To all of Bozeman Blitzz FC,

I wanted to introduce myself as the new Club Coach for Bozeman Blitzz FC for the 2005-2006 season.  I always look forward to the next season of coaching and this next season is no different.  The Club (and by club I mean the players, parents, and coaches) has done a wonderful job of creating what GotSoccer.com ranks as the #1 club in Montana.  I see my main responsibility as helping the club maintain this competitive level and also to help the younger players develop into the next generation of fútbol players that will continue, and maybe improve upon, what players before them have accomplished.

I am originally from Anaconda, MT.  I first started playing fútbol with some Columbians who moved to Anaconda and start playing pickup games in the park near my home.  I also remember soccer day camps put on by Rich Brauss.  I was then fortunate enough to attend a small college in Kansas, Saint Mary College.  Through my hard work and determination, I was able to walk on to the soccer squad.  Over the years, I moved from Goalkeeper to midfield and loved every minute that I was on the pitch.  While SMC was only a small NAIA college, I had many great experiences that only fed my passion for the game.  I then moved to Bozeman in 1994 and started coaching for the club in 1998 (thanks to my wife, Amy).  I have coached many teams at many age groups and have participated in many tournaments, including the regional tournament.   Recently, I just received my USSF C license (#21775).  I have many years of coaching experience, but I am always looking to improve myself as a coach.

Over the next month, I will be overseeing player evaluations for the younger age groups followed by the older age groups in November.  Each year that I have coached for the club has always brought new challenges in evaluating players and using the evaluations to form the most competitive teams yet maximizing the number of players participating in fútbol.  This has always been a difficult process and I ask that all be patient while the club works to form teams for the upcoming season. 

As the teams are being formed, coaches will also be determined.  I will be helping the coaching committee evaluate coaches, new and old, and matching those coaches to the appropriate team.  Because of the high attrition rate of coaches each year, the club is always looking for committed, enthusiastic coaches and I would encourage any such individuals to contact the coaches committee or myself. 

As the teams prepare for the upcoming season, I will be working closely with each coach to develop a seasonal plan for the team.  I feel strongly that players need to have a strong desire to play if they are to be successful. In order for coaches to instill that desire, they must provide those players with experiences.  Those experiences are game-orientated training sessions, in-state games, local tournaments, and the long-distance, national tournaments.  Players will never remember the training drill where they practice the step-over move, but they will always remember when they used it to beat a defender on the #10 ranked team in the nation. 

As I have always told my teams, I have an open door policy when it comes to parents and players.  I believe that communication is the first step (and most times last) to preventing issues that will arise during a season.  I may not be able to resolve all issues but at least we can start to work together to come to a resolution that is mutually beneficial.

I have some other goals I would like to see accomplished but will wait to see if I will have the time and energy to incorporate them.  Again, I look forward to being the Club Coach and look forward to working with all the players, parents, and coaches. 

Chris Beausoleil