Seattle’sPremierSoccerClubSince1979

Updated2/24/2020

WWW.EMERALDCITYFC.ORG

EmeraldCityFootballClub

OrientationHandbook2020-2021

WWW.EMERALDCITYFC.ORG

MissionStatementEmeraldCityFCexiststodevelopeachofourplayerstohisorherfullest

potential,competingatthehighestpossiblelevelwhiledemonstrating

exemplaryteamwork,sportsmanship,andapassionforthegame.We

arededicatedtocreatingapositiveanddynamiclearningenvironment

whereplayersnotonlydesiretosucceed,butalsobecomeenthusedby

theexperiencetocontributetothesuccessofothers.Wearemorethan

asoccerclub,wearemorethanalifeexperience,weareSoccerforLife!

TeamContactInformation

PrimaryTeamCoach:_______________________

AssistantCoach(es):_________________________

TeamManager:____________________________

TeamParentRep:__________________________

TeamVolunteerCoordinator:__________________

TeamTreasurer:____________________________

2019-2020BoardofDirectorsPresident RyanSawyer

ExecutiveVicePresidentBurkeFewel

Treasurer DavidDiGiuseppe

Secretary CraigSexton

Member-At-Large AlysonScadronBranner

Member-At-Large RogerKrosevic

VPofMembership ChadLepper

Coaches’Reps:

U11-U14 CJHamel

U15-U18 AlexJessup

ContactinfoforBoardMembersisavailableonour

clubwebsite,www.emeraldcityfc.org.

REGISTRATIONINFORMATION

UserName:________________________________

Password:_________________________________

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DearECFCFamilies,WelcomenewandreturningplayersandfamiliestoEmeraldCityF.C.Welookforwardtoworkingwithyouthiscomingyear.

EmeraldCityiscommittedtoprovidingaqualitysoccerexperienceforourplayerswheretheygrowandimproveassoccerplayers,learntounderstandandappreciatethegame,learnlifelessonsalongtheway,andenjoytheirtimedoingit.

Developmentoccurswhenplayersareregularlychallengedinarealistictrainingorgameenvironmentwithplayersofsimilarcompetitiveinstinctsandabilities.Overthecourseoftimeplayersshouldbeexposedtodifferentmentorsandcoaches,learningfromconsistentphilosophicalteachingsbutwhilebeingexposedtoinnovativeideasandmethodologies.Itisouraimtocreateacompetitiveenvironmentforallourplayersintrainingandgamesandtochallengethemattheirspecificlevelsofabilityanddevelopment.Itisourhopethattheoutcomewillprovidegreatenjoyment,along-lastingloveforthegame,andgrowthasplayersandaspeople.

Therearealotofpositivethingshappeningwiththeclub,frommarketingcampaigns,tomoreopportunitiesforourplayers,torevampingprogramsandexpectations.Weareexcitedtohelptheclubgrowandtoprovideapremiersoccerexperienceforthecitythattrulyvaluesdevelopingplayersinsoccerandaspeople.Wewanttodevelopallplayers,notjustsome.Wedonothavea"winatallcost"philosophyamongyoungerplayersthatisbecomingmoreprevalentintoday’ssoccerlandscape,forthatisshort-sightedandnottrulydevelopmental.However,makenomistake,wearedriventowineverygameweplay!Wejustchoosetodoitwiththeproperdevelopmentalphilosophy-thatatyoungeragesallplayersplayandcontribute,thatplayerslearnthegamebyplayingmorethanoneposition,andthatweteachthemtoplaythegamecorrectly,notjusthowtowinaspecificgame.Thereisadevelopmentalcontinuumforthisthat

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increasestheemphasisonwinningasplayersage.Alltoooften,however,weareseeingtruedevelopmentofallateam'splayerscompromisedbythepursuitto"winatallcost.”Weplantobetruetoauthenticplayerdevelopment,whilelookingtoteachlifelessonsthatarisewhileplayingacompetitiveteamsport.Winningwillbeabyproductofdeveloping.

Soccerisabeautifulgamethatrequiresskill,imagination,creativity,anddecision-making.Allofussharetheresponsibilitytoenhancethoseelementsinourplayersthroughsupportandpositiveencouragement.

Soccerisaplayers’gamewhereplayersmustbeconsideredfirstwhenallpolitical,administrative,andcoachingdecisionsaremade.Thisisthethemethatshouldbeunderstoodbyallourmembersandthatisvitaltothesuccessofourclub.

Welookforwardtoworkingwithyouandyourchildrenandhelpingthemtobecomebettersoccerplayers,aswellasqualityyoungmenandwomenwithintegrityandpositivelifeskills.

Sincerely,

JohnHamel DavidSmith BobbyHowe

DirectorofCoaching

TechnicalDirector DirectorofCoachingEmeritus

TO-DOChecklist__ OnlineClubregistration www.emeraldcityfc.org(“Registration”tab)

___ ClubPayment–seepage9___ FinancialAidForm

Inquireataccounts@emeraldcityfc.org

___ MedicalReleaseConcussionFormThiswillbeavailableattheteamformationmeetingorfromyourteammanager.

___ USClubRegistrationform

Thiswillbeavailableattheteamformationmeetingorfromyourteammanager.

___ Newplayers-CopyofBirthCertificatetomanager–orcopyofpassport(willbereturned)

___ Uniformfitting

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LeagueStructurePugetSoundPremierLeague(PSPL),DevelopmentLeague(PSPL),NorthwestChampionsLeague:*U10throughU18/19teamswillbeparticipatinginthePSPL.Eligibleteamsmayalsoplayinotherleaguesandcompetitions.*Agegroupsaredeterminedbybirthyear(notbyacademic/schoolyear),perUSSoccerFederationmandatesince2016.Forexample,forthe2019/20season,playersbornin2009willbeU11,playersbornin2008willbeU12,etc.

*RefundPolicy:feesaredeterminedatthebeginningoftheseasonandarebasedonmanyfactorsthatrequireacommitmentofresourcesbyECFC.Accordingly,ECFChasaNoRefundPolicyforfees.IfaPlayerissuspendedfromfurtherparticipation,ifaPlayerleavesaTeam,ifaninjuryoccurs,orifsomeothersituationarisesthatpreventsfurtherparticipationinECFCoronaTeam,therewillbenorefundsoffeespaidorreleasefromtheobligationtopayallfeesdueunderthisAgreement.AnyrequestforexceptiontothisrulemustbesubmittedinwritingtotheECFCBoardofDirectors,whichhassoleandcompletediscretiontoaccept,rejectorotherwiseresolvesucharequest.

MessagefromtheBoardofDirectors

Congratulationstoallournewandreturningplayers!

We,theBoard,strivetocreateandimplementavisionforourClub’sfuture,basedonwhatyou,themembership,havetoldusinourpersonalinteractions,teammeetings,andannualparentsurvey.Ourcoremissionistoprovideanorganizedsoccerprogramthatenablesourcoachestodevelopourplayerstotheirhighestpossiblelevels.

Tomeetorexceedthiscoremission,wefeelwemust

• HelptoraisethelevelofplayinSeattle’syouthprograms.• Recruitandretainfromamongthebestcoachesinthe

Northwest.• Promoteknowledgeofthegamethroughsupportofcoach

licensingadvancement,andthroughsupportofrefereeandentrylevelcoachinglicensingforourplayers.

• Provideleadershipinthelocalsoccercommunity.

You,themembership,canhelpusachievethesegoalsby:

• Providingencouragementandsupporttoplayers,andcoachesalike.

• Beontimewhendroppingofforpickingupplayers.• Setagoodsidelineexampleongameday;refrainfrom

coachingand/orcritiquingyourchild’splayaswellasthatofhis/herteammates.

• Followtheprocessforfeedbackandresolutionsofconcernsthatwehaveinplace.

Thesesimpleguidelineshelpuskeeptheplayingenvironmentpositiveforourplayers,coaches,referees,andotherspectators.

In closing, it is important to remember that Emerald City Football

Club is an all-volunteer run organization. Board meetings are

generally held once each month, with all members welcome to

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AboutOurClubECFChasservedasthePremierSoccerClubwithinSeattlesince1979andthisyearwewillcontinuethatrolewithouraffiliationwithUSClubSoccer.

ECFCwasformedin1979tobringselectsoccertotheyouthofSeattle.Ourmissionwassimple-toteachskillsanddevelopplayers.Whatstartedoutasasmallventurehasgrownintoastrongandvibrantclubwithmanystatechampionshipsunderitsbelt.Ourplayersarerecognizedfortheirsuccessatthehighschool,state(ODP),national,collegiate,andprofessionallevel.

ECFCseekstodevelopcompetitiveplayerstocompeteattheirhighestpossiblelevelofplay.Ourplayershaveapassionforthesportandwillingnesstoworkatimprovingtheirskills.Playerswillgainfriendshipswithotherswithasimilarloveforthegame,developastrongworkethic,andlearnthevaluesofteamsportandclubmembership.

ECFCisanon-profit,“501(c)3”organizationwithaboardofdirectorselectedbythemembership(parentsofplayers).Ourcoachesarepaid,licensedprofessionals,supervisedbyJohnHamel,ourcoachingdirector.Wehaveseveral“A”licensedcoaches(highestlevel)andactivelysupportandencourageourothercoachestoimprovetheirlicensingcredentialstothehighestlevel.

ECFCprogramsrunfrom8-11monthsoftheyear,dependingonage.Theyearincludessome“soccer-free”timebuiltin(typicallyonemonthinthesummerandtheDecemberschoolholidays)forallagegroups.Coachesunderstandfamilyandotherpriorities,andifyourplayerneedstomissaweekortwothatcanusuallybeaccommodated.Inshort,ourscheduleallowsourkidssomebreaksfromstructuredplayaswellastimeforotherinterests.

HowWeFitIntoYouthSoccerintheUSECFChasservedasthePremierSoccerClubwithinSeattlesince1979andthisyearwewillcontinuethatrolethroughouraffiliationwithUSClubSoccer.

USClubSoccerisanon-profitorganizationcommittedtothesupportanddevelopmentofcompetitivesoccerclubs.Itisfoundedonthebeliefthatsoccerclubs,whichareinthebusinessofeliteplayerdevelopment,needanorganizationoftheirowntofostergrowth,addressconcerns,andsanctionandprovideprogramswithaminimumofrulesandrestrictions.

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AnnualBudgetSummary

Coachingexpensesincludecompensationforteamcoaches,ourcoachingdirectors,assistantcoachingdirectors,andteamassistantcoaches.Ourcoaches’compensationiscompetitiveamongotherclubsinthearea.

Fields,Refs,League,andotherdirectexpensescoverthebasicexpensesforenablingtheplayerstoplay.

FinancialAid

ECFCmakesaccessibilityapriority.Seepg.10.

Admincostsincludemeetingroomcostandaccountingservices.Weareaveryleanorganization.Ourfeestructurecomparesveryfavorablytothatofourprimarycompetitors.ECFCisavolunteerrunorganization.Noneofthiswouldbepossiblewithoutourdedicatedparentvolunteers!Thankyou!

Practicelocationswillvary,butnearlyallfamiliesareabletosetupregularcarpools.TeamsusuallypracticeeitherMon/WedorTue/Thu,andsometeamssupplementwithaFridayorweekendpractice.ForagesU13andolder,ECFCofferssoccerspecificagilityandconditioningtrainingonceaweekaswellthatdoesnotconflictwithusualpracticetimes.WebelievethatbeingapartofECFCisavaluablelifeexperience.ParticipationdoesrequireaCOMMITMENTfromboththeplayerandfamilymemberswhosevolunteercontributionsmakethisclubwork.ButtheREWARDScanbeconsiderable.Yourplayerwilldevelopgreatskills,developastrongworkethic,formlastingfriendships(forboththeplayersANDparentsalike),andhopefullygainalifelongpassionforthegame.

Coaching64%

Fields, Refs, League, other

direct expenses

20%

Admin11%

Scholar-ships 5%

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ClubLevelLeadershipPositions

BoardofDirectors:

TheBoard’sroleistofacilitateandgovernclubprogramsandtohireandsupervisetheCoachingDirector,whointurnisresponsibleforhiringandsupervisingthecoachingstaff.Boardmembersarevolunteers.Theytypicallyserveatwo-yeartermandareelectedbytheclubmembership,whileboardpositionsareassignedamongtheelectedmembers(seedetailsbelow).ElectionsaretypicallyheldinJuneeachyearperclubbylaws.

RegularVotingBoardPositions:(all2-yearterms)President:Runsthemeetings,liaisonwithotherclubs&associations.ExecutiveVP:ActsasPresidentwhenhe/sheisunavailableAnnualClubFundraiserTreasurer:Handlesallclubpaymentsandfinances,createsclubbudget.Secretary:Recordsandpostsmeetingminutes.AtLarge/VC:Assistsasneeded.AtLarge:Assistsasneeded.OtherVotingBoardPositions:(1-yearterms):VPofMembership:LiaisonbetweenparentrepsandtheBoard,i.e.,the“Voice”oftheparents.U11-U14Coachesrep:ElectedbytheU11-U14coaches.U15-U18Coachesrep:ElectedbytheU15-U18coaches.Non-VotingAdvisoryBoardPositions:(1-yearterms): “F”Playersrep:Electedbythefemaleplayers.“M”Playersrep:Electedbythemaleplayers.CoachingDirector:RequiredtoattendBoardmeetings.

Yearat-a-GlanceSpring2020 SpringLeagueforgirlsandboysforDevs&U11-U14,

LeagueplayforgirlsU15–U18,HSseasonforboys-risingU16’sthroughU19’s

April2020Tryoutsforallages(exceptboysU16–U18)for followingyearJUNE2020 ECFCBoardofDirectorsElections

ECFCAnnualGeneralMeetingTournamentseasonbegins

JULY2020 Tournamentseasonand/ortimeoff

AUG2020 Endoftournamentplay/StartofHSSeasons

U15–U19boys,HSseasonforgirlsU15–U19SEPT2020 FallleaguesbeginforDevs&U11–U14girlsandboysOCT2020 Fallleaguecontinues

3rdAnnualKick-offEvent–socialeventandfundraiserforBobbyHoweScholarshipFund

NOV2020 EndoffallleagueDEC2020 ECFCholidayindoorjamboreeforclubplayers

OptionalTraining

JAN2021 OptionalTraining

FEB2021 GirlsU15–U18league,BoysU16–U18Tryouts

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ECFCteamsareresponsiblefordesignatedtasksthathelpbuildasenseofcommunitywithinourclub.Eachoftheseeventshasdeveloped,overtime,intoanECFCtradition.Throughouttheyear,youwillbeaskedtovolunteeryourtimetoassistwithoneormoreoftheseevents.Thefollowingisabriefdescriptionofeacheventassignedtoeachagegroup.

Age Task(s) U12 AssistU13’swithHolidayJamboree.

U13HosttheannualHolidayJamboree,assistU14’sby“learningtheropes”withTryouts.HolidayJamboreedate-lateDecember.Participants-ECFCplayers

TheHolidayJamboreeisanindooreventandisanopportunitytoplayovertheannualwinterbreak.U14 TeamsrunECFCAnnualTryouts,assistU15’swiththeAwards

Ceremony.Tryoutdates-Feb,April,andMayParticipants-allinterestedsoccerplayers

TryoutsforECFCteamshappeninFeb,April,andMay.Volunteersareneededtoorganizeequipment,playerphotosandpaperwork,andregisterparticipants.U15 OrganizeandhostannualendofseasonAwardsCeremony&assistU16’swithClubFundraising.Participants-AllECFCplayersandfamilies.Date-typicallyinearlyMarch.TheAwardsCeremonygivestheClubanopportunitytogettogetherandcelebrateasanotheryearwindsdown.Teams,players,coaches,andmanagersareallrecognizedatthisevent.U16 OrganizeandsupportECFCClubFundraising,assistU17’swithAugust

ClubSocial.Dates-tobedeterminedwithBoardofDirectorsPrimaryfunction:fundraisingfortheBobbyHoweScholarshipFund

U17 OrganizeandsupporttheECFCAugustClubSocialevent.Dates-TBDinAugustAseason‘kick-off’gatheringforthewholeclubpriortoFallseason.

U18/19 Nospecificresponsibilityordate.

TeamLevelLeadershipPositionsTAMS[TeamAdministrativeManager(s)]:Appointedbyandreportstotheteamcoach.Responsibilitiesincludesecuringpaperworkforplayers;registeringteamsfortournaments;keepingandmaintainingplayercards,communicationbetweencoachandfamiliesaboutpractices,games,etc.Teamsareencouragedtohave2TAMS,notjustone,andtodividetheworkloadinawaythatbestfitstheindividualteamneedsandteammanagerskillsandinterests.ParentRep: Electedbytheparentgroup,theParentRephelpstoresolveanyparent/player/coachissuesontheirteam.TheparentrepsmaybeaskedtoserveinanadvisorycapacitytotheBoard.AllparentrepscollectivelyconstitutetheECFCParentCommittee.Treasurer:Workswithcoachandmanagertocreateteambudget,collects,andmanagesteamfees.VolunteerCoordinator:Responsibleforensuringthatallplayerfamiliesfulfilltheirvolunteerobligations,bystaffingclubandteamevents.Otherteamlevelvolunteeropportunities:Thefollowinglistofteamleveltaskshelptheteamrunsmoothly,andallowthecoachtoconcentrateoncoaching!Thoughindividualteamtasksmayvary,thesearetypically:FundraisingCoordinator SocialCoordinatorPhotographer WebmasterTent/canopyparent MedicalkitparentTravelcoordinator GamedayiceparentSidelinecoatparent Teambenchparent

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ClubEvents

FinancialReviewandObligationsSelectsoccerprovidestremendousopportunitiesforourkids,buttheydocomeatacost.ThebulkofECFC’sfundinggoesdirectlytocoachingandrelateddirectexpenses(seechartonpage12).Theallocationoffundsisinresponsetoparentsurveyswhichindicateadesireto“getandkeepthebestcoacheswecanafford.”

CLUBFEES:

REGISTRATIONFEES:Forthe2020/2021season:

• BirthYear2008–2002-$2,300

• BirthYear2010-2009-$2,050

Option1:Paymentinfullbycheck,moneyorder,orcreditcardisduewithin(20)daysfollowingyourteamformationmeeting.

Discountsapply:$150discountforcheck,creditcard,ormoneyorder.Ifpayingbycreditcard,3%processingfeewillapply.

Option2:PaymentPlanAgreement:Aninitialpaymentof$350isdueatthetimeofonlineregistration.Onlineregistrationmustbecompletedwithin20daysfollowingyourteamformationmeeting.Thereafter6equalpaymentsbycreditcardwillcommenceonthe15thofthemonthfollowingyourteamformationmeeting.Creditcardpaymentsaresubjecttoa3%processingfee.

Allplayersmustregisteronlinewithin(20)daysfollowingyourteamformationmeeting.Gotowww.emeraldcityfc.org(Registertab,NewECFCPlayers).Iftheseoptionsareasignificanthardship,pleasecontacttheclubtreasurerattreasurer@emeraldcityfc.orgregardingfinancialaid.*ECFChasanorefundpolicy,pleaseseepage15fordetails.

PaymentsbycheckarepayabletoECFC.Pleasemailto:ECFC-POBox85505,Seattle,WA98145

Theclubreliesonpromptpaymentsfrommemberstomeetitsobligationstocoaches,referees,etc.Delayedpaymentsjeopardizeourmissionandincreasecostsfortheentiremembership.PlayercardswillnotbeissueduntilpaymenthasbeenreceivedinfullorapaymentplanagreementisonfilewithEmeraldCityFC.

FINANCIALAID:ECFChasmadeaccessibilityapriorityandfundraisesforthebenefitofourBobbyHoweScholarshipfund.Weareproudofthefactthateveryyearwedisbursethisaidtoallowplayerswhowouldotherwisebeunabletoparticipateinourprogramtoplayforourclub.ECFCawardsaidonaneedbasisusingtheSeattleSchoolDistrict’sfreeandreducedlunchprogramguidelines.Demandexceedsfundingeveryyear,sotimelysubmittaloffinancialaidapplicationsisextremelyimportant.Anapplicationformisavailableonourwebsiteorfromyourteammanager.TEAMFEES:Teamfees,forU11-U18/19teams,canrangeanywherefrom$125to$500ormore.Teamfeesareusedforteamrelatedexpensessuchasequipment,coachtravelexpenses,tournamententryfees,supplementalfieldrentalfees,teamevents,etc.Thefeeswillbeoutlinedinateambudgetcreatedbythecoach,manager,andtreasurer.TeamfeesarecollectedandhandledbytheteamtreasurerandmayonlybespentforClubauthorizedteamrelatedexpenses.UNIFORMS:AllplayersarerequiredtowearClubapproveduniforms.Thisusuallyentails(2)fulluniformsets(homeandaway),warmups,gearbag,andpracticeshirts.(Developmentteamuniformrequirementsmaydiffer).AdditionalitemsareavailableatSoccer.com,ourofficialvendorforECFCsoccergear.TheyprovideadiscountforallpurchasesmadebyECFCmembers.

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