MSC WAVE - INTRODUCTION AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Effective with the 2009-10 season, Mentor Soccer Club formed a new Wave Soccer program, which was a merger of the former Travel and Premier programs into one program, with a primary goal of player development.
The goals of the MSC Wave Soccer program are to:
- Provide the best opportunity for children to become better soccer players
- Provide multiple levels to accommodate a wide variety/number of players
- Improve training by utilizing our best trainers, and increasing the frequency of training opportunities
- Provide services at same cost for all participants
Below is a program outline and Q/A section.
We believe there are great benefits to the MSC Wave Soccer program, which are in line with MSC's mission of “providing opportunity to learn and play soccer to the level of her/his desire and ability".
We hope that you will strongly consider the Wave Soccer program, and we hope to provide an outstanding soccer experience for your child.
Any questions or comments should be e-mailed to
[email protected] - leave a phone number if you prefer to speak directly.
Thank you for your support.
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MSC WAVE SOCCER - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
TRAINING/COACHES
Training will be conducted by age group, utilizing our most qualified MSC coaches as head coaches (i.e. leaders for an age group). These are licensed, experienced coaches, many of whom are coaching at local high schools and colleges, that share MSC’s goal of developing players. There will be an established curriculum to ensure age-appropriate teaching and a learning progression.
The objective of age group training is to affect more children positively through better training, and create closer interaction within an age group, which is very instrumental in long-term success. We expect, in most cases, that the head coach for the age group will be a non-parent coach.
Head Coach will be responsible for:
- Leading training and development of entire age group
- Lead team coaching effort for age group
- Coach games (when available)
- Player development issues and parent education/questions
Assistant Coach(s) will be responsible for:
- Assisting head coach during training and games
- Coach games if head coach is not available
- Help with special sessions (i.e. Friday open play days)
- Support team effort to maximize child development
Age Group Manager will be responsible for:
- Communication to all members in age group
- Handle administration and coordination for all teams in age group
In order to enhance the development of the children, it is expected that Head Coaches will be rotated every 2-3 years. There is a benefit to experiencing coaches with different styles and strengths, and a new voice.
TRAINING SCHEDULE (Fall/Spring)
- 2 weekly age group training sessions
- 1 weekly open “play day” (Street Soccer/Goalkeeper training) - Fridays
GAME SCHEDULE (Fall/Spring)
Teams will play their games in one of 2 leagues (OHTSL - Ohio Travel Soccer League, or OYSAN State League). Generally, teams will be placed where it is felt that players would best develop:
- More skilled teams (“Red” team) may participate in the State League, generally playing on Saturdays
- Developing teams (“Black A”, “Black B” teams) may participate in the Travel League, generally playing on Sundays
Parents will be notified of the intended league when player/coach assignments are announced.
WINTER / INDOOR
Winter/Indoor participation is recommended, although it remains optional.
MSC recognizes that there is a benefit from training during the winter. MSC intends to offer Winter training and playing options for all players. There will be options for both Winter I (Nov through mid-Jan) and Winter II (mid-Jan through March) sessions. It is expected that most of the Winter Indoor training will be at Heisley Indoor Soccer Center or other locations in the Mentor area.
TOURNAMENTS
Each team will be encouraged to participate in at least 2 tournaments throughout the year. This will be an extra cost, and the cost will be divided evenly among the players participating. Tournament participation is optional.
FEES
2017-18 Wave Soccer fees
- Fall/Spring seasons and includes Winter indoor sessions 1 & 2 - $780
- Uniform kit: approximately $130 (includes 2 game jerseys, 2 pairs game shorts, 1 pair game socks, and 1 training shirt)
- Uniforms will last at least 2 years, eliminating the need to purchase new uniforms every year
PAYMENT PLAN
A payment plan will be available as follows:
- Payment of $200 program fee due by June 29th to accept your roster spot
- Remaining $580 program fees due in monthly payments of $100, last payment $80
- Payments can be made anytime at www.mentorsoccerclub.com
To take advantage of this plan, click on “Pay Deposit Only” when reaching the Checkout screen.
FEE REDUCTIONS / WAIVERS
At this time, we are planning for 4 ways that fees can be reduced or waived:
1. If qualifying for free/reduced lunch program, discounts will apply - $85 discount for those on reduced lunches, and $170 discount for those on free lunches. Please contact
[email protected] for details if this applies.
2. Volunteers - there are several positions that include a benefit of a full program fee waiver ($295)
- Registrar (Needed)
- League Representatives (2 people)
- Academy Administrator (Filled)
- Uniform Coordinator (Filled)
3. MSC Rec Team Sponsorships
- Members will be able to earn 30% of sponsorship sales, credited against fees.
(new sponsors only, one-time credit, limited availability)
WAVE SOCCER BENEFITS
MSC feels that the Wave Soccer plan will provide a number of major benefits to its participants compared to most other travel/premier programs:
- Better overall player development
- Improved quality of training/instruction
- Curriculum/focus to ensure age-appropriate teaching and learning progression
- Emphasis on learning vs. just winning
- Closer environment within age group, which helps ensure long-term success
- Opportunity to play better competition
- Better player retention
- Better consistency in coaching
- Better coach succession plan
- Access to different coaches that provide different strengths, styles, and voices
QUESTION AND ANSWERS
WHY DID MSC MAKE CHANGES TO IT'S PREVIOUS PROGRAMS?
MSC feels that the Wave Soccer program provides the best environment to develop good soccer players. For different reasons, the previous Travel and Premier programs were at a disadvantage in developing higher level players. MSC felt that by combining and concentrating resources into one program, with a primary objective of player development, it is better able to meet its mission.
WHAT IS THE MSC MISSION?
The Mentor Soccer Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing area youth with the opportunity to learn and play soccer to the level of her/his desire and ability, while promoting a positive and safe environment.
WHAT WERE ISSUES WITH THE PREVIOUS TRAVEL PROGRAM?
While not every reason applied to every age group, team, or coach, MSC found:
- Inconsistency in quality of training and instruction
- Inconsistent or inappropriate focus, e.g. winning vs. learning, tactics vs. technique
- Lack of training options throughout the year
- Poor player retention rate, especially at older ages
WHAT WERE ISSUES WITH THE PREVIOUS PREMIER PROGRAM?
The higher cost created a “pay to play“ environment vs. a true premier level.
WHY DIDN'T MSC JUST OPERATE SEPARATE PROGRAMS?
First, we found both programs to be inconsistent in developing high level players, for the previous reasons listed. Second, both programs had the same basic objective - player development - so it made sense to concentrate effort/resources into providing one program with the best chance for meeting the objective. Finally, operating two programs (with the same objective) resulted in a number of systemic issues:
- Practice conflicts
- Game/tournament conflicts
- Identification of “primary“ vs. “secondary“ team, causing issues among parents/coaches
- Program confusion
- Duplicate volunteer work
- Natural competition for players
WAS THERE ANY PRECEDENT FOR THIS?
Actually, the current type of structure is the norm in most other regions in the country. Most states have only two levels of soccer - “Rec” and “Competitive” (sometimes also called Select, Academy, etc.). While Ohio North is currently one of the few geographies that continues to separate Travel and Premier, it is moving in the direction of only one classification.
WHY UTILIZE PAID COACHES?
We want to identify and utilize the best trainers and leaders for each age group in the MSC program. In many cases, this will be a coach with more experience and training than an average parent-volunteer. The head coach will also be expected to handle important player development items such as player evaluations and parent communication/education.
WILL PARENT COACHES EVER BE USED?
In exceptional cases, a parent may be a head coach for an age group based on their coaching qualifications and demonstrated player development. It must be remembered that as a head coach, non-parents provide advantages vs. parents:
- No potential issues of favoritism towards own child (whether real or perceived)
- Program continuity (e.g. if the child of a parent-coach leaves the program, for whatever reason, the team is usually left without a coach)
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT SOME INFORMATION ON EXISTING COACHES?
Go to www.mentorsoccerclub.com, and click on Academy, then “MSC Wave Coaches”. We expect to be expanding staff as well.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
In Fall/Spring, there are 2 teams practices during the week, optional Street Soccer/Goalkeeper training sessions on Fridays, and a weekend game. Winter participation remains optional, but the benefit is that you will be guaranteed training and playing options in the Winter for your age group.
WHO WILL COACH GAMES?
It may be the Head Coach or Assistant Coach. The coaches are to work as a team for the development of the players. The Head Coach will lead that effort. But there may be many times where the Head Coach is not available, as they may be coaching multiple teams.
HOW DO MSC WAVE COSTS COMPARE WITH SIMILAR PROGRAMS?
Costs compare extremely favorably with similar programs:
- MSC Wave - $780 for Fall/Spring/Winter two sessions, plus $130 for uniform kit
- Hudson United - $430 for Fall/Spring, plus $130 for uniform kit
- Cleveland Soccer Academy - $1505 for Fall/Winter/Spring (year-round play required), plus $255 for uniform kit
HOW IS MSC ABLE TO KEEP COSTS LOWER THAN COMPETITORS?
There are several factors contributing to our lower-cost structure:
- Our pooled training approach provides efficiencies in use of coaching resources.
- The City of Mentor generously supports our program by providing fields/goals and maintenance services at minimal cost.
- As a larger club, we are able to take advantages of economies of scale in areas such as supplies and uniforms.
- MSC has traditionally maintained a focus on keeping costs to our members very reasonable.
- MSC is a non-profit organization, one of the few in the Cleveland area offering a premier soccer program. Most premier clubs are for-profit organizations, with the club owner(s) receiving a portion of revenues in the form of a profit. This is not the case with MSC.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PROGRAM?
1. Register by June 30th through www.mentorsoccerclub.com. You will receive a registration confirmation e-mail with instructions for tryouts.
2. Attend tryouts the first week of June.
3. Respond to acceptance/non-acceptance notification around mid June.
WHAT IF I TRY OUT, AND DON’T WANT TO PARTICIPATE (FOR ANY REASON)?
Notify us by June 18 and you will receive a full refund.
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
E-mail us at
[email protected] Or if you prefer to talk directly, leave a phone number.