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Aim of the Recreational Program

WHAT WE INTEND TO DO AND ACHIEVE

1.   Provide exciting and developmental soccer opportunities for children from U5 upwards and cater to all ability levels.

2.   Foster enthusiasm and a love for the game of soccer.
3.   Develop sportsmanship.
4.   Assist capable players to progress further along our “Player Pathway for Development”.

Objectives of the Recreational Program

HOW WE INTEND TO ACHIEVE THE ABOVE AIMS

1.   The Blair Soccer Club (“BSC”) will offer our players the best program possible with the resources available. This will include organization of teams and game schedules, coaching support for team coaches and professional coaching at camps, clinics and other program initiatives.
2.   The Club’s philosophy, codes of conduct and the theme of coaches’ clinics will promote enjoyment of the sport.
3.   Sport and in particular soccer are excellent tools to develop sportsmanship and other life skills.
4.   We will achieve these goals by impacting what the players do at practice sessions and games throughout the recreational program, by offering camps and clinics to further develop skills, and offering more advanced coaching to particularly talented players.
 

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U5/U6 & U8 PROGRAM

The U6 and U8 age groups are key in the development of soccer players. Our Club philosophy, in line with that of the United States Soccer Federation and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America is that soccer activities within this age must be FUN and ENJOYABLE above all else. Therefore, soccer at this age should be 100% pressure free and the results are not important. At this age children need to have fun playing soccer games, scrimmages and getting as many touches on the ball as possible.

U10 PROGRAM

The U10 age group will focus on enjoyment and developing individual player technique and skill. At this age children develop a desire to learn and improve and also the desire to win. However, in order for players to develop at their full potential there should be less emphasis on results and more emphasis on “how we can improve”.  This program will focus on enjoyment, technical ability with the ball and skill development. It will ensure that every BSC player in this age group receives a good developmental program.

GENERAL

Throughout our program we must remember that we are providing a service for kids. Kids play because they want to enjoy themselves. So the program we provide should always be enjoyable. We aim to provide all players with a genuine player pathway for development, i.e. the ability to progress to the level of soccer each player is capable of and wants to. Players of all ages are encouraged to attend camps and clinics offered by our volunteer staff. This program is to provide fun, enjoyment and team athletic opportunity for players of all abilities and is all about participation in the game of soccer. Let’s not take it too serious and allow the players to get the most out of their soccer experience.

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The Club’s board and volunteer staff will direct and oversee all activities of the Blair Soccer Club.

The link between the club board and the recreational program is:

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT STAFF

In order for the Blair Soccer Club to operate efficiently, to develop effectively and to provide high quality programs and facilities for our members our board has designated volunteers to manage the Blair Soccer Club and our programs. They are the following:

Volunteer parents are appointed as coaches when teams are formed each season. They coordinate the activities of individual teams under the direction of the Club’s board and volunteer staff.

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PLAYING TIME
Players should receive equal playing time and should play a minimum of 50% of each game they attend. Players are expected to attend scheduled practice sessions and a good record of attendance is expected. If players fail to attend practice on a regular basis and without good reason then 50% playing time within games is not guaranteed.

ABIDE BY CODES OF CONDUCT
All Club members are expected to abide by the code of conduct relevant to them. If a member, be it a player, parent or coach fails to do so or breaks the code of conduct then it will be dealt with and can lead to warnings, suspension and ultimately expulsion from the Club. If you have any concerns or questions that a code of conduct may have been broken please contact the Recreational Program Director.

ISSUES & CONCERNS
The BSC is a soccer program with over 400 active players, each of whom having parents or guardians with an interest in the program there will be occasions when individuals have issues, concerns or complaints. We feel it is important that these are brought to the attention of the relevant person as quickly as possible in order to resolve such issues. All issues involving this program should first be addressed to the Recreational Program Director who will be able to resolve the issue or consult the clubs Director of Coaching and Development or the Board of Directors.

The BSC discusses issues regarding the recreational program at their monthly board meeting and are discussed in some detail. Certain decisions are made and proposals to the board are determined at these meetings. Any BSC member is welcome to attend these meetings and share their opinions. Please contact the Recreational Program Director for dates, times and venues of these meetings.
Individual issues of our programs are discussed at steering committee meetings and not board meetings. Issues will not be discussed at board meetings unless they have first been addressed with the Recreational Program Director or at a relevant steering committee meeting and the issue remains unresolved.

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PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

The Blair Soccer Club will not tolerate any behavior that is or may be considered detrimental to one or more children playing soccer for either a Blair team or the opposition. It is important to remember that this program is “recreational” and primarily for fun and enjoyment
 

• Encourage your child and encourage the team at games. It is great when spectators cheer, get excited and enthusiastic and give words of encouragement. Please do not yell and scream in a negative manner.

• Remember our players are kids and not little adults and treat them accordingly.

• Please do not attempt to coach or give advice on how to play during games. Players should listen only to their appointed coaches. As a spectator you do not know the instructions the players have been given. If you want to coach, volunteer and coach – If not leave it to those who did. If you have questions, please address them to your child’s coach at a suitable time.

• Please be tolerant of the referees’ decisions (particularly the younger referees). Everyone has a right to agree or disagree with decisions but it is not for spectators to be confrontational with referees and spectators have no right to ask referees for an explanation of decisions.

• Re-iterate and positively promote the Club philosophy to your child and others. When discussing games with your child pay particular attention to performance and learning from mistakes and not merely discussing games in terms of winning or loosing.

• Represent the Blair Soccer Club in a favorable light.

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

Parents who volunteer to coach one of our teams take on a major responsibility of educating and developing our young players. We feel that every one of our players deserve a worthwhile soccer experience and so in turn we introduce the expectations of our coaches in the form of this coach’s code of conduct.

• Coaches will primarily be motivated by the physical / emotional well-being, development and enjoyment of players and not by any personal desire to win.

• Coaches will be approachable to players and will encourage players to express their own opinions. Coaches will also be prepared to explain their actions and decisions to players.

• Coaches will treat players with respect and adhere to the club philosophy.

• Coaches will coach players by explaining principles of the game. A coaching style that revolves around shouting and bellowing at players is not acceptable.

• Coaches will make every effort to be positive to both individuals and teams. Coaches will utilize encouragement and positive reinforcement rather than criticism where possible.

• Coaches will attend a mandatory coaches clinic at the beginning of each season, i.e. one in fall and one in spring.

• All coaches will work under the guidance of the Director of Coaching and in line with the Club curriculums and philosophies to ensure a suitable program of learning is followed at practices and games.

Coaches will refrain from questioning refereeing decisions and if they do it will be in a respectful manner that does not set a negative example to players. 

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CLUB GAMES

You will be informed of your league game schedule at the start of each season. Two leagues per year are organized, one in the fall season and one in the spring season. League games are normally played on weekends.

TEAM PRACTICES

Each team is appointed a volunteer parent coach. Coaches are required to attend a coach’s clinic every season taught by the Club’s coaching staff. Coaches will then schedule team practices for the team they are coaching. U5 and U6 teams will schedule the first half of their weekly game time to practice 30 mins, coaches may allow additional time for players to arrive and get settled. U8 teams normally schedule one practice period per week during the season, U10 teams will normally schedule two practices per week. during the season.

CAMPS & CLINICS

The Club’s volunteer coaching staff will carry out an extensive selection of camps and clinics. Parents are strongly encouraged to utilize these opportunities. Camps and clinics are subsidized by the Club and therefore, are an exceptional value for the money. We believe the camps and clinics are some of the best offered in the area in terms of quality of staff, program content and the mix of fun and learning. All players are required to have shin guards. 

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VOLUNTEERS

All parents are asked to volunteer during the season in areas such as coaching, field maintenance, team managers, equipment maintenance, general help, etc. You will be informed via your coach of volunteer opportunities. You may also check the schedule of volunteer activities on the BSC Website, www.blairsoccer.org.

CLUB WEBSITE

www.blairsoccer.org

There is a lot of information on the site. The Website will be updated on a regular basis and is a useful resource with Club information and contacts, details of events, quarterly newsletters and discussion areas. Please use this resource.

Please enjoy your experience with Blair Soccer Club.

A lot of work goes into the opportunities we provide and we are aiming to lead by example in the area of youth soccer.  Please feel free to let us know how you think we are doing.