About the Club

History

The Vicksburg Soccer Organization (VSO) was organized in 1974 by a group of soccer enthusiasts, including Ed Link and Don Rathburn, both of whom were involved in collegiate soccer before coming to Vicksburg. Several of VSO’s founders were also instrumental in organizing the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). Rathburn served as the first MYSA president and several VSO members participated as MYSA founding officers. The fledgling VSO grew rapidly and by the mid-1980s had surpassed 1,500 registered players. Recognizing the need to provide a progressive learning and developmental environment for players interested in more competitive soccer, the VSO established the Cannon Soccer Club in 1982. Under Bob Kennedy’s direction, the club expanded from its initial Under-16 Boys team to eventually field teams in Under-11 to Under-19 Boys and Under-11 to Under-18 Girls.

As a means to broaden cultural and playing experiences, club teams have traveled internationally. In 1988, the Cannon Soccer Club's Under-19 team played in England, Scotland and Wales, where the team finished third in the prestigious Ian Rush International Tournament. Subsequent teams travelled and played in the former Soviet Union (1990), New Zealand and Australia (1992), and Costa Rica (1995). The Cannon Soccer Club also initiated summer camps as a means to support VSO’s goal of increasing player enjoyment through the skill development and confidence building. Many club players have gone on to compete at the collegiate-level, and several are now among the ranks of college, high school and club coaches. The Club continues to provide effective training and promote understanding of the game through its academy and ongoing developmental programs.

Mission

VSO believes that the pursuit of excellence in the areas of academics and soccer helps develop maturity and self-confidence. We believe that the experiences a player has with VSO will be beneficial throughout his lifetime.

The focus of VSO is the development of the individual player. Our goal is to maximize the development of the individual through programming that challenges each player, a coaching staff that adheres to high standards, and first class facilities. VSO is resolute in dedicating its time and resources to the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological aspects of playing soccer.

Offered Programs

	Recreational: The primary objective of the Recreational program is to introduce the beautiful game of soccer to players under five years of age in a fun and stimulating environment. The focus is on developing their skills to help them be the best soccer players they can be, while maintaining a healthy and fun approach to competitive soccer. Find out more here...
	Academy Style Training Program: The Academy Program is a developmental training program for recreation level soccer players (boys & girls) ages 4-12. It is designed to bring quality training to our younger age groups regardless of their intrinsic athletic ability. The emphasis of the Academy Program is player development by improving on the player's techniques. At this age, it is vital for players to master the skills and fundamentals needed to progress in the game of soccer during their Golden Age of Learning. Winning games is not the focus of the Academy Program, but rather the complete player development. While games will be played, no standings will be kept throughout the season. The Academy Program gives those interested players and parents the additional level of training, normally not available from traditional recreational leagues at many other clubs and organizations. Find out more here...
	Cannon Cadets The Cannon Cadets is a developmental program option open to all U8 and U10 VSO players. The Cannon Cadets program is designed to provide the player with enhanced training during an additional session each week coached by our Professional Coerver®Coach. The Cannon Cadets program is considered a springboard to higher level of soccer training and allows players to experiment slowly with the demands of more competitive soccer, without immediately jumping into our Division I/II program. Find out more here...
	Competitive (Division I and II) - Cannon Soccer Club: Competitive Soccer is a program for those boys and girls aged 9-18 who want a more rigorous training and game schedule than recreational soccer. Select soccer is a one year commitment (both Fall and Spring). Teams are formed annually after the official tryouts have been held (normally in June). Find out more here...
	Coerver® Summer Camps & Coerver® Winter Centers of Excellence: Every year VSO and Cannon Soccer Club put on a Summer Camp, as well as a Winter Center of Excellence. Through our partnership with World's #1 Skills and Player Development Program - Coerver® Coaching, we are able to offer something for every player from 4 to 16 years of age, as well as Goalkeepers. Find out more here...
	TOPS Soccer - Special Needs Children Program TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs. It is designed and administered by US Youth Soccer and its volunteer TOPSoccer committee provides meaningful learning, development and physical participation opportunities to these young athletes through the game of soccer. A TOPSoccer player is defined as any youth player between the ages of 4 and 19 who has a disability that limit their ability to perform at the level of play in which they have chosen to participate.