FC ENGLAND OFFICIAL CLUB AGREEMENT 2024/2025
This document outlines the expectations of coaches, players and parents and will serve as your FC ENGLAND Club Contract for the 2024/2025 season.
PLAYER COMMITMENT & RESPONSIBILITIES
Soccer Season: This commitment is for one ‘soccer season’. FCE’s soccer season begins on August 1, 2024 and continues through to the completion of SOCAL State Cup participation* (or similar end-of-season tournament). Players may play on school soccer teams but agree not to practice with or play for any other soccer teams, other than FCE (unless agreed with the club in advance). At the end of the soccer season, a player’s commitment to FCE is over, and they are free to leave the team. Any player who leaves FCE during the soccer season will still be required to pay any outstanding dues agreed as part of signing the FCE Club Agreement.
* For 2012 and 2011 teams, this will be approximately mid-February, 2025
* For 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 teams, this will be approximately mid-April, 2025
Once State Cup participation is complete, FCE players will be invited to re-tryout for the club, alongside other players wishing to join. This process may take up to 4 weeks; during which players may or may not be offered an advance spot for the following season. During this period, players may also tryout at other clubs.
Once this process is complete, FCE team practices will then continue through end of May, 2025.
Attendance: Players are expected to attend all games, practices, scrimmages and tournaments. The only acceptable absences include:
MULTIPLE SPORTS & ACADEMICS
Players should make academics their number one priority but parents and players agree that their FCE team will be their primary sports commitment and this goes for the entire season. We understand that players may choose to participate in multiple sports and we support that; however, FCE practices and games are to be prioritized over any other sports commitments in situations of schedule conflicts. Our players and parents make a commitment to their respective FCE team for the year, not just for a particular period of the year. Please make sure you understand this and if you have any questions, talk to our Director of Coaching to clarify your particular situation.
PLAYING TIME & POSITIONS
Coaches will make their best efforts to allocate playing time as fairly as possible.
No Guaranteed Playing Time/Positions: While development of every player on the team is a priority, there is no guaranteed playing time or guaranteed position on the field.
ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS & RECRUITING
Roster Adjustments: FCE will provide the best possible environment for the development of every player at the club. However, as the season progresses, a players' situation on the team might change in such a way that it would be in their best interests to join a different team. Our intention is to start the season with a maximum of 18 players on a roster and continue with this same roster throughout the season but circumstances can sometimes change. In terms of continuity from season to season, every player will be evaluated by the end of March and depending on those evaluations, along with the quality of incoming players, invitations for the next season may or may not be offered.
Except in unusual circumstances, a player will not be cut or removed from the team during the season. However, a player may be suspended if, in the opinion of the coaches, they fail to demonstrate an acceptable level of commitment, attitude and responsibilities, or their parents fail to fulfill financial and/or other obligations to the team. Players will be evaluated fairly and objectively, but in all cases, the final decision will be at the discretion of the coaches.
Recruiting and Tryouts: Tryouts may be held at the discretion of the coaches during the beginning and end of each season.
Player Selection: The coaches have full discretion over which players will be added to a roster. No other individual shall have influence on the decision.
SCHEDULE & PLANNING
The Team Year: The team year begins Aug 1 and runs through the end of May, 2025. SOCAL Soccer League games begin in September, 2024 and are played on Saturdays and Sundays through November, 2024. Teams will also participate in various tournaments and scrimmages during the course of the season.
Practices: Teams will practice two to three times per week. Players are expected to arrive at the correct time, wearing the correct uniform, and have shin guards/cleats, plus a sufficient supply of water. If a player is regularly late to practice or disrupts the group with a lack of focus, it may affect their playing time in games, and jeopardize their development and position on the team.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNICATION
Sideline Behavior: Players, parents and coaches are all are expected to support each other both on and off the field and to communicate honestly, respectfully and constructively. Parents must avoid coaching from the sidelines, complaining to the referees before, during or after games, and/or making comments to coaches or players from other teams.
Encouragement is welcome, of course. However, please be aware that it is distracting and confusing for players to hear multiple voices providing multiple instructions. Our coaches will not be shouting and screaming from the sidelines during games, and so the same is expected from parents and other spectators.
Referee Interactions: Parents should not make any comments, complaints or suggestions to a referee and should never address a referee in an aggressive or disrespectful manner.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Each team is financially supported through annual player dues paid by each player.
Team Dues: The annual player fee for the 2024/25 season is $3,040, payable by one of the three payment plans below:
All payments are non-refundable and can be made by 'Zelle' using the email address info@fcengland.com.
Checks are also accepted and should be made payable to FC England and mailed to the address below:
FC England
P.O Box 7656
Santa Monica
CA 90406
The funds received will enable the team to cover its projected expenses, including but not limited to: League Fees, Club Fees, Player Registrations, Coaches’ Fees, Field Costs, Equipment, Tournament Fees, Referee Fees, State Cup Fees, and other miscellaneous Team Expenses. 'Scrimmage' fees are separate and determined by each team, depending how many scrimmages they participate in.
Delinquent Dues: Failure to pay dues on a timely basis may result in a player being temporarily and/or permanent suspension from the team. In certain cases, the club may elect to make individual exceptions to these payment arrangements. However, these arrangements must be made in advance and are at the discretion of the club. There will be no refunds of dues or fees paid, except at the discretion of the club. If a player elects to leave the team prior to the completion of their commitment, the player’s family remains obligated to pay the full amount of outstanding fees. Prepaid dues will not be refunded.
Financial Aid: The club plans to offer a limited amount of financial aid for the 2024/25 season.
Sponsoring a Player: If you would like to sponsor a player and enable them to join us at FC England, you can do so. There is no obligation to do this and all details will be kept private. Sponsorship enables the club to provide additional financial aid to families that are unable to pay the fees associated with youth club soccer. And so by sponsoring a player, you are essentially giving a child an opportunity that would otherwise not be available to them. All funds received will go directly towards an individual. Information on making a donation will be sent to you via email.
Uniforms: Players are required to purchase their own uniform package*
This includes:
*Applies to all new players for the 2024/25 season. The uniform fee is approximately $350. This fee is separate from the player fees and is paid directly to our uniform supplier, Admiral, via their online ordering system.
Registration: Once a player has been registered with US Soccer to play on an FCE team, they may not play or practice with another team unless they’ve been released from FC England and/or obtained their Player ID Card from their Team Manager (this must first be approved by the FCE Director of Coaching).
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