Overview
The Washington United (WU) Soccer Club was created to provide an environment which fosters the development of each youth soccer player in our program. This includes focusing both on each player’s individual ability and goals, and organizing a team focused on maximizing their potential by participating at the highest possible levels. Washington United strives to offer our members the best available training, coaching, practice and game facilities.
Concept
The main concept of the WU Club is to offer additional opportunities for players who demonstrate the skill, commitment and desire to play soccer at higher competitive levels. The WU Club is available to every child who wishes to attend tryouts, and is in addition to three (3) other programs offered by Washington Township Parks and Recreation (WTPR), each focusing on various levels of competition:
· Clinic – An introductory in-town program offered to children between the ages of 5-7, and focuses on teaching the fundamentals of soccer.
· Intramural – An in-town program offering a competitive environment to children between the ages of 8-18.
· Travel – A program which allows participants to play at higher levels against teams from other towns.
The WU Club will consist of a maximum of two teams per age group (one male, one female), starting at the U-11 age group. All small-sided teams (U-8 thru U-10) and any other travel teams NOT participating in the WU Club will continue to compete under the existing Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board Bylaws.
Age group structures will be organized in accordance with New Jersey Youth Soccer (NJYS) and US Club Travel Team Age Divisions.
Each team formed after May 1, 2009 will play under the WUClub brand and name. This brand will be developed with a “Club” concept, and will consist of multiple teams under one “Club” name.
Existing teams formed prior to May 1, 2009 will be grandfathered into the WU Club and can compete under any existing team brand and/or name.
Administration
The WU Club will be administered by a Program Director appointed to the Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board. The WU Club Guidelines are included as an addendum to the Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board Bylaws and are subject to Washington Township Sports Advisory Board approval.
Each team within the WU Club will be organized under the following structure:
· Manager – Usually a volunteer parent. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
o Creating a positive team environment for parents, players, and and trainers/coach.
o Maintaining proper game day sideline conduct of the parents and spectators.
o Completing all necessary paperwork for league, Club, and player registration.
o Maintaining and example of good sportsmanship to all players and referees alike.
o Working as a liaison between the team parents, coach/trainer, and WU Club
o Assisting the coach/trainer as needed at games and practices.
o Assisting coach/trainer in selection of tournaments and other activities.
o Monitors Washington Township Soccer website (www.wtsoccer.net)for field closure or practice changes during inclement weather.
· Trainer/Coach – responsible for all soccer related development – both for individuals and as a team. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
o Maintaining the Club’s training model as it continues to evolve
o Provides the highest level of coaching possible.
o Provides a high-level of training to all players to teach soccer skills and tactics - amount of training is directly reflective of the amount paid by each player.
o Is responsible for the coaching and tactical decisions for all training sessions, tournaments, and league games.
· Treasurer (can not be same person as the Manager) – responsible for all financial activities, including, but not limited to:
o Maintaining a team bank account.
o Collecting fees as required by WU Club guidelines.
o Keeping records of team finances.
o Making necessary payments for expenses such as tournament registration, coach, trainer expenses, referee fees, and other distributions.
o Monthly financial reports presented to team parents.
o Monthly financial reports to the WU Club Director.
All Managers, Trainers, Coaches, and Treasurer Appointments are subject to approval of both the WU Club Director and Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board, and must submit to criminal background checks as required by Washington Township Ordinance #38-2007.
Playing Calendar
Teams organized as part of the WU Club will compete in accordance with New Jersey Youth Soccer and US Club guidelines (fall and spring). All players selected to the WU Club team are required to participate in the entire calendar. It is necessary that players and their parents recognize the commitment demanded by the WU Club, and that players and parents are willing to invest the necessary time and travel in order to be successful. The final schedule will be developed by the Team Manager and the WU Club Director.
League Play
WU Club teams will compete at the highest possible levels, including a minimum of SJSL or SJGSL Olympic divisions. Teams are encouraged to play at a MAPS or JAGS level or higher. Final league determination will be made by the Team Manager and WU Club Director.
Tournaments
WU Club teams will compete in the highest level tournaments possible. Each team will participate in a minimum of six (6) tournaments. Tournament schedule will be developed by Team Manager and WU Club Director.
Training
Each new WU Club team will be provided with a comprehensive training program that will develop both individual and team skills. The training program will developed in partnership with the Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board and any approved training provider, and will ensure that all players are receiving consistent training as they advance throughout the WU Club.
Board approved trainers as of May 1, 2009 will be grandfathered into the WU Club. Teams that join the WU Club after May 1, 2009 will be required to use the approved training provider of the WU Club.
Team Structure
Tryouts for teams organized under the WU Club are open to any player wishing to participate, including both residents and non-residents. Tryouts for the appropriate age groups will be coordinated by the Team Manager, Trainer, and Program Director. Whenever possible, neutral third-party evaluators will be contracted to perform independent evaluations of the players attending tryouts. However the tryout structure and final roster decisions are at the sole discretion of the Team Manager, Trainer, and Program Director. All decisions are based on what is in the best interests of the team. Once selected to a WU Club team, players must recognize the selection is essentially a one-year commitment, and to remain with the team from one year to the next, players must successfully participate in tryouts each year.
Any player not selected to the WU Club team is eligible to participate in either a) the WTPR Travel program after consultation with the appropriate Travel Coordinator and Coach or b) the WTPR Intramural program with no restrictions.
Regular Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board Bylaws apply to all Travel and Intramural teams.
Roster Composition
Roster composition is at the sole discretion of the WU Club Director, Team Manager, and Coach/Trainer. Rosters must follow either New Jersey Youth Soccer or US Club Soccer rules and regulations.
No restrictions are placed on the selection of out-of-town players, but all player selections are subject to approval of the WU Club Director and the Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board.
Additional players may be added based on New Jersey Youth Soccer and/or US Club Soccer roster limits.
Playing Time
Playing time for all WU Club teams is the sole discretion of the Team Manager or Coach/Trainer.
Financial Requirements
Registration fees for the WU Club are set by individual teams and the Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board. Registration fees are subject to change on an annual basis.
Registration Fees are due based on the following sample schedule:
· 1st Installment – $200. On acceptance on the team
· 2nd Installment – August 1, 2009
· 3rd Installment – March 1, 2010
· 4th Installment – May 1, 2010
All team treasurers are required to maintain a bank account opened by the WU Club. All installment payments will be deposited directly into the appropriate bank account, and a monthly financial report, including statement must be submitted to the WU Club Director.
WU Club Registration Fees are budgeted for normal day-to-day team expenses, including:
· League Registration (MAPS, JAGS, SJSL, SJGSL, etc.)
· Referee Fees
· Team Pass Packets
· Team Uniforms
· Training Sessions (approximately 80 sessions)
· Trainer Expense for League Games
· Trainer Expense for Tournaments
· Team Registration – Six (6) Tournaments
· Field Maintenance Fee
Team budget is a figure estimated on a team by team basis depending on number of rostered players. Actual budgets will be calculated by the WU Club Director, Team Manager, and Treasurer at the start of every playing season.
Expenses can typically exceed fees raised by the WU Club registration. Additional funds can be raised by the team to cover added expenses not covered by the initial budget. All WU Club fundraisers are subject to approval by the WU Club Director and Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board.
Field Use
Washington Township Soccer uses multiple locations for all games and training sessions. All WU Club teams will be issued a field schedule for all games and training sessions. Team Managers and Coaches/Trainers cannot change the location, field number or time of any game without prior approval from the Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board Director responsible for fields, who has final say. NO EXCEPTIONS.
All WU Club teams are required to pay a field usage fee which is the equivalent of $100 annually per rostered player. This fee covers all necessary field maintenance and allows the unlimited use of out-of-town players (subject to Washington Township Soccer Advisory Board approval.
