RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

River Soccer Club: Travel Team Program

2018-2019 Parent & Player

Informational Packet

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

River Soccer Club’s Philosophy

River Soccer Club is a grassroots club in Southern Delaware, USA. Our club's focus is the long-term development of our community by empowering people through soccer. RSC believes that players, coaches, volunteers, and board members develop critical life skills through their participation in sport and sporting organizations. Soccer, as a player-centered sport, is particularly good at developing those skills. Players and coaches of all levels will find an opportunity for empowerment and development at River Soccer Club.

River Soccer Club’s Travel Team Philosophy

River Soccer Club believes that to maximize long term player development we must nurture “Player Enjoyment”. Our goal is to produce self-motivated soccer players; not players that are motivated by outside influences (such as coaches, parents, trophies, or results). Self-motivated players are driven to get better because they truly love the game. Picture the player who hangs around the club all day, kicks a soccer ball wherever they go, plays constantly in their backyard, street, beach, and tennis courts; these are the players who will develop into the elite player. The self-motivated player will have long fulfilling soccer careers maximizing their full potential. Our goal at River SC is to develop the self-motivated player by nurturing passion, cultivating desire, and providing a high-quality soccer education. For over 20 years, RSC has grown numerous elite players and teams through the “Player Enjoyment” model. This premier experience soccer has been achieved through the following ways: 1. High Quality Coaching- “Best Coaches for the Best Players”

a. USSF Licensed Coaches- proven abilities through rigorous testing and hundreds of hours of course work and professional development

b. Professional Educators-many coaches are teachers by profession making them experts in childhood development, instruction, and player management

c. Home Grown Talent- Players who grew up here through our system, can attest for our process, played at the highest levels, and returned to coach and pass along their knowledge and experiences

d. Non-Parent Coaches- they are here because the love soccer, not a paycheck, not for their kids, they are truly passionate about the game

e. Facilitate engaging, fun, age appropriate training sessions aligned with RSC’s player development curriculum

2. Well-Balanced Competitive Schedule a. Training is the Emphasis- At least 2 to 1 Training to Game ratio, training is where most of the learning

occurs b. Reasonable number of competitive games and reasonable travel distance for competitive games, too

much travel is expensive and can lead to player burn out c. “.500” the Perfect Season- win games to build confidence and try new things, need to lose games to

push your boundaries/comfort zone 3. “Soccer Paradise” (RSC Complex)

a. RSC is the premier soccer facility on Delmarva and rivals any facility in the world 4. Appropriate Parent Expectations

a. Supportive, knowledgeable, bought into our process 5. Emphasis on Development

a. Not results driven, but process focused, are we improving? b. Substance over image: praising effort, growth, and character over results

Overall River Soccer Club’s focus is the long-term development of our community by empowering people

through soccer.

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

Parent Expectations What is soccer success for 8 to 14 year olds?

*Learning to Train: 8-10 - mastering the ball, learning how to train properly, and creating a foundation for team work *Training to Train: 11-14 - continuation of mastering the ball and learning principles of play.

Fun + Growing as a soccer player = success Notice that we have not mentioned winning or losing. What is the first question you ask your player that has just finished a game…?

- Did you win? or Did you have fun? - What was the score? or What’s the coolest thing you/ the team did?

Road to Soccer-Parent Success 1.) Follow RSC Parent guidelines for success:

- Show Up - volunteer, come to schedule events, etc. - Communicate - problems, concerns, ideas, joys - Be Respectful

2.) Parents and spectators must not coach or yell instructions from the sideline.

- Let players solve problems on the field on their own. Yelling instructions to players robs them of a chance to solve those problems and hurts the development of their soccer awareness.

- Players end up confused and frustrated - Respect opponents, other fans, and match officials

So I can’t say anything from the sideline, I can’t cheer on my child? - provide encouragement after the play is over, but do not yell instructions during (or after) the play.

3.) Be a Parent not a Coach after games and training sessions: What does your car ride home sound like?

- Types of Praise: Effort vs. Results orientated - Tell them how you thought they could have done better or tell them that you love watching

them play? - Talk about how your teammates and coach lost the game or talk about a couple great plays? - Let kids bring up the soccer and if they don’t bring it up talk about something totally unrelated

to soccer.

What if I lose my way of the “road to soccer-parent success”? - RSC will help you find your way with gentle reminders. - If gentle reminders do not help then a Formal Reprimand will be issued; three Formal

Reprimands in a year are grounds for suspension from RSC

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

Volunteerism WHY SHOULD WE VOLUNTEER? IF FOR NO OTHER REASON, YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S NUMBER ONE ROLE MODEL. WHY DO VOLUNTEERS GET INVOLVED?

1. Altruism: The unselfish concern for the welfare of others 2. Community Improvement 3. The Direct Benefit of Volunteer’s Own Children 4. Acquisition of New Skills 5. Self-Satisfaction:

Greater life-satisfaction and self esteem Better sense of control over life and physical health Lower levels of depression Higher degree of Happiness

WHY VOLUNTEER AT RIVER? We need you. River Soccer Club is a nonprofit and could not function without the support of its volunteers. It is a great way to hang out with your kids and watch them develop. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Fields, Concession Stand, Coaching, Refereeing, Team Management, Columbus Day Tournament, Building Upkeep, Helping with Registrations, Selling Merchandise, Fund Raising…….One Hour, Two Hours, it all Helps. Contact Information: Tom Timmons Fields and Complex 302-542-1504 tomtimmons120@gmail.com Howard Gerken Fields and Complex 302-542-8389 hgerken@verizon.net Rob Engel Recreation Programs 410-952-2138 robert.engel@mchsi.com Rebecca Mais President 302-462-5662 rgmais@comcast.net Brandt Mais Director of Coaching 302-46205019 bmais@alumni.flagler.edu

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

Player Expectations

What is soccer success for you? Greatness is maximizing your potential

Fun + Growing as a Soccer Player = Success Road to Soccer-Player Success

1.) Follow RSC Player guidelines for *success: - Show Up - Try Hard - Be Respectful

2.) Be a student-athlete - Success in the classroom becomes success on the soccer field - Drink water not soda, eat healthy food - Active lifestyle

3.) Wear your RSC gear - Practice Uniform:

- Grey try-out shirt or other Grey River SC Training Top , black/white shorts, black/white socks; other RSC gear is a good second choice

- Game Day Gear: - Must always bring BOTH Uniforms (jerseys, shorts, socks) - BLACK RSC Jacket- warm up top, rain jacket and/or hoodie

- "To be a duck you must first walk like a duck and quack like a duck."

What if I lose my way on the “road to soccer-player success”? - Your coach and RSC staff will give you gentle reminders to get you back on the road. - If gentle reminders do not help you back on to the road to success you a Formal

Reprimand will be issued; three Formal Reprimands and you can be suspended from RSC.

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

Tentative Schedule ▪ June:

o Signing Day Event- Introduction to the Coaching Staff, players, and parents, Player and Parent Packet presented

by Coach and River SC Technical Staff, 3v3 player tournament, & Social

▪ July: OFF

▪ August: o Pre-Season Team Camp: (August 13th-18th)- training with Professional Scottish Coaches & Team Coaches

o Training- 3rd week o Team Meeting- Fall Schedule

▪ September:

o Training (2x week) o EDP League- games on Sundays

▪ October: o Training (2x week) o EDP League - games on Sundays o Tournament: October 5th-7th- Columbus Day Tournament: River Soccer Club

▪ November: o Training (2x week) o Tournament: November 17th-18th- Hempfield Classic: Lancaster, PA (*must book hotel room through manager) o Team Meeting- Fall Season “Wrap-up” & Winter Schedule

▪ December:

o OCPR & RSC Futsal Select League (Indoor)- training and games on Sundays at Ocean City Northside Park

▪ January-February: o OCPR & RSC Futsal Select League (Indoor)- training and games on Sundays at Ocean City Northside Park o Tournament: (Date TBA) - EDP Delmarva Cup: Fruitland, MD or UD Futsal Classic: Newark, DE

▪ March o Training (2x week)

o Tournament: (Date TBA) - St. Patrick s Day Indoor Soccer Tournament: Ocean City Northside Park

o Team Meeting- Winter Season “Wrap-up”& Spring Schedule

▪ April: o Training (2x week) o EDP League - games on Sundays

o Tournament: (Date TBA typical last weekend in April) - FC Continental Invitational: Downingtown, PA (1 Day

Tournament)

▪ May:

o Training (2x week) o EDP League- games on Sundays o Tournament: TBA

o Team Meeting/End of the Year Celebration- Wrap-up the year & Try-Out Info o Try-Outs for the next year

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

Cost & Payment Schedule *Cost below will vary from team to team based on age groups, number of players on roster, tournaments change fees, etc… This provides you with a general guideline of the costs. The payment deadlines are set and do not change. *All payments are calculated & collected by your Team Manager. Checks should be made to your team name. *If cost of travel team program is an issue, there is financial aid available.

Signing Day Deposit Fees Description of Fee Amount EDP League Fall Season 8x games, Spring Season 8x game, & Ref fees $110

Tournament -RSC Columbus Day ($500 per team) $50

Carding USYSA- $15 US Club- $25

$40

Total: Due Date: Signing Day $200 Fall Payment Fees Description of Fee Amount Coaching

-Running training sessions & Managing games ($100 per player) -Hotel Room ($250 per team) – Travel Cash ($50 per team)

$120

Club

-Operating Complex Cost: field maintenance , liability insurance, electricity, complex manager salary, -Staff: Director of Coaching & Technical Directors

$75

Tournament -Hempfield Adidas Fall Classic ($735) $75 Total: Payment 1: $150 1st week of September

Payment 2: $120 1st week of October $270

Winter Payment Fees Description of Fee Amount Coaching -Running training sessions (1x week) $50 League River Futsal Select League ($50 per player) $50 2x Tournaments -Delmarva Futsal Cup ($275 per team = $25 per player)

-Ocean City St. Patty’s Day ($400 per team = $40 per player) $65

Total: Due Date: 1st week of November $165 Spring Payment Fees Description of Fee Amount Club

-Operating Complex Cost: field maintenance , liability insurance, electricity, complex manager salary, -Staff: Director of Coaching & Technical Directors

$75

Coaching

-Running training sessions & Managing games ($100 per player) Travel Cash (2x $50 total)

$120

EDP League Referee Fees ($240) $25

2x Tournaments -Delaware Rush Spring Classic ($550 per team) -Continental FC Spring Invitational ($450 per team)

$100

Total: Payment 1: $150 Last week of January Payment 2: $170 Last week in February

$320

$1,000 for 10 months = $100 per month Games: 12-16x EDP Games, 6x Tournaments (20-24x games), Total= 30-36x Competitive Games Training: Fall 24x Training Sessions, Winter Futsal 8x Sessions Spring 20x Training Sessions, Total: At least 52x Training Sessions Facilities: Bermuda & Light USSF Standard Field

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

Mail Completed Work Log to:

River Soccer Club c/o Rebecca Mais

P.O. Box 1599 Bethany Beach, DE 19930

Financial Aid Request

1. No individual or family will be denied participation due to an inability to pay fees. 2. Applications for Financial Aid must be given to the team manager. 3. Applications will then be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee and presented to the

Board for approval. 4. Each application for assistance will be kept in confidential file. 5. Upon approval for Financial Aid, player or parent is required to volunteer 1 hour of service

at RSC for $20 of aid requested. For example, 10 hours of work would be required for $100 of Financial Aid. Work Logs to record hours will be located in the red binder inside the clubhouse. To assure confidentiality, please sign-in by using the player ID that will be issued to each applicant, NOT by player or parent name. The team manager will be responsible for recording the hours worked into the Work Log. Areas for volunteering include, but not limited to, working in the concession stand field maintenance, etc...

6. When work is completed the team manager will submit the work Log top committee member, at which point a check will be sent to the team manager. If you have ANY questions, please call Rebecca Mais 302-462-5662

Player Name: Team: Parent: Parent Phone: Season: Cost of Season: Team Manager: Coach:

Have you been awarded Financial Aid in the past? If Financial Aid is awarded, which area will you volunteer most likely your time? i.e., concessions, field maintenance, etc… Reason for requesting Financial Aid:

Funds are limited, please apply as early as possible

Player Name: Team:

For Office Use Only Dated Received: Amount Rewarded: Player ID#

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

Outstanding Payment Procedure

Player Name: Team: Parent: Parent Phone: Season: Cost of Season: Team Manager: Coach:

Missed Payment Deadline Plan of Action Timeline *Date of Missed Payment:

Timeline & Action: Date: RSC Signature: Parent Signature:

After 1 week, friendly reminder from manager, can be text or call

Manager:

After 2 weeks, firm reminder from manager (face to face) with payment plan or financial aid option

Manager:

After 3 weeks, meeting with coach reviews options

Coach:

After 4 weeks, meeting with River Staff, must commit to plan

River Staff:

After 5 weeks, with no progress, consequences are unrolled as follows:

Manager:

Consequences After 4x warnings & not following through with financial aid or payment plan:

1. Not permitted to play in games, but will be able to continue training throughout the duration of the current season

2. Not permitted to return following season after a River Team Management Committee Hearing including Coach, Manager, and Technical Staff

3. Card will not be released with outstanding dues

If the normal payment structure is an issue, the parent MUST choose one of the following options: Alternative Payment Plan- developed between the manager and parent that better fits the financial needs and schedule of the family and team agreed between the two parties

• Signed document with outline of plan with dates and amount of payments (given to parent, manager, coach, and River Staff)

Or Financial Aid- No individual or family should be denied participation due to inability to pay fees. Financial aid is based on need and has the expectation for the player and/or family will volunteer for the club to compensate for the aid requested.

• Signed document with a schedule of work to fulfill, contact info for work, amount needed (given to parent, manager, coach, and River Financial Aid Officer)

I hereby understand and agree to the terms above: Parent: Date: Team Manager: Date:

RSC Travel Team Information Packet River Soccer Club

How to Order the Travel Uniform

Step 1: Provide your manager with the following information

• Player First Name

• Player Last Name

• Player Position

• Desired Player # and optional player #

• Parent email (please print clearly)

Step 2: Managers will provide the information to me via email once the roster is complete

Step 3: I will input information into our portal at soccer.com Step 4: Email will be sent directly to parent within 24-48 hours Step 5: Parent orders uniform and other items, items are paid for by parent and items are sent directly to parent.

• Any problems with uniform such as sizing is between parent and soccer.com

• Don’t wait to order uniforms

• http://www.soccer.com/playerpassnav/teamGateway_2.0.php?club_id=15627452

River Soccer Club Merchandise • Great official River SC Gear is available through soccer.com

• Adidas & soccer.com brand: jackets, training shirts, hoodies, rain jackets, polos, extra socks, hats, etc…

• Go to riversoccerclub.com & click on the “River Store” link on the home page