• Brantford City Soccer Parent Letter

    Parent Letter – Rep Youth (U8-18) Program 2023-2024

  • Dear Parents,

    We would like to thank your child for trying out to play on our BCSC travel team. As a member of this team, your child and you will represent our organization and the City of Brantford in various cities throughout our region.

    We feel it is important to take this opportunity, before the season begins, to outline the philosophies, methods, expectations and goals we have for our players and parents.

    Our main objective will be to ensure each child has fun while improving and enhancing their soccer skills. We will also stress the aspects of team play and sportsmanship.

    As we all know, at this level of play, children develop at different rates. When the players work hard in practice, and grasp the concepts of what the coach is teaching, it enhances the ability to play as a team. It only takes one player who has either missed practices or does not work at practices to break down the system and the team concepts that we employ. Therefore, attendance at practices will have a bearing on player development, team cohesiveness and overall success, it is important to attend. Keep in mind that players at this age will all receive fair playing times as per the Ontario Soccer LTPD paradigm.

    It is the coach’s responsibility, working within the Long Term Player Development guidelines, to assess each player’s abilities and skill levels developed in practice and utilize this knowledge in a game environment. All Players at the U8 age level are to receive a minimum of 15 minutes of play per match; All Players at the U9/U10 age level are to receive a minimum of 20 minutes of play per match; All Players at the U11/U12 age level are to receive a minimum of 30 minutes of play per match; All Players at the U13/U14 age level are to receive a minimum of 30 minutes of play per match; All Players at the U15-U18 age level are to receive a minimum of 35 minutes of play per match; All U9/10 AP players are to play in a minimum of 3 matches; All U11+ AP players are to play in a minimum of 4 matches and receive the mandated minimum amount of play for their division per match. Should you feel that the playing time of your child is in question, please discuss the matter privately with the coach. (Remember the 24 hour rule) These conversations should take place either before or after a practice – never right after a game when emotions are running high. Continual non-attendance or late arrivals to training, practices or matches will impact the amount of playing time players receive, potentially falling below the minimum playing time allotted.

    We ask that you encourage the children with positive comments. Do not be critical of an individual player’s ability or coach your child from the sidelines. We must have your cooperation in encouraging adherence to team concepts.

    Players & Parents agree not to use any type of Social Media to post or say anything negative about any other player, parent, coach, team or league official or employee, soccer club or organization. Furthermore, all players and parents will reject and report any individuals who are bullying and/or harassing anyone, including through Social Media to the Brantford City Soccer Club, who will address the situation. Players & Parents agree to report any incidents of bullying behaviour to the office to be dealt with immediately. If there is an occurrence of this behaviour it may result in the player being removed from the squad for the remainder of the year with no refund provided.

    Players & Parents are required to observe Brantford City Soccer Club’s Concussion and Return to Play Protocol. This includes but it is not limited to the need to submit a doctor’s note confirming player’s ability to safely return to practice. This is dependent on the level and nature of the injury or at the request of the club.

    Any fines incurred by team due to inappropriate parent(s) or guest behavior will have to be paid by the individuals involved. The fines are paid out of team money and if not reimbursed by those involved will only hurt the children involved with that team. Those who chose not to pay fines will be asked not to attend games until fines have been paid.

    I accept the terms set out in this letter for player and game management and team philosophies.