MSA June Huddle
INSIDE THE ACADEMIES
Summer Hoops at MBA
The MBA Girls and Boys Fiba 3v3 League took place in June and was capped off with our Fiba 3v3 tournament! With 80 total players in the gym, the coach/player energy, fast-paced games, and competitive environment made for an eventful 4-weeks. We see value in learning through live-action games where you can make game-speed mistakes and grow from them over the course of the league.
We're looking forward to our MBA Fiba 3v3 Summer Shootout tournament on August 15th at MSA Woodland!
Our June session of MBA Little Ballers, Youth Academy, and Shooting Series wrapped up in mid-June and we look forward to our next session of camps on July 7-9th. These camps provide an opportunity for all ages and skill levels to get in the gym and learn from our experienced MBA coaching staff consisting of current and former high school/collegiate players.
Come get better with us!
Summer Momentum Continues at MVA
Summer has brought plenty of excitement to MVA, with athletes filling our gyms for camps, skill sessions, and opportunities to continue growing their game. It's been great to see so many familiar faces returning, along with new athletes discovering volleyball for the first time. Beyond the skills being developed, camp has been a chance for athletes to build confidence, make new friends, and enjoy being part of the MVA community. The enthusiasm and energy in the gym have been a great reminder that volleyball season may look a little different in the summer, but the work never stops. As camps continue, we're already turning our attention to the next milestone: tryouts for the 2026–27 club season. We're excited to welcome both returning and new athletes as we begin building teams for another year of competition and development.
Upcoming Tryout Dates
Grand Rapids Rise Academy & National Teams: July 10–11 (by age)
Coast & Shore National Teams: July 13–14 (by age)
Grand Rapids Boys Teams (7th–12th Grade): July 14 & 16
Summer Soccer in Full Swing
Camp 1 brought the energy! Our Half Day and All Day campers packed the week with station rotations, skill development, small-sided games, scrimmages, World Cup competitions, and the always-popular coaches vs. kids games. Players competed, improved, made new friends, and left the field each day excited to come back for more.
We're already looking forward to our next session, coming up July 20–23!
Our Juniors campers also had a blast building their foundation through dribbling, ball mastery, introductory 1v1 activities, and imaginative play. Coach Nina and Coach Cam kept the energy high all week, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back for the next Juniors session July 21–23.
The Goalkeeping Academy and Goal Scoring Academy also kicked off with a great week of training for players looking to elevate their game. Although Day 1 moved indoors due to the heat index, athletes still enjoyed a high-energy session featuring shooting, saves, distribution, setup touches, 1v1s, 2v2s, and plenty of individual development. There were lots of goals scored on one end—and plenty of big saves on the other!
Join us every Monday night for the next five weeks to get in on the action.
There's still plenty of summer left to join us, build confidence, sharpen your skills, and experience everything MFA camps have to offer!
Our first-ever ACGR UWS Women's Team has had an incredible inaugural season, and we could not be more proud of this group for the way they have represented our club and community.
The women will close out their season tonight on the road against Midwest United at 8:30 PM at the Midwest United Complex.
Come out, pack the stands, and help support our women as they finish a special first season!
Parent Corner
When people ask what it took for all four of my sons to play Division I soccer, my answer is always the same: the car rides home after practices and games, especially during the critical ages of 8–15.
Those moments provided opportunities to teach accountability, resilience, and personal responsibility. As parents, we can either allow excuses or encourage our children to focus on what they can control and what they must do to reach their potential. Looking back, some of the most valuable lessons weren't taught on the field—they happened in those conversations on the drive home.
One of the most memorable and relevant examples is when they would enter the car and begin to blame the referee. I would immediately and firmly tell them not to blame anyone, and I would ask them the following questions: "Did you play your hardest?", "Did you let their calls keep you from playing your hardest?", and "What can you do from now until the next time you play to be better prepared?"
Another example is when they would question the coach's decisions, like where they played certain players. I would, facetiously, ask them if they ever coached a team. Then I would tell them to worry about playing hard, being a good teammate, and not to worry about the coach's decisions because you can't control them.
Those conversations weren't always easy, but they were important. As adults, it is our responsibility to guide those conversations and reinforce the right mindset. It is essential not to let them blame coaches, referees, teammates, or circumstances. They need to understand that they alone are responsible for their development and ultimately control their journey. The ride home isn't about reliving the game—it's about helping your athlete grow from it.
Wellness corner
Sleep = Your Best Recovery Tool
Recovery doesn't happen during training—it happens while you sleep.
Aim for:
8-10 hours of sleep each night
Consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule
Limit screen time 30-60 minutes before bed
Benefits:
✔ Faster recovery
✔ Better reaction time
✔ Increased speed and power
✔ Reduced injury risk
✔ Improved decision-making on the field
Train Hard. Recover Hard. Perform Better.
COMMIT. OVERCOME. CONQUER.
JUNE CORE VALUE ATHLETE
Congratulations to ACGR Academy Athlete Hattie VanDerSchaaf who is June's Core Value Athlete who exemplifies
Discipline - Presented by: Chick-fil-A
Thanks for reading this month's edition of The MSA Huddle! We love sharing the stories, accomplishments, and opportunities that make the MSA community so special. Whether you're spending your summer in the gym, on the field, or cheering from the sidelines, we're grateful to have you as part of the MSA family. Stay connected by following us on social media and checking our website for the latest updates—we can't wait to share more with you next month!