CLUB EXECUTIVE
Club President: Holly Rand
Club Secretary: Claire Wilson
Club Treasurer: Janice Parker
Club VP: Jyl Bishop Veale
Club VP: Reg Ogilvie
Club VP: Andrea MacDonald
Club Past President: Heather Hill
Women 7 a Side VP: Jade Cavanaugh, 542-5305
ABOUT WOLFVILLE SOCCER CLUB
MISSION STATEMENT
The Wolfville Soccer Club (WSC) is a non-profit community soccer club whose mission is to provide soccer players, coaches and parents in Wolfville and area with opportunities to learn, play, and develop regardless of age, gender or ability. The Club aims to ensure that these opportunities are granted in a safe, fun and supportive manner while encouraging development in the sport of soccer. The Wolfville Soccer Club offers an organized environment for club members to enjoy physical activity, social development and competition, through the game of soccer. Our executive consists of parents and coaches who are committed to the sport of soccer and its development in our community.
VISION STATEMENT
Our club vision is to promote the sport of soccer among youth in our community through:
Accessibity- To promote access to our programs through funding assistance programs; a non-discrimination policy and a welcoming environment
Skill development- To strive for the highest standards in skill and sportsmanship
Self esteem- To create a positive, fun-filled playing environment for all players, coaches, and parents
Infrastructure- To encourage the development of more and improved playing fields
Policy- To act as a liaison between soccer’s governing bodies and our constituents
Competition- To support provincial/national soccer programs by encouraging participation by players, coaches, and all volunteers
Leadership- To attract new coaches and to support coaching development
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
WSC has a very specific set of expectations for our stakeholders:
Players are expected to honour sportsmanship, fair play, rules of the game, team guidelines and respect facilities and equipment both home and away.
Coaches are expected to enthusiastically treat all players equally, exercise empathy, select age-appropriate activities and set players up for success. Coaches will communicate effectively with players, parents and executive all matters that relate to those groups.
Parents and onlookers are expected to treat all stakeholders (players, coaches, executive, referees and visitors) with respect. By registering their child with Wolfville Soccer Club, the parent/guardian agrees to make every effort to have players at all games and practices on time and with appropriate equipment.
Executive members are expected to provide leadership for Wolfville Soccer Club by making decisions that reflect our Mission Statement and Vision.
SAFETY/DISCPLINE
The safety of players and coaches is paramount. Wolfville Soccer Club encourages and promotes ethical and moral behavior, good sportsmanship, community involvement and good citizenship. Safety/discipline matters contraindicative to the above will be dealt with by the WSC Executive. Players or coaches who face such issues may be asked to leave the club.
TRAVEL
Many teams will be required travel to “away” games during the course of a soccer season. Coaches and Wolfville Soccer Club members are not responsible for team transportation.
REGISTRATION POLICY
WSC advertises registration dates in school newsletters, radio public service announcements and via existing email distribution lists. Our registration fees are fair and in some circumstances, funding may be available to assist some families who qualify. After a two-week grace period (after the last Registration Date) a $10 per player late fee is applied shall be applied.
HISTORY OF THE CLUB
The Wolfville Soccer Club (WSC) was formed in 1981, and is a not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Act of the Province of Nova Scotia. The WSC is managed by a Board of Directors (Wolfville Soccer Club Executive).
During the Summer Season we generally register approximately 150 players, who come from the Town of Wolfville and surrounding areas. Our annual budget is approximately $7000 of which 80-90% comes from player registration fees and the balance comes from the Corporate Community in the way of Sponsorship and Club Fundraising Projects.
Volunteers and sponsors are welcomed. Please contact any member of the Executive for further information.
MINI PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Lil Kickers – U4s will be set up as a parent-tot program to run from 6-6:45pm once a week. Parents must be on the field as there will only be a limited number of coaches to help organize session between parent and child. Focus is on development of body movement and fun through soccer-based activity.
U6 – The program is 30-40 minutes of skill exercises or games and 15 minutes of 3v3 (no keeper) structured game play. All teams are co-ed. Coaches are asked to involve parents as much as possible in the sessions. Emphasis is on running with the ball, stopping, changing direction, passing/receiving/shooting over short distances and introductory goalkeeping skills.
U8 – U8s play gender-specific teams. Emphasis is on ball mastery, passing/receiving/shooting over longer distances, increased focus on boundaries, structure of game play, and introduction of 1v1 play. Games consist of 4v4 (no keeper) and in some cases a 7v7 game may follow the small-sided 4v4 play.
U10 – U10s play 7v7 (6 plus goalkeeper). Emphasis is on ball mastery, proficiency in passing/receiving, increase in 1v1 attacking/defending, and introduction of team positional shape and width.
CLUB REGISTRATION FEES
WSC believes in Access. We have a fee structure that is fair and affordable. Every effort is made by the WSC Executive to maintain affordable pricing.
AGE BREAKDOWN
A player may be registered in the corresponding Age Category listed, provided he/she has not reached the stipulated birthday before January 1st of the calendar year for season in which he/she is registering.
In rare cases a player may play up, in an older age category. Players are not able to play down in an age category younger than that player. The following stipulations shall accompany this move:
1. The move must be agreed upon by
a. The Coaches of both teams
b. The WSC Executive
c. The players’ parent(s)
2. The player will remain in the higher age category and should not play in two age categories in one season
PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICY
Registration payments are due at time of registration. WSC does not accept post-dated cheques. Registration will be complete and team placements will be made when payment is received in full. Whenever possible, WSC will help individuals with financial assistance (Kidsport, Jump Start, etc) with alternate payment options.
Every refund will be subjected to a $10.00 administration fee. All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing.
COACHING CHILDREN POLICY
The Wolfville Soccer Club acknowledges its responsibility towards all players attracted to the game of soccer. It is conscious of the role that the sport can play in any young life and its capacity for transmitting values and life skills such as co-operation, respect for others, loyalty, the importance of fair play, acceptance of rules, acceptance of decisions, personal responsibility, self-discipline and the need for teamwork. The objectives of the Club are to attract young people to the game, develop their appreciation of it, improve their techniques and enhance their personal and social skills as a direct result of their involvement in it.
Wolfville Soccer Club cherishes greatly the contribution made by the many volunteers without whom youth soccer would not exist. As a consequence, an integral component of our development plan is a continuing program of coach education for adults. This program seeks to promote the fun, drama and excitement of the game combined with a genuine concern for the welfare of the child. Participation in this program is considered to be of paramount importance if coaches are to be kept informed about the most innovative methods of dealing with young players within a safe and caring environment.
The degree to which a child enjoys soccer, and benefits from involvement in it, is dependent wholly upon the type of adult with whom he/she is involved. Implicit in this are the values and ethics conveyed by the coach. As a coach, the following should be adhered to when dealing with young players:
• Promote fun and enjoyment
• Set examples of good behavior by not smoking, drinking or using foul and abusive language
• Have realistic ambitions for the children
• Be aware of issues such as overuse, types of injury, maturation rate etc.
• Know the rules and respect the decisions of officials
• Help to provide appropriate dress and equipment
• Praise the efforts of your team and your opponents
• Make children aware of a healthy lifestyle e.g. eating habits, sleep, activity
• Take the stress out of the game, encourage fair play and skill development
• Positively encourage, never ridicule or shout at children.
• Coaches should avoid any situation which may lead to allegations of abuse. These would include:
• Being left alone with a child or children, particularly within changing rooms. Encourage an open environment and enlist the help of parents or others.
• There should always be a male and female coach/adult in attendance if teams are of mixed gender.
• Proper provision must be made for soccer trips that involve overnight stays.
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact with children when demonstrating.
• It is unwise to spend time alone with children anywhere e.g. the car, the changing room, walking home, etc.
• If these circumstances are unavoidable, they should only occur with parental or guardian consent. It would also be expected of coaches that circumstances involving horseplay, sexual remarks or suggestions, inappropriate language, touching, or any other activity which society regards as unacceptable when dealing with children, should be avoided.