Ingram Comets Futbol Club

Ingram Comets FC

Club Manual

2007 - 2008

“Developing Great People Through Soccer”

Introduction

Welcome to the Ingram Comets Futbol Club’s Parent/Player Manual. This is the first year that we have created a document like this in such detail. Our intent is to make clear the policies and procedures for our club so that each team is managed in a similar manner and to make sure that everyone gets consistent information. We have divided the manual into major sections. The table of contents is intended to help you navigate the document.

When you accept your roster spot on an Ingram Comet’s team, you are agreeing to abide by the policies and procedures described here.

Table of Contents

1. Mission Statement ……………………………………………..……………3

2. Club Operations ………………………………………………..……………3

Club Overview

Board of Directors

A. Communication

B. Volunteer requirements

Ozark Classic Cup

Ozark Spring Classic

C. Expectations

Players

Parents

Coaches

Club Board and Administrators

D. Disciplinary Action

3. Team Overview……………………………………………..….……………..6

A. Team Organization

B. Tryouts/Academy Players Evaluation

Format

How teams are selected

Types of teams

C. Practices

D. Competitions

Tournaments

League Play

Friendlies

Scrimmages

4. Calendar………………………………………………………………………..9

5. Finances………………………………………………………………………..9

A. Player fees

Sign-up Fee

Team Fee

Additional Uniform Fee (Optional)

B. Scholarships

C. Team Finances

Team Budget

Tournament Revenue

Money at the end of the year

1. mission statement

The Ingram Comets Futbol Club:

· is committed to providing a high quality soccer experience for those players who have demonstrated that they have talent and dedication for the sport.

· has a primary concern for the long-term growth and development of your son/daughter as a person as well as their growth in soccer skills.

· takes the sport we play seriously. However, we recognize that there are things more important in life than soccer and that family and school come first.

· believes that a player’s development is more important than winning and that winning is a result of successful player and team development.

· as a competitive club, places an emphasis on competing for tournament, league and State Cup championships.

· believes that the success of this organization is measured by its excellence both on and off the field.

2. club operations

club overview

The Ingram Comets Futbol Club is a 501-C3 non-profit organization dedicated to organizing and training youth soccer players, currently from the U5-U18 age groups, with boys and girls teams. The Ingram Comets Futbol Club is part of the Arkansas State Soccer Association.

Day to Day Management and Operations

The club is managed by a Director of Operations, Samir Haj. He manages the administrative aspects of the club. In addition, Samir is the tournament director for both the Ozark Classic Cup and the Ozark Spring Classic.

Coaching Oversight

The club employs Steve Oliver as Director of Coaching for the club. Steve recruits, trains, and oversees all of the coaches in the club. He conducts monthly trainings with the coaches, develops club-wide curriculum for all of the teams and oversees many of our training sessions.

Coaches

The majority of the head coaches in the club are paid coaches hired on a season-by-season basis. We strive to hire coaches with good soccer skills, good teaching skills and people who will be good role models for your children. In addition, there are assistant coaches for many of the teams. Some of those assistants are paid and some are volunteers.

Board of Directors

Oversight for the club is provided by the ICFC Board of Directors. The Board meets on a monthly basis (second Tuesday of each month). The meetings are open to the public. In addition the, Club has an Advisory Board, made up of team representatives and community volunteers, to help set and implement club policies.

a. communication

In general, much of the club business is conducted via email, team websites and our Club website. If there is a change in a schedule that occurs within 24 hours of an event, we will use the phone as our primary communications tool. If the change occurs more than 24 hours prior to an event, we will probably use email.

Chain of command

We have an established process for communication.

1. If you have any issues or concerns, those should first be communicated to your coach.

2. If you are unable to resolve those problems, then you should speak to the manager.

3. If you feel that your problem has still not been resolved, then you should:

§ Take your coach issues to the Director of Coaching

§ Take all other unresolved issues to the Director of Operations.

Please bring any health and safety issues directly to the attention of the Director of Coaching and/or the Director of Operation.

Feedback via website - There will be a form on our website for you to provide feedback on any aspect of the club. You can either identify yourself, or submit your information anonymously. Those feedback forms will automatically be sent to the Director of Coaching, the Director of Operations, and the President of the Board.

Player Account - Each player has an individual account within the team fund, to make sure all club payments and dues are up to date.

Team web pages – We will be creating team pages for each team in the club. Each team will have its own web page, and along with the Club, each team will be able to update and add information to their team page.

News/Newsletters – The Club will post news on the home page of our web site. We will also periodically produce a newsletter that we will send to teams.

E-mail Correspondence – The Club will periodically E-mail messages to members of the club. We will try and do that as infrequently as possible. We will be working with Team Managers to post news and other specific information to the team and club web pages weekly.

b. volunteer requirements

Responsibilities other than paying Club & team fees – The club requires some volunteerism from families to enable the club to operate in an organized, productive manner (committees, board positions and helping during tournaments) and to keep each team’s overall costs down.

Team Manager/Treasurer/Team Coordinator – From their parents, each team selects: a Manager; Advisory Board representative; and a Tournament Committee representative (for the Ozark Classic Cup and The Ozark Spring Classic). In addition, many teams also have a travel coordinator to organize out of town trips and make tournament room reservations.

Board of Directors – The operations of the Club are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of the founders of the club plus members at large.

c. expectations

Player Expectations – You are part of a team and a Club and your actions reflect not only upon yourself, but on the rest of your team and the Ingram Comets Futbol Club. You are expected to:

· play the game for the game’s sake, for the fun of it.

· attempt to win through your skill, effort, tactics, and fair play.

· maintain a positive team attitude, goods sportsmanship, and fair play.

· be positive in fulfilling any given role asked of you to perform for the team at any moment.

· be ethical and honest and to honor your commitments both verbal and written.

· commit to full participation and support for the entire soccer season.

· conform to the rules established by your team and the club.

· be responsible for your own performance and conduct.

· adhere to the rules of the game.

· treat teammates, opponents, coaches, referees, and other officials with respect.

· not argue with referees or assistant referees.

· avoid inappropriate behaviors during practices, games, team or club sponsored events, tournaments, and travel.

· to eat nutritious, healthful food in a timely manner so as to not interfere with performance.

· take constructive criticism along with praise for a job well done and be able to deal with both.

· commit to the sport of soccer and make the team your first priority during the team’s season.

Coach Expectations – Coaches are expected to serve as teachers and leaders, whose attitudes and behavior will set the tone for the players and the sideline. In addition to the above applicable standards, coaches are expected to:

· set high standards for their players’ conduct and attendance, as well as their own conduct and attendance.

· treat all players honestly, fairly and with respect.

· be committed to help all players reach their highest potential.

· not cut players from the team during a soccer season, unless it is for disciplinary reasons or non-payment of team fees.

· conduct themselves as positive role models and display appropriate behavior at all team/club functions.

· be responsible for the conduct of the team on and off the field when the team is together as part of team event.

· conform to the rules established by your team and the Club.

Manager Expectations – Managers are expected to manage the affairs of the team including: tournaments, league play, finances, etc. and create an atmosphere of open communication among all those associated with the team. In addition to the above applicable standards, managers are expected to:

· conduct themselves as positive role models and display appropriate behavior at all team/Club functions.

· coordinate a communicate the schedule of activities and events frequently, to allow time for planning.

· facilitate the flow of information between the club, league, coaches, etc. and the parents of the players.

· provide the parents and Club treasurer with a line item reconciliation of the team’s finances every month or after every event.

· hold at least three parent meetings per year, one at the beginning of each season, and one mid-season in the fall. Other parents meetings are encouraged for communication and when needed.

Parent Expectations – Parents are not only a supporter of their son/daughter, but also a role model, whose actions reflect upon the player, the team, and the Club. In addition to the above applicable standards, parents are expected to:

· remember that the game is for your son or daughter, not for you.

· see to it that players are on time and attend all possible team functions (practices, games, meetings, etc.) and encourage and support your son or daughter in meeting his/her obligations.

· ensure that all financial and administrative responsibilities are met so your player remains in good standing. Failure to meet these obligations that result in your player being deemed “not in good standing” will cause your player to be ineligible to participate in games and tournaments.

· set a good example by your conduct and good sportsmanship.

· allow the coach to direct the play of the game.

· be your child’s biggest fan. Win, lose, or draw, we all want to support the team.

· remember that in five years no one will remember the score or who won the game.

· remember that your son’s/daughter’s career is a long-term growth process and not an end unto itself.

· contribute quality communication, planning, and understanding so conflicts are minimized.

· take the initiative to teach your son/daughter to speak up and communicate for themselves whenever possible.

· conform to the rules established by your team and the club.

Club Official Expectations – Club Officials are responsible for providing the direction and organization for the Club, and whose decisions and actions will set the tone for the rest of the members. In addition to the above applicable standards, Club officials are expected to:

· remember that we exist for the benefit of the youth and not the egos of adults.

· conduct the business of the club with honesty, integrity, and openness.

· ensure the club conforms to the rules established by itself, Arkansas State Soccer Association, USYSA, and FIFA.

· make decisions for the good of the Game and not one’s personal agenda.

· actively pursue ways to minimize costs for players and parents while providing an environment that enables the development of high quality, competitive soccer teams.

· prepare a line item financial statement for each team on monthly bases to be shared with the teams.

d. disciplinary action

If there is an incident that occurs where someone’s (player, parent, or coach) behavior is inappropriate, the Club will take disciplinary action. In addition, the Arkansas State Soccer Association has a disciplinary committee as well. The Board of Directors is in the process of defining our club disciplinary program.

During a match, the coach is responsible for their sideline (players and spectators). The referee has the right to eject players and spectators for bad behavior, or warn the coach for not controlling the sidelines. The club will support our coaches in their effort to require any of our spectators to leave the field if it is in the best interest of the team.

3. TEAM OVERVIEW

a. team organization

Teams are selected after tryouts each June/July. These teams play soccer for about 6-8 months. The months vary depending on whether the teams are “younger” (U4-U14) or “older” (U15-U18). At the end of each season (after State Cups/Regional Championship), the team’s season is complete and a new team is formed after the next year’s June/July tryouts. All roster spots are open and players must earn their spot each year.

Each team has a paid coach that is selected by the Director of Coaching/Director of Operations. Each team elects a Manager, Advisory Board representative and Tournament Committee representative. In addition, many teams also have a tournament reservations/organization person.

Teams are required to hold a minimum of three parent meetings each year.

· The first meeting will be held after the team is formed. At that meeting, parents and coaches will be introduced, a Manager and other representatives will be elected, and the season’s expectations will be discussed.

· The second meeting will be held in October and the team will review their financial status, the coaches and parents will have the opportunity to provide feedback and evaluate the general state of the team.

· The third meeting will be held at the beginning of the spring season. At that meeting the teams again evaluate their finances and plans for the remainder of the season.

b. tryouts/evaluation

Open tryouts (evaluation for Academy players) are held each June/July for all teams in the club. Multiple sessions are offered and the teams will be selected by the team coach and the Director of Coaching. Selections will be based on skills, attitude, commitment, and willingness to be coached. The Club guidelines are that all academy teams be as balanced and equal as possible. Academy players do not actually “try out”, rather are evaluated to determine skill level for placement on a team.

Once tryouts are complete, and roster positions are offered and accepted, all paperwork and fees are due. Players that are in need of financial assistance may request assistance in writing. Their request will be directed to the Director of Operations. We will work to ensure that true financial need does not prevent anyone from being able to play.

Roster Size – The minimum and maximum roster size for all teams is:

· 10 Players for U8-U12 (maximum of 13 Players)

· 15 players for U13-U16 (maximum of 18 total)

· 15 players for U17-U18 (maximum of 22 total)

We will not always carry a full roster.

Reserve Players – In certain special team situations, the Club may choose to offer a reserve player position to selected players for a reduced registration fee (80% of the current Club fees). Reserve players are eligible to attend all trainings, but are invited to participate in league games only if some rostered players are unavailable. They will be invited to tournaments only if the coach is short of rostered players or believes bringing extra players, beyond those rostered, will benefit the team. Reserve players can either be players who did not quite make a roster spot, or those players who have too many outside commitments to regularly make practices and competitions. Reserve players may be asked to be full time players if they were able to make the final roster, or when soccer becomes their first sport priority.

Second team in an age group – If there are enough players with club level skills to form a second team in an age group, the Club will review the possibilities of creating a second team. The new team will be considered a silver division team.

Spot Tryouts – After initial team selection, each team may hold spot tryouts if there are remaining roster spots available on the team and the team coach and Director of Coaching want to add more players. Spot tryouts are available to anyone who is age appropriate, even if that player has tried out and not made the roster before. A team is not required to hold spot tryouts even if there is available space and players who wish to try out. It is possible that no players will be selected from spot tryouts. It is up to the coach to invite players to spot tryouts. Interested parents/players should express their interest to the coach.

Roster Cuts – No player on a team will lose their spot unless:

1. they fail to meet team financial obligations

2. they fail to live up to the commitments as outlined in this parents and players manual. Failure to live up to the commitments will include not making the majority of matches and trainings, or not making Ingram Comets Futbol Club your highest or at least an equal sports commitment. If a player consistently misses trainings and matches, they may be moved to reserve status without adjustments in club fees. For those players who choose to leave the Club for any reason, fees paid are non-refundable.

Types of teams – The Ingram Comets Futbol Club forms teams to teach skills, tactics and teamwork and have players increase their competitive level of play throughout the season with the goal of being able to compete at a high level during league, tournaments, and state cup. The rate at which a team develops the skills to do this depends a great deal on where the ability level of the team begins. At tryouts, after each team is selected, but before we call players, we evaluate the skill level of each team and determine how their growth can be best enhanced. At the end of tryouts, teams are divided into one of three categories: competitive, developmental and skill development/Academy teams.

Competitive Teams – Competitive teams play a fall league season and tournaments, culminating either with the State Cup or an end-of-season tournament. Players are very strongly encouraged not to miss games or tournaments due to conflicts with other activities. Missing team events may cause a player to lose their spot on the team. Focusing on the Club team allows consistent development of not only individual skills, but team skills and tactics as well. Playing a strong league season and appropriate skill level tournaments, against varying competition will enable the competitive players to develop both the fundamentals and nuances of the game.

Developmental Teams – Developmental teams play in both fall and spring leagues and have a limited tournament schedule, culminating with an end-of-season tournament or participating in the State Cup silver division, when available.

Skill Development and Academy Teams – We offer a comprehensive Academy program that we developed in the last 3 years. The program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to the first 50 players of academy age and gender. The restricted number is due to the space and qualified staff needed to manage the program. Players will be evaluated and divided into balanced “teams”. All “teams” are trained by a staff trainer, with the help of parent/volunteer coaches

c. practices

Each team U11 and up is scheduled for two training sessions per week. Coaches may offer a third optional training session if they like. Players are expected to make all required training sessions and matches.

Each Skill Development (U4-U6) and Academy (U8-U10) team is scheduled for one training session per week. Coaches may offer a second optional training session if they like. Players are expected to make all required training sessions and matches.

Times and locations – See website or your coach.

Training Expectations:

· Arrive 10 minutes early with all equipment including water, ball and shin guards.

· Pay attention – your behavior will affect your participation.

· Be respectful, put forth maximum effort, listen when the coach speaks, avoid distracting behavior during sessions.

· Be aware of your coach’s team rules.

· Be sure to learn something new everyday.

· Be a better player when you leave practice.

Need to miss practice? – Notify your coach and talk with him/her about make-up training with another team in the Club.

Our focus is on development of our players and teams, once rosters are established. Coaches will foster a strong and healthy competitive nature within the team, which will in turn benefit everyone.

Competition Playing Time – Each player will compete according to the appropriate level of competition. Variables affecting playing time include, but are not restricted to: Attendance, Attitude, Ability, Commitment, and Effort. Play time is at the discretion of the coach. The coach should be delivering clearly defined expectations to the players. Academy players will have significant playing time at least half of every game. How that time is allocated is solely the coach’s decision.

Coaching Staff Expectations

· Arrival at training 15 minutes and matches 45 minutes prior to scheduled start time.

· Professional attire and manner at all club functions.

· Ongoing, open communication with players and parents.

· Coaches will treat players and parents with honesty, fairness, and integrity.

· Coaches will hold high standards, but use support and encouragement as the prime factors in fostering player growth.

· Coaches will be responsible and accountable for their actions and follow Club policy.

d. competitions

There are four types of competitions that we will be participating in this season:

· League Matches

· Tournament Matches

· Friendlies

· Scrimmages

League Matches – We will play a league season from early September through mid-November. Games are on the weekend, mostly Saturdays. Some weekends have one game per weekend and some have two games per weekend. All U8-U12 teams will play in the NWAYPL League. Because there are fewer teams in the U13-U18 age groups, those teams may play in alternative leagues.

Tournament Matches – We will play in weekend tournaments throughout the year culminating in the State Cup for most teams. Tournaments are almost always Saturday and Sunday play. We generally play in tournaments that are within a 3-4 hour drive from Northwest Arkansas. The distance may vary with different age groups or level of competition.

Friendly Matches – Friendlies are events where we arrange games between teams with referees, usually in a round robin format. This year we are attempting to bring in teams from out of the area to play games on weekends as an alternative to traveling to so many tournaments.

Scrimmages – These are practice sessions against another team, either from our club or from another club. We use the full field for these games as training sessions. They usually do not have a formal referee and may be interrupted to give training points and player feedback.

Match Expectations for Players:

Game Attire – Players are to wear the proper uniform to the field, changing to the alternate jersey at coaches’ discretion or due to conflict in uniform colors with the opposing team.

Arrival time – 45 minutes prior to scheduled kick off. Check in with coach immediately after arriving. All players need to be fully dressed and ready to go 30 minutes prior to kick-off.

Focus – Know your coach’s rules regarding interaction with players and parents.

Sidelines – Remain in the “Team Bench Area” while off the pitch. This area is for players and coaches only.

After the Match – Remain with the team under coach’s supervision until dismissed.

Match Expectations for Parents:

Arrival Time – Arrive at the match site 45 minutes prior to kickoff. Turn your child over to the coach’s supervision upon arrival.

Sidelines – Familiarize yourself with the “Team Bench Area” and the “Spectator Area” and respect team boundaries. Please ask questions of a coach at appropriate times (not during a competition). If there is something that needs to be communicated with the coach during a competition, speak to the manager, who will speak to the coach. We want spectators to be supportive and cheer for our teams in a positive manner. Do not coach, criticize officials or interact with opposing players. During a match, the coach is responsible for their sideline (players and spectators). The referee has the right to eject players and spectators for bad behavior, and warn or eject the coach for bad behavior or not controlling the sidelines. The Club has given our coaches the authority to require any of our spectators to leave the field if it is in the best interest of the team.

After the Match – The coach will turn supervision back over to the parents at dismissal.

4. CALENDAR

The Club calendar of events will be posted on the website as soon as available.

5. FINANCES

a. player fees

There are three fees that are charged to players:

Club Fees are due at registration

Team Fees (which pay for tournaments and other team expenses) may be paid in full at registration or can be acquired through fund raising by the team.

Optional Uniform fee - The uniform is included in the Club fee, but players may chose to order a bag or backpack and a warm-up for a discounted rate of $80. Orders for this package must be placed at registration.

Club (Sign-up) Fee

· Skill Development Players $ 130 per player per year

· Academy Players $ 225 per player per year

· Academy U-10 Travel Team $ 400 per player per year

· U11–U12 Teams $ 450 per player per year

· U13–U14 Teams $ 500 per player per year

· U15–U18 Teams $ 500 per player per year

This fee is due at the parent orientation & registration meeting (within two weeks of finalizing team roster). Players will not be registered and will not be able to participate in training or games until registered until this requirement is fulfilled.

Team Fees “Approximate total”

· Skill Development Players $ 000 per player per year

· Academy Players $ 000 per player per year

· Academy U-10 Travel Team $ 150 per player per year

· U11 – U12 Teams $ 150 per player per year

· U13 – U14 Teams $ 200 per player per year

· U15 – U18 Teams $ 200 per player per year

This fee is due at the parent orientation & registration, may be paid in two installments by September 1 and March 1 of each seasonal year, or may be paid through team fund raising (car washes, candy sales, garage sales, etc.)

b. scholarships

Our goal is to select competitive soccer teams and not have the cost of being on a team prohibit anyone from playing. To that end, we offer scholarships for players with true, documented financial need. We will attempt to meet as many family needs as possible, however, we do have a finite amount scholarship money.

After teams are selected, any family who wishes to apply for a scholarship may contact the Director of Operations for an application. All information collected will be confidential. The amounts of scholarships offered each year are based on the number of applicants and the pool of available money. Players may be offered partial scholarships and will be responsible for the remainder of their fees.

c. team finances

· The Club fee includes the uniform and is due in full at registration and paid to the club.

· The Club will deposit a set amount in each team fund. This amount varies by age group and is based on the number of paid players.

· In addition a tournament fee is collected in full, in installments or is acquired by holding team fund raisers to defray that cost (team option).

· Your team will only be able to spend the funds in your team account. There will be no deficit spending. If there are inadequate funds to pay for a requested event or expense in the team account, no checks will be written.

· Your team will only be required to pay for your coach’s hotel accommodations out of team funds. All other expenses are covered by the club. Most hotels will give you a comp room for the coach, when you book multiple rooms. Please take advantage of this to avoid the expense of paying for your coach’s room.