Competitive U13 - U19 - Tryouts
Competitive soccer is for both boys and girls from U13 - U19. At the early ages (U13-U15) of competitive soccer, winning is secondary to development. We do not emphasize winning, but building on the foundation of a players journey with FCMN.
As a player furthers their career, they will make a decision to want to pursue a higher level of play after high school. FCMN will support all decisions by the athlete. If an athlete wants to pursue a post high school career, this is the moment we take their game to the next level. A comprehensive plan is put in place to help them attain their goals. For the students who simply want to play throughout their youth career, we will support that too and still provide an equally amazing experience.
A. Team Selections
Every July and August FCMN will hold tryouts to select players for our competitive teams. The total number of teams that will be formed will be determined by the number of players who attend the tryouts and are ultimately selected. Traditionally we will look to house 3 competitive teams per age group as a true form of development.
For all competitive teams U13+, the program represents a Nov - July commitment and breaks for high school soccer. Players are placed on a team after a thorough evaluation during tryouts, with the top tier players being placed on the top level team. Players not meeting the requirements of the top level tier players will be placed on subsequent teams.
Tryouts are necessary to a certain degree, however at times they become irrelevant and counter productive as it creates a lot of unwanted pressure on the children.
With the leadership experience of FCMN, all players will be constantly evaluated an eventually taken away from the tryout system.
FCMN commits to an ongoing evaluation of players and will adhere to a true and transparent 'player placement and movement' philosophy.
B. Time Commitment
Players and parents should understand that a player commits to a team from November 1st through July 31st. However, the players must commit to the club after receiving an offer during tryouts - Typically in July and August.
The team and the club also commit to the player for that same time period. Your child will remain on his/her team for the duration of the year if the child maintains the level of commitment, and if the age group continues to field sufficient players. Occasionally, teams have players from the age group drop out, and this might cause a team to have too few players to continue. We will address these issues on an as needed basis.
Every family that is interested in participating on a FCMN competitive travel team must have a basic understanding of the commitment involved before having your child try out for a team.
Season expectations are as follows:
Teams typically start in November depending on the commitment of the team. During the winter, teams may play in small sided events and will traditionally travel to an out of state event to prepare for the Spring season. All teams are welcome to travel. The Spring season will begin in late March/Early April and go through the 2nd week in July.
Practice and game days -
Depending on the league the team plays in, practice days will also vary. Games will either be on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your practices will fall on the off game days with an additional practice on the weekend if there are no tournaments.
If the team plays in additional leagues, game days are traditionally Saturdays/Sundays so trainings will be midweek, likely on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
FCMN will hold various additional technical and tactical training sessions throughout the season to compliment the teams trainings. These trainings will be included in your soccer tuition.
Please think carefully about these time commitments before you have your child try out for a team. Anything less than an attitude of full commitment is not fair to the rest of your team.
If competitive travel soccer is not for you, FCMN also has a recreation program for Boys and Girls. Our recreation program allows for your children to learn the basic skills of soccer and have fun playing with their friends without the time commitments required by the select travel soccer program.
Your child’s prior demonstrated commitment to our program will be taken into account during team selection. Because soccer is a team sport, it is not enough to be a good player; your child must be a good teammate.
C. Playing Time and Player Movement Considerations
At the competitive level every effort will be made to play your child, however, it is up to the coach to decide if a child plays or does not. There are no guarantees of playing time. If a player does not play more than 25% of a game, the coach is required to inform the DOC and Executive Director as to the reason. We will then create an immediate action plan to further the development and ensure playing time is increased.
There will be player movement within the club between teams. The club will determine when and why players will be asked to move from team to team within the organization. The club may also move players to better support development and performance.
D. Financial Commitment
Each child that wishes to play soccer on our teams must register shortly after selection to a team. When your child is selected, the club will provide information on payment.
Once your child has been placed on a team and you have paid the registration fee, the fee is not refundable.
Costs -
The registration fee for competitive soccer is $TBD with payment plans available throughout the season. Costs will be finalized in the Spring of 2021 as soon as our budget is complete.
Fees included in the registration fee include -
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League Player Registration Fees (insurance)
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League Registration Fee
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Team Registration fee for one in state tournament
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Field Rental and Maintenance Costs
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The Fee does NOT Include your uniform package. Please click on the uniform link on our website. (Will be available Spring, 2021)
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Basic Uniforms costs are estimated to be $200.00 for players but can be higher depending on the age and size of the child. Additional items such as warm-ups and bags will be an additional cost but are optional.
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Basic Uniform includes 2 of the following:
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2 x Practice shirt, 1 x Practice shorts, 1 x Practice socks,
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2 Game jerseys - Home and away
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2 Game shirts - Home and Away
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2 Game Socks - Home and Away
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In addition to the registration fee, players may also be expected to pay an annual coaching fee, optional tournament fees and occasionally coaching travel expenses. (Per diem and travel expenses)
E. Additional Information On Our Competitive Program
Any family with a financial hardship should contact our administration as scholarship may be available. All such communication is confidential. To request financial assistance, please contact our office.
Additional fees may include fees for playoffs, early season & late season leagues if applicable and tournament fees. Each team pays the travel expenses for out of town tournaments for their coach as well. Individual, personal travel fees, such as hotels, food, airfare, etc. are additional.