WALNUT CREEK SOCCER CLUB COMPETITIVE PROGRAM RULES AND GUIDELINES

Transcription

1 WALNUT CREEK SOCCER CLUB COMPETITIVE PROGRAM RULES AND GUIDELINES Revised February 13, Authority The Walnut Creek Soccer Club (WCSC) Competitive Program is governed by the Competitive Committee, whose Director is a member of the Management Committee and the Board of Directors. The Competitive Treasurer and two of the Coordinators are also members of the Board of Directors. The Competitive Committee is responsible for reviewing and maintaining rules and guidelines relating to tryouts, team formation, coach selection, coach and player training, and other matters specific to the Competitive Program. The Competitive Committee reviews its rules and guidelines at least annually and publishes them on the WCSC web site, 2. Financial Guidelines All WCSC competitive teams should maintain an effective system of cash management that anticipates cash needs and plans adequately to satisfy them. In addition, full disclosure of a Team s cash receipts and disbursements is absolutely necessary to maintain the confidence of player families and the financial integrity of WCSC. Full Financial Guidelines for Competitive Teams are published on the WCSC web site, and are administered by the WCSC Finance Committee and the Competitive Program Treasurer, who is a member of the Board of Directors. 3. Coaches a. Selection The WCSC Board of Directors has the ultimate authority to approve head coaches, assistant coaches and managers for all competitive teams. All coaching candidates (head coach, assistants and trainers) must complete a current WCSC Coach Application and submit it to the Club in accordance with the instructions on the application. In addition, each applicant will be subjected to a background check. It is the policy of the WCSC to select only the highest-qualified coaches for competitive teams. In approving a coach, the Director of Coaching (DOC) and the Board of Directors (Board) will consider the following factors: Plans for staffing, goals of the coach and team, practice and team play philosophies. - 1

2 Past coaching experience and positive results with the age group. Ability to communicate with players, parents, club representatives, and fellow coaches. Ability to serve as a positive role model, both on and off the field. Formal practice and game evaluations as defined in Section Feedback from parents, players and other league members. History of complying with WCSC procedures, including registration & tryouts. Clinics attended, coaching licenses held, and overall soccer education level. Overall contribution to the operation of the Club. Knowledge of the game as well as the procedures, workings, and guidelines of CYSA-N, US Club soccer, the District IV Competitive League, the District III (Al Caffodio) League, and the Golden State Soccer League. Sportsmanship, attitude and cooperativeness toward contributions of Club management. Ability to work with and to teach players the game of soccer. Walnut Creek residency and/or other affiliation with the City of Walnut Creek. Record of retaining players coached in the WCSC program. Prior WCSC and/or District IV violations. Any federal or local law violations. Coaches will receive conditional approval prior to the start of the tryout process. Player participation numbers may require recruitment of additional coaches or a shift in duties of coaches participating in the tryouts. All such on field coaching changes shall follow the selection criteria above. The Board will grant final approval on each coach once tryouts are concluded for his or her age group. Final approval is contingent on a coach's satisfactory completion of the tryout and team selection and formation processes and on the satisfactory completion of all application, training, and licensing requirements mandated by CYSA or the club. The Board may remove a coach at any time during the conditional period. b. Staffing---Professional Coaches and Trainers 1. Division 1, U11-U19 All WCSC Division 1 head coaches of teams U11 through U19 will be professional-level coaches. The Director of Coaching (DOC) shall have primary responsibility for identifying, recruiting, recommending, evaluating and managing these coaches. Each year prior to tryouts, the DOC will recommend Division 1 coaches for the next season to the Competitive Committee. Each prospective Division 1 coach must complete and submit a current Club coaching application and may submit any other information in support of the application. All professional-level head - 2

3 coaching assignments must be approved by the Competitive Committee, the Management Committee, and the Board of Directors. This rule is not intended to prevent interested parents with adequate training and ability from coaching and training their child s Division 1 team. They must, however, be qualified both in terms of soccer knowledge and skills as well as ability to teach and relate to the players in a positive manner. Parents interested in coaching a U11-19 Division 1 team should contact the DOC to discuss their qualifications and submit a coaching application to the Competitive Committee. The head coaches will be aided by volunteer assistant coaches and team managers as necessary. Each assistant coach or manager must complete and submit a current Club coaching application and may submit any other information in support of the application. Each applicant will be subjected to a background check. These applications must be approved by the Competitive Committee. Volunteer staff will be selected and approved after tryouts once teams have been formed in order to avoid conflict with the team selection process. The Division 1 professional-level head coaches, with the assistance and direction of the DOC, will be responsible for team selection, training sessions and game management, including, but not limited to, training frequency, training schedule, tournament schedule, substitution pattern, playing time, system of play and tactical adjustments. In the event that a head coach is unable to make an event, another qualified professional-level coach will assume the duties of the head coach. If another professional-level coach is unavailable to help, then a volunteer assistant coach will assume the duties of the head coach. To ensure that each Division 1 team receives adequate training and game coverage, the professional-level coaches will not be placed with more than two Division 1 teams as full-time head coaches. The Division 1 head coach will be required to conduct a minimum of 2 practices per week and attend all games, including tournaments (unless conflict with another team arises at which point an alternate will be provided as stated above). The Division 1 coaches will be responsible for training their teams from April/May (based on team development plan) for U11-U14 and May/June (based on team development plan) for U15 and up through the completion of State Cup competition. 2. Division 1, U9-U10 The U9 and U10 Division 1 teams will have greater parent involvement and will continue to have parent coaches approved by the Competitive Committee. This will minimize the financial cost to families new to competitive soccer and provide a greater parent coaching role that families coming from recreation soccer expect and will feel most comfortable with. Professional-level trainers will be assigned to the U9 and U10 teams. They will provide a set training program designed for U9 & U10 players. The U9 and U10 Division 1 teams will have 8 professional training sessions per month for seven months. The season will correspond with the NorCal League and run April through the completion of the NorCal State Cup (mid-november). - 3

4 Beginning with the 2008 season, a U9/U10 training coordinator will train the four Division 1 teams. 3. Division 3 Division 3 teams (U10 and above) will in most cases have a parent head coach in addition to a professional trainer who will train the team twice a week for the season (excluding the high school soccer season for affected age levels). The trainer will also attend 25% of the team s games. 4. Compensation The Walnut Creek Soccer Club will compensate the professional-level coaches for the U11-19 Division 1 teams based on license level. The Management Committee maintains and updates a fee scale annually. If a coach has expertise and experience beyond his or her current license level and wishes to be paid at a higher rate, the coach must obtain a recommendation from the Director of Coaching and the approval of the Competitive Committee to be paid at the higher rate. In these circumstances, the Director of Coaching may require the coach to run one or more training sessions with a WCSC team, similar to what is done in higher level USSF and NSCAA courses, to evaluate the coach s request. If the coach is granted an exception, then the coach must pursue and obtain the license that corresponds to the approved fee rate in the minimum time allowed by the licensing organizations or the fee will revert to the current license level. In no cases will a coach be paid more than 2 levels higher than his or her current license level. Each Division 1, U11-U19 head coach and Division 1 U9/U19 and Division 3 trainer will be required to enter into a standard independent contractor agreement with the Club. The agreement will provide for, among other things, the payment of appropriate fees in accordance with the fee scale and based upon the execution of the duties defined above. The Club will in turn collect payments from the teams of Division 1 and players to cover the coach s fees. Player payments are detailed in the competitive financial guidelines. c. Responsibilities At the start of each season, the DOC will provide each head coach and trainer with a detailed list of expectations and guidelines. Coaching responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to: a. Developing players soccer skills appropriate to the particular age level to produce a team that can compete at the age-appropriate competitive level within District IV and GSSL. This would include, but not be limited to, appropriate training/practice sessions, scrimmages, games, etc., designed to improve the skill level of the team. b. Complete a seasonal training plan as requested by the DOC c. Participating in all applicable Positive Coaching Alliance workshops as required by the Club. - 4

5 d. Providing guidance to players, their parents and supporters that promote the best interests of the WCSC and the "spirit of the game" (i.e., good sportsmanship at games, etc.). This may include requiring parents and supporters to attend Positive Coaching Alliance workshops. e. Supervising the youth members of the team at WCSC activities and related soccer activities involving the team. f. Following WCSC financial guidelines for competitive teams. (See Appendix ). g. Observing the appropriate same-age level teams in the House program during the regular season and the Walnut Tournament to become familiar with the talent and identify potential additions to the competitive program. Coaches should observe at least one half of play in each of these observations. d. Evaluations The WCSC will evaluate the management group of each team coach, assistant coach and trainer, if applicable. Evaluations will be based on formal and informal observations of parents and WCSC representatives: Parent evaluations: The Competitive Committee will make a formal evaluation form available to each family before the end of the regular season. The form will be available on the Club website. This evaluation will include, but will not be limited to, inquiries regarding age-appropriate accommodations for players academic, familial and non-soccer recreational activities. Practice session evaluation: The DOC, or his or her designee, will conduct at least one formal, scheduled practice session evaluation each season on each Division 1 and Division 3 team. The DOC will provide the structure and expectations for that evaluation. Game evaluation: The DOC or his or her designee will conduct at least one game performance evaluation during the regular season on each Division 1 and Division 3 team. All on field instruction for the team will be subject to evaluation including, but not limited to, competitive level of play, coaching within the game, sportsmanship, management of sideline conduct of parents, players and coaching group. Informal feedback: All feedback received by any WCSC representative concerning a coach, assistant coach or trainer for a team must be documented in hard copy or and delivered to the Competitive Committee for consideration in the evaluation of a coach. e. Performance Assessment The evaluation process described in paragraph d shall be used at a minimum for the annual performance assessment of each coach. The DOC will complete a written assessment of each coach by December 15 th and share them with the Competitive Committee. All formal and informal evaluations conducted by the club will be made available to any Grievance, Disciplinary or other hearing called that involves a coach s performance. These hearings will be conducted according to club rules. The Management Committee and Board will review the coaching status of any coach who is unable to meet the responsibilities and qualifications listed above. The Board s findings and conclusions shall be put in writing. These findings and conclusions may include, but are not limited to: (1) immediate dismissal; (2) probation period as determined by the Board; and (3) - 5

6 development of "guidelines for improvement for the team." Such guidelines will be developed by the DOC and will include a scheduled follow-up review. f. Licenses WCSC encourages all coaches to attain the highest level of licensing possible. All Division 1 and Division 3 coaches must have an F license in their first year and E license in their second year of coaching. Assistant Coaches are required to have an F license. The WCSC will provide F and E licensing courses to interested coaches at no charge. WCSC will fully reimburse any approved coach or assistant coach who takes and passes a course to obtain a license higher than E. The coach must request reimbursement in writing giving the date the course was attended, and attach a copy of the canceled check or receipt and a copy of the new license. The Club shall reimburse one-half (50%) cost of the licensing course in the year it was taken and the remainder the year after the course was taken, provided the coach is still providing services to a team in the Club. 4. Numbers and Types of Teams WCSC will form as many competitive teams as there are available and qualified Walnut Creek players, coaches, and fields. All decisions regarding the number of teams and the types of teams will be made by the Board of Directors based on the recommendations of the DOC and the Competitive Committee and on the numbers of qualified players attending tryouts. The final decision on the number of teams will be based on the number of players attending tryouts and not on the number of coaches desiring to have teams. The Club prefers to form only one competitive Division 1 team in each age group. The approval of additional Division 1 teams will be based on the following: The availability of Division 1-level Walnut Creek players in the age group. The availability of qualified coaches. The number of Division 3 teams in the same age group (and, therefore, the number of players who can eventually move up to replace exiting Division 1 players). Other factors the Board may wish to consider on an exception basis. For Division 3 teams, the Club prefers to form one age pure team in each age group (i.e., two teams in U14, one age pure U13 and one age pure U14). If there are enough players for more than two teams, the additional teams should be multi-age team (i.e. U13-U14). 5. Player Tryout Guidelines Competitive tryouts are sponsored by the club, not the individual coaches. The Competitive Committee will schedule tryouts for the various age groups, with the approval of the Board and working with the various Board members responsible for fields, registration, and communications. No coach may schedule or hold separate or private tryouts. - 6

7 The Club will promote tryouts through the newspaper, on the club web site, through mailings to its members, and through local schools. Coaches should not promote the tryouts in the newspaper or prepare special flyers to distribute at schools, registration, or tryouts. The DOC and/or others he/she designates will attend each tryout and oversee the on-field tryout process providing a consistent structure for tryouts and ensuring an efficient tryout process. The DOC or his/her designee will serve as the lead evaluator and will conduct the tryout and provide an environment that allows the coaches/evaluators to assess the following: Skill, speed, attitude, and stamina. Approved Division 1 coaches and evaluators selected by the DOC will evaluate the players. The tentatively approved Division 3 head coaches will assist with evaluations beginning with the third tryout (excluding Division 1 callbacks.). Qualified parent evaluators may be asked to assist with the tryout evaluation in age groups where they do not have children trying out. The format of the tryouts will be determined by the DOC. All players attending tryouts must have a parent/guardian signature on a release form on file with the club. The registration forms from the previous season will be sufficient for returning WCSC players. For non-wcsc players, the parent or guardian must sign a special form available at the field during check-in. All players in an age group will try out together, regardless of the level of team for which they have played. Players must try out in their age group. In order to be considered to play up, the following guidelines have been established: Player/Parent must get permission from the DOC prior to tryouts Player must be one of the top 3 players at tryouts in their own age group Player must be a dominant player in their age group, when considered against all players in the district and playing league Player must attend at least one tryout in their own age group Player must be considered one of the top 7 players on the upper aged team Both age group coaches will be consulted in regards to these criteria The consideration will take into account what is best for the player, and the effect on both teams No player will be allowed to play up on a Division 3 team unless it is deemed beneficial to the club for the purpose of forming teams To be considered for a team, a player must attend at least one tryout unless excused for medical or family reasons by the DOC. The lead evaluator for the age group will be notified of an excused player s interest in competitive play and the player will be considered in the age group team selection. Players are strongly encouraged to attend at least two tryout sessions. There will be at least three tryouts scheduled for each age group. Team selections for Division 1 will not take place until the conclusion of the second tryout. The Competitive Committee will schedule contingency dates for tryouts in the event of inclement weather. A lead evaluator will be assigned by the DOC to each age group tryout (typically the Division 1 age group coach). The club and its designated officials will manage the administration of tryouts, thus allowing the coaches to focus on observing player talent. The Competitive Committee will arrange for field administrators to conduct the tryout check-in process at the field, distribute a tryout informational - 7

8 flyer prepared by the DOC and/or the Competitive Committee and answer parent questions. If necessary, the field administrators will forward questions to the Competitive Coordinators. The field administrators will compile the roster of players at the end of each tryout session. The Club will use a standardized online registration process. All players must check in at each tryout session. Players should arrive early enough to complete the on-site check-in process and properly warm-up. Parents and players may not request specific team placement, but may indicate a preference for Division 1 or Division 3 at tryout check-in. A player may decline to play Division 1 under certain limited circumstances, such as financial reasons, or because of a commitment to another sport. Opting out to play for a specific coach will not be accepted as a viable reason. If a player opts out of Division 1, and more than one Division 3 team exists, the player will not have a choice of teams. If the player is considered for the Division 3A team, and declines, they will not be considered for a competitive soccer team at WCSC. During tryouts, coaches will be neutral and present a fair opportunity for all players. Coaches will not be allowed to give the appearance of having pre-determined their selections. Players will wear numbered bibs during tryouts. At the conclusion of each tryout session, and before the age group s next tryout, the DOC will meet with the coaches and evaluators in attendance. These meetings will be used to assess player skills and evaluate the numbers of Division 1 and Division 3 players. Additionally, these meetings will be used to apprise the Competitive Committee on the numbers of coaches needed for the age group. 6. Selection Procedures Professional-level coaches will select all teams in each age level with input from the DOC, age group evaluators and Division 3 coach (for Division 3 teams). Players will be selected in the following sequence: Division I A Division I B, if applicable Division III, age pure Division III, multi-age Player selection for an age group will be conducted in one meeting with the DOC and all coaches and other evaluators for that age group. Competitive teams U12 and younger wishing to carry more than five (5) non-residents must justify the need and obtain approval from the Board of Directors. Player assignments to teams for an age group will be concluded no later than three (3) days following the last tryout and communicated to those players. Players will be notified by the coaches in the same order as player selection outlined above. Each coach will notify the DOC and Division Coordinator when player notification has been completed. - 8

9 If a player who did not indicate a Division 3-only preference at tryouts chooses to decline a selection to play on a Division I team, the Club cannot guarantee that player a position on a competitive team. If a player declines a selection to a competitive team, the DOC, the coaches, age group evaluator and competitive coordinators will make a determination of placement of that player. At the conclusion of team selection and player notification, the Board will receive from the DOC a roster of all players in an age group tryout and the team placement they were offered, they accepted or they declined. - 9