WNY Flash Academy Players/Parents/Coaches Standards & Guidelines

WNY Flash Academy Players/Parents/Coaches Standards & Guidelines WNY Flash Academy 7070 Seneca Street Elma NY 14052 716-655-7529 est. 2012 1

CONTENTS Welcome 3 Introduction to Our Standards and Guidelines... 3 Culture....... 3 Development Philosophy..... 3 Success... 3 Player Handbook...... 3 Playing Style...... 4 Positions..... 4 Playing Time.. 4 Tryouts..... 4 Playing-up..... 4 Tournaments....... 5 Travel Policy.... 5 Uniforms........ 5 Numbering Process........ 5 Uniform Buyback... 5 College Mentor Program.... 5 Communication..... 6 Team Manager... 6 Code of Conduct Players... 6 Code of Conduct Parents.. 7 Code of Conduct Coaches..... 7 Unusual and Unforeseen Circumstances......... 7 Procedures for Violation to Codes of Conduct. 8 Procedure for Addressing Grievances... 8 Risk Management..... 8 Injuries... 8 Taking Care of Injured Players... 9 Concussion Certification... 9 Medical Release... 9 Players Left at Facility... 9 Tuition... 9 Sibling Discount... 9 Payment... 10 Financial Assistance... 10 2

WELCOME The WNY Flash Academy is an elite program that serves highly motivated, dedicated and enthusiastic athletes on and off the soccer field. We are confident that our quality coaching combined with our competitive and challenging environment will help shape our athletes into positive young adults and competent soccer players. We are grateful to have athletes of all backgrounds, abilities and interest. That is why it is imperative that we maintain a healthy outlook on our sport, while playing both attractive and effective soccer. The development of personal values alongside soccer talent is a priority. We take pride in providing a wellrounded program that gives everyone the groundwork to be successful in any opportunity that may come their way. INTRODUCTION TO OUR STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES The Standards & Guidelines document is a tool developed to help all players, parents, and coaches to clearly understand the Academy culture. The information in this guide is important to the development of our players, teams and overall program. Parents, please read through this guide with your players. Your support and reinforcement of our culture is essential to the growth and continued success of the program. CULTURE Together, challenging each other to improve with well-planned training sessions and a clear vision of what success means for individuals and the team, we learn to compete at the highest level possible. This is how we have FUN, and it is the core of the culture we have established and continue to grow in the program. DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY Starting with the U.S. Soccer elite player development curriculum and the four dimensions of the game (Technical, Tactical, Physical, Psychological) as a basis for the training philosophy, we have added to it in order to create a methodology that is uniquely Flash. When implemented with an attention to detail in the FUN environment created by committed players and coaches, this methodology becomes the culture in which the WNY Flash Academy program exists. SUCCESS The primary focus of the Academy is to develop people as players. Taking into consideration our development philosophy, our aim is to see each and every player improve from season to season, game to game, practice to practice. Like we are intent on preparing each player to maximize their performance, we are intent on preparing each and every team to be successful in the games they play. Instead of stressing the importance of winning, we will educate our teams on the steps they need to take in order to win. This gives us tangible goals to focus on in training and preparation for games, as well as the opportunity for tangible feedback after training and games. We believe in creating an environment where young athletes can focus on their performance with as few distractions as possible to obtain the desired results. PLAYER HANDBOOK To support the athletic education of our Academy, players will be provided a Player Handbook. This handbook will be a resource to help them develop as athletes but also to help them mature into young adults. The information provided will focus on our Development Philosophy and Playing Style but will also include methods on how to prepare and maintain oneself mentally and physically for competition. 3

PLAYING STYLE Flash teams will play an attacking, hard-working, possession-based soccer. This means they will look to get up the field and create scoring chances as often as possible while retaining possession for as much of the game as possible. This requires players to play in combination, keep the ball on the ground, and support each other with off-the-ball movement. Defensively, our teams will attack the ball high up the field with numbers and be instructed how to and when to defend in our own half. They will be taught the importance of challenging 50/50 balls, because the intensity with which a team defends sets a tone for offense. POSTIONS It's important that each player have a position they call home. This provides the opportunity for our coaches to put players on the field in positions where they will have the most success and the opportunity for the players to learn the nuances of the position they play. However, to promote the development of each player's soccer IQ, they will be asked to train in many positions and learn the situational understanding necessary to play any position on game day. When possible, coaches are encouraged to give players experience on game day in positions other than where they call home. We feel this prepares them for a long and enjoyable soccer career by giving them all the tools they may need to make the jump to new levels of competition. PLAYING TIME As an elite Academy, playing time will first and foremost earned through performance and will be a decision made by the Head Coach. We maintain this policy because it is in everyone's best interest for teams to be successful on the field. Knowing this may reduce playing time for some players, it's the responsibility of the Head Coach to communicate with their players before games so everyone has realistic expectations of the playing time they will receive. Coaches are encouraged to manage playing time for everyone. For those who are not first in consideration for playing time in the more challenging games this means giving them more playing time in manageable games or tournaments. TRYOUTS The Academy will hold tryouts once a year. The decision made by the Head Coach of the age-group and the Academy Directors will be valid from when tryouts take place until the next year's tryouts. Although decisions are final, at the discretion of the Academy Directors, the Head Coach of a team may allow players who missed tryouts with a valid excuse or players who have just moved to the area to attend a team training in order to be evaluated. Players may also be added to a roster mid season if the Head Coach or Academy Directors think it's in the best interest of the team. PLAYING UP If a family would like their child to play-up age groups, they must complete the playing-up form, which can be found in the forms section online. Based on the criteria outlined in the playing-up form, a decision about playing-up will be made. All playing-up decisions must be approved by the Director of Coaching. 4

TOURNAMENTS Tournament play is an important part of soccer development, on and off the field. With input from the Director of Coaching and the families, the Head Coach will make the final decision about which tournaments these are. Furthermore, playing in tournaments is an opportunity for our club to be seen in the greater soccer community. Teams must stay together in the same hotel and players will be asked to abide by all the same code of conduct while traveling for team events as they are held to when at practice or at games. Tournament registration is taken care of by the Team Manager in conjunction with the Academy Administrator. For more information about how to do this, see the Team Manager section and the Tournament Registration Form found in the Forms section online. TRAVEL POLICY Our Coaches invest a lot of time, energy and effort into our players and teams. To assist in supporting the Coaches in their decision to make coaching soccer a career, the team will share coach's expenses for tournament play and other sanctioned events. To find more information on how these expenses are broken down, see the Coach's Travel Compensation Form, which can be found in the Forms section online. UNIFORMS As an elite Academy, we need consistency and professionalism in our appearance on the field. All players must purchase the team uniform and required training kits. Based on availability from the manufacturer, we will try to use these uniforms for as long as possible. Players are required to wear the approved training kit to all practice sessions, as communicated by the coach, and to bring both colors of uniforms to all games. NUMBERING PROCESS Throughout the world, there is a culture associated with the number a player wears in connection to the position they play and the level of team they play on. While the jersey number an Academy player wears will not determine the position they play, we do feel it's best to keep the numbering system consistent with the greater soccer culture. The system will be as follows. Goal Keeper(s) Jersey #1, #12 and #18 Field Players Jersey #2 through #XX (number of players on Roster), ie. if a team has a 14 player roster with 1 Keeper, field jersey numbers will be from #2 - #15. If an additional player is added to the roster during the season, they will take the next subsequent number, which in this case is #16. Note, #12 will be left available anticipating a second Keeper may be added. UNIFORM BUYBACK Should the situation present itself where a team is not going to be aged-up inside the Flash Academy and the team has purchased new jerseys to use for just one year, the Academy will offer to buy back the jerseys at 50% of what the original price was. This offer is not available for socks, shorts, and warm-ups. COLLEGE MENTOR PROGRAM The Flash Academy College Program offers its players the opportunity to pursue a collegiate soccer career. It introduces parents and players to the process of getting recruited and explains what college coaches and collegiate programs are looking for in a player and student athlete. The Academy players will be advised on how to compose player resumes, cover letters, YoutTube video highlights, and much more. While this is all necessary in helping an athlete find their path to college, the program also guides players and parents through one of the most important decisions in a young adult's life: the college they will attend. The College Mentor Program is designed for players between the ages of 14 and 18 who are interested in playing competitive soccer at the collegiate level or higher. 5

COMMUNICATION There is an enormous emphasis put on communication within the club. As the foundation for success, Academy Directors and Coaches are encouraged to communicate using the information provided in this document, and anyone representing the WNY Flash Academy is asked to maintain communication openly and respectfully. It is recommended that communication concerning team dynamics (tryouts, scheduling, parents concerns, etc.) take place in written form to avoid inconsistent communication and misunderstandings. When the team meets, one of the parents should take notes and send the minutes to the team in email. TEAM MANAGER Having a good Team Manager is vitally important to a team's success. Not only does the Team Manager help with putting together the team binder, tournament registration, and uniforms, but they provide a gateway of communication between a team's parents and the coach. Often what's on the mind of a team s parents is the same. By holding brief meetings for the parents at practices the Team Manager can filter these thoughts and bring them to the coach with one interaction, saving many phone calls, emails and time for everyone. Furthermore, the Team Manager can inform the coach if and when the team needs more communication, making sure communication takes place in a timely and professional manner. For more information, please see the Team Manager Guide in the Forms section online. CODES OF CONDUCT While part of The WNY Flash Academy, it is necessary to understand that your actions not only reflect on you as an individual and your family, but also the team you are a part of and the club you represent. For all members of the Academy Be it physical or verbal, we take issues of intimidation, harassment, aggression, and bullying very seriously and they will not be tolerated. Members of the Academy found culpable of such action will be subject to a review with the team's Head Coach and Directors in order to determine the appropriate course of action with possibility of expulsion without refund. It is the expectation that players will: Honor the commitment to the club Understand the team s objectives and goals Take full responsibility of actions and maintain a positive attitude Understand the role on the team Maintain good physical condition which includes healthy eating, proper sleep and exercise Recognize practices are as important as games Take full responsibility for attending team events, which includes being prepared and on time Notify the coach if unable to attend a team event with as much notice as possible Display good sportsmanship regardless of game outcome Show respect for teammates, opponents, coaches and officials at all times Play by the rules of soccer and in the spirit of the game Accept the decisions made by coaches and game officials Remain in control of actions at all times Respect Sahlen Sports Park and any other facility used by obeying rules and reporting damage Understand that serious infractions may result in disciplinary action Not use, possession or distribution illegal drugs, controlled substances and/or alcohol Represent the Academy on and off the field at ALL times 6

It is the expectation that parents will: Honor the commitment to the club Make sure players arrive for scheduled games and practices at the time designated by the coach Inform the coach of any injury, mental or physical disability that may affect the safety of any player Understand team objectives and goals as it relates to development Help maintain a positive environment Support all players on the team at all times Offering positive encouragement for effort given at practice and games an for competing fairly Set a positive example for all players with how they behave at team events Encourage players to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without intimidation or violence Encourage open player and coach communication Respect the coach s role and instruct the players to do so Refrain from creating confusion by yelling commands like Kick it or Shoot Support play on the with supportive comments like Nice Try or Good Hustle Stay calm and not interrupt a coach during a game or practice to resolve any issues Observe the 24 hour rule, waiting a full day after a game or practice to schedule a meeting Never ridicule or verbally abuse any player, coach or official Watch the game exclusively from the sideline as the facility permits and never enter the field of play Wait for the coach to signal for their help In case of an injury Be responsible for any punishment earned through poor behavior (including guests behavior) Respect any request by a coach or referee to leave the vicinity of the field Respect referees and all officials of the game Respect Sahlen Sports Park and any other facility used by obeying rules and reporting damage Support a drug and alcohol free Academy, report any suspect behavior to the Director of Coaching It is the expectation that Coaches will: Learn the rules of the game, leagues and policies of the Flash Academy Arrive prepared for practices and games, ready to start and end on time Care for the mental and physical well-being of every player Never ask a player to perform any actions that knowingly puts them in harm's way Help players understand the team objectives and goals as it relates to development Maintain a positive environment Support all players on the team at all times Understand each and every player develops at a unique pace Foster an environment where players feel comfortable and able to communicate Treat everyone fairly and with respect Never use vulgar or profane language around the players or parents Never ridicule or verbally abuse any player, opponent, coach or official Be a positive role model for the players by maintaining professionalism and integrity Never use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal substances before, during or at practices and games Respect referees and all officials of the game Provide written assessment to each and every player at the end of the season Avoid direct interaction with any child via phone, text message or social media UNUSUAL AND UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES While we have written the Codes of Conduct to include any possible situation that could arise, we are working with large groups of people. Anytime there are large groups of people working together, unusual and unforeseen circumstances arise. It is the responsibility of the Directors, Coaches, Team Managers, and Parents to be alert to these situations. Should anyone become aware of something that should be brought to the attention of the Academy, it's your responsibility to do so. 7

PROCEDURES FOR VIOLATIONS TO CODE OF CONDUCT The following summarizes procedures regarding parent, guest of parent, player and coach violation of the Code of Conduct and for airing grievances. WNY Flash Academy players, parents, and coaches are required to adhere to their Code of Conduct. Violations will be presented to our Director of Coaching. In the event that a player demonstrates unsportsmanlike or inappropriate conduct at a game or training session, as determined by the player s Coach, the Coach can take any of the following actions: Player - Immediately remove the player from the practice or the game for inappropriate behavior. Parent or guest of a parent - Direct the offending party to leave the field Refer the matter to the Director of Coaching for review. The matter will be investigated by the Director of Coaching and a determination will be made as to what, if any, sanctions will apply. Sanctions may include, but are not necessarily limited to a warning, suspension, probation, and/or dismissal of the player from the Academy. In all cases of disciplinary sanction, the decisions of the Director of Coaching are final and not subject to appeal. If there is a suspension or dismissal from Academy participation, no refunds shall be given PROCEDURES FOR ADDRESSING GRIEVANCES These procedures ensure that all concerns are addressed in a consistent and professional manner. Concerns regarding Player or Play - If there is an issue that concerns the play on the field, players on the team or the coaching the players are receiving: Wait 24 hours. Contact the Director of Coaching to discuss the issue A meeting will be scheduled, if deemed necessary. Other Concerns If there is an issue that concerns something other than what happens on the field : First talk to the Team Manager, if possible. If any action was taken and it fails to address the issue, then direct your concern to the Director of Coaching. RISK MANAGEMENT The WNY Flash Academy is committed to providing a safe environment and to preventing abusive conduct in any form. All employees, coaches and volunteers of this organization are responsible for protecting our participants and ensuring their safety and well-being while involved in all sponsored activities. The WNY Flash Academy will not knowingly recommend or knowingly allow for placement in a position that would involve direct contact with a child any person who has: (a) been convicted of any felony, crime of violence, or crime against a person; (b) an arrest record for any offense involving sexual misconduct; (c) a documented or demonstrated history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse. All coaching staff and managers must successfully pass a background check performed by New York State West Youth Soccer Association to participate in the WNY Flash Academy. INJURIES Injuries are part of the game. Being a contact sport, there are also situations where players hurt themselves but are able to continue playing. While this is something the Head Coach can help the players understand, it is also the responsibility of the player and their parents to communicate with their coach. At no point will a player's contribution to the team take precedent over their individual well-being. If it is suspected that a player has suffered a concussion or any other serious injury, the Head Coach will not put that player back onto the field. If a player's injury requires them to seek professional medical attention, the Head Coach will defer to the guidance provided by the doctor. 8

TAKING CARE OF INJURED PLAYERS Injuries are no fun and affect more than just a person's body. Should an injury occur, the Head Coach of the team needs to follow up with the player and their parents the next day. This provides support through the recovery process, something players recovering from serious injuries need. If an appointment with a medical professional is needed, make sure the family knows we have an ongoing relationship with Excelsior Orthopedic and through this relationship we can get our players seen by their doctors without the need to wait for a scheduled appointment. CONCUSSION CERTIFICATION Offered by the CDC, the Heads Up concussion certification educates coaches on what to do in the event of a possible concussion. This certification does not give our Coaches the power to diagnose concussions or to determine when a player who has suffered a concussion is eligible to return to the field. It does, however, educate our coaches to be aware of serious head injury and to be cautious about how to manage anyone who has possibly suffered a concussion. All Coaches will be required to complete this certification process and provide proof of completion to the WNY Flash office. MEDICAL RELEASE All parents or legal guardians are required to complete and sign a Liability and Conduct form and a Medical Release form for each player. The forms are available in the Forms section on the website. The purpose of the Medical Release Form is to have medical information on hand which authorizes emergency medical treatment. This is for the protection of the players, parents, coaches, and WNY Flash Academy staff members. While the WNY Flash Academy strongly stresses safety, there is always the possibility of injury. Therefore, forms must be completed, signed and returned to the Academy Administrator. PLAYERS LEFT AT THE FACILITY Player safety is important to our Academy. If there are any children left at the field and their parents have not arrived, you will do one of the following: Wait with the child or children but make sure there is another adult with you waiting. Never put yourself in a situation where you are the only adult present. If you have to leave the field and there are children waiting to be picked up, make sure you assign a parent or parents to stay behind with the children. Never leave a child unattended. Under no circumstances are you allowed to give the child a ride home. You can call their parents if you have a cell phone. TUITION Tuition is based on the frequency of training, the coach's time and qualifications, field rentals, equipment, the number of League Games as well as Indoor and Outdoors Tournaments scheduled for each age group. SIBLING DISCOUNT The Academy offers a sibling discount of 10% off the tuition of the second/youngest child. The discount is applied to the final payment. 9

PAYMENT Payments are accepted by Credit Card (VISA, Master Card and Discover) or Check payable to WNY Flash Academy and can be mailed to 7070 Seneca Street, Elma NY 14059 or placed in the Academy Communication Center mail box outside the Flash office door next to Field 23. A payment plan is offered. Those participating in a payment plan will receive an invoice one (1) month prior to the scheduled payment date. A Late Fee of $20 will be assessed for payments not received by the scheduled due date. Please make sure your credit card information is current and up to date to avoid this fee. A Returned Check fee of $35 will be assessed for checks returned from your financial institution for nonsufficient funds, closed account or other returned reason. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE No player who has demonstrated the necessary characteristics of being a valuable member of a Flash Academy team will be denied the opportunity to participate because of a challenging financial situation. Please contact our Academy Administrator for more information about the available options for financial assistance. 10