Topher Fields Vision Statement
John Gaspar’s words have hung over the Peoria soccer community for nearly 40 years. When asked how long does it take to become a truly great soccer player, John replies, unapologetically, “thousands of hours.” Now, either that makes your heart sink a little or it is an adrenaline rush. Either way, you know if you belong at John Gaspar Soccer Academy (JGSA).
Or not.
John has been the singular driving force for high level soccer since he arrived in the Peoria area via his position at Caterpillar in the early 70’s. He had played professionally in Europe but his calling was truly in coaching and developing the skills of others. In discussion with John, you will hear him have as much or more pride in assists than goals – the hallmark of someone who is energized by helping others succeed and this is John’s gift. John started Peoria Soccer Club in 1978. He started Sporting Football Club (SFC) in 1994. He started JGSA in 2004 to reinvigorate the development of the high quality soccer talent in central Illinois. Throughout his tenure, John has been a passionate leader in bringing the Beautiful Game to our area and enhancing its stature.
Countless past Players of the Year, Division I, all-state and all-area players credit John as their singular mentor and developer. His accolades are too numerous to count – from state champions to national recognition – but you would never know it by talking with him. John prides himself on the commitment and effort that his kids and families have to one another. His greatest pride and joy is in his former players who are giving back to the game by coaching our young players. It is through them that John’s words and passion will live on. Having little time for politics or status, John will give a chance to any child who shows a willingness to learn and the discipline to pursue soccer in its purest form. His focus is and has always been on fundamentals and skills. If a child can learn those basics by the age of 12, they can learn to read the game thereafter and become a tactician. Too much time in youth soccer is focused on winning at a young age instead of individual player development and this is why kids end up missing their full potential at older ages. The real subtlety in soccer training is the unique difficulty of mastering foot-eye coordination versus simple hand-eye sports like basketball, baseball and American football. When you look at professional sports around the world, you will see the plateau that happens in these sports when athletes who can dunk or smash homeruns can barely shoot free throws or strike out three times more often than they hit homers. Watch the artistry of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and you will see both athletics and honed skills working together.
Why is it John Gaspar Soccer Academy anyway? When you look around, there are soccer clubs. There are park districts. There are very few Academies throughout the Midwest. The model for John’s academy is the Lisbon Sporting Academy. If you explore their website, you will see a singular dedication to the skill development for the player as its core, and the inevitable team successes organically come thereafter. The Academy is a teaching institution, first, and not a social or status-driven club. Looking around the world, if you want to develop first rate athletes, the American version of traveling sports (aka social clubs) falls short of the mark. John wants to use the Academy model to invest his time in the kids and their families who truly want to become great soccer players.
Why Topher Fields and why now? Topher Fiddes was a member of the first true Academy style team that John had, the SFC ‘86 Premier Boys. Their state championships were a testament to dedication, passion and a team that followed John’s philosophy unwaveringly. It was with this team that John was voted National Youth Soccer Coach of the year in 2001. Topher embodied the spirit, commitment and love of the game that John preaches. His mother is John’s wife, Christine, and he held a special place in the heart of all who knew him. His tragic death in a car accident was an enormous loss. His lasting memorial as the namesake of the fields will stand as a reminder to all of how to carry yourself as an teammate and a friend.
The future of JGSA and Topher Fields is in your hands. The ambitious commitment to creating 19 acres of Academy training fields is big. Ownership over the training and grounds lies squarely with John and Christine. This will not be a status driven club where money and power is used to influence the club. John sincerely wants to reach more kids in central Illinois who have a passion for the game and give them year round, professional training. To get these fields ready for a spring 2015 use, there is a lot of work to be done. Plowing, grading and seeding the fields is first. Only after that can parking, buildings and more be done. 2014 is the year to lay the foundation so that next year, this starts to evolve into the facility it is intended to be.
The chatter is already there. Schools, park districts and clubs from around the area are curious and excited to see John take his vision to the next level. Kids have been flocking to the Academy over the winter, craving the authority, commitment and pedigree that only John has in central Illinois. It is time for us to step up, as Academy parents and supporters, to make this happen. With your support, JGSA and Topher Fields will be operational by the Spring of 2015 and capable of hosting high level select tournaments by 2017.
Thousands of hours and dollars are needed to make this a reality. Does this make your heart race or sink? We welcome all who want to be a part of John’s vision.
Or not.
John has been the singular driving force for high level soccer since he arrived in the Peoria area via his position at Caterpillar in the early 70’s. He had played professionally in Europe but his calling was truly in coaching and developing the skills of others. In discussion with John, you will hear him have as much or more pride in assists than goals – the hallmark of someone who is energized by helping others succeed and this is John’s gift. John started Peoria Soccer Club in 1978. He started Sporting Football Club (SFC) in 1994. He started JGSA in 2004 to reinvigorate the development of the high quality soccer talent in central Illinois. Throughout his tenure, John has been a passionate leader in bringing the Beautiful Game to our area and enhancing its stature.
Countless past Players of the Year, Division I, all-state and all-area players credit John as their singular mentor and developer. His accolades are too numerous to count – from state champions to national recognition – but you would never know it by talking with him. John prides himself on the commitment and effort that his kids and families have to one another. His greatest pride and joy is in his former players who are giving back to the game by coaching our young players. It is through them that John’s words and passion will live on. Having little time for politics or status, John will give a chance to any child who shows a willingness to learn and the discipline to pursue soccer in its purest form. His focus is and has always been on fundamentals and skills. If a child can learn those basics by the age of 12, they can learn to read the game thereafter and become a tactician. Too much time in youth soccer is focused on winning at a young age instead of individual player development and this is why kids end up missing their full potential at older ages. The real subtlety in soccer training is the unique difficulty of mastering foot-eye coordination versus simple hand-eye sports like basketball, baseball and American football. When you look at professional sports around the world, you will see the plateau that happens in these sports when athletes who can dunk or smash homeruns can barely shoot free throws or strike out three times more often than they hit homers. Watch the artistry of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and you will see both athletics and honed skills working together.
Why is it John Gaspar Soccer Academy anyway? When you look around, there are soccer clubs. There are park districts. There are very few Academies throughout the Midwest. The model for John’s academy is the Lisbon Sporting Academy. If you explore their website, you will see a singular dedication to the skill development for the player as its core, and the inevitable team successes organically come thereafter. The Academy is a teaching institution, first, and not a social or status-driven club. Looking around the world, if you want to develop first rate athletes, the American version of traveling sports (aka social clubs) falls short of the mark. John wants to use the Academy model to invest his time in the kids and their families who truly want to become great soccer players.
Why Topher Fields and why now? Topher Fiddes was a member of the first true Academy style team that John had, the SFC ‘86 Premier Boys. Their state championships were a testament to dedication, passion and a team that followed John’s philosophy unwaveringly. It was with this team that John was voted National Youth Soccer Coach of the year in 2001. Topher embodied the spirit, commitment and love of the game that John preaches. His mother is John’s wife, Christine, and he held a special place in the heart of all who knew him. His tragic death in a car accident was an enormous loss. His lasting memorial as the namesake of the fields will stand as a reminder to all of how to carry yourself as an teammate and a friend.
The future of JGSA and Topher Fields is in your hands. The ambitious commitment to creating 19 acres of Academy training fields is big. Ownership over the training and grounds lies squarely with John and Christine. This will not be a status driven club where money and power is used to influence the club. John sincerely wants to reach more kids in central Illinois who have a passion for the game and give them year round, professional training. To get these fields ready for a spring 2015 use, there is a lot of work to be done. Plowing, grading and seeding the fields is first. Only after that can parking, buildings and more be done. 2014 is the year to lay the foundation so that next year, this starts to evolve into the facility it is intended to be.
The chatter is already there. Schools, park districts and clubs from around the area are curious and excited to see John take his vision to the next level. Kids have been flocking to the Academy over the winter, craving the authority, commitment and pedigree that only John has in central Illinois. It is time for us to step up, as Academy parents and supporters, to make this happen. With your support, JGSA and Topher Fields will be operational by the Spring of 2015 and capable of hosting high level select tournaments by 2017.
Thousands of hours and dollars are needed to make this a reality. Does this make your heart race or sink? We welcome all who want to be a part of John’s vision.