Dear Families and Players:
I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to all the players, parents, managers, staff, and Board members who have helped make the 2019/20 Travel and Academy year so special, even in a time when we all face uncertainty due to COVID-19. I must also thank the dedicated coaching staff who share their time and enthusiasm by teaching and coaching our youth athletes. Congratulations to all the Culpeper Soccer Club (CSC) Travel and Academy players who worked hard throughout the year to become stronger players and teammates!
The number one priority at CSC is, as always, our players. In this ever-changing landscape, we are fully committed to providing all players a safe place to play for the 2020/21 season. With that in mind, CSC will be offering a renewal commitment to all players currently rostered on Academy and Travel Teams. All existing players on CSC Academy or Travel teams are guaranteed a roster spot for the 2020/2021 season. This guarantee anticipates that we will field teams in enough age groups, thereby providing roster spots for all returning players, but we will issue full refunds if a roster spot is not available due to gaps in teams. Schedules may be changed or adjusted leading into next season, but we will be proactive and diligent in communicating with members if schedule or program adjustments are required.
The next priority is to place players on teams that will provide them with a competitive and challenging environment that develops their soccer abilities and leads to long-term success. Ongoing evaluations throughout the previous fall and winter seasons allow us to move forward with player placement without the normal tryout process. To promote stability for players and teams long-term, we plan to create less disruption to established teams and are projecting very limited movement between teams compared to previous years. We anticipate the vast majority of players will be rostered to the same teams they played with previously. If there are changes between teams or age groups, staff will communicate directly with that player and parent.
Players currently rostered to teams will be given first priority, but we will also have an open sign up process for new players committing to join the CSC travel program; therefore; it is important to register quickly to secure your roster spot. For players not currently playing Academy or Travel soccer at CSC, we have developed an open registration process that allows staff to place players on Travel teams where there are open roster spots. Those new players will be required to pay the deposit fee, but full refunds will be provided if a spot is not available on established teams.
As we look forward to 2020/21, we’ve added exciting programming and new initiatives to bring additional value to our players who lost training opportunities this spring due to COVID-19 circumstances. We are still hoping to make-up several league games this summer, but we have added three new summer camps for players at no additional cost, regardless of whether we are able to make-up lost games. These camps will host some very special guest coaches to re-engage our players and build excitement in our soccer community as we return to play. Camp dates have been scheduled according to projected opening of fields at the Sports Complex, but we will regularly assess safety guidelines and update players if schedules change due to local or national safety policies from our governing bodies. We will also look to host club-sponsored open play evenings during the summer if county fields are available as projected. All new initiatives for summer play and training are intended to bring additional value to CSC Travel membership, replace training time lost this spring, and return players to training with a safe and measured approach.
2020/21 Preseason Camps
- July 14-16 | U11-U14 Travel Players | Summer Soccer Camp | 5:30-7:00 PM
- July 21-23 | U15-U19 Travel Players | Summer Soccer Camp | 5:30-7:00 PM
- August 4-6 | U11-U19 Travel Players | SAQ Conditioning Camp | 5:30-7:00 PM
- August 18-20 | Travel Team Camps | 5:30-7:00 PM
Also, new to the 2020/21 season, we have adjusted our tuition process by reducing the initial player deposit in these difficult financial times and extending the monthly payment plan option to ease the financial burden of competitive soccer participation for families. The initial player deposit is only $50 and we have not increased fees for the 2020/21 season. If soccer organizations in our state must delay or halt play due to COVID-19, and training opportunities are unable to be provided at a later time during the 2020/21 season, we will provide prorated refunds or alternate training options to players based on training time lost, fixed costs for the club, and administrative fees incurred.
For a full list of opportunities, player benefits, and coaching appointments in 2020/21, and to register for the CSC Travel Program, please visit our website: CSC Travel Program
Our scholarship program will be available for applications after registration and initial deposit is completed, and we will strive to ensure every player has opportunity regardless of financial circumstances. We have created an option within the player registration process for donations to be made towards our scholarship program. Your generous donation will be used directly towards need-based scholarships for youth players and families who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and we are deeply grateful for your support!
We recognize that this has been an incredibly difficult time for many families in our community and we are determined to provide the best soccer programming in our region moving forward into next season and beyond. Our commitment to players is steadfast and we hope you will join us in 2020/21 as we safely return to play, reinvigorated and ready to challenge ourselves on and off the field!
Sincerely,
Dan Bales
Technical Director
Culpeper Soccer Club