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Montana Youth Soccer Frequently Asked Questions
1. What programs are offered by the Bozeman Blitzz FC?
The Bozeman Blitzz FC offers year round programs, including Spring Competitive (traveling), Spring Academy (U10 and 11), Fall Academy (U10-U14), Fall Indoor Futsal, Winter Futsal League and Spring & Fall Micro (recreational).
2. What are the normal costs of playing competitive soccer?
Although the total fees for Spring Competitive registration are $415, there are additional costs including uniforms, proper footwear and shin guards, weekly travel, and tournaments, which may put the total cost for a season in the range of $1000 - $1500 or higher. Costs of playing include tuition (coaching, fields, state registration fee...), uniforms, and travel (including overnight to the State tournament); optional additional gear (bag, warm-ups...); and optional tournament costs (elected as a team). We pay our coaches relatively well, including payroll taxes, travel reimbursement, etc., and we discourage any additional team-based direct payments other than those associated with optional tournaments. End-of-season gifts are not inappropriate, but an autographed photo-mosaic of the team is more appropriate than a cash bonus. We think of our coaches as Club coaches rather than team coaches, and hope they will serve us like teachers serve their community. Driving your coach to away games or buying them lunch on the road is a polite way to meet them!
3. How do I request financial assistance and what are my obligations?
We would like to make it possible for any child to play competitive soccer. If financial assistance is required, please submit the Scholarship Application Form [link] to the Club. You would still be responsible for the $50 club registration fee, uniform costs, and travel. Scholarship funds are limited so your form MUST be submitted at the time of registration or by November 1 in order to allocate our resources fairly.
4. When are fall team formations, and what is expected of a player at the tryout?
Team formations are normally held at the end of October for U14 and below, and mid-November for U15 and higher. The dates vary every year depending on weather, the weekend of the high school state tournament, and Montana Olympic Development (ODP) tryouts. We endeavor to find a place for every player but, under certain extenuating circumstances, cuts have been made for the older age groups. Players at the U12 and below age groups cannot be cut. Bozeman Blitzz is held by the state to a maximum roster size of 18 for U13 and above, and 14 for U12 and below. All teams, regardless of numbers registered, will have a tryout. Players will be given the opportunity to showcase their technical ability, tactical awareness, and athletic ability during this time. The technical abilities of each player (ability to pass accurately, control the ball on the move, 1v1 skills, etc.) are the overwhelming attributes upon which players are evaluated.
5. What birth certificate is needed for registration?
Proof of age shall consist of a birth certificate, a Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (DD Form 1173) issued by the uniformed services of the United States, a birth registration issued by an appropriate government agency or board of health records, a passport, an alien registration card issued by the United States Government, a certificate issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service attesting to age, a current driver's license, an unexpired federal, state or local government identification card (if documentation of date of birth is required), or a certification of a United States citizen born abroad issued by the appropriate government agency. Hospital, baptismal, or religious certificates will not be accepted. If your player has played with the club in the past we have these documents on file.
6. What are the cutoff dates for team age groups, and why?
The cut-off date is July 31st determined by FIFA and state policy. This conflicts with school enrollment dates but we will generally consider placing a player with their school grade rather than their age group if there is a conflict.
7. What is the Club policy on playing up?
Playing up is an accepted practice if it is in the best developmental interest of the individual player. This is determined during tryouts in October, and the player is asked to try out with their own age group and the older one. A panel, which consists of the Technical Director, the players 'true' age group coach, and the older age group coach will be assembled to discuss the best placement for the player. Please note that playing up is very uncommon and the vast majority of players will be playing their 'true' age group. Coaches may make a recommendation to a player to try out for an older team (based on a previous seasons performance), but players can ask to be considered for playing up as well.
8. How do we get uniforms and can I get or donate a used uniform?
Single uniforms can now be purchased on-line and you do not need your child's uniform number to place the order. The price will vary but is usually about $100 for a complete uniform (two shirts, shorts, two pairs of socks). We are usually guaranteed at least three years of availability. When we must change uniforms after 2 years, there is an additional grace year during which the old uniform can be worn. Often we try to facilitate a uniform exchange to get the maximum use out of uniforms of departing players. Then - it will be back to the drawing board for the Uniform Committee! If you would like to serve on the Uniform Committee, please contact the Club.
9. What's all this about sponsorship?
Sponsorship provides benefits to the sponsor (large orders and continuity) and the Club (bulk pricing and equipment premiums). Sponsorship is reexamined at the end of each contract (usually three years). Universal Athletics provides a fair price and about $5000 of equipment to the club including balls, pinnies vests, and coaches' gear. Universal also offers special pricing on accessories (boots, bags, workout gear...) although you are not required to participate. This year the club has created a Fundraising Committee to oversee soliciting corporate sponsorship and you are welcome to help that committee in their efforts.
10. How are teams scheduled and when do they get scheduled?
It changes each year! Team input is solicited regarding preferred open dates (for example, many of our teams choose to participate in tournaments rather than league play on select weekend and games are usually not scheduled the weekend of Prom and the SATs). MYSA schedules AA teams (as of 2006) to ensure play against all division opponents (to allow accurate seeding for the State Cup). A-level teams are then scheduled around available dates and space. Once sites and dates are determined, individual club field coordinators schedule game times to allow reasonable travel times (departure 6 AM or later, return 11 PM or earlier) and to fit field sizes to team ages. Often, scheduling is not completed until the week before play actually begins and some adjustments may be necessary after the season starts! We cannot guarantee the number of home dates nor the sites to which travel is required.
11. Who chooses the tournaments for team participation?
Those decisions are made entirely by the coaches, players, and parents of the affected teams. The costs are borne by the players, parents, and teams. The Club holds fund-raising accounts of the various teams, which may be available to help defray tournament costs. The Club expects coaches to be paid and reimbursed for reasonable tournament costs, but also encourages car-pooling and efficient room use. Starting in Spring 2009 we would like the younger age groups (Academy, U12) to try to attend the same tournaments.
12. What is the Club policy on going to the Regional tournament and is it the same as the State Policy?
Our most competitive teams at each age group are AA teams, which are committed to rising up the competitive ladder as far as their abilities take them. This means competing at the State tournament and, if victorious there, the Regional tournament. As part of our affiliation with MYSA and USSF we follow State policy which, as of January 2006, required all teams registering for the State Cup (AA level) to advance to Regionals if they are state champions. There is a hefty team fine for non-compliance!
13. Who should I call if I have a suggestion for the Club?
All of our Board members are listed and accessible. Please contact the Chair of the appropriate committee or any Board member. And Ð feel free to run for the next available opening on the Board!
14. Why do we pay coaches and assistant coaches?
We want to attract and develop the best possible coaching cadre. We believe that the pay we offer, although not always reimbursing actual time spent on coaching at minimum wage, is a mechanism for doing that. The coaching salaries include travel costs for league play and the state tournament, but not additional tournaments. The Club pays the best we can, taking into consideration past performance, qualifications, and experience.
15. Why are you making us volunteer?
Making soccer games happen is very labor-intensive. We honestly need at least half of you to be active in the Club; as Board members and officers, referees, team managers, field marshals, at the concession stand, lining fields - the list is virtually endless. Teams also need volunteers, and at least initially we are including those options. There are enough jobs for everyone. We do, however, draw the line at expecting a family to put in a full work week if they have four players in the club! With the tuition payments, practice and game schedules etc., we are happy if you can find just ten hours. Many of you do have competing commitments - we understand that, but if you can't provide sweat equity, we need to ask for some other contribution to match what others are doing (the $100 volunteer deposit).
16. If you pay referees, why do we have to provide volunteer referees?
Even though a high-level referee of a high-level game can earn about $50, they do earn it! Between licensing, continuing education, equipment, and travel, they don't make a huge profit. We need three referees per game - 1.5 per team. That is why each team must contribute 2 people to the referee pool. We are lucky in Bozeman in having about a dozen unaffiliated referees (without connection to a team). This gives us more flexibility in scheduling than most clubs. But when you travel it is expected that you will bring two referees with you and they may be asked to referee one, two, or even more games while they are there. No referees - no games. Note that, although we don't pay for referee training (because, strictly speaking, referees do not belong to the Club), all referees are paid for their work and the cost of training and equipment (shirts, whistle, flags...) can be made up in the first year if you want to referee. You will start as an assistant referee (linesman) for younger players, then move up as you are ready to older players, to center referee for younger teams, and finally to center older games. How far you go is entirely up to you. You will likely have to accept some assignments, but never ones for which you are not qualified and confident. Try it - you may enjoy it and you will learn how the game really works. If you do not train to serve as a referee, please refrain from criticizing those who do. The abuse referees receive is the #1 reason why referees quit (and why we have to recruit more).
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| © 2008 Bozeman Blitzz FC, All Rights Reserved |  |
406-600-8146 | |
P. O. Box 4349 | |
Bozeman, MT 59772 |