Rush clubs around the world are faced with the challenge of keeping players and coaches engaged at home during the ongoing health crisis. Rush implemented the Rush Rolls On Virtual Learning Center, providing daily content for both players of all ages and coaches. 

Minnesota Rush uses creativity to implement its own programming in an effort to keep its club connected and active from their own homes.

“Like so many other clubs, we are trying to keep the players involved and their minds focused on their love for the game,” said Minnesota Rush executive director Kevin Lowery. 

The club’s new programming aimed at achieving this, include a unique spin on the Juggle Club. 

“Basically, we want videos of players juggling the ball,” Lowery said . “It can be from 1st graders all the way up to the advanced U17 Premier players. We want to share the love of the game across Minnesota Rush Nation.”

Minnesota Rush has put its players to the Trash Can Challenge as well, calling for videos illustrating the most creative ways to score in a trash can. 

“The idea behind this one is to keep them busy and their minds focused on something other than the effects of the pandemic,” Lowery said.

Communicating with coaches and their teams is another challenge Minnesota Rush is addressing head-on. 

“FaceTime has been a huge success - most coaches have met individually with their players or they have met as a whole team via video video-chatting apps. Again, the idea is to stay connected and focused.”

 Each call focuses on clear objectives, including:

• Understanding the importance of having a daily schedule and sticking to it.

• Ways to continue learning outside of soccer. 

• Working to improve as an individual and as a team.

• How to become the best teammate possible for the betterment of the entire group.

At every level, individual coaches are keeping their teams engaged, such as the online FIFA20 tournament that Lowery’s U13 boys team created to compete with each other.

“We will continue to come up with challenges for the players and coaches,” Lowery said.