Pegasus FC News: August 2024

FROM THE DOC

Hi All,

Pegasus FC is gearing up for an exciting fall season. I can't wait to see the players return to the fields.

The newsletter will highlight important information for families, including sponsorship news, training schedules, and information on age group leaders.

At Pegasus FC, we believe in a dynamic, possession-based style of play that emphasizes technical skill, tactical awareness, and creative decision-making.

Our coaching philosophy focuses on developing well-rounded players who can thrive on and off the field.

Through progressive training sessions and a player-centric approach, our coaches instill the values of teamwork, discipline, and a competitive spirit in every Pegasus athlete. This holistic development ensures that our players are skilled and have the soccer IQ to make in-game decisions.

Each team will have a dedicated coach. This year, age group leaders will also oversee multiple teams within their assigned age ranges. This structure ensures personalized attention and consistent development across age groups.

Age group meetings will be held in the first two weeks of team training. These sessions will introduce the club leadership and outline plans for the season. Parents and players are encouraged to attend these important informational meetings. The dates and times for each age group meeting will be provided soon.

We're thrilled to welcome DMG as our sponsor this year. Their generous support will fund much-needed scholarships for players throughout the club. This partnership ensures that more young athletes can participate in our programs, regardless of financial constraints.

The Pegasus FC Coaching team is eager to see players and families return to the fields. We're committed to fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for soccer.

Let's make this fall season our best yet!

Cheers

Coach Grant

Grant Ratcliffe

Director of Coaching

grant@pegasusfc.org

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

Pegasus FC Friends & Family Night with the Chicago Fire

All players, family, and friends are welcome to join the club at this outing.

Saturday, September 14th

Kick-off at 7:30pm

Soldier Field

Players, please wear your Pegasus FC jerseys to the game!

Cost: $25 per ticket

Purchase Tickets

SPIRIT WEAR

Show your Pegasus FC spirit with trucker hats, knit hats, hoodies, and more!

Items are available for a Deerfield porch pickup. Sizes are limited and are first ordered, first served.

If you don't see your preferred size or would like other items, check out soccer. com.

Order Here

COACHING CORNER

NEW! Travel Club Age Group Leaders

Age group leaders will oversee multiple teams within their assigned age ranges. This structure ensures personalized attention and consistent player development across age groups.

Age group meetings will be held in the first two weeks of team training. Watch your email for dates and times.

Congratulations On New Coaching License

Our coaching staff spends time off the pitch pursing professional development through earning additional coaching licenses and certificates. Pegasus appreciates the ongoing effort our staff puts into bettering themselves as coaches. Coaches Lupe and Joel earned their National Youth D Coaching Licenses this past spring and summer.

Welcome Coaches Mario and Frankie!

This season, we are excited to welcome Mario Alfaro and Frank Rueda to our lineup. Get to know our new coaches in this newsletter!

Mario Alfaro

Coach Mario

Vernon Hills

mario@pegasusfc.org

National Youth Grassroots Coaching License

You may have seen Coach Mario on the Pegasus FC pitch last spring. We wanted to take a moment to officially introduce him to our club families. He has 27 years of player experience at the youth club, Stevenson High School, local competitive and junior college levels. At Lincoln Junior College, he received special NJCAA recognition as the team’s goalie. He is starting his third year of coaching.

Alfaro credits his father for introducing him to soccer when he was five years old, and the game has been a part of his life ever since. He is grateful for the opportunity to further develop his coaching skills as a part of the Pegasus FC staff.

“I teach my players the importance of determination, so they learn that with their determination, they can achieve anything on or off the pitch,” he shared.

He loves seeing his players note their own skill development and strive to improve.

Welcome to the club Coach Mario!

Frank Rueda

Coach Frankie

Waukegan

frankie@pegasusfc.org

National Youth E Coaching License

Coach Frankie brings with him 10 years of combined coaching and professional playing experience. He played professionally for Mexico City's Lobos de la B.U.A.P team.

His favorite part of coaching is the opportunity to help players grow both as athletes and individuals. "I enjoy fostering teamwork, building confidence, and creating a positive environment where players can develop their skills and passion for the game," he said.

He emphasizes that the lessons learned on the pitch—teamwork, perseverance, and good sportsmanship—transcend the game. "I teach them that working together, overcoming challenges, and respecting the game are fundamental to their personal and our team success."

Coach Frankie is excited to join our club because of its strong reputation for competitive success and its commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment for players.

Welcome to the club Coach Frankie!

PRE-TRAVEL 'LITTLE BALLERS' PROGRAM FALL NOTES

Fall Pre-Travel Session Started Aug.14

Pegasus offers a 10-week fall session to introduce players aged 5-9 (birth years 2016-2019) to the game of soccer. Our professional coaches work with players of all experiences during this program, which focuses on the fundamentals with less commitment than our travel program.

Cost: $300

Uniforms

Each pre-travel player will receive a jersey to wear during the fall session. (no additional cost to player)

TRAVEL CLUB PROGRAM

FALL NOTES

Pegasus FC welcomes several new families to our club this fall from Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, and the surrounding communities. We're excited to welcome you to our family and community.

Team Training Started Week of August 12th

The first two weeks of the season will be group training where coaches assess players and assign rosters for upcoming league games.

You can find your player's training schedule in your PlayMetrics account.

There are multiple training locations. Make sure to note your athlete's training site per session.

NO TRAINING Monday, September 2nd and Thursday, October 31st.

Team Training Ends week of November 11th.

Tournaments

All tournaments are optional. Information will be posted in the PlayMetrics account of registered players when available.

Pre-Season Tournaments:

Tournament team rosters are based upon committed players and not necessarily reflective of team placement for league games.

September Tournament: Pegasus FC teams will not play Friday night games.

League Games Begin Sept 7th Weekend

League games will start after Labor Day weekend.

At the conclusion of August training sessions, team rosters, coaching assignments, and game schedules will be posted in your player's PlayMetrics account.

Make sure your travel player and family are bringing the right gear to training, games and tournaments. View and download our checklists below.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD CHECKLISTS

Travel Game Day and Training Uniforms

All players are required to purchase new uniforms for the 24-26 seasons. Log into your account on soccer.com, select your player, and order.

WATCH FALL SOCCER

Support our high school boys during their fall school seasons.

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

Skills Camps

Over two weeks in June, several Pegasus FC players worked with our coaching staff to improve ball mastery, agility, and one-touch passing.

Pre-Season Training Camps

To prepare for our fall season, our players were back on the pitch working on conditioning, situational awareness, and ball control with our coaches.

ASSISTANT REFEREES NEEDED

Pegasus FC is looking for assistant referees (ARs). To become an AR, an individual needs to be at least 13 years old and complete the training offered by the United States Soccer Federation and the Illinois Soccer Referee Committee (ISRC). Click here to view a list of courses being offered.

For more information on the Pegasus FC Assistant Referee Program, please contact David Gibson at david@pegasusfc.org