|
|
 |
Cobras recognized in GOAL Magazine
 | | |
Click here to read the "reprinted" article from the March, 2001 issue of GOAL Magazine.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (Nothing Suffices Except the Best) is the motto of the Cleveland Cobras. It also happens to be the motto of Everton, the "other" Liverpool club. Sean and Leslie McNamara, who run the club, are, as they say in Liverpool, "true blue."
The journey from Southport in northern England to owning a youth soccer club is a source of amazement to Sean. Nonetheless, that is what now occupies him and he is having a lot of fun - as well as success - at it.
Sean was Coaching Director at the Cobra club for 10 years before he and Leslie took it over. At that time there were four teams in the club. Now, with 20 teams, a strong girls' program, a growing boys' program and at least one State Cup champion team each year since Sean and Leslie became owners, the Cobras are one of the leading clubs in Cleveland.
There is a clear emphasis on education in the choice of coaches. Of the nine on staff five are also teachers; Patrice Coyne is a child psychologist and Justin Catlett is in medical school. Walter Schlothauer played for the Force and the Crunch; Paul Hames, a recent addition to the staff, is a teacher, an "A" licensed coach and a former player on the Canadian Olympic team; and Scott Simpson of Medina HS was voted Conference Coach of the Year. Sean himself was a regional ODP coach for several years.
It is the girls' program that is now most visable. Like many Englishmen, Sean in his wife's words, "didn't take girls' soccer seriously at first. Now he sees it not as coaching girls, but coaching soccer players."
In an environment as competitive as Cleveland, the problem that Sean encounters most, he confesses, is that "we're not a magnet for players looking for success. It's frustrating to find so many youngsters interested in instant gratification, rather than development."
"Any success we have is well earned."
But his teams are a pleasure to watch. Technically sound, cheerful in victory or defeat, they are excellent ambassadors for the club.
One of GOAL's favorites is the girls' team that played in Cleveland last year in the U12-bracket. They had a rough Saturday, losing 1-3 to the Centennial Mischief from New Jersey. Then, later in the day, they came up against the ultimate winners the Internationals, who sent the Cobra girls home early.
All this adversity was handled with philosophical temperament and huge grins.
We look forward to seeing Sean's teams again this season and, if good humor wins championships, to seeing them capture a title of two.
|
|
