Albion SC 2014 Year in Review With A Look Ahead At The Future
…World Cup experiences, tournament championships, and partnership with Arsenal FC
January 1st marks the beginning of a new year of challenges in soccer yet when the year ends, we reflect. It is a time to look back at the triumphs that made us proud and the moments that inspired us… Diane Scavuzzo chats with Noah Gins, Technical Director of Southern California based Albion Soccer Club for a brief look back at 2014 and sneak peek at what is ahead in 2015.
Diane Scavuzzo: Albion SC is known for serious player development, but let’s also talk about collecting hardware (trophies and medials) and on field success. What have Albion SC teams won in 2014?
Noah Gins: Albion SC teams have won an array of tournament championships and with over 80 teams in the club, our clubhouse is filling up with championship trophies.
The championships stem from Dallas Cup, Albion Cup, Surf Cup and League Championships. One of the most important championship for Albion SC is the US National League and last year, 3 of our teams participated in the prestigious competition. We are 2 games away from sending Albion SC to the National Championship for the 6th year in a row and pushing the US Record to 5 US National League Championships.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the outlook for 2015?
Noah Gins: The club is set on being the best club in the country and realizes that it has a lot to tackle in order to reach that objective, but the leadership of Albion SC smiles at the challenge and sets its focus on the goal.
The club aligned itself with the Arsenal FC, England’s professional club that plays in the Premier League, and we are working hand-in-hand with them to develop our youth soccer players.
Arsenal has an objective to be the best youth soccer Academy in the world and we have an objective to the best club in the US. In order to reach these goals, the club is doing some restructuring and hiring of some key people that will enable the club to become more efficient, more organized, and more elite. 2014 was a successful year and even greater things are on the horizon for 2015.
Diane Scavuzzo: Tell us more about Albion SC’s partnership with Arsenal FC …
Noah Gins: The Arsenal Pro Partnership is the most amazing thing I have seen. We are working direct with Steve Morrow who is the Head of Scouting and Recruiting for Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal FC.
In addition, we have a full time Arsenal Scout that works with us every month. The Arsenal count flies over to work with our youth soccer players and helps us implement the “Arsenal Training Program”.
With Puma and Arsenal fully invested in Albion SC, the program is about to take off and reach another level. We currently have a full blown Albion SC-Arsenal Academy with players training 4x weekly. The top players will be selected to travel and train in London with Arsenal FC – and it is fully funded.
Puma and Arsenal are also creating a US National Program where they will bring in the best youth soccer players to Orlando, Florida to work with scouts and coaches for the opportunity to try out and play for Arsenal in England. The majority of these players will be expected to be developed under Albion SC if they are from the Southern California area. We are very excited to see this program kick off as it will mean incredible opportunity for exposure.
Diane Scavuzzo: It is early yet, but the buzz on youth players looking for roster spots and scholarships is becoming a hot topic. How many Albion SC soccer players received college scholarships?
Noah Gins: We have over 20 players that have already received college scholarship for 2015. There is a heavy load on the girls side and the boys side is now coming in full force. There are some big schools picking up players from this years graduating class and we anticipate our scholarship allocation to reach the $2 Million Dollar Mark. (This is the value of the scholarship over the course of the 4 years.)
Diane Scavuzzo: 2014 was an exciting World Cup year. You were able to be go to the world cup and be in the trenches with Italian National Team – What was it like being with the Italian national players while they competed at the World Cup?
Noah Gins: Albion SC is a PUMA Elite club and I flew down with the Puma executives to join the Italian National team at their private hotel for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. I lived and traveled with the team and coaches. We were at an exclusive resort for the Italian Team, Friends, and Family. It was an amazing experience being with the team and watching the players practice for the biggest soccer event on the planet. And, it was great hanging out with Mario Balotelli and the other players.
When Italy plated England on June 14, and beat them 2-1 it was euphoric. When Italy lost to Costa Rica six days later it was a disappointing but the crushing blow came when the team lost to Uruguay on June 24th. It was unexpected for Italy to be knocked out of the FIFA World in the first stage with a late goal courtesy of Diego Godin. It was great to be on the inside and see how the team handled it.
Diane Scavuzzo: Seeing soccer around the world is important for player development. Albion SC teams usually travel to train and play – what trips are planned for 2015?
Noah Gins: We will be taking a select group of 04-03-02 Boys to Barcelona, Spain to compete in the MIC Cup in April. Also, we plan to open the doors for some players in Holland, and we will then do our annual trip to Brazil with our U13/U14 teams.
