Table of Contents

 

 

1.                 Introduction

2.                 Club Objectives

3.                 Chatham United Organization

4.                 Club Elections

5.                 Director of Coaching

6.                 Club Policy

7.                 Number of Teams

8.                 Overview of Club Programs

9.                 Program Expectations and Commitment

10.             Team Selection and Tryouts

11.             Team Organization

12.             Funding

13.             Other Information

 

Chatham United Soccer Club (hereafter referred to as CU) is an independent, nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to the development of youth soccer in the Chatham’s. The club offers Chatham residents the opportunity to participate in a competitive travel program, designed to develop players’ soccer skills while teaching all aspects of the game of soccer. The club works in partnership with the Chatham Recreation Department to provide a travel soccer program for those residents that desire a more competitive soccer program than that provided by the recreation department.

 

“KIDS COME FIRST.” The objective of Chatham United is to provide the best player development experience for our club members so they can reach their maximum potential. It is assumed that our members desire to play soccer on the high school level or equivalent competitive league level. To attain this objective, CU aims to instill an environment of enthusiasm and appreciation for the sport of soccer. It aims to promote good sportsmanship and develop technical, tactical, physical and psychological components of the game to be a quality soccer player and achieve the desired level of play. 

 

In developing our program, we rely heavily on guidelines and principles set forth in NJSYSA, USYSA, USSF and its associated coaching schools. The program is designed to give an opportunity for motivated players to develop new skills and enhance existing skills through professional training and competitive games.

 

The Club believes that a successful player develops both individual skills as well as team skills. Consequently, our program incorporates the concepts of good sportsmanship, self-control, leadership, commitment to teamwork and team spirit.

 

CU is a member of New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (NJYSA www.njyouthsoccer.com), an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), which is a member of the world governing body of soccer – Federation International Football Association (FIFA). All players and coaches of CU are members of the international soccer community. At the youth level, it is NJSYSA and US Youth Soccer (USYSA), the youth arm of the USSF, that serve as overall organizers, coordinators, overseers, insurance brokers, and guiding body for many youth soccer activities including recreation, travel, county select, state select, ODP, and national team programs.

 

CU travel teams play in a league sponsored by Morris County Youth Soccer Association (MCYSA www.mcysa.org) or other NJSYSA groups (such as MAPS) and participate in tournaments recognized by NJSYSA and USYSA.

 

Chatham United Soccer Club is run by an elected Board of trustees and managed according to the club’s bylaws. The President’s position is elected by the Board of trustees. The Board meetings are open to the general public including coaches, parents and others.  Please contact the club President in advance of the meeting to have your comments, questions, or suggestions added to the agenda. The club encourages all parents and coaches to get involved in organizational activities and volunteer their talents and services.

 

The current Board membership can be found at the club website www.chathamunited.org. A complete description of each Board position is also available along with contact information for each Board member.

 

4. Club Elections

 

Club trustees are elected for a two year term according to the following schedule. Elective terms run from January 1^st to December 31^st. All trustees whose terms are expiring must be willing to transition official responsibilities and remain in reserve service if needed.

 

Even Years – President, Secretary, Registrar, Fields and Equipment Coordinator, Game    

 

Odd Years – Vice President Membership, Treasurer, League Contact, Tournament Director,                        Practice Scheduler, Website Coordinator.

 

The Board of Trustees will select a nominating committee at the first meeting of the Fall season to recommend candidates for the upcoming election. Elections will occur during the final general meeting of each year. Each team will have 1 vote for the election of trustees. The current President will chair the nominating committee, which will consist of 5 individuals. The nominating committee must consist of at least 3 members at large.

 

 

The Board of Trustees is permitted to hire a paid professional Director of Coaching. His/her duties will include setting up age specific skill development objectives and assisting each team in fulfilling those objectives throughout the season. The Director of Coaching can be expected to assist with hiring all paid professional trainers. The Director will work with each parent manager in the trainer selection process for their team. The parent manager should report any dissatisfaction with a team’s trainer to the Director. The Director is a voting member of the Board of Trustees. In the absence of a Director of Coaching, team issues should be brought to the attention of the club President.

 

It is expected that each CU team will have a paid professional trainer to run weekly practices along with league games and tournaments. Paid trainers will work with their team’s parent manager and director of coaching to develop specific skill development objectives along with trying to maximize the potential of the individual player and team.

 

 

All club policy will be set at Board of Trustees meetings by a majority vote of the Board members present. These meetings are mandatory for each Board member. Absences or tardiness to Board meetings by Board members will negate that trustee’s opportunity to vote or voice an opinion on the matter. General meetings are open to all club members.

 

 

CU will strive to form two teams at each age group from U8 – U14 for both boys and girls. The number of teams is dependent on the number of participants that tryout for the program and skill of level of players. The number of teams is also decided with consideration from the Chatham Recreation Department. At the U 9 and U10 age group, the club will strive to expand the number of teams in order to ensure enough travel participants at the U11 age group when teams expand from small sided play (8 field players) to large sided play (11 field players). The club may also reduce the number of teams based on available field resources, lack of participation or a change in club policy.

 

Player development is a primary goal of CU. As such, we strive to give every member the best opportunity to get onto the field while still fielding competitive teams. For small-sided teams (8 players on the field: U8 – U10), CU typically maintains a maximum of 12 players per team. For large-sided teams (11 players on the field: U11-U14), CU typically maintains a maximum of 15 players per team. 

 

The number of teams, team size and players assigned to a team is determined by the Vice President(s) of membership and the team selection committee. CU has established an extensive, independent and thorough tryout and player evaluation process, which helps determine number of teams, team size and players. Tryouts are important for any player who wants to be a member of CU. For players new to CU, the tryout provides an opportunity for skill assessment by an independent, professional training group, while competing amongst all players in their age group. For existing CU players, your child’s tryout evaluation, combined with the yearlong evaluations and comments from their team’s trainer, contribute 90% towards the team selection process. The remaining 10% comes from in put of the parent team manager.

 

 

Chatham United teams primarily play in MCYSA for both the Fall and Spring seasons. Select teams play in higher flighted more competitive leagues in association with NJSYSA. Each season consists of 10 games. New teams are formed for the Fall season and those same teams continue to play in the Spring season. Changes to team players during or in between Fall / Spring season may only be done by the team selection committee and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

 

 

 

 

The MCYSA Fall Season officially begins on the first Sunday after Labor Day. The season traditionally ends on the Sunday before Thanksgiving but may be extended if there are games to be made up. Each team’s full schedule is available by the beginning of September on the MCYSA website.

 

CU teams will often begin holding practices at the end of August. Teams are encouraged to hold team training camps before school starts. Teams may also enter summer tournaments dependent on agreement by all team members. Practices may also begin earlier if agreed upon.

 

Teams will be assigned 2 practice sessions each week. Teams are encouraged to enter one of the many Labor Day tournaments as a warm up to the Fall Season. U10 and higher teams are also encouraged to enter the State Cup tournament. Teams are also required to enter one additional Fall tournament during the season. 

 

 

The MCYSA Spring Season officially begins generally on the first Sunday of April. The season traditionally ends on the third Sunday of June. Once again, the season may be extended if there are games to be made up.

 

CU teams are encouraged to practice throughout the winter months. Spring practices will begin once Chatham fields are officially opened by the Chatham recreation department. Teams will be assigned 1 practice session each week. Teams are encouraged to hold indoor practices prior to the start of outdoor practices.

 

Teams are required to participate in the Chatham United Memorial Day Tournament. Each team is required to select one individual at the beginning of the fall season to work with the club’s Memorial Day Tournament committee and act as “Team Liaison”. 

 

 

Chatham United travel soccer requires a tremendous commitment from both the players   and their parents - much more than if you are considering Chatham Recreation soccer. CU expects that children come prepared to have fun, but they should have fun playing soccer. It is expected that all players will pay attention during practices and games and contribute to a competitive team atmosphere.

 

Players and parents should be committed to participate in the activities of the team in order to improve player development and team play. . If a player misses practice or arrives late, team concepts or instruction as a result of the previous game cannot be reviewed and practiced for the benefit of the team. In order for the program to be successful, everyone must be prepared to give a full commitment to attend all practices and games.

 

All players that demonstrate a full commitment to the club will maintain a “Player in Good Standing Status”. Players that are constantly missing games, missing practices, arriving late to practice for reasons other than those listed below, will most likely see reduced playing time and will not be permitted in the starting lineup. Team trainers and parent managers are expected to advise the player’s parents if a player is in danger of losing their “Player in Good Standing” status. Acceptable reasons for missing games, missing practices, or arriving late to practices include injury, illness, and religious holidays.

 

 

CU expects that travel soccer will be a priority during the Fall along with a strong commitment during the Spring season. During the Fall season, attendance at practices and games should not be an issue, 100% participation is expected.

 

CU recognizes that Spring is a busier season and additional sports commitments are typical. However, CU expects all parents and players to work together with the parent team manager in order to reduce the number of schedule conflicts. Absences from games should be avoided at all cost and if unavoidable, should be communicated early enough so that each team can reasonably plan to have enough players at each game.   Practices are reduced to once per week to accommodate other commitments. Parents and players should make a strong effort to avoid missing Spring games since this only harms the team and its league record for the following Fall season. 

 

Players are expected to attend all soccer practices and games. Doing so will keep the player in ‘good standing’ with the club and team. Any conflicts should be brought to the attention of the parent manager several days prior to the game or practice in which there is a conflict. If participation in practice or games is sporadic, the player may receive less playing time during games they attend. If the situation begins to disrupt the team, the coach may ask the club’s Board of trustees to release the player from the team.

 

 

 It is the club’s policy that teams practice twice a week in the Fall and once a week during the Spring. Each practice session is normally 1.5 to 2 hours long. Practice for the Fall season traditionally at the end of August and continues through to the last week of the season.   Indoor practice begins in March and carries through to the beginning of April. Spring outdoor practices continue through to the end of the season, normally the third Sunday in June.

 

League games are held on Sunday afternoons beginning at 1:00 PM or later during the regular season. Fall games begin the first Sunday after Labor Day. Spring season games begin on the first Sunday of April.  

 

Players at the U10 level and below have the expectation of playing at least 50% of each game. This does not mean that each player will receive equal playing time. Playing time above the minimum is at the discretion of the team’s professional trainer, provided that the basic CU guidelines are met. Players at the U11 through U14 level have the reasonable expectation to play at least 40% of each game. Playing time at the U11 level and above will also be determined by participation in practices, player attitude and commitment.

 

Players at the U8 to U10 level should play a mix of offensive and defensive positions during the season. In order for players to develop appropriately, CU does not want players below the U12 level constantly playing the same position. Exceptions may be made for players who decide that they want to focus on the goalkeeping position. However, CU feels that U12 or below, designated goalies would also benefit from playing and understanding some of the defensive and offensive positions.

Each team is expected to participate in at least two tournaments in the Fall season, including a Labor Day tournament. Labor Day tournaments are the primary game experience used to get each team ready for Fall league play. Each team will also participate in at least one Spring tournament, the CU Memorial Day tournament. The CU tournament is the club’s (and the team’s) primary fundraiser. Teams may play in additional tournaments and state cup competition to be agreed upon in the parent team meetings.

 

 

All players will have independent evaluations completed by their team’s professional trainer each season. Reasonable feedback as to performance and areas for improvement at the end of the Fall season and the middle of the Spring season can be expected. This will likely come in the form of a brief email that indicates that the player is on track, or that the player has areas to work on.

 

All parent managers of CU teams will work with the CU Director of Coaching to hire a team trainer for their team. Team trainers will be appropriately experienced and licensed soccer coaches, who are able to meet club standards to motivate and teach the players in a positive manner.

 

The team trainer is responsible for the team’s player development and team play. He/she is expected to come to every practice with a plan, based on what he/she sees in regular game situations. The trainer should be following the age appropriate guidelines for practices, as outlined in the US Soccer Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the US, 2006. Ideally, every team trainer not only manages the practice sessions, but he/she should be at every game. The expectation is that team trainer will set line-ups for the game, handle player substitutions with the help of the parent team manager. In short, the team trainer should be present to manage the soccer details of the game. We recognize that in some cases this standard cannot always be met. Nevertheless, the expectation is that team trainers will be present for at least 70% of the games and make game time soccer decisions for the team. CU parents are paying for trained soccer professionals to handle soccer decisions and CU will do its best to ensure that these standards are met. Team trainers are expected to do thorough evaluations. Please note that all players are evaluated each season on attendance, attitude, athletic ability and soccer skill. Parents have the right to be told if their child is having any issues at the end of each season and well in advance of subsequent year team selection.

 

All other aspects of managing the team are handled by the parent team manager and other parent team volunteers.

 

 

Players are selected to the Chatham United Travel Program following an extensive multi-day tryout schedule during the spring season combined with their player evaluations from the previous 2 seasons. Participation in the organized tryouts is mandatory for all participants if they hope to receive maximum consideration and a fair evaluation. The club will hire an independent organization to conduct the tryouts to ensure each player’s skills and ability is evaluated by trained professionals. This will also remove opportunity for player bias. The independent organization is to be selected by the Director of Coaching/Training, the Vice President(s) of Membership and Club President. There is no guarantee that every child who tries out will be placed on a team regardless of whether they have played the previous year.

 

Each year, current club members will be evaluated by their professional team trainer and ranked according to their current skill level. These player evaluations combined with their organized tryout results will be used as part of the overall team selection process. Together, the player evaluations and the tryout results will count for approximately 90% of the team selection process. Input from the parent manager will contribute the final 10%. However, the team selection committee will have final say over each team roster. The team selection committee will comprise of the Vice President of Membership, the Director of Coaching/Training, and the Club President or other designated Board Trustees.

 

There is no guarantee that a player will remain on his/her current team. New teams are formed each fall season according to the current team selection process. If a child is not available for both tryouts the parents need to contact the Vice President of Membership or the Club President.

 

Team size as outlined in section 7 “Number of Teams” is the standard applied by age group. Small sided teams generally will consist of 12 players. Large sided teams will have 15 players. It is the discretion of the team selection committee to create a team roster above these standards with overriding consideration given to creating efficient teams and placing members where they have the best chance for success and development. The team selection committee will also consider the advice of the team parent manager and professional trainer.

 

CU organizes its travel teams according to USYSA age guidelines by single year up through the U14 age group. Everyone plays in his/her own birth year (August 1 – July 31) age bracket with the following exceptions. You may play up if your grade in school is ahead of your age group or if there is no team at your age group. There may be instances where players are asked to play in an age group above their birth year as requested by the team selection committee. The two main reasons would be a player with accelerated skills playing at a higher level or an older team needing players. This is not permitted for the U8 age group. Please refer to the MCYSA website www.mcysa.org for age bracket definitions.

 

CU does not permit the use of secondary carded players on its team unless permission is given by the Board of Trustees. Approved secondary card players could be given a chance to play up during the Fall or Spring season. Board approved CU players may secondary card to other teams as long as they follow NSYSA guidelines and it does not affect their commitment to their CU team.

 

 

Team responsibilities/management is divided in 2 ways; “Team management responsibilities and soccer responsibilities.” A team parent manager is selected by the parents of each team in conjunction with the selection committee and is responsible for the team’s organization and finances during the season. 

 

A professional trainer is selected by the Director of Coaching and the team manager. The professional paid trainer is responsible for managing all practices and games according to the Club’s guidelines and expectations for the development of all players at each age group. The trainer is also responsible for evaluating each player at the end of each season in a diligent and objective manner according to the club’s player evaluation form.

 

Each team is required to have a pre-season meeting to review objectives and organizational details for the upcoming season. Trainers should also be at these meetings to discuss the team’s development objectives and season’s expectations.

 

Every successful soccer team has an organized team manager(s). It is almost impossible to reach the highest level of play without a well-organized team manager. With rare exception, all team managers in youth soccer start out as soccer moms or dads with no previous soccer or team manager experience.

 

 

 

The team manager’s responsibility covers 6 key areas:

 

b)           Maintain a good channel of communication with professional trainers

c)           Managing regular season league play

d)           End of season wrap-up

e)           SAGE & Snack schedule

f)            Team finances      

 

The team manager provides the organizational skills that hold the team together and co-ordinates and manages other team volunteers. It is suggested that team duties are divided such as treasurer, snack duty assignment, sage duty and stay parent duties. Each team manager should involve as many parents as possible. The club has found the more involved everyone becomes, the better their team becomes and miscommunication is minimized.

 

Parent managers are required to attend all club general meetings or to designate someone to attend. The parent manager is the club’s main point of contact with each team. The parent manager is required to forward any club communication sent to them to all team parents as directed by the Board or club trustees. The parent manager also casts their team’s vote if required at general meetings. 

 

The parent manager is also the primary game day contact with MCYSA or the coach of the opposing team. The parent manager is registered with MCYSA and contact information is listed on the MCYSA website. The parent manager should become thoroughly familiar with MCYSA guidelines as outlined in the MCYSA handbook.  These guidelines cover topics from paying referees, field set up, player/coach conduct and disciplinary actions/fines.

 

The parent manager is also responsible for organizing game day preparation for home games such as field lining, putting out corner flags, returning corner flags and the proper anchoring of goals.

 

It is encouraged that every parent manager has at least an F license. CU Director of Training, when possible, will provide the tools for those who wish to get an F license or go beyond the basic F license. Obtaining an F license requires attending a state sanctioned USSF course, typically a Friday evening and Saturday morning. Course offerings can be found on the NJ Youth soccer site: www.njyouthcoccer.com. It takes usually two weeks for a license to be processed once the course is completed.

 

The following is a guideline for managers to assist you as you plan the travel season for your team. We recommend 2 managers per travel team. Meet with your co-manager to review and divide up responsibility areas prior to preparing the documents below.

 

 

 

Players’ name, address, birth date, parent’s names, telephone numbers and email addresses. Email contact is critical as this will be your main communication to the families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date and time of game

Name of opponent

Field and location

 

snacks (cut up oranges, etc.) and one family for the after game snacks (munchies/drinks)

 

 

Team contact list for all team families and your coach

Season practice schedule

Teams’ game schedule

Snack and Sage schedule

Copy of the code of conduct     

 

 

 

Sample Pre-Season Email to Parents:

 

“Dear xxxx

 

Congratulations and welcome to the Chatham United xxxx Team! I am excited about our team and hope your kids are too.

 

My primary goal for the season is for everyone to develop and have a great soccer experience. Players should respect each other on and off the field and should learn both to win and lose well. I look to you to help reinforce these important concepts.

 

The expectations for the upcoming year will include;

 

Preparation – Please make sure your child has a water bottle, soccer ball (pumped), cleats and shin guards for all practices and games. Players should bring both uniform tops to all games. 

 

Practices – There will be two weekly practices in the fall and at least one practice each week in the spring. The practice schedule will be communicated well in advance. Please make every effort to have your child at practice sessions, as training is critical in the development of strong soccer skills and the team’s ability to play together well. If your child misses practices, his/her playing time may be reduced. Please understand this policy is in place to ensure that participation in the games is fair for everyone.

Games – Your child should arrive at games 30 minutes before the scheduled start in order to warm up. Please let me know in advance if your child will be unable to attend a game.

 

I am looking forward to a great soccer season and to working with your child. 

 

Sincerely, “

 

 

As mentioned above, schedule a team meeting to go over details for the season and allow your professional trainer to outline his/her expectations.

 

By the middle of each week before the game on Sunday, email the parents with details for the game including time to arrive for warm-up, directions, color of jersey to wear, etc. Remember to bring the passes and a copy of the team certified roster to all games. Always get your passes back at the end of each game (roster copy stays with the referee).

 

You will receive a check at the beginning of the season from the CU Treasure to cover referee expenses. Follow MCYSA guidelines for paying referees each game. Cash is required. No Checks. Record the name and payment to each person. Fill in the game card and keep a record of the game score for all of your games, both home and away. Report game scores to the league efficiently and timely.

  

 

Send an e-mail to the team suggesting a team wrap-up party for the players, families and trainer. If held at someone’s home, try to have this be someone other than one of the managers as you already have a very busy workload.

 

MCYSA requires that each family comply with all SAGE guidelines. A snack schedule is optional. 

 

 

Each parent manager should communicate frequently with professional trainers to ensure that practice sessions are being planned ahead of time and that behavior issues are being addressed. Ideally, the parent manager and trainer work in cooperation. Examples are working with the trainer to set line ups for games, ensuring all players receive appropriate playing time and rotate positions per CU guidelines. 

 

The Professional Trainer:

 

The team trainer is responsible for the team’s player development and team play.

 

 

 

 

 

CU will fully comply with all tax requirements. CU requires that companies and associations engaged by the Club certify that they follow all tax reporting requirements.   In order to facilitate tax compliance and tax reporting, teams are strongly encouraged to engage trainers through approved professional training companies, rather than directly hiring individual trainers.   If individual trainers are used, the nature of the relationship should be structured as an “independent contractor” rather than an “employee”.[1]

 

CU will issue 1099 forms for all trainers paid directly by the Club or by Club teams, and for non-volunteer Board members. In addition, the Club will issue 1099’s to all training organizations hired by the Club and all CU teams, but not directly to the trainers hired through these organizations.

 

At the beginning of each season, the parent manager of each team must provide the President of the Club

·          All contact information for their team’s trainer, name, address, phone & SS#.

·          Whether the trainer has been hired through a professional soccer company or as an independent contractor

·          If an independent contractor, the individual’s social security number

 

At the end of each season, the parent manager must report to the Club President and Treasurer the total amount of training fees paid to their trainer or training organization. Upon the receipt of the information, the Club will reimburse the team with $800.00 for the Fall season and $600.00 for the Spring season. No reimbursements will be made until the required information has been received.

 

Team treasurers may wish to set up a bank account in the name of the team. Please note that team accounts may not use the Chatham United’s tax ID as this complicates IRS reporting.

 

The cost of participating in the CU Travel program is higher than the cost of the recreation program. The fees are collected once a year in the form of a registration fee. Fees are also collected by each team to cover the cost of the paid professional trainer and any additional tournaments the team enters. A special need/scholarship is available for parents to request a waiver of program cost.   Parents should contact the club President in this event.   All contacts are kept confidential. The average cost per player can exceed $750.00 per season. The cost may be higher or lower depending on the number of practices and actual games attended by the paid trainers.

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