Middle school Soccer participation policy
This time of year we get a lot of questions about players who play on our U-13 and U-14 Select and Club teams and their participation in Middle School Soccer.
I have two thoughts about Middle School Soccer. First of all is that the level of instruction and competition on your Club team will typically be higher than Middle School Soccer. Club soccer provides professional coaching and State wide competition that middle schools cannot consistently provide. On the other the hand the allure of playing in a scholastic environment is really high. Players are playing on the “school team” they wear their jersey to school… it is cool to play for the school team and that is a good thing.
Furman United supports participation in Middle School Soccer programs for players who can academically and physically meet the demands of participating in both programs. If a family decides their player can participate in both programs and maintain a balance we will support that. The reality is if a player is participating in both Club soccer and Middle School Soccer that there will be times where a Club Player will miss an event. Communication is absolutely imperative. If you are going to miss a club event because of a middle school event you must let your coach know in advance. Habitually missing training or games because of another program will hold your player’s development back and is unfair to the club team they are playing on. Non communicated absences can result in playing time ramifications and can impact a player’s roster spot if it rises to and unacceptable level. Each coach will decide what their tolerance is. This is not a science it is an art.
As always please feel free to call or email me or your coach if you have questions. Each situation is unique and communication up front and over the season is the key to situations like this.
