April 21, 2023

Fremont Rush Soccer Club President Fernando Colmenares Talks About Tryouts!

Insights from Club President, Fernando Colmenares

As the president of Fremont Rush Soccer, Fernando Colmenares plays a crucial role during tryout season. His main responsibility is to ensure that his club provides a positive environment for all players, both on and off the field. To achieve this, he works closely with his Director of Coaching to evaluate players fairly and make decisions that are in the best interest of the team as a whole. In this interview, Fernando talks about the steps his club takes to prepare for tryouts, how he handles the stress and pressure of tryout season, and his advice to parents and players during this critical time.


Fremont Rush: What role do you play as the club president of Fremont Rush Soccer during tryout season?

Club President Fernando:  As the club president, my primary role during tryout season is to oversee the entire process and ensure that it runs smoothly. I work closely with our Director of Coaching to evaluate players and make decisions about which players will be selected for each team. I also communicate with our coaches, parents, and players to provide guidance and support throughout the process. Additionally, I am responsible for ensuring that our club's 11 core values and principles are upheld during tryouts and that everyone involved has a positive experience.


Fremont Rush: How will you be working with your Director of Coaching during tryout season?

Club President Fernando: I will be working very closely with our Director of Coaching to ensure that the tryouts are conducted fairly and efficiently. The Director of Coaching is responsible for overseeing the tryout process and evaluating the players alongside our coaching staff. We will be in constant communication to ensure that the tryouts are running smoothly and that all of our coaches have the necessary resources and support.


Fremont Rush: What steps does your club take to prepare for tryouts?

Club President Fernando: We start preparing for tryouts months in advance. We review our current rosters, evaluate our coaches, and determine what teams we will be fielding for the upcoming season. We then communicate with our coaches to ensure that they understand what we are looking for in each age group and skill level. We also communicate with our parents and players to make sure that they know what to expect during the tryout process.

Fremont Rush: What is the ultimate goal of tryouts for Fremont Rush Soccer?

Club President Fernando: The ultimate goal of tryouts is to select players who will help our teams be successful and who will benefit from the development opportunities we offer. We want to create a positive and competitive environment that challenges our players to improve and grow both on and off the field. Tryouts are just one piece of that puzzle, but they are an important step in identifying the right players for our club.


Fremont Rush: How do you handle the stress and pressure of tryout season?

Club President Fernando: Tryout season can be stressful for everyone involved, but as the club president, I try to stay focused on the big picture. My goal is to make sure that we are providing the best possible environment for our players to develop and succeed, and that means making some tough decisions during tryouts. I rely on my experience and the experience of our coaches to make those decisions, and I try to stay positive and supportive of everyone involved.


Fremont Rush: What advice do you have for parents and players during tryouts?

Club President Fernando:  My advice to parents and players is to trust the process. Tryouts can be nerve-wracking, but they are an important part of the development process. Players should focus on playing their best and showcasing their skills, while parents should focus on supporting their children and trusting that the coaches will make the best decisions for the team. I also encourage parents to communicate with their coaches if they have any concerns or questions during the tryout process. Open communication is key to ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved.

By Zee Kerawala August 3, 2025
PROVIDING SUPPORT AND EDUCATION TO YOUTH SOCCER PARENTS VIA THE SOCCERPARENTRESOURCECENTER.COM
By Zee Kerawala July 22, 2025
Via Tricity Voice:  Summer break is filled with fun for kids whether it be from vacation, water parks or summer sports programs. This year Fremont Rush Soccer Club has ensured that every child has the chance to have fun in the sun by launching a special program: TOPSoccer . TOPSoccer is an inclusive soccer program for kids ages 5 to 18 with intellectual or physical disabilities. This past spring, the program debuted its first session at the Karl Nordvik Park in Fremont. “We’ve been trying to build something for kids who may not have the same access to the soccer fields or sports that other kids may have because of either learning disabilities or physical disabilities,” said Fremont Rush founder and president Fernando Colmenares. Each season consists of six Friday evening hour-long sessions where each participant is paired with a volunteer coach or buddy for one-on-one attention. Each session’s activities are completely dependent on the abilities of the players and what they are most excited to do. For example, some sessions will consist of giant soccer balls being kicked around just for fun, while others may have a little bit more structure like having players try to score goals. “Some kids may get really into it and start to dribble around and shoot goals, some kids may like to be out there just running around. It’s whatever the needs of each player are,” explained Colmenares. Fremont Rush director Jerry Losson has been the driving force behind the launch of the program. “I pitched the idea to Fernando Colmenares and Zee Kerawala, our general manager and they both liked the idea and explained that they had previously attempted to start the program. We were all in at that point and went after it,” said Losson. With Losson’s 34 years of teaching in the Fremont Unified School District, he was able to spread the word. “I was also able to leverage my personal and professional connections within Fremont Unified and surrounding school districts [New Haven and Newark] to connect with a variety of schools, their service learning hour coordinators and their special-needs programs coordinators, to get connected with student volunteers to help the TOPSoccer athletes,” said Losson. Alejandra Nangeyali, a mom of one of the players said, “During the first practice I was surprised to see that there were more volunteers than players, which is hard to accomplish because usually there are never enough volunteers for special needs sports.” As much fun as the TOPSoccer is for the kids, parents have also discovered a benefit of their own. “I like connecting with parents who understand having a special needs child and there’s no judgement,” shared parent Patricia Noanchanh. For those parents who are interested in TOPSoccer, Colmenares said, “They can feel confident that someone else is thinking about their kid, someone else is thinking about how we can make an experience better for them. For one day out there you get to watch your son or daughter be an athlete.” View the original article: https://tricityvoice.com/fremont-soccer-club-launches-inclusive-program/
By Zee Kerawala March 19, 2025
Fremont Rush Soccer proudly hosted our first-ever Starting XI Pizza Party at Bombay Pizza House to celebrate our January 2025 recipients! These 11 standout players, selected by their coaches, demonstrated exceptional dedication, sportsmanship, and one of the Rush Core Values on and off the field. Players and their families gathered at Bombay Pizza House, where they enjoyed a dine-in pizza party featuring: 🍕 One Large Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza 🍕 One Large Specialty Pizza of Their Choice 🥤 Two 2-Liter Sodas 🧄 Three Orders of Garlic Sticks In addition to the delicious food, the event brought teammates together, strengthened the Rush community, and emphasized the importance of recognizing player achievements. As part of this significant milestone, each recipient was awarded the inaugural Starting XI certificate, acknowledging their hard work, commitment, and embodiment of Rush values. This new tradition adds a meaningful aspect to our monthly celebration, providing players with a lasting keepsake to commemorate their achievements. 📸 Check Out the Highlights! 📸 Relive the fun from our first Starting XI celebration by browsing the event photos here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-jNjhTx We extend our sincere appreciation to Bombay Pizza House for their ongoing support, hospitality, and commitment to our Rush players. Their partnership allows us to create meaningful moments while giving back to our athletes. We can’t wait for next month’s Starting XI celebration! Keep working hard, Rush players - your next pizza party could be just around the corner! Go Rush! ⚽🔥
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