Hello AC Sandhills Members,

It is my pleasure to offer you our February edition of “Inside the #OrangeLife”, our monthly guide to everything AC Sandhills! In this edition you will discover who our special summer camp guest coach will be, what tournaments and events the club will be hosting, and so much more!

Once again, I want to personally thank you for choosing to be a member of AC Sandhills and hope you enjoy the second edition of our newsletter.

Todd Abbey, Executive Director

In this issue, we have “upped our game” with a new look to our cover!

We want excitement to start from the beginning of each month and build to the next. Each issue o f “ I n s i d e t h e # O r a n g e L i f e ” w i l l spotlight a group, player or something that we feel exemplifies AC Sandhills and what the “#OrangeLife” is all about. This month, and for our first new cover, we decided to feature one of our brightest up and coming players in our soccer division; Kamden Lewis. Kamden constantly shows what it means to live the #OrangeLife, as explained by her ’04 Girls Orange Coach Tyler Hudson, “Kamden shows the true qualities of an AC Sandhills athlete. She demonstrates these qualities by always showing up to training with a smile on her face while coming to compete and progress as a player and an individual. It has been a great pleasure of mine to have coached Kamden the last 2 years and watch her develop as a player and as an individual.”

Congratulations to Kamden for making the first cover of “Inside the #OrangeLife”!

A Special Thank You!

Behind every good newsletter, there’s someone who must put in a lot of time & energy creating it. AC Sandhills would like to thank Tiffany Abbey for using time & energy toward helping ACS become more. Since agreeing to come on as our Director of Community Outreach, she has developed not only a great newsletter as a tool for communication with our membership and the community but has utilized her social media expertise to make AC Sandhills much more prevalent on multiple platforms.

Thank you to Tiffany for all you do for ACS!

In this issue, Travel Soccer Coaching Assignments will be announced, along with a brief explanation of the newly mandated age group realignment sent down by the US Soccer Federation.

You will also read about two new events coming this spring, “Spike Between the Pines” Volleyball Tournament and “Run or Dye Tryin’ Off Road 5k Color Run.” Each page will give you the information you need with important dates to allow you to lan for the upcoming year.

We have brought you updates & interesting stories from our current teams and staff, our coaching corner will tell you more about our special guest for summer soccer camp! We have also added a “Did you Know?” section that will enhance your knowledge of AC Sandhills. Don’t miss our sponsors and partners section that focuses on the local businesses that have decided to join us and support the #OrangeLife!

February Bubble Soccer Tournament is here!

Join us February 27th for some fun and exercise in our Bubbles! Youth and Adults (ages 10 and up) are welcome. Register on

our website today. $10 youth and $15 adults. Gather a group and sign up today!

Spring Break Technical Proficiency Camp! Join our technical staff for this fun filled week of soccer.

Take advantage of our expertise in speed, agility, passing, receiving, and a variety of fast paced small sided games.

Register online today. $150 for the week. March 28th - 31st / Monday - Thursday

9am - Noon at Morganton Road Fields Ages U8-U18 Coed Coached by Julio Penalillo, Todd Abbey & Trevor Spencer

Interested in playing Select

Travel Soccer with AC Sandhills?

Register today to Try Out! Coaching

information on Page 4!

Spring Recreational Soccer begins soon!

Interested in sponsoring a team? Contact us today to

learn how!

Mini Kickers is in full swing, but there is still time to

register for our Late Spring Session. Register online

today for your 2-4 year old to begin their soccer journey!

SOCCER

SOCCER

Special Summer Camp Offer! (START PLANNING FOR SUMMER NOW!!)

What: ACS Specialty Soccer ClinicWhen: June 29th-July 1stTime: 9AM-12PMDays: Wednesday-FridayVenue: Cannon ParkAge Group: U11-U18Gender: CoedFee: $150Instructor: Bob Jenkins 

Bob Jenkins has coached at all levels of the amateur game in the United States, from high school and club soccer, to youth National teams and NCAA national championship college teams.

As an assistant coach at University of Virginia, Bob helped the Cavaliers win their first two National Championships. He then spent 8 years as Head Coach at American University where his team advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA championship and he earned conference Coach of the Year and NCAA regional Coach of the Year.

Following his time at American University, Bob worked as US Soccer's U18 National Team coach and Director of Coach Education and Youth Development. From  2008-2014 he was the Director of Coaching at Richmond Strikers Soccer Club in Virginia. 

Bob currently works with PUMA and Arsenal FC, London to deliver the PUMA Elite technical program to a select number of youth clubs in the United States. Bob is also a current scout for US Soccer Development Academy.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT!!

FIRST HEALTH HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC SUPPORTER AND PARTNER WITH ACS

FOR MANY YEARS. WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS OF FIRST AID KITS FOR OUR TRAVEL TEAMS AND ONGOING

SUPPORT FROM THEIR CONVENIENT CARE, REHABILITATION SERVICES & HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER!

2016-17 Travel Soccer Try Out Schedule

Age  Group Date   Day Time Field   Coach06  Boys May  23rd/25th     Mon/Wed 5PM-­‐6:30PM   Morganton  6 Julio  Penalillo

06  Girls May  23rd/25th     Mon/Wed 6:30PM-­‐8PM Morganton  6 Julio  Penalillo

05  Boys May  23rd/25th   Mon/Wed 5PM-­‐6:30PM Morganton  5 Teo  Miron

05  Girls May  23rd/25th     Mon/Wed 6:30PM-­‐8PM   Morganton  5 Tyler  Hudson

04  Boys May  23rd/25th     Mon/Wed 5PM-­‐6:30PM Morganton  1 Ray  Blatz

04  Girls May  23rd/25th         Mon/Wed 6:30PM-­‐8PM Morganton  1 Todd  Abbey

03  Boys May  23rd/25th   Mon/Wed 5PM-­‐6:30PM Morganton  2 Jeremy  Blake

03  Girls May  23rd/25th   Mon/Wed 6:30PM-­‐8PM Morganton  2 Tyler  Herbst

02  Boys May  24th/26th   Tue/Thurs 6:30PM-­‐8PM Morganton  1 Teo  Miron/Luis  Pages

02  Girls May  24th/26th     Tue/Thurs 6:30PM-­‐8PM Morganton  2 John  Cooper

01  Boys May  24th/26th   Tue/Thurs 5PM-­‐6:30PM Morganton  1 Hunter  Pages

01  Girls May  24th  /26th     Tue/Thurs 5PM-­‐6:30PM Morganton  2 John  Cooper

00  Boys May  30th/June  1st             Mon/Wed 5PM-­‐6:30PM Morganton  2 Dalton  Hadlock/Trevor  Spencer

00  Girls April  29th       Fri 6PM-­‐8PM Morganton  1 Hunter  Pages

99  /  ’98  Boys May  30th         Mon 5PM-­‐6:30PM Morganton  1 Luis  Pages

99  /  ’98  Girls April  29th         Fri 6PM-­‐8PM Morganton  2 Trevor  Spencer

TRAVEL SOCCER

Director of Coaching Trevor Spencer

1999 Girls & 2000 Boys

Todd Abbey 2004 Girls

Jeremy Blake 2003 Boys

Assistant Director Julio Penalillo

2006 Boys & Girls

Tyler Hudson 2005 Girls

Ray Blatz 2004 Boys

Tyler Herbst 2003 Girls

Teo Miron 2002 Boys & 2005 Boys

John Cooper 2001 Girls, 2002 Girls

Dalton Hadlock 2000 Boys

Hunter Pages 2000 Girls, 2001 Boys

Luis Pages 1999/98 Boys, 2002 Boys

2016-2017 AC Sandhills Select

Travel Soccer Coaches

TRAVEL SOCCER

TRAVEL SOCCER

New Age Chart Description for Travel Soccer

In the fall of 2016, the United States Soccer Federation will be mandating that ALL youth affiliates and sanctioning bodies switch their age charts to true calendar years. This is being done for several reasons that are in accordance with new scouting ordinances set down by USSF, but also due to the fact that the United States is only one of two countries around the world that is still on the old system.

What does this mean for your player that is interested in Travel Soccer?

The biggest difference between the old system and the new, is which team(s) a  player will be eligible for. For example, (we will use 1999 and 2000 for our explanation):

Under the old system:A player that is born between August 1, 1999 and July 31, 2000 would be eligible to only play on what was considered the '99 age group team or older if they chose to tryout "up".

Under the new system:A player that is born in 1999 or 2000 will be eligible to play in their true age or older if they choose to tryout "up".

The difference:The player that was born in 2000 that was only allowed to play with other  players born between August 1 and Dec 31 of 1999, but not allowed to play on a team consisting of players born in that same time frame of 2000 (Aug. 1-Dec. 31, 2000), will now have an opportunity to do so.

The basic change is that players may have the opportunity to essentially play "down" if they were one of the players born in the younger year of the old system. In our example it would be the 2000 age group. They would now be eligible to play on the '00 team that consisted of 2000's born after Aug.

In the end, each player should try out for their true birth year. Then, if they so desire, that same player can tryout "up" in an older true age. (2000's can tryout for 1999's)

A 2000 can not tryout out for a 2001 team, and a 1999 can not tryout for a 2000 team, and so on. If you have any questions regarding these new guidelines, our coaches are happy to help you during tryouts.

COACH SPOTLIGHT: Tara Hartman - Head Coach U12 Development Program

  Tara   is   in  her  2nd  year  coaching  with  ACS  and   leads  the  Developmental  Academy  program,  for  our  younger  ages.    The  program  has  doubled  over  the   past   2   years,   and   that   is   a   direct   tes?mony   to   her   passion,  knowledge  and  atmosphere  she  brings  to  coaching  the  players!    Tara  is  a  lifelong   par?cipant,   in   the   sport,   and   has   addi?onally   coached   youth  soccer  for  3  years,  with  ACS.    During  her  high  school  career,  Tara  earned  several   accolades   and   played   club   for   2   years.   She   went   on   to   play  intramural   volleyball   in   college   and   assisted   in   volleyball   camps   for  underprivileged   youth.   Currently,   she   con?nues   to   play   volleyball  recrea?onally.  Tara  is  cer?fied  at  level  I  with  USA  Volleyball  through  their  

Coaching  Accredita?on  Program  (CAP)  and  is  also  IMPACT  cer?fied.    If  you  want  to  learn  the  game  of  volleyball,  come  check  out  Tara  and  her  coaching  staff  in  ac?on!!  

VOLLEYBALL

All  5  of  our  travel  teams  were  in  ac?on  this  past  month,  throughout  the  region.    The  U16  &  U17  Teams  traveled  to  Myrtle  Beach  over  MLK  holiday  weekend,  finishing  very  strong  at  each  age  group.    The  U16s  competed  in  the  Silver  division,  finishing  in  the  top  third.    The  U17s  capped  off  a   strong  weekend  compe?ng   in   the  Gold  division  and  finishing  5th  overall!    Over   Super  Bowl  Weekend,  we  took  all  of  our  travel  teams  to  a  huge  overnight  tournament  in  CharloWe.    All  of  our  Teams  competed  hard  and  had  a  blast  playing  and  cheering  each  other  on  throughout  the  tournament.    Our  U13s  competed  in  the  Silver  Division,  U14s   in   the   Copper,   U15   &   U16   Teams   in   the   Bronze  and   U17s   in   the   Gold,   finishing   9th   overall.    Congratula?ons   to   all   the   players!     All   teams   will  compete   in  Region  events  throughout  March,  with  the  U17s   going   to   Roanoke,   Virginia   for   an   overnight  Tournament.     The   U12   Developmental   Academy   also  played   their   first   tournament   over   Valen?ne’s   Day  weekend.    Great  job  to  the  U12s!

TRAVEL NEWS…

DID  YOU  KNOW!?  Lacrosse   is  a  spring  sport!    Youth,  high  school,  and  college  lacrosse  is  played  primarily  in  the  spring.    Although  February  is  still  technically  a  winter  month,  all  of  us   laxers  are  gearing  up  for  spring  and  can’t  wait  to  get  back  on  the  @ield!    If  you  are  looking  for  more  information  about  lacrosse,  visit  

our   website   and   click   on   “Girls   Lacrosse  FAQ  “  under  the  Girls  Lacrosse  tab.  

EXCITING  NEW  PROGRAM:    AC  Sandhills  is  excited  to  offer  a  new  program  that  will  begin  this  April!    Kinderlax  is  a  is a clinic-based program for girls designed to introduce Kindergartners to the game of lacrosse in a fun, supportive way using soft lacrosse equipment (i.e. plastic sticks and spongy balls or tennis balls). Kinderlax will meet 4 Fridays in a row from 4pm – 5pm staring April 8th. We will provide the equipment. Visit the website to register your Kindergartner today!

SPRING  RECREATION  LACROSSE  BEGINNING!    Teams  will  begin  practice  on  Saturday,  February  27th.    Spring  is  almost  here!

ACS   SELECT   TRYOUTS   SATURDAY,  MARCH   12:  Players   in  4th  –  12th  grade  that  are  interested  in  competing    on  a  travel  team  this  summer  tryouts  will  be  held  Saturday,  March  12th  from   1pm   –   3:30pm.     We   are   excited   to   announce   the  addition  of  a  brand  new  division  for  our  Select  program.    We  will  host  tryouts  for  an  ACS  Select  Junior  team  in  addition  to  our   Middle   School   and   High   School   teams.   Players   must  register  to  tryout,  please  visit  the  website  for  more  information  and  to  register.  

For more information on ACS Lacrosse offerings contact Nikki at

nikki@acsandhills.com

LACROSSE

OUR FIRST EVER 5K!!

Join us on this amazing course and

for an afternoon of fun in Pinehurst. Go to

our website for information on

registering for the event! This is one you do NOT want to miss!

KONA ICE

MEAN BEAN COFFEE

BOUNCE HOUSES

BUBBLE RACES

MUSIC

AND MORE!!!

Sign up by March 1st and get a FREE race

T-shirt!

SPIKE BETWEEN THE PINES

Volleyball…you have to live it to understand it!

Tournaments are a great way to grow the game and help our

local economy at the same time.

We are thrilled to be partnering

with many local schools / courts to throw our first

Home Hosted Volleyball

tournament.

Important Dates to Remember!

February  20th       Saturday  Soccer  Mini  Day  Camp  (U6  Coed)  25th       Spirit  Night  @  Buffalo  Wild  Wings  27th       Bubble  Soccer  Tournament  27th         Girls  Lacrosse  Recrea?onal  Prac?ces  Begin  29th       Recrea?on  Soccer  Prac?ces  Begins  

March  5th       Winter  Clash  Adult  Futsal  Tournament  7th       Spirit  Night  @  Hickory  Tavern  12th       Opening  Day  of  Recrea?on  Soccer  28th       Spring  Break  Technical  Proficiency  Camp

If you have any stories, suggestions, or ideas to share or submit for our newsletter please email tiffany@acsandhills.com

Did you know???

Did you know that AC Sandhills was originally just a soccer club? Soccer has been in the Sandhills Area since the early 90's beginning as the “Sandhills Youth

Soccer League.” After more than 25 years, and several identity changes, AC Sandhills has become the largest provider of soccer as well as other sports in the

area with close to 3,000 members.

ACS encompasses close to 20% of all of Moore County’s youth within the K-5 grade levels. With the additional sports of Volleyball, Lacrosse and Youth

Triathlons, we are one of the only multi-sport providers outside of Parks and Recreation Departments in the entire state of NC!

SPONSORS & PARTNERS AC  Sandhills  is  thankful  for  amazing  sponsors  and  partners  that  make  it  

possible  for  us  to  offer  sport  to  all  kids  regardless  of  their  ability  to  pay.    We  could  not  reach  our  community  without  your  generous  support.  

Please  be  sure  to  patron  these  fine  businesses  and  thank  them  for  giving  back  to  our  community!  

We  have  many  opportuniYes  for  you  to  support  these  local  establishments  while  also  supporYng  fundraising  efforts  for  our  club.      

Be  sure  to  take  advantage  of  these  offers!  

WELCOME  TO  OUR  NEWEST  SPONSORS!

Visit  SportsClips  in  Southern  Pines  for  discounted  haircuts  or  upgraded  services.    Be  on  the  lookout  next  month  for  our  Coach  of  the  month  and  a  special  

gie  from  SportClips!  

If you would like information on

becoming a sponsor please contact

tiffany@acsandhills.

ACS Dining Nights are here!!

Join us for fun & to support your club!

Buffalo Wild Wings: Thursday Feb. 25th, 6-10pm

Hickory Tavern: Monday, March 7th, 4pm-Close (12am)