Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI ~ Jenison HS
Matt Harkema ~ U of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI ~ Unity Christian HS
Caleb Postlewait ~ Butler University, Indianapolis, IN ~ Forest Hills Central HS
Chase Rau ~ U of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI ~ Sparta HS
Nate Rose ~ Oakland University, Oakland, MI ~ Grand Haven HS
Jason Stacy ~ U of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI ~ Forest Hills Central HS
Joe Sweet ~ Concord University, Athens, West VA ~ Lowell HS
Greg Timmer ~ Iowa Western CC, Council Bluffs, IA ~ Unity Christian HS
Jake Vanderlaan ~ Oakland University, Oakland, MI ~ Grand Haven HS
GRCJ makes the Soccer America Top 30 Clubs List
December 14, 2011
Criteria: Soccer America selects the top 30 clubs based on success of their teams in national youth competitions over the last three years (2009-11) and the selection of their players to national youth teams and other national achievements in 2011. Club profiles may reference other accomplishments, but accomplishments of former players and the number of players placed in college are not considered.
Club profiles appear in Soccer America’s Best Boys Clubs feature in the Best of American Soccer 2011 magazine, which is included in magazine subscriptions and also available for purchase (see below).
2011 Top 30 Boys Clubs
1. Baltimore Bays
2. FC Dallas
3. New York Red Bulls
4. Chicago Fire
5. PDA
6. Dallas Texans
7. CASL
8. Concorde Fire
9. Cal Odyssey
10. Michigan Wolves
11. Pateadores
12. Real So Cal
13. D.C. United
14. Crossfire
15. Columbus Crew
16. Vardar
17. Los Angeles Galaxy
18. Carmel United
19. PA Classics
20. Fullerton Rangers
21. Grand Rapids Crew Juniors
22. Chicago Magic
23. Seattle Sounders
24. St. Louis Scott Gallagher
25. West Coast SC
26. RSL AZ
27. Arsenal FC
28. Yardley Makefield Soccer
29. Westside Metros
30. Albion SC
2011 U-17 Boys National Champions Crowned!
August 4, 2011
As the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors U-17 boys took to the field at the National Championship match on July 31, 2011 the team knew that this was the match that would allow them to make their mark on history. The journey to this point has been long and at times painful, a true test of courage and determination.
The team has qualified to compete at Nationals for the past four years. In each previous appearance, while incredibly exciting, the result was bittersweet. The team returned each season with a renewed purpose to achieve the goal of National Champions.
Dealing with many injuries the 2010 -2011 season got off to a rough start in National League play. After finishing first in the previous season of play the team ended up near the bottom, winning only one game in league play. As the boys recovered they set their sights on the season ahead. Determined to return to the top they worked towards the goal of winning every game. This was accomplished as they garnered first place finishes in MRL, State Cup and then Regional’s, which earned the team their fourth consecutive appearance at Nationals.
In preparation of Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona the boys trained through July day and night, hoping to be ready to handle the heat as well as the time change. Finally the day arrived, Nationals kicked off with a Players Luncheon on July 26th. All of the Regional and National League Champions from across the nation are invited to celebrate their journeys and successes.
The first game of pool play started at 8pm with the Crew taking the field with Florida Nike Rush. The boys battled with the team but emerged victorious after goals by Jason Stacy, Joe Sweet and Andrew Lewis. The final score of 4-0 marked the first step to the finals.
Second night of play the boys faced the Dallas Texans. The boys had suffered defeat by the Texans in National League play earlier in the year but were determined to turn the score. This was accomplished by goals from Greg Timmer and Sean Conerty as well as a Texan’s own goal resulting in a final tally of 4-1.
Going into the third night of pool play, the boys had pretty much locked in their place in the finals but the match with Penn Fusion was a tough one. Both teams are highly skilled and the match did not disappoint. The teams had faced each other in National League play ending in a tie game. The night ended in a tie again with both teams advancing to the finals on Sunday.
The final match day dawned with sunny skies and temperatures soaring to over 100◦. As the teams took the field, the excitement and tension could be felt by all. Both teams had worked incredibly hard to get to this point. The match was a battle from the start as all worked to claim the title. The Crew pulled ahead with a goal by Sean Conerty and thought the game was theirs. But with a diving header by Penn Fusion in the 89th minute of play it was on to overtime play. Two incredibly battled periods of overtime still resulted in a deadlock so it was on to penalty kicks. Tension built as the boys lined up on both teams to have the final decision determined. Penn Fusion hit first with a successful PK then Greg Timmer answered back, finding the back of the net with his kick. The battle ensued with even matches by Eduardo Martin, Jake Vanderlaan, and Andrew Lewis against the Penn Fusion team. The fifth kicker was denied with an incredible stop by Crew keeper Chase Rau and Jason Stacy connected with the goal to lock in the WIN! The celebration of the new National Champions began…tears of joy and excitement was met with hugs and cheers by all.
We could not be more proud of this incredible group of boys and their coaches and the journey they have taken to achieve this goal. Their dedication and determination as well as amazing soccer talent were some of the keys to their success. Job well done boys! As the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors U-17 Boys mark their page in the history books of National Championship soccer!
 
New Scrip Program Available
March 31, 2011
Each day you’re faced with making decisions on where to spend your time and monies. We appreciate your willingness to invest in our club and are working every day to find way to stretch those monies. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce that the Crew is starting a Scrip program to help our families build funds for their players. The Scrip program provides non- profit groups the opportunity for families to use their shopping habits to earn money.
Basically with the program you order gift cards to use for your shopping needs and a rebate will be earned with each card. These rebates will be placed in a family account to be used for your player’s costs.
If you are familiar with the Scrip program- You can go to www.shopwithscrip.com and set up your Crew account using the Enrollment Code: DL4D4B6E25187. You will also need to set up a PrestoPay account so that online ordering will be facilitated. Orders will be placed on Monday mornings with delivery on Wednesdays.
We will have additional information on our Scrip News page.
Questions please contact:
therabon4@yahoo.com or
westernfour@comcast.net or
Rebecca@grcrewjuinors.org
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© Copyright 2013
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors. All rights reserved.
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