USIndoor's Official Magazine is a quarterly publication, dedicated to owners, managers, program administrators and other professionals, startups and providers involved with indoor recreational sports facilities.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/54729
Chicago Sting, which was rewarding but, at the time, I wasn't sure that was something that could be my professional career." It was at about that time he was offered the opportunity to manage an indoor soccer facility. Because he played soccer throughout his youth, in high school, at the college level and beyond, and because he has been a coach and an official at those levels, Matt has a dynamic perspective as an indoor soccer facility manager. "I have had the experience from a playing, coaching and officiating standpoint to try to bring the best product to the table when we have our programs and leagues." Growing up, Matt's family owned a restaurant. When he was in college, he and his two brothers took over its As General Manager, Matt is directly involved in the day-to-day operations at Break Away Sports. He referees some of the games. His background is in physical education and exercise physiology, so he runs some of the instructional programs. Break Away Sports Center can offer excellent technical instruction and advanced training because of the experience of its staff. Matt, for example, became a goalkeeper in high school and has been playing goalkeeper and training goalkeepers in the Madison area for years. Since Matt is technically oriented, his training begins with body mechanics. He wants goalies to use proper technique. Speed and agility training is a sport in and of itself these days, and most facilities need some form of it to be competitive. management, so he has some ideas about how to run a business as well. "We wrap that up into our advanced training," says Matt. "There are a number of companies in this area that do a lot of exclusive training like that–agility training–so we try to wrap it up a little bit differently." At Break Away Sports Center, the training is specific to soccer, utilizing agility drills and enhancing them with ball movement and soccer play. "We also do a lot of private lessons. Most are technical lessons for single individuals." A trainer works with a player on specific moves that apply to his or her position and explains how the way a player moves affects his or her control of the ball and, sometimes, the outcome of the game. "I also do private lessons for goalkeepers." Matt is involved in these activities for two reasons: his clientele and his employees. He knows his relationship with these two groups is integral to the success of his business. "Keeping a pulse on the community and having that direct association with our customers is really important. It's also important for the WINTER2012 9