San Luis Obispo Soccer Club

Goals

The San Luis Obispo Soccer Club:

• Is committed to providing a high quality soccer experience for those players who have demonstrated that they have a talent and dedication for the sport.
• Emphasizes the long-term growth and development of your son/daughter as a person as well as their growth in soccer skills.
• Takes the soccer we play seriously, however, we recognize there are things more important in life than soccer and in terms of priorities; family and school come first.
• Believes that a player’s development is more important than winning and that winning is a result of successful player and team development.
• As a competitive club, places an emphasis on competing for tournament, league and State Cup championships.
• Believes that the success of this organization is measured by its excellence both on and off the field.

To achieve these ends, we have adopted this set of conduct and commitments for our players, parents, coaches, managers and club officials.

Players

You are part of a team and club and your actions reflect not only upon yourself, but on the rest of the your team and the San Luis Obispo Soccer Club. You are expected to:

• Play the game for the game’s sake, for the fun of it
• Attempt to win through your skill, effort, tactics and fair play
• Maintain a positive team attitude, good sportsmanship and fair play
• Be positive in fulfilling the role that you are asked to perform for the team at any moment, even if that role is not playing, not being in the starting lineup, not playing your desired amount or playing a different position.
• Be ethical and honest and to honor your commitments both verbal and written.
• Commit to the sport of soccer with your full participation and support for the entire soccer season and make the team your first recreational priority during the team’s season
• Conform to the rules established by your team and the club
• Be responsible for your own performance and conduct
• Adhere to the laws of the game
• Treat teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and other officials with respect including not arguing with referees or assistant referees
• Avoid inappropriate behaviors during practices, games, team or club sponsored events, tournaments and travel
• Take constructive criticism along with praise for a job well done and be able to deal with both

Coaches

Coaches are expected to serve as teachers and leaders whose attitudes and behavior will set the tone for the players and the sideline. In addition to the above applicable standards, Coaches are expected to:

• Set high standards for their player’s conduct and attendance, as well as their own conduct and attendance
• Treat all players honestly, fairly and with respect
• Be committed to help all players reach their highest potential
• Not cut players from the team during a soccer season unless it is for disciplinary reasons or non-payment of team fees
• Conduct themselves as positive role models and display appropriate behavior at all team/club functions
• Be responsible for the conduct of the team on and off the field when the team is together as part of a team event
• Conform to the rules established by your team and the club

Managers

Managers are expected to manage the affairs of the team including uniforms and equipment, tournaments, league play, finances, etc. and create an atmosphere of open communication among all those associated with the team. In addition to the above applicable standards, managers are expected to:

• Conduct themselves as positive role models and display appropriate behavior at all team/club functions
• Provide a timely periodic schedule of activities and events to allow time for planning
• Facilitate the flow of information between the club, league, coaches, etc. and the parents of the players
• Provide the parents and club treasurer with a line item reconciliation of the teams finances within 30 days of the conclusion of the season
• Hold at least three parent meetings per year; the first within 30 days of the conclusion of club tryouts, the second in September, and the third in December (U15-U19) or February (U11-U14)

Parents

Parents are not only a supporter of their son/daughter, but also a role model whose actions reflect upon the player, the team and the club. In addition to the above applicable standards, parents are expected to:

• Remember that the game is for your son or daughter, not for you
• See to it that players attend all possible team functions (practices, games, meetings, etc.) and encourage and support your son or daughter in meeting his/her obligations
• Set a good example by your conduct and good sportsmanship
• Allow the coach to direct the play of the game
• Remember that in five years no one will remember the score or who won the game
• Remember that your sons/daughters career is a long-term growth process and not an end unto itself.
• Contribute quality communication, planning and understanding so conflicts are minimized.
• Take the initiative to teach your son/daughter to speak up and communicate for themselves whenever possible
• Conform to the rules established by your team and the club

Club Officials

Club Officials are responsible for providing the direction and organization for the club, and whose decisions and actions will set the tone for the rest of the members. In addition to the above applicable standards, Club officials are expected to:

• Remember that we exist for the benefit of the youth and not the egos of adults
• Conduct the business of the club with honesty, integrity and openness
• Ensure the club conforms to the rules established by itself, the Central Coast or Coast leagues, CYSA South, USYSA and FIFA
• Make decisions for the good of the club and not one’s personal agenda
• Actively pursue ways to minimize costs for players and parents while providing an environment that enables the development of high quality, competitive soccer teams
• Prepare a line item financial statement of Club finances within 45 days of the close of the fiscal year

Positive Fitness Policy

SLOSC prides itself in establishing the first known club soccer Positive Fitness Policy. The policy is as follows:

• Several aspects of fitness (including, but not limited to muscular strength and endurance, cardio endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility) are necessary in soccer
• Young athletes are becoming more knowledgeable of their bodies’ needs and recuperation principles.
• Attitudes toward lifelong fitness and exercise are established early in life.
• SLOSC aims to promote not only the technical and tactical aspects of a player, but the physical development as well.

SLOSC coaches, assistant coaches, and support staff will always promote fitness in a positive and developmentally appropriate manner. (i.e. SLOSC staff will not use fitness as a punishment for poor skill, poor behavior, or for being on a losing team in any game or drill. SLOSC coaches positively incorporate appropriate fitness principles into their practice plans and overall periodization to enhance the player’s performance and promote it as so.)