NEW SOCCER CLUB FORMS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

The Southeast Missouri Soccer Club, Inc., has announced the formation of a new soccer club based in Southeast Missouri.

The club announced that nine competitive teams will make up the charter membership. Each of these nine team are, or will be, registered with the Missouri Youth Soccer Association (MESA).

The teams are based in Cape Girardeau and Jackson and all coaches will be licensed by MYSA.

"Youth soccer is sweeping the country, with millions of young players nationwide," said Craig Billmeyer, president of the club. "Soccer really caught on in Southeast Missouri about 12 years ago. Now, there are a lot of great young athletes in Southeast Missouri competing with the best players in Missouri and the Midwest. Our goal is give these athletes the opportunity to develop their skills to the highest level, while at the same time fostering sportsmanship, discipline and character."

To oversee the technical training of the players, the new club has contracted with K-N Soccer, owned by Heather and Paul Nelson.

Paul Nelson will act as director of training and coaching for the club and brings with him 11 seasons of professional playing experience in North America and Europe.

Since retiring as a player, Nelson has been involved in every aspect of coaching from boys and girls club teams to the men's Olympic teams in homeland of Canada.

"The club is excited to have the Nelsons associated," said Billmeyer. "Heather's and Paul's professional backgrounds and teaching experience are incredibly impressive. But most important, they have the ability to teach soccer skills in an enjoyable and competitive atmosphere emphasizing the development of each player's self-confidence. As teachers and role models, the Nelsons will provide a unique and positive situation for the boys and girls in this area."

The nine charter teams include several established and successful area teams: the U-16 girls Sabres, coached by Taylor Bahn; the U-12 girls coached by Kevin Priester; the Cape Terror, U-11 boys, coached by Billmeyer, Herb Wedemeier and Jay Moore; the U-10 Raiders, coached by Mike Himmelberg and Shafiq Malik; and the U-10 girls Bumblebees, coached by Mike Frank.

The remaining charter members include the following new teams: Sidewinders U-13 girls, coached by Greg Nagel and Priester; the Crew, an U-10 boys team coached by Tim Dodd and Roy McMillian; the U-9 Lady Sweepers coached by Chris Edmonds, Robyn Gross and Tim Pleimann; and an U-9 boys team coached by Tom Viers and Steve Green.

Although the charter teams are at this time composed primarily of players from Cape Girardeau and Jackson, the club's intent is to offer training for players from across Southeast Missouri, including Sikeston, Perryville, Poplar Bluff, Kennett and everywhere in between.

It is contemplated that the club will add additional teams for U-9 boys, U-9 girls, U-11 girls, U-12 boys and U-13 boys. Restricted and unrestricted tryouts will be held according to MYSA rules and regulations, but no later than July 7, 2000. Eventually the club hopes to accommodate at least two teams in each age group. Anyone requiring additional information can call Billmeyer at 335-4181 or Priester at 243-6308.