2010 Message from Mark Gibbs, Director of Coaching
The 2010/11 soccer season is but a few months away, and the planning process to ensure a successful year has commenced. Before I announce a few new initiatives for this coming season, I would like to recap some highlights from last year:

Successes in 2009/10
Participation - During the 2009 soccer season, Houston Express was home to over 900 players and 60 teams representing the club. We have an additional 1,000 players in our West U Recreational program on over 130 teams.

College Bound Players
Ryan Lichtarge – Washington University, Robby Tarver – Centre College, Alison Cowling – Rhodes College, Noah Guiberson – John Hopkins University and Megan Engel - McMurry University . Well done!

Olympic Development Program (ODP)
Congratulations to our players who have been selected to the ODP teams and will represent South Texas this summer. Good luck to the following players: Enrique Dosa, Jordan Egan, Bram Lloyd, Stephen Luther, Joe Wager and Jerimiah Wright.

Houston Dynamo Junior Academy Players
Brendan Amos, Perry Corrigan, Cameron Johnson, Lucka Lazarevic, Lisandro Sanchez Cane, Jake Schachter, Chris Short, Peter Prentice, Cameron Williams and Mitchell Williams.

2010 Houston Express Adidas Cup
We are pleased to announce that the inaugural Houston Express Adidas Cup was held February 6 & 7, 2010 at the South Campus! This is an 8 v 8 tournament for Under 9 thru Under 12 teams. We had a total of 64 teams – A huge thank you to all the players, volunteers that took the time to make this a huge success for the club.

STAFF – Congratulations to the following staff on national qualification licensure success.
Vedad Hedjilic – A
Agge Covic – B
Ned Dozlic – B
Michael Matter - C

Labor Day Tournament ’09 - We experienced a fast start to the season that weekend with numerous teams playing in finals in three separate cities: Dallas, Austin, and Houston.

Initiatives for 2010
Expansion of Volunteer Base - The Board of Directors needs your help to expand awareness of the Club. Areas of help include: refereeing games, fundraising, managing teams, sponsoring teams, helping out with club photos, the directory and many other opportunities. Help wanted….we need you!

Fields - Tired of using the porta-potty at the South Campus? As we seek to complete the fields at the South Campus facility, please consider a donation to help. You can do this by going to the following link www.southcampus.org or you can contact the club President, Bob Corrigan, rcorrigan@fulbright.com, for more information. In addition, all youth sports clubs resident at South Campus (HESC, West U Little, League, West U Softball, Houston Youth Lacrosse and Southwest Football League) have agreed to add an annual $25 fee to registration to finish out the South Campus facility.

Adidas partnership – Adidas is once again the primary uniform vendor for the club. To assist with the efficient start-up of the 2010 season, the Board has already ordered its uniforms from ADIDAS. You are able to go to Soccer4All, 2425 Rice Blvd, and have your player try on a sample uniform today to assure proper sizing!

Summer Camp Reminder
For a full schedule of available Summer Camps, please refer to the www.houstonexpresssoccer.org

The Houston Express Mission:
Houston Express Soccer has developed teams and players in Houston for the last 30 years. We strive to instill a love for the game in our young players and cultivate that passion as each athlete matures. We seek to promote character and self-confidence in each of our players and pride in our players, teams and our club. We work to foster an environment that allows each player to participate at a level appropriate with his or her interest and ability, be it recreational or competitive. Houston Express Soccer takes pride in the development of club members as athletes, students and responsible young men and women.

The Houston Express Philosophy:
Houston Express Soccer seeks to enhance the development of soccer players at all levels of play in and around the Houston area. We are a full service organization that is committed to serving competitive and recreational player in coordination and cooperation with other local clubs and local, state and and national sports associations to ensure
that all young men and women have the opportunity to play soccer. Current Houston Express Soccer players, and those interested in playing with the club this coming Fall, will have the opportunity to participate in an open selection and evaluation process in their respective age group. Following a professional evaluation of all interested candidates, Express Soccer will offer candidates the opportunity to join teams that play at appropriate skill levels for the coming year. Professional and qualified trainers train all Express Soccer teams, developmental, recreational and competitive.