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The Heart of Soccer in the Upper Valley
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Subscriber First Name, Welcome to our March Newsletter!
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At Lightning Soccer Club, we believe development goes beyond the field. It’s about helping our players grow stronger, healthier, and more prepared for the game. This month’s newsletter highlights our focus on injury prevention, inspired by a recent article on ACL injuries and supported by LSC parent and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Sparks. We also share updates from our winter training sessions, along with two new summer opportunities for high school players preparing for the fall season. You’ll also hear from our Director of Coaching, Sasa Cirovic, on the importance of training, and get to know a little more about the person behind LSC communications in our Inside Lightning SC feature. Thank you for being part of the Lightning community 💚⚡️
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Knee Injury Awareness — Dr. Michael Sparks
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The article explores the rise in ACL injuries in youth sports, particularly among female athletes, and highlights an important point: many of these injuries can be reduced with the right strength training and movement education. We’re fortunate to have Dr. Michael Sparks, an LSC parent and orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee care, as part of our community. “As both a parent and an orthopedic surgeon, I’m grateful to see LSC taking sports-related injuries — especially ACL tears — seriously,” says Dr. Sparks.
Dr. Sparks is currently working with the club on a program that will engage athletes, coaches, and families around injury prevention, general fitness, growth-related aches and pains, and the mental health aspects of injuries. More details will be shared in the coming months.
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Catch the latest from Lightning SC
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Winter Fitness at Leverone
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Our High School age group has officially begun their winter fitness phase, focusing on building the physical foundation needed for a strong spring season. These sessions emphasize injury prevention, strength development, coordination, speed mechanics, and overall athletic durability.
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Ball work at Dartmouth Alumni Gym
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Our younger age groups have kicked off weekend practice sessions at the Dartmouth Alumni Gym! Players have been hard at work developing their skills through a mix of touch work, 1v1 battles, and small-sided games.
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Lightning Soccer Club is offering two summer opportunities to help high school players build momentum ahead of the fall season. Both programs are open to all incoming 9th–12th grade boys and girls. 1️⃣ Summer Training & Fitness
A 7-week program (June 22–August 6) with two sessions per week focused on technical development, game play, soccer-specific fitness, and injury prevention.
Cost: $265 2️⃣ Preseason Prep Camp
A 4-day intensive camp (August 10–13) designed to sharpen tactical awareness, increase competitive sharpness, and prepare players for preseason and tryouts.
Cost: $225 Both programs emphasize strong training environments, game-realistic situations, and consistent development. 👉 Full details and registration available on our website.
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Why Training on Your Own Makes a Difference
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A Note from Director of Coaching Sasa Cirovic
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When you train on your own, you call the shots. Want to work on your first touch, try out a new trick, or finally get that left foot up to speed? Go for it! You get to focus on the things you care about, at your own pace. Spending that extra time on your own also helps build habits like discipline and self-motivation, which benefit you both on the field and in everyday life. When you see your hard work pay off, it can be a big confidence boost. You will notice the difference when you play your next game. |
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Most importantly, individual training lets you grow your love for soccer on your own terms. Every touch and activity is another opportunity to enjoy the game and challenge yourself. Tips for Effective Individual Training Many players believe they are training on their own, but often they are just outside kicking the ball around. To get the most from your solo sessions, try these tips: Set a specific goal for each session, such as improving passing accuracy or working on dribbling moves. Use cones or markers to create small drills that challenge your control and footwork. Keep track of your progress by timing yourself or counting successful repetitions. Focus on quality over quantity; a focused 20-minute session is better than an hour of unfocused practice. Use the power of visualization. Picture yourself in a game situation, making the perfect pass, shot, or tackle. This mental practice helps translate skills from training to real matches. Record yourself on video so you can see your technique and look for areas to improve.
A little extra effort can make a big difference. I look forward to seeing everyone's progress. Sasa Cirovic
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The Inside Lightning SC series is designed to spotlight the people who make our community special — coaches, players, alumni, families, and founders. To kick things off, I thought I’d start by introducing myself. So here it goes, an interview with… myself. |
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1. What’s your role within LSC?
I coach the 2008 Boys and 2008 Girls teams, and I also manage club communications. If you see someone walking around the fields with a camera, that’s probably me 🙂 2. What is your favorite soccer moment as a player?
Winning the National Championship with the University of Montreal in 2018, the first in the program’s history. Sharing that moment after years of hard work made it even more meaningful. 3. How would you describe your coaching style?
High standards, clear expectations, and positive energy. I’ll push players because I genuinely believe in what they’re capable of. 4. What was your first ever jersey?
I remember my parents getting me an Olympique Lyonnais jersey with Peguy Luyindula on the back. I loved watching him because he was such a smart forward. Always making great runs behind the defense and finishing with composure. 5. What’s your prediction for the 2026 Champions League and 2026 World Cup?
As a Frenchman, I have to go with Paris Saint-Germain winning back-to-back Champions League titles and France bringing home a third World Cup. Allez les bleus! 🇫🇷
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Thank you to our partners, businesses and families who help make Lightning Soccer Club possible. Your support fuels opportunities for every player who steps on the field.
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