Having done this for ten years, I've got some inside perspective on what's involved with joining a soccer club. And ultimately it's the parent's responsibility to make sure the program is a good fit for their child and family. Just asking how much does it costs then dropping your child off is simply irresponsible. You've got to do your home work.
I'm going to have a series of posts on this: what questions to ask, some inside perspective, and some details - the first question you ask may be just the tip of the iceberg.
So the first suggestion is: who to ask. I would recommend asking four people. This number may vary depending on how the organization is organized. So here they are:
The Coach - the coach is going to give you a technical perspective, specifically about soccer training.
The Board Chairman - a small program may not have one and this role may be filled by the coach. If it is, that would suggest some questions that I'll cover later. The board share should give you a perspective on how the program is organized.
A Parent - you want to find a parent who has been with the program for two years or more. The perspective you're looking for here is impact on family and how well their kids are fitting in.
A Player - ask a player! Find out what they think and are they having fun! You might get some lame feedback, but then again, you might learn something interesting!
So when I review the questions to ask, we'll look at them from the perspective of these people.
Bottom line: its your responsibility, not the programs, to make sure the program fits with your goals and values.
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