GGFC Travel Policies  2008-2009
 
 
Gotham Girls FC provides a Travel Soccer program that is designed to develop a player’s skills to their fullest
potential and to play in a supportive and appropriate competitive team structure. GGFC emphasizes individual
growth and sportsmanship: the goal is to have fun while learning. Supplementary clinics with guest coaches,
seminars, and individual consultations are offered to guide players in their soccer choices. 
 
These policies have been formulated to protect the safety of the players, and to establish fair play. Three important components go into GGFC’s decisions: 1. Concern for the safety and well being of the players: If a player misses significant numbers of practices and games, their skills and their conditioning fall behind the level of the other players. This can pose physical risks to all involved.  2. A need for the fair application of the rules to every player: If all players are to be expected to maintain their obligations, exceptions cannot be made for individuals. This is important to the discipline and health of the team.  3. Given the limited nature of a team roster, slots on a roster should by rights go to those players who are willing to make a full commitment.  
 
Tryouts/Admission to a team: GGFC runs competitive teams. The coaching staff evaluates players during tryouts. Players must attend at least two practices (more at the coach’s discretion) or the tryouts. The decision to admit or not admit a player to a team will be based on the coaching staff’s assessment of that player’s physical abilities, their mental attitude, and their readiness for play at the competitive level. 
 
Commitment: Acceptance to the team requires the full year commitment through the fall, winter, and spring season. The GGFC coaches commit to excellent age-appropriate training. The Club commits to the arrangement of league competition and quality field space. Players commit to attending all practices, games, tournaments, and other events organized by their team. Players registered with GGFC may not guest for other teams without written permission from their coach. 
 
Practices: Team practices are mandatory. Players must notify their coach and team coordinator of an absence before the start of practice. Players consistently missing practices without clear medical reasons or prior discussion will be first benched during games, then warned, then asked to leave the team. There will be two outdoor practices during the spring and fall seasons. There will be one indoor and one outdoor practice during the winter season (weather permitting). Teams U12 and older may have to work with the club to secure indoor practice options. 
 
Games: Attendance at games is mandatory. Circumstances that may interfere with scheduled games—such as special religious observances or important family occasions—should be discussed ahead of time with the team coach and coordinator. Players who miss numerous games will be asked to leave the team. Managers may arrange weekend scrimmages in addition to league games: these too are obligatory. 
 
State Cup Competition: The State Cup is the highest level of competition in Youth Soccer. The schedule for State Cup play is set by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association. Its dates are immutable. Participation in the State Cup tournament is mandatory for teams U11 and older. Please consult the calendar as soon as possible and make note of the necessary weekends. Players who miss a State Cup game will be subject to disciplinary action at the discretion of the coaches. 
 
Uniforms: Travel uniforms consist of two numbered shirts, shorts, socks, practice jersey, warm ups, and backpack: no modification or additions allowed. Players are responsible for their uniforms; they must be worn at all games and practices. Players must attend practices in full practice uniform, including shin guards, shorts, water, and a ball. Players who do not arrive ready to play can be sent home. In cold weather, long underwear or sweats may be appropriate—talk to your coach. 
 
Parent participation during practices and games: Parents are reminded that it is important to the well being of their children that the coaching is left to the coach. Unless specifically requested by the coach, parents should never be on the field during a game. Parents must not address the referee or the opposing team during a game. Games concerns should be brought to the attention of the team coordinator. Parent concerns should be addressed after the training or the game, and in a private and respectful manner. To the fullest extent possible, parents need to offer their children support, not criticism. 
 
Decisions about play: Decisions about a child’s team, her position, and her playing time are made by the coaching staff. Play time during games will be determined by the coach according to (in part) a player’s attitude and behavior during practice along with attendance record. A coach should make his or her policies clear at the beginning the year; players should know what is expected of them. Questions about this may be addressed your coordinator, but the coordinator must follow the coach’s decision. Soccer is a physical sport; a player with incomplete training has a greater likelihood of injury both to themselves and to their teammates. Coaches and club must assure the safety and the readiness of their players to play. 
 
The Westchester Youth Soccer League: The WYSL is the governing body of the competitive leagues in which GGFC teams play. Their directors set policies that determine the rules of the games; they provide the referees; they arbitrate disputes between teams. They also set the season calendar. WYSL decisions are subject to last minute changes: to the extent that they can, the club will look for consistency 
 
 
 
Tournaments: Travel team players should play in an age-appropriate number of tournaments (GGFC recommends 7–10) chosen by the coaches. Tournaments give players a chance to meet players from outside their league, and to keep their play sharp, especially during the winter season. Premier level regional and national tournaments showcase the top levels of play; they are also the forum for college and Olympic Development Program recruiters. Tournaments are chosen by coaches and coordinators. 
 
Many tournaments take place during school holiday weekends (including Columbus Day and Memorial Day weekends). Your team coordinator will hold a meeting with you in September to lay out general plans for the year. The cost of tournaments must be split among the team parents. Families should expect an additional cost, which, depending on the age of the team, will be between $200 and $400 per family. Teams are encouraged to organize fundraisers to help offset these costs. Concerns about costs should be taken up with coordinators, who will bring them to the attention of the club. 
 
Fees: The Travel Program fee for the 2008–2009 year is $1,100, plus $250 for uniforms (which the players will keep for 2 years). New practice kits can be purchased for $46. First payment for travel fees of $450 is due with registration; 2nd and 3rd payments of $325 each are due September 7 and December 1. Each team must find a sponsor (the cost of sponsorship is $1,000); any monies raised in excess of this amount may be put towards the discretionary use of the team; teams without sponsors will have to make up the sponsor fee. No player will be given a card for the new season until all dues from past season are paid in full. No player who
wishes to leave the club during the year to play with another team may be released without paying the full year’s fee. 
 
Scholarships: The scholarship form is available on the GGFC website. Scholarship requests will not be considered without a deposit of $75 (refundable if the scholarship committee so decides). However, players will be expected to pay the $250 to purchase their uniform kits. Payments can be made in installments ($50 due at registration, $100 due September 7, $100 due October 1). Speak to your coordinator to arrange for this. Completed forms and supporting documentation must be sent to the club before the start of the season. The Club’s Scholarship Committee will review the application and talk to families about payment. No scholarship
application will be considered without financial documentation supporting the request. Payment in installments is an option; agreement about this and other terms for the award must be reached with the Scholarship Committee.   
 
The player and the player’s patent/guardian must sign an agreement regarding the player’s commitment to play for GGFC and their obligations to GGFC for the award. Each player U14 and older must referee in GGFC’s recreational program to continue to receive the scholarship. In the event that the player or the player’s parent/guardian fails to keep the terms of the scholarship award, the player and the player’s parent/guardian will be obligated to pay in full fee and costs covered by the award: travel players commit to play exclusively for GGFC for the duration of the 2008–2009 season; GGFC will not release any carded scholarship player.