The Austria and Capitals Soccer Clubs have come up with a document that outlines many of the issues discussed during unification procedings.

Unification…vision for success

The success of any organization lies in its abilities to establish a clear vision as to the reason for its existence. Once established, the efforts of the individuals involved within the organization revolve around using their skills and available resources to meet this vision.  As we are well aware, the Capitals Soccer Club and Austria F.C. Soccer Club are soccer specific sporting entities. From initial discussions, the executive of both systems believe that the establishment of a clear vision is essential to ensure that the “sum of the whole is greater than its parts”. With this in mind, the vision for the new system is as follows:

• To develop and implement a well managed competitive and progressive soccer program designed to permit each player to develop his or her technical, tactical and physical skills to the best of their abilities.

The following information identifies the key components of a technically sound program to ensure that the vision is met. This information becomes the framework from which other components of the organization (i.e. administration, equipment acquisition, fiscal management and marketing) can base their decisions.

Essential Components of an Effective Soccer Program

To meet the aims of producing technically and tactically proficient players, three components of a soccer program must be adhered to. Like the proverbial three-legged stool, a failure to focus on each area will limit the extent to which players can reach their potential. It is obvious that not all players will have the aspirations of becoming elite level players. However, the aim of any well-managed system is to establish programs that enable players to progress to their capabilities and desired level of competition. The three components of the technical soccer program are:

• Player Development
• Coaching Development
• Facilities and Equipment

Player development:

Progressive Training Programs From the time a player enters our club it should become apparent to the player and his/her family members that he/she is receiving a level of training that is:

• Age specific
• Focused on long term skill development
• Encourages excellence of performance.

With this stated, it becomes apparent that this is not an overnight process. Additionally, it is essential that our program provide an opportunity for all players to play at a level that is suited to their talents while achieving the above goals. Because of genetic and environmental effects (i.e. motivation, commitment) players will progress at different levels. A player who was average at 10 may be a superb player at 15 and visa versa.  While in the past, clubs within Regina have taken players into their system at any age, the challenge for our club will be to encourage the bulk of new members to enter the system at the U10 age group. The key developmental years for a player are from 7-11 years of age. While this does not preclude older players from learning fundamental skills, their rate of progress is substantially less than at a younger age. If we wish to develop a true system it stands to reason that the earlier players are exposed to quality training, the better they and our system become.

Age Specific Training Programs

To ensure that training is done in a consistent manner, we need to establish a well-defined program for player development such that there is a “seamless” system developed. In this way, a coach who is working with an under 12 team will know the types of skills that he/she can anticipate from players entering from the U10 age group. To establish this concept, the Technical Director should work with club coaches and the provincial Technical Director and High Performance Director and TD’s from other clubs. Key Point: Ongoing monitoring of players is important and effective communication between coaching staff is essential to ensure that players are placed on teams appropriate to their skill level. Players should have the opportunity to challenge their abilities by either:

• Playing at a level suited to their abilities. This may require that placement of one or more players at a higher age group
• Ensure that players who are showing sufficient progress have the opportunity to “play up” for a senior and/or older team while adhering to league guidelines.

In situations where a player has the opportunity to play up, he/she will not be held back by the coach. This is fundamental to the vision of enabling players to develop to the best of their ability. In addition, this is an essential element of a club-to develop soccer players, not develop fiefdoms with the same colour of shirts.

Coaching Development Program

The development of skilled players only comes from the placement of coaches who have the desire to work with young athletes and work to improve their own level of skill and knowledge of the game. To this end, the organization must assist and support the development of its coaches. The flow chart identifies the key areas of a sound coaching development plan.

• In House Training
  • Technical Skills Assessment
    • Passing
    • Dribbling
    • Ball Control
    • Shooting
    • Heading
  • Conducting an Effective Practice
    • Planning your practice
      • Components
    • Running your practice
    • Assessing the effectiveness of the session
  • Principles of Player Development
  • Game Analysis
• Enhanced Coaching Skills
  • Nutrition Seminar
  • First Aid/CPR Training
  • Minimizing Injuries to players
  • Co-ordination
  • Flexibility
  • Strength Training
  • Aerobic/Anaerobic Fitness
• Club Expectations
  • Club philosophy toward player development
  • Coaching conduct
  • Team Placement
• Coaching Equipment
  • First Aid Kit
  • Balls, pinnies, cones
  • Training kit
• Certification Process
  • Community 1
  • Community 2
  • Advanced