Grand Island Soccer Club

Official Grand Island Soccer Club Web Site

2005 Grand Island Soccer Club News




Board of Directors
President Ray Billica
Vice President Tom Armusewicz, Secretary Anne Blonski, Treasurer Cathy Grande
Registrar Mark Schimley, Registrar Sherry Schimley, Risk Mgmt. Angelo Grande
Gary LaLiberty (Equip. Coor.), Ed Barnaby (Travel Coor.), Terri Pitts (House Coor.)
Rom Figler (U6 Coor.), Donna Lavallee, Director, Tony Pariso, Director, Bill Tixier, Director





Grand Island Soccer Club Registration - 2005
   The Grand Island Soccer Club will hold registration for the 2005 season on Saturday, March 5, 2005 and Saturday, March 12 at the following locations:
• Saturday, March 5 - 1-4 p.m. - M.O.G. (Medically Oriented Gym) 1801 Grand Island Blvd.
• Saturday, March 12 - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Technology Camp of America, 2090 Grand Island Blvd.
   Applications will soon be mailed to last year’s players. Applications will also be available at the Grand Island Memorial Library and Town Hall. Applications may be returned by mail and must be received by March 15.





Soccer Club Seeks Volunteers - 2004
   The Grand Island Soccer Club is looking for volunteers to attend their meetings and to get involved with the Club administration. All are welcome to attend the next meeting on Monday, November 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Island Memorial Library.





Soccer Club Travel Tryouts - 2004
   The Grand Island Soccer Club will hold Travel 2005 Tryouts on:
• Sunday, September 19
• Saturday, September 25
• Sunday, September 26
at Veteran’s Park. Click
Grand Island Soccer Club for complete information.
"Please note: the U12 Boys Travel Soccer Tryouts will be on Saturday, 9/25 from 1:00 - 2:30 (instead of Sunday)".





Soccer Club Seeks Ideas for Its July 4th Parade Appearance - 2004
   Every year, local sports teams, clubs and groups of all kinds participate in Grand Island’s Fourth Of July Parade. Over 1,000 kids play soccer in Grand Island’s house and travel leagues and this year Grand Island Soccer Club wants to make a world-class appearance in the parade. "What we need now are ideas, manpower and materials," a Soccer Club spokesman told the Grand Island E-News this week. "We don’t want to just walk down the road. We want to add some pizzazz to the parade!"
   Those interested in getting involved are asked to email House League Coordinator, Terri Pitts at
terripitts@adelphia.net. Grand Island Soccer Club challenges all teams, clubs and groups to join their enthusiasm to step up and make this parade the best its ever been!
   This year's Grand Island Independence Day parade will take place on Saturday, July 3, 2004.





Error On Soccer Club Application - 2004
   Grand Island Soccer Club parents take note: applications for the 2004 season, recently mailed to last year's players, have incorrect dates for the U8 and U9 age groups. Correct birthdates are:
• U8 December 1, 1995-November 30, 1996 - $50
• U9 December 1, 1994-November 30, 1995 - $60





Grand Island Soccer Club Registration - 2004
   The Grand Island Soccer Club will hold registration for its 2004 House Soccer League at the Grand Island Memorial Library Meeting Room from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2004 and from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2004.
   All applications must be postmarked by March 15. Applications received with a postmark after March 15 will be placed on a waiting list. The waiting list will only be used to fill empty spots on teams. There is a high probability that players on the waiting list will not be placed on a team. "Send in your application now so your youngster will not be denied a chance to play this year."
   First time GISC players must submit a copy of their birth certificate with the registration form.
   Each player will receive a team shirt, shorts and socks. Every child must wear shin guards at games and practices. All players need to bring a soccer ball to games and practices. U6 Instruction uses a size 3, U7 – U12 use a Size 4 and U15 uses a size 5. Customized GISC soccer balls are available for $8.00 on the registration form.
   Coaches and assistant coaches are needed. No experience necessary – volunteers will be trained through clinics. Referees are also needed and should be 13 years of age and have played travel soccer. The Soccer Club is always looking for volunteers to help the Board with its many duties. Those interested in helping in any way are asked to check the volunteer section on page 2 of the registration form.
   For questions about Grand Island Soccer Club’s House League, go to
www.gisoccerclub.org or contact the House League Coordinator, Terri Pitts at 870-4512, TerriPitts@aol.com. For questions regarding Registration, call Donna Tomkins at 773-7523 or Robin Vertino at 773-1366.
   Next Board meeting is Monday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library meeting room.





Grand Island Soccer Club Seeks Volunteers - 2003
   The Grand Island Soccer Club’s House League is seeking volunteers to take a leadership role in the 2004 season. Strategic planning meetings will begin this fall. If your son(s) or daughter(s) play House Soccer and you want to make a difference, please contact the House League Coordinator, Terri Pitts, by email at TerriPitts@aol.com or by phone at 716-870-4512.





U-10 Grand Island Fire Soccer Team Is Division Champ - 2003

Click photo for a larger view.
U-10 champs from front left are Sara McNulty, Renee Doermer, Sara Victor, Kailie Baldes, Jenna Raepple; (back) Assistant Coach Chris Hollander, MaKallie Banker, Sara Wilczek, Jeannie Taylor, Kelly Stark, Ariana Mendel, Sarah Palazza, Coach Brett Banker.

   The U-10 Grand Island Fire Soccer Team finished the season with a 17-3-1 overall record. The team captured their division championship and finished 8-1 in three tournaments! The U-10 Grand Island Fire Soccer Team is affiliated with the Grand Island Soccer Club and is coached by Brett Banker and Assistant Coach Chris Hollander.





Grand Island Soccer Club Registration - 2003
   The Grand Island Soccer Club is accepting application for players to participate in the 2003 house league from July to September. All applications must be postmarked by Feb. 10. Late applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Applications can be downloaded from www.gisoccerclub.org and are available at the town hall, recreation department and library. The only in-person registration will be 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday at the library. Call 773-3436.
   A new policy is in effect this year. There is a deadline of February 10; all applications must be postmarked by Feb. 10: and all applications received with a postmark after Feb. 10 will be placed on a waiting list. There is a high probability that players on the waiting list will not be placed on a team. Applications should be sent in immediately "so your youngster will not be denied a chance a play this year."
   Applications will be sent to all previous house league players and handed out in schools. Applications are also available at the town hall, recreation department and library. Applications can also be downloaded off the club's web site at www.gisoccerclub.org.
   The only "in person" registration will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the library from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information on registration, call 773-3436.




Soccer Club Receives $4,000 Check From Legislator Swanick


November 9, 2002
Click for larger view
Fred Claus Photo

The Grand Island Soccer Club was the recipient of a check for $4,000 which was presented by Erie County Legislator Charles M. Swanick on Saturday morning, November 9, 2002 at the Sidway School Complex Soccer Field. Receiving the Erie County funded check are Soccer Club President Ray Billica (left center) and Vice President Thomas Armkusewicz. The funding will be used for the rehabilitation of the Field. In attendance for the presentation were soccer players and parents from the various age groups. The $4,000 appropriation will correct the rutted surface, aerate, topdress and overseed the top surface. Completion will create a safer playing surface for the estimated 1200 youths who use these fields.

Soccer Carnival and Clinic
A Soccer Carnival and Clinic will be held from 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday, July 21, 2001, at Veterans Park on fields 1, 2 and 3 along Bedell Road. The clinic is scheduled from 2-3 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Grand Island Soccer Club

Special Thanks
Letter To The Editor


Grand Island Chicks Soccer Teammates (left) Tina Coates, Kim Walker, Jenna Podlucky, Katie Loiselle and Jen Rogan with Coach Peter Kuehne. Click for larger view.
   On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, I had the privilege to coach five young ladies at a National 3V3 Soccer Tournament in Orlando, Florida. These young ladies, named the GI Chicks, are: Tina Coates, Katie Loiselle, Jenna Podlucky, Jen Rogan and Kim Walker. This is whom I will be talking about. With the bad publicity our children of Grand Island have been receiving lately, it'll be nice to report how these young ladies made us proud to be Islanders.
   What started to be friends entering a local 3V3 soccer tournament, it turned out to be so much more. After winning locally, the next step was the regionals in Hershey, PA. The Chicks placed third, giving them the opportunity to go to the nationals in the Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando, Florda. Understanding that this was going to be a great financial burden, the Chicks reached out to our community for support. They wrote letters to local businesses and various clubs, sold candy bars at Bills' games and conducted a raffle. The overwhelming support received surpassed all expectations.
   This is written to tell you that the support did not go to waste, and we can be very proud how these five young ladies represented Grand Island.
   The Chicks played their hearts out, going undefeated in the first round. Then, unfortunately, we were eliminated in the playoffs.
   Their sportsmanship on and off the field was another outstanding attribute. One example of this is when the teams were waiting for the next game to be played, the Chicks went out of their way to talk to an Under 7 girls team from Tampa, Florida. The team was named the Knights; they were in the recreational divison and hadn't won or even scored a goal.
   The Knights were so excited that the Chicks took interest in them that they came to the Chicks next game to root them on. We also went to watch the Knights, cheering them every scoring opportunity or even if they just crossed the mid field. Their love for the game and just having the opportunity to participate made everyone excited. They were so overwhelmed that the Chicks came to watch their game that they sometimes just stopped on field to hear them cheer. The parents of the Knights were so thankful and appreciative of the Chicks, telling us numerous times how nice and thoughtful our five young ladies were. It made me proud to be associated with this team. It also prompted me to write this letter letting everyone who supported the GI Chicks know that contributions they gave were not wasted. We do have something to be proud of with the youth of Grand Island.
   I would like to personally thank the chicks and their parents for including me in a wonderful experience.
   Thanks again.
Coach Peter Kuehne

GI Chicks - Pride of Grand Island

   The GI Chicks were among 650 teams from 35 states (eight from WNY) who played in the Sunny Delight 3v3 Tournament at the Wide World of Sports Park in Disney, Orlando, Florida over the weekend of January 13, 2001. The Chicks went undefeated in the first round posting a 1-0-2 record. In the first game against a very physical Rome, NY team the Chicks posted a very convincing 8-4 victory. In the afternoon game against a local Florida team, the Chicks took a quick lead not letting their apponents into the game. But as the temperature hit a balmy 80 degrees, the Chicks began to fatique but hung on to a 5-5 tie. The third game the Chicks played was against a strong Illinois team. In a defensive struggle the game ended tie 2-2. With a 1-0-2 record, this allowed the Chicks to advance to the second round. In a match against another team from Illinois this was the first time the Chicks fell behind. The Chicks battled back but in the end they were elimated 5-3.

Good Luck G.I. Chicks
Off to Sunny Delight 3 v.3 Championships in Florida

GI Chicks Grateful To Sponsors
   The G.I. Chicks Soccer Team travels to Orlando, Florida to represent the Island and WNY at the Sunny Delight 3 v. 3 Soccer National championships this Saturday and Sunday, January 13 and 14.
Teammates Jenn Rogan, Kim Walker, Jenna Podlucky, Katie Loiselle & Tina Coates and their families would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting them and making the trip possible.
   Grand Island Soccer Club, Grand Island Lions Club, Dick Gerspach/Island Pools, Councilman Dick Crawford, George Casey, GaryAstridge/astridge International, Lou Macro/Grand Island Optical, Chris Stedman/Blue Water Marina, Dr. and Mrs. Russell Colosi, Dr. Harper & Dr. Rohan/Grand Island Small Animal Hospital, Thomas DeCarlo/DeCarlo Collision, Councilman Mary Cooke, Supervisor Peter McMahon, Frederick Mellon/Melltronics Industrial, Inc., Cheek Certo/G.I. Physical Therapy, John Simon/Super Gas, BOC Edwards, Grand Island Rod & Gun Club, Deb Hutzler/Heatherstone Kennels, Lyn Laman, Grand Island Rotary Club, VFW Post #9249, Elizabeth Hopkins/E.H. Enterprises, L. Wright, DDS, Citizens for Sam Hoyt, Allan Glessner/Cozy Landscaping, William Franger, Dr. Charles G. Rader/Occiental Chemical, Zonta Club,WELCA/Lutheran Women of St. Timothy Church, Dick Krawczyk/Adrians Pizza, Mike Mongan/Beach House Restaurant, Ilona Lang/Cathy & Jim's Restaurant, John Baedeker/Chocolate House, Anthony Gelose/Gelose Art in Flowers, Councilman Mike Heftka, Larry Demme/Holiday Inn Grand Island, Mike Samland/HSBC Bank-Grand Island, Patty Hachee/Island Tanning, Kathleen Conn/Jaco's Pizza, Joe Sirianni/Empire Sportswear, Kevin Kelly/Kelly's Country Store, Maria DelSignore/Maria's Hallmark, M&T Bank-Grand Island, Bev Davey/Peppermill Restaurant, Kevin Slaichak/Picasso's Pizza, Pizza Hut-Grand Island, Mike Hachee/Rose Liquor Store, John Ali/Soft & Shine Car Wash, Tim Callahan/Tim's Sunoco, Michelle Harris/Tops Markets Grand Island, Mike Carr/Village Inn Restaurant, Applauzz Hair Salon/Tonawanda, Robert Schiffauer/Buffalo Athletic Club, Dr. Mark L. Delmonte/Niagara Family Chiropractic, Ted Knox/Target-Amherst Store, and BarbiLare/Images.
   The G.I. Chicks and their families would also like to thank all the people who purchased candy bars and raffle tickets from them at various locations around Grand Island. "Because of the generosity of everyone who contributed, the team has raised the money needed to attend the tournament. We are very appreciative of the enthusiasm and support that these individuals, service organizations and businesses have shown us. Their contributions made it possible for us to reach our goal."    In addition, the G.I. Chicks and their families would like to extend an extra spacial thank you to the members of VFW Post #9249 for their extremely generous sponsorship contribution.
   "Thank you again for your overwhelming support. We are very fortunate to have experienced first hand what a caring and giving community Grand Island truly is."
   Our best wishes to Jenn Rogan, Kim Walker, Jenna Podlucky, Katie Loiselle & Tina Coates.

GI Chicks announce raffle winners
The G.I. Chicks Soccer Team thanks everyone who purchased tickets for their fundraising raffle. Winners of gift packages from the following sponsors are: Linda - Sabres Tickets/Village Inn Cert.; Paul Kieffer - Holiday Inn/Pizza Hut/Rose Liquor; Sharon Kane - Buffalo Athletic Club/Niagara Family Chiropractic; Brian McFee - Target Gift Card/Adrian's Pizza; Carla Rader - Island Tanning/Niagara Family Chiropractic/Pizza Hut; Josephine Zelawski - Maria's Hallmark/Beach House Restaurant; John Podlucky - McMahon's Steak House/Regal Movie Passes; D. Hoffman - Beach House Rest./Gelose Art in Flowers/Chocolate House/Regal Movie passes; Mike Redmen - Kelly's Country Store/Jaco's Pizza; Toni Brown - Fantastic Sam's/Picasso's Pizza; Diane Grant - Adrian's Pizza/Applauzz Hair Salon; Judy Lowes -Soft & Shine Car Wash/Cathy & Jim's Restaurant/Tim's Sunoco; Lance Frieday - Tops Markets/Peppermill Restaurant; Bob Coe - Grand Island Afghan.

GI Chicks thank sponsors
The G.I. Chicks Soccer team would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting them in their efforts to represent Grand Island and Western New York at the Sunny Delight 3 v. 3 Soccer National Championships to be held in Orlando, Florida this coming January: