EMFC Youth Program
Philosophy
The skills required of a successful soccer player can be broken down into four areas: technique, tactics, fitness and psychology. A good club-wide training program should ensure that all four areas are addressed at the appropriate time and in the proper sequence and frequency. Eugene Metro FC will create training modules that systematically integrate specific objectives, activities, and methods for training nine to fourteen year olds. Each year (i.e. the entire U-11 year) will be divided into three or four phases, each with specific benchmark skills and core activities to assist in achieving those benchmarks. Each phase will focus on specific concepts while integrating previously learned skills and tactics. As a result, the technical and tactical training will continuously build on previously covered topics and skills. This type of comprehensive plan ensures that each player in the club will receive dynamic instruction in each skill area regardless of the coaches a player has over that time period. This process will provide the framework for a long-term process of training that will ensure that players acquire all of the techniques and tactics needed to make the successful transition to U-15 and beyond. These core benchmark skills will also provide objective terms from which a player's strengths and weaknesses as well as progress can be evaluated clearly.
The success of our youth teams will not be measured by how many state titles are won, but rather by the evaluations on whether we have developed the four components of soccer development within each player to the maximum extent possible. We will seek to place each competitive team in the premier gold or silver leagues and compete for Oregon State Cup Championships each year and increase the success of each team from one year to the next.
We will offer the opportunity for players not selected for a team to train/practice with the team and not participate in games. This would be offered at a reduced rate.
All age groups will emphasize agility, balance, endurance, and speed. This element will be a part of every practice for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Program Details
Youth tryouts for U11 to U14 teams (see age brackets) are conducted in May. After players are offered a spot on a team and have accepted it, a first team meeting will be organized to discuss the details of the team's specific practice and game program. The team will at this point also discuss the tournament schedule. Typically, EMFC will take all their teams to two tournaments and you can find these out on our website. However, teams together with their coach might select additional tournaments.
Typically, youth teams start practice shortly after tryouts and train three times a week for about a month. Teams will take some time off in June so families can plan their vacation appropriately. The month of July and early August will be dedicated to prepare for the OYSA qualification tournaments. Incoming U11 team do not participate in a Qualifying Tournament. In addition, they do not participate in the OYSA State Cup Tournament but will participate in the President's Cup tournament. Teams will train three times a week and attend at least two or three tournaments in Oregon or Washington. In early August our teams will compete in two seeding tournaments for the fall OYSA league over two weekends typically played in Portland. Depending on the outcome of these tournaments, our teams will be seated in a number of leagues (Premier Gold, Premier Silver, Division 1, Division 2) of which the highest is the Premier Gold league. After these qualification tournaments the team will take two weeks off, unless the team selected a tournament during this time.
The training for the Fall league begins in the last week of August and league play starts typically in the first weekend of September. The team will play 14 games of which 7 will be played at home. The other 7 are played away which is typically Portland. At the conclusion of the Fall league all our teams will participate in either the State Cup or the President's Cup. The President's Cup concludes in November with the final and teams participating in this competition will conclude their program in November. The State Cup's preliminary round is played in November. Only the best two teams in each bracket will move on to the quarterfinal of the State Cup. The quarterfinal games are played in April of the next year.
All our teams are encouraged to participate in the spring league which is not included in the fee. For teams that made it among the best 8 teams in Oregon, it is absolutely necessary to play in the spring league and prepare for their quarterfinal games in April. Typically, spring training starts in early February with 8 games played in the OYSA spring league. 4 games will be played at home and 4 away. The spring season is typically over at the beginning of April. Teams still participating in the State Cup quarterfinals should expect more training sessions and maybe an additional tournament to prepare adequately for these quarterfinal games. Teams that advance to the semifinal and finals will play and train to the beginning of May when the final is typically planned.
U-14 Specific
This age group is a transitional year for the players because it is their last year in the Youth Program before they go to their respective High Schools. EMFC pays specific attention to this transition by preparing players throughout their U14 year to adapt to a bigger more physical play. In addition, EMFC offers a summer program for these players since they will not participate in the May Youth Tryouts. The U14 team will sit together with their coach at the end of the spring season and determine a training and tournament schedule for the summer. See special fee structure for this summer program.
Off-Season
All players on our teams will receive a detailed annual evaluation from their coaches to identify areas of improvement. All players are encouraged to participate in as many training programs offered in the off-season to either maintain their skills or improve specific areas. All players are encouraged to join any of the pickup games or futsal games in the off-season. Starting at U13, players will also receive specific and age appropriate conditioning plans throughout the year to maintain or improve endurance, agility, speed, and strength. Players are encouraged to form or join indoor teams to enhance their knowledge of the game in a fun environment. EMFC does not provide coaches for these teams and believes that a volunteer parent is enough to do the subbing and let the game teach the kids.
Fee Schedule 2008/2009
Player Fees U11 - $950.00
This is a yearly fee that includes both Fall and Spring Season
Includes:
- Coaching - (May-April)
- Field Rental (Games and Practices)
- Equipment
- Two training t-shirts
- Player Cards
- Fall and Spring League Registration
- President's Cup Tournament
- Pick-Up Games
U11's have no Qualifying Tournament or State Cup Playoff
Player Fees U12-U13-U14 - $1095.00
This is a yearly fee that covers both the Fall and Spring Season.
Includes:
- Coaching - (May-April)
- Field Rental (Games and Practices)
- Equipment
- Two training t-shirts
- Player Cards
- Fall and Spring League Registration
- Qualifying Tournaments
- State or President's Cup Tournament
- Pick-Up Games
Player Fees U14/U15 Summer Program - $200.00
This fee covers the transition period between the Spring Season and the Fall High School Season for outgoing U14 players only.
Includes:
- Coaching - (May-July)
- Field Rental (Games and Practices)
- Equipment
- Pick-up Games
Uniform Costs (U11-12-13-14) - $100.00 (estimated)
Includes:
- adidas shorts (two pairs)
- adidas jersey (two shirts)
- adidas socks (two pairs)
WarmUp/Bag Costs (U12-13-14) - $100.00 (estimated)
This is optional for the U11 teams.
Includes:
- adidas jacket with printing
- adidas sweatpant
- adidas backpack
Additional Tournaments
EMFC team will attend additional tournaments during the soccer year. These tournaments provide a high level of competition in and out of state, expose our teams to college coaches, and offer a way for our teams to spend time off the field with each other. With guidance from the Director of Coaching, our head coaches select these tournaments with appropriate level of competition, affordability, and availability of players in mind. EMFC will bill all attending players at the conclusion of these tournaments for the following costs:
Tournaments in WA and/or OR: $50-$80
- Tournament Registration Fee
- Coaches Hotel Costs
- Coaches Fee
- Coaches Per Diem
Out of State Tournaments: $100-$150
- Tournament Registration Fee
- Coaches Hotel Costs
- Coaches Fee
- Coaches Per Diem
- Coaches Airfare
Player transportation and lodging costs are not included in the Tournament Fee.
Please do not send payments until after tryouts have been completed.
Please send fees to our mailing address at:
- Eugene Metro Fútbol Club
- P.O. Box 10914
- Eugene, OR 97440
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Parent and Player Expectations
Conduct -Eugene Metro FC players and parents will conduct themselves in a positive and respectful manner at all times when representing this club. This includes comments and actions towards teammates, opponents, referees, and coaches.
Effort -EMFC players will exert maximum effort at every training session and match. If you aren't willing to put in the effort, you shouldn't be playing at this level.
Attendance -Players are expected to attend and be on time to all scheduled training sessions and matches. If a player must be absent, he/she (not the parent!) must call the coach at least the day before and let him know of the upcoming absence. If a player must miss practice due to illness, the player must call the coach and at least leave a message before the commencement of practice. It is unacceptable to just not show up!
Practice Habits -EMFC players are expected to arrive at practice and immediately start juggling a ball or passing with a teammate. Be focused and prepared to start practice on time! Players must wear their practice kits to every session.
Game Day -Players are expected to arrive fully dressed and ready to play one hour before away games and 45 minutes before home games.
Academics -EMFC players are expected to maintain good academic standing and stay up to date on assignments. If a player is falling behind in their studies, please contact your coach. We are prepared to set up a monitoring program with your son/daughter's teachers if the need is there.
Nutrition -Successful soccer players prepare themselves for competition more than just the hour before a training session or game. Players should eat a healthy meal with plenty of carbohydrates (non-fried foods) the evening before a match. Stay away from sugar treats as well! Players should eat a healthy meal on game day at least two hours before kickoff to avoid cramps. Again, avoid fried foods and sugar. Energy bars or other healthy light snacks are acceptable. Players also need to start hydrating 24 hours before a match. This means lots of water and/or sports drinks. No soda on game day!
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