2017 High School Soccer Parents Meeting

Team Meeting – Welcome – Introduce Athletic Director Christopher Skaugen Trainer Kyle Board Member Coaches Introductions – Bob O’Connor Mike Lamarca Dylan Buckwalter Ryan Grier Kyle Miller

Schedules – Games – expect Tuesday-Thursday Check game schedule at school website (www.epasd.org) – game and departure times Most home games will be played at the Middle School fields

Playing Time – We will have two teams – with some players playing in/on both

Everyone will be given an opportunity to play based on: Commitment to team Grades Performance at practice

Coaches, bus service nor school are responsible for lost or damaged equipment.

Participation (During School Year) – 5 days of week Location – Elementary school/Middle School

Uniforms – starting at 4:00 outside of the athletic department. Need one more Volunteer to assist. Picture Day – Schedule was sent – August 23, 2017 Gather at high school stadium at 3:45

Sports Parade – August 31, 2017; More details to come as they become available.

Weather – Unless it is a torrential downpour, lightning, or snow We will have practice.

Conflicts – Appointments – club practices – Prioritizing – Church Family School School Soccer Other commitments

Uniforms - Game Gear Black shorts Black socks Shin pads Soccer Boots/turf shoes. East Penn T-shirts Practice Gear Shorts – above the knee – no hip-hop shorts. - Sweat pants are fine. Shirts – t-shirts are perfect. - long sleeves suggested when weather becomes colder - Shirts will be tucked in at all times Sweat suits – are suggested when weather becomes colder Rain gear – water resistant covers - MEN’S SOCCER TEAM RULES

This is the player’s team. The coaches are here to guide and protect the student athlete along this journey.

Our priorities are as follows: o FAITH o FAMILY o EDUCATION o SOCCER

To be a successful program we all have expectations. Success is not measured by wins and losses. Success will be measured by meeting the expectations. Expectations:

 Coach - To conduct practices that will prepare, motivate, and inspire young athletes to have the desire to achieve their goals. Provide the athlete with the tools needed to accomplish specific goals in match play, as well as off the field activities. Provide leadership, friendship, and guidance. Be committed to each athlete and their families. Conduct and be hands on with the everyday running of the teams business. Keep each family updated as to when practices, games, and tournaments will happen. Keep all forms of communication open.

 Players - Have Fun! Work Hard! Have a Good Attitude towards training and others around you. Have the desire to compete in practice as well as games. To continue their efforts away from the field. (This will be considered their Soccer Homework) Be dedicated to themselves and their team. (If they are going to do something, do it ALL IN)

 Scheduling Conflicts will arise! These can be worked around as long as there is proper communication and time given. The one thing we want to avoid is playing 2nd fiddle to all other activities!

 Professionalism… How we act and how we dress is who we are.

 Attendance. Players are to be at all practices unless the coach knows in advanced. Sudden Illness or last minute activities require a phone call and an email before the practice start time.  BE ON TIME. All players are expected to be at practice 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. (unforeseen situations will be taken in consideration, i.e. traffic)

 Understand and follow the rules of the Student / Parent Handbook. And again, HAVE FUN!  Do not get involved in Social Media battles.  Do not begin a war of words via social media.  Social Media is public domain and inappropriate actions, comments, threats, can and will result in disciplinary actions  You are a representative of EAST PENN HIGH its SOCCER PROGRAM and the community surrounding…….THINK before you ACT.

 Team - To learn how to work hard, battle through adversity, and win like champions, all the while becoming a cohesive group. Show respect to all those on your team, all those involved with your team, and all those you play against. To gain respect, you have to learn how to give respect. Win when you lose! Winning and losing will come and go, you will be expected to learn from each and every game you play in. The TEAM will represent the CLUB, as well as their COACH, as well as THEMSELVES.

 Parents - To inspire, console, re-ensure, and support in a positive manner that will not show dissatisfaction towards the coach, the team, or the club. These situations, (if any) should be handled away from team functions, not after a contest or via Social Media. Social Media tirades will result in disciplinary actions. Open communication with team officials (coach, asst. coach, manger, or team rep), should always be considered before actions. REMEMBER that we are all in this for the student/athlete first! As hard as it may be some time, coaching should be left to the coaches. Please use your time at the games to support the team and encourage your child. As I expect it from the kids, I also expect the respect of the parent towards referees and other parents. Parents that are out of control will not be tolerated. Understand and follow the rules of the Student / Parent Handbook.  Provide any medical conditions about your student/athlete.

Communications:  Email - 99% of all team communication is done via email. You will need to provide your families information, such as, email address, phone numbers (home, work, and cell) to the team rep. Our team rep will update our contact list and distribute to all families on the team. Please make sure that you make it a habit of checking your email prior to leaving your home for practice or games (especially during bad weather) to ensure there are no changes to times, locations, cancellations, etc. Email should be checked on a daily basis for any updates.

 Phone - Every once in awhile we will contact everyone by phone. This is usually a last minute change that we feel email may not get looked at in time.

 If more amenable, we can start a text group for important last minute items.

Travel:

 Team - everyone rides the bus to games and from games.  Any exceptions will need to have a submitted WAIVER TO TRAVEL form completed (from player/parent) no later than the last practice before game.  We will NOT stop for dinner. We have made arrangements for a packed lunch. .

 Coach - At least one coach will travel with the team.

PANTHER PRIDE STARTS RIGHT NOW!