The one skill that differentiates a good vs. a great soccer player is the ability to use her opposite foot. Since there are no handicap ramps on a soccer field, opponents will quickly take advantage of you once this inadequacy is exposed.
In April of 2002 I founded the Left Foot Club. Players qualify if they can show me in practice and game situations that they can use either foot effectively without hesitation. Currently, there are 18 LFC members: Maggie Belnap (Arlington, VT); Clare Kelley, Amanda Connors, Melanie Thulin, Lizzie Jorgensen, Naomi Johnson, Rebecca Montafrey, Aryn Iannuzzi (Manchester, VT); Samantha Labate (Londonderry, VT); Meaghan McKee (White Creek, NY); Grace Delurey and Maritza Gonzales (Hoosick Falls, NY); Abby McKearin (Proctor, VT); and Brianna Thibeault (Salem, NY); and Danielle Marmer, Willa Bryant, Carol Herbert, and Skylar Casey (Dorset, VT).
LFC members are given an Adias white/green head band with the Left Foot Club insignia stitched on it - truly unique and priceless as far as what it means to each player.
Pictures (click on pics to enlarge)
Above Left - This black and white photo is Coach Houseman in 1967 using his opposite (right) foot playing for Chatham High School in Chatham, NJ. Not bad form for an old timer.
Above Right - Part of the 2008 Mountain Soccer "Dream Team" are LFC members (left to right) Melanie Thulin, Dee Marmer, Naomi Johnson, Maritza Gonzales, Samantha Labate, and Lizzie Jorgensen. Having 6 ambidextrous players on the same team was truly special.
Left - The Cinderella Girl - Maritza Gonzales got extra motivation from me in 2007. My team did their indoor winter training (2006-2010) at the Afrims Center in Latham NY. Maritza called me one night saying she had left one of her soccer shoes at the complex. I asked her what was the "make and model". Shown here is Coach Houseman placing her shoe back on her left foot with her promise that she would start using it. At the end of the season she entered the Left Foot Club.
Newest Members From Dorset Middle School
Below Left - On October 15, 2015 Willa Bryant became the 16th member of the Left Foot Club. She is only the 3rd fifth grader to make this club joining Rebecca Montafrey and Abby McKearin. Shown below is a picture of Aryn Iannuzzi (15th member) with Willa on this magical night.
Right - On November 7, 2016 Carol Herbert and Skylar Casey became the 17th
and 18th members of the Left Foot Club. Carol is only the 2nd goalie to make the club joining Brianna Thibeault of Salem NY. Skylar joins a long list of LFC strikers including Clare Kelley, Lizzie Jorgensen, Rebecca Montafrey, Grace Delurey, Abby McKearin, and Danielle (Dee) Marmer. Pictured on the right is Willa Bryant (16th member) welcoming her teammates Carol and Skylar into the LFC.
Right - On November 13, 2017 Dorset co-captains Julia Brand and Tatum Sands earned a well deserved entry into the Left Foot Club. Julia and Tatum used their left foot in practice and games effectively and without hesitation. The "deal was sealed" when both players scored goals left footed and at a considerable distance from the net. Immediately after the awards banquet, each girl donned their LFC headband and hoisted their left foot in celebration.
Below Right - On November 5, 2018 Kate Andres became a LFC member. She dedicated the entire 2018 season to developing her left foot and did so with great success. Kate reminds me of Rebecca Monfaufrey, a LFC member and currently on the BBA varsity. Rebecca became so confident with her left foot that it seemed to be her more reliable kicking option. Shown below are Kate and Willa Bryant (2018 captain and LFC member).
Above - On October 18, 2019 Nell Bryant (far right) entered the LFC as its 22nd member. Pictured with her (left to right) are LFCs Kate Andres, Skylar Casey, and Nell's sister Willa Bryant.
Please refer to the Left Foot Club photo album in the right margin. In it are photos of all LFC members with a brief bio on each player..