Welcome to the Spirit United family! Thank you for allowing your son or daughter to tryout for an ACYS Spirit United travelling team. The Spirit United program was developed under the umbrella of ACYS to specifically serve the competitive soccer player in a positive Christian atmosphere. Its purpose is to provide a higher level of training, competition and fun without sacrificing the biblical principals and ideals that ACYS holds dear. The Spirit United teams are Christian ambassadors to the soccer community, representing an attitude of good sportsmanship, respect and hospitality. Our goal is to be united in one spirit to represent our Lord through the game of soccer with honor and excellence.
The definition of a “competitive player” carries with it a degree of expectation. At the heart of that expectation is the idea of community and commitment. Our commitment to Spirit United players is to provide quality soccer training by licensed coaches and trainers. Currently, each of the Spirit United coaches hold an "E" or "D" license or better. We also employ the services of several elite-class male and female trainers including FA "A" coach Mark Lowry. We also are honored to have trainers Ferron Brooks, Derron Cornwall, Eric Hinson, Mark Lowry, Airon Medeiros, and Christie Thompson (strength and agility trainer) to complete our training staff. Their efforts along with others have afforded Spirit United great success in league and tournament play during the 2009-2010 year.
Unlike purely recreational programs an higher level of play will require an increased level of commitment from both the player and his/her family. As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect”, so does the quality of a team whose players (and parents) take seriously their commitment to being at practice, league games, tournament games and giving their best each time they come together with their team. This will at times require sacrifice, putting the team over other desired individual activities. Spirit United makes every effort to avoid play on Sunday morning when we are able. We do not think soccer should ever take priority over attending church. Unfortunately, there will be times during tournament play when teams will be asked to play over a weekend. Teams are encouraged to find creative ways to worship when faced with these challenges.
The idea of community related to Spirit United soccer is the concept of team. The Spirit United community is committed to the betterment of everyone involved: players, parents, opponents, referees and league officials As a part of that community each decision we make together should have as its core principal a heart of love, service and respect of others. The body cannot function without the different parts. As one Spirit United we function as a team committed to serving our community and representing God with excellence.
Again, we thank you for allowing your son or daughter to tryout for an ACYS Spirit United traveling team. We look forward to having you join us in our mission to honor our Lord through soccer as we learn, play and compete.
Kevin Gillis
Director Spirit United
