Millburn Soccer Club Program Information

Goals

• To enable our children to have fun playing competitive soccer
• To teach our children good sportsmanship toward teammates and opposing players;
• To teach our children the importance of teamwork and the responsibility that comes with being part of a team
• To provide a program of high quality, professional soccer training for Millburn’s more dedicated and committed youth soccer players so that they can achieve to the best of their ability
• To provide continuity by requiring each player and each Team to play two (2) outdoor seasons per soccer year (Fall and Spring)
• To give our children the skills, experience and love of the game to continue to play competitive soccer in High School and beyond

Commitment

All MSC teams are coached by professional trainers, not parents of players. Training begins in early September and continues through mid-to-late November. Practice is twice per week for 1.5 hours per session. Training usually resumes for the Spring season in early March and ends in early-to-mid June. Many teams participate in an optional Winter training program and/or pre-season camp.

A parent team manager or two is required for each team. The manager is responsible for scheduling of games and training, communication, paperwork and administration. They also assist the trainer on the sideline during games and occasionally deputize for him/her when there is a scheduling conflict.

Costs for MSC participants are as follows:

1. Annual membership dues: $300, which are payable online by the June 16th meeting. If you absolutely cannot pay online, you may pay via check on the 16th. Please complete the online registration up to the end where payment is requested.
2. Trainer fees: approximately $285 per season, Fall and Spring. The exact amount will be determined and due in September 2009 and February 2010.
3. MSC team uniforms are ordered from by Kicks & Sticks, which will have a representative available at the June meeting. If your child needs to try on uniforms, kindly go to the store. Please do not bring your child to try on the uniform at the general meeting.

Scholarships are available on a confidential basis for those in need of assistance.

Travel teams participate in a competitive youth soccer league. Most teams compete in the Mid-New Jersey Youth Soccer Association, a part of the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. The league provides a number of flights in each age group to allow each team to find a spot where they can participate in competitive games. In addition to playing approximately 20 league games, 10 in the Fall and 10 in the Spring, teams typically participate in 2-3 tournaments. In terms of travel, the farthest away-game distance is probably West Windsor ~1:15. Sometimes we play as close as Livingston! The schedule is based on the team's flight and usually half the games are at home.

MSC players all participate in other youth sports or activities. We expect that our players are committed to soccer, regularly attend practice and miss few games. It is reasonable that a game in any sport takes precedence over a practice. If there are two conflicting games, assess which team is short players, or alternate. Religious commitments are always an excused absence. Above all, communicate with the team manager if a player is unavailable for any team activity.

Our program requires a strong commitment to make it successful. If you determine that this is not an appropriate venue for your child and your family, please contact the MSC Board at millburnsoccer@gmail.com or 973-544-8786     and let us know as soon as possible so that we may offer the spot to another child. There are waiting lists for most teams.

DEVELOPMENT

In younger age groups emphasis will be placed on learning many positions on the soccer field including goalie. This is important in the development of technical skills and to gain an understanding of the sport. It is important, as a parent, that you support the trainer in this approach. Soccer is a team sport and acceptance of assignment to various positions is part of teamwork and the understanding of a player's responsibility to the team. A team with 8 strikers is not going to be successful. A player with the ability to play comfortably in multiple positions has more options as they develop.

Once players reach the U10-U11 age they often become more proficient in one or two positions given their physical development and skill level. The coach may place them in positions that he/she perceives they are most comfortable and suited given their abilities and the needs of the team.

GAME PARTICIPATION

Full Sided (U11-U14)

It is MSC policy that players must play a minimum of 25% of the game time per game.

Small Sided (U8-U10)

It is MSC policy that Small Sided Travel Team players play approximately 50% of each game.

Please understand that substitutions are a very challenging part of team management. One may only substitute at your throw in, a goal kick or when a goal is scored. Sometimes one must wait for an opportunity, and the more one wants to make a change, the longer it seems that one must wait.

The game situation is also a factor. An MSC goal is to play competitively. Winning games is not the only consideration, but it is a learning experience for a team fighting to hold onto a 1 goal lead in the last few minutes. The substitution strategy that the trainer uses in a close game may be different than when the score is 4-0 or 0-4. Unless it is a medical emergency, parents are to wait 24 hours before contacting the team manager to discuss any game related matter.