Understanding 2020, Looking forward to 2021
What a year! I mean really, I do not know that I have seen a year where so many people were affected in so many ways. The different challenges that we have faced this year on a personal and professional level have been interesting to say the least and, in most cases, unprecedented. It seems that every single person in our Club (Players, Parents, Staff, Volunteers, Alumni) has been affected in some way, and collectively we are just looking forward to putting this year behind us.
But then I must take a closer look at our Club and the positive things we have done this year. It humbles me to think of the challenges our Club has faced and how strong we are as we come to the end of 2020, mid-season for us.
– In a time where Isolation is a strategy, we are still able to provide a source of Community, a source of Togetherness, a source of Bonding and Achievement for kids across the State.
– In a sporadic economy where businesses and non-profits are struggling, we can continue to provide a livelihood for our staff and their families.
– In a year where Non-profit Donations are way down, we were able to provide support to Project 31 and Breast Cancer Awareness to the tune of $13,000.
– In a year where many of our players needed help, we were able to provide over $50,000 in Scholarships and Fee Waivers to our membership.
– When the pandemic required us to cease in person training, we used technology to bring teams together, challenge players, and entertain our membership in ways that were never done before.
And those were just the “Off the Field” accomplishments. On the field, we had what many would say is a “Transformational Season”.
– We joined a new League and Association, OPC under US Club Soccer, to bring our membership the one thing they asked for the most: better, more diverse competition locally.
– With the unexpected demise of US Soccer’s Girls Development, our DA Leadership quickly worked with other top Clubs in the nation and helped found the Girls Academy League, which is quickly being recognized as a Topflight Competition. And, quite frankly, we are beating all expectations. At the Mid-Season mark, we have 3 out of 6 teams in the on top of their division standings.
– We were accepted into the highest level of Boys Soccer in the nation, the US Club Boys ECNL. And again, quite frankly, we are beating all expectations. In what can arguably be called the “Toughest Conference in the League”, and just like the GA girls, we have 3 of 6 teams in the top 2 spots of division standings.
– We introduced regional competition to many of our teams in the Red River NPL, providing an additional level of competition and reviving some past rivalries both In State and Out of State.
And as I look through those many accomplishments, I can easily see that the common factor in all our success is YOU, our membership, your families, and your friends. Without you, there is no OEFC, so from the bottom of our hearts…Oklahoma Energy FC Thanks You!
Thank You for supporting this valuable program in a very uncertain time.
Thank You for allowing us the room to grow as a Club and try new things.
Thank you for constantly putting your trust in our incredible Staff as they work to teach and push our kids to be their best.
Thank You for all the hours that you volunteer and offer your help to your team and our Club.
And Thank You for taking this journey with us. The Strength of any Club is its membership, and I can easily argue we are the Strongest Club Around.
Those of you who know me well know that I wear the OEFC Crest on my person almost every day. That is because of the pride that I have for our Club and all the people that play a part in it. And that Pride is what gives me the confidence that our Tomorrows will be even better than our Todays because of this Oklahoma Energy Family. So here is to 2021 and the exciting future of our Club. Together We Are OK Energy FC!
Take Care of Yourselves and Each other.
Sincerely,
Brian Gordon
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