| In a number of countries soccer is a relatively new | | | | in all aspects of the club, coaching, managing, fund |
| sport, and often parents have no knowledge of the | | | | raising and website building, you name it, I will have |
| local soccer scene or how to choose the right soccer | | | | done it, and all for nothing - well nothing but the |
| club for their child. Selecting the right environment for | | | | sheer joy of contributing and helping my club have a |
| your child is paramount to ensure that they enjoy | | | | great environment for the children to play in. |
| playing soccer and develop, not only as fit and | | | | Club Culture and Policies |
| healthy soccer players, but even more importantly | | | | A good club will generally have set policies for the |
| that they develop as good people, socially aware, | | | | teams, coaches, players, managers and parents to |
| able to deal with success and failure, embrace a team | | | | observe. Such things as playing time, team selection, |
| spirit and learn about responsibilities. Playing soccer | | | | volunteering duties, parental behaviour, coach |
| can help develop all of these qualities as long as the | | | | selection and guidelines for team management are all |
| environment that they are playing in endorses and | | | | part of the policies that a club should have. If the |
| promotes these qualities. | | | | club website does not have this information, then |
| Your Initial Short List | | | | contact the club and go and meet with the club |
| It should be relatively easy to find a number of | | | | officials to see what kind of guidelines they have set |
| soccer clubs in your local area. Clubs normally belong | | | | for the club and spend some time discussing how the |
| to "An Association", and often there are a few | | | | club operates. |
| associations that operate in a city or area. For | | | | Facilities |
| instance, in Melbourne, where I live, in a city of 4mil | | | | When you visit the club, it doesn't take long to |
| people there are at least 3 associations, The Football | | | | identify if the facilities are good. If you go down in |
| Federation of Victoria, The Churches League, and the | | | | the evening, when a lot of training is done, are the |
| Bayside League. A simple Google search for "soccer | | | | playing grounds and facilities adequately lit? Are the |
| clubs Melbourne" should bring up a list of locally based | | | | teams that are training there using well kept |
| soccer clubs, and from that list you should be able to | | | | equipment (balls, bibs, cones) etc. Is there enough |
| narrow down to 5 or 6 that are local, say within 5km | | | | space for everybody or are all the teams playing on |
| from where you live. By looking at the clubs website, | | | | the main pitch? Do they have alternate training |
| you will probably be able to gauge how suitable the | | | | venues? |
| club is for further investigation. | | | | So what do you choose? |
| A club visit | | | | Some clubs operate only junior teams, some only girls |
| Before you take your child to a club, it is worthwhile | | | | teams and some have policies to encourage players |
| to get in touch with the officials of the club to ask a | | | | of only elite ability. Generally, for junior players, the |
| few questions and further satisfy yourself that your | | | | emphasis is on playing for fun, whether it be a |
| child will be in a safe and nurturing learning | | | | beginners team or and advanced team. The club you |
| environment. Having said that, most clubs are run by | | | | choose should be able to satisfy your child's |
| volunteers, unpaid mums and dads, just like you, so | | | | immediate needs and also provide a pathway for |
| you may need to modify your expectations. Most of | | | | your child to develop to a higher standard. |
| the admin work is done "out of hours" and also on a | | | | After you have done your research, your decision |
| non paid volunteer basis, as is a lot of the coaching. | | | | should be based on |
| So even though you may have a budding "Wayne | | | | - Will my child be able to develop to a high standard? |
| Rooney" on your hands, don't expect that the red | | | | - Is the environment safe for my child? |
| carpet is laid out for you. Most clubs welcome new | | | | - Is the culture of the club something that I will enjoy |
| members and will treat you very well, but there is an | | | | too? |
| expectation that parents will be able to assist too. | | | | - Does the club appear organised and well run? |
| Just remember that even though you are paying | | | | The overriding decision should be based on |
| fees, the vast majority of grass roots clubs run on a | | | | - Will my child have fun? |
| shoe string budget and generally rely on well meaning | | | | If your child enjoys themselves, then you probably |
| parents to keep the ship afloat. I am heavily involved | | | | will too. |
| in the club that I played for, which is the same club | | | | There is nothing quite like seeing the smiling faces of |
| that my two boys now play at. I have been involved | | | | happy soccer players! |