FC Springfield

FC Springfield

Statement of Philosophy 

FC Springfield (with SpringHigh Select) is a player-focused soccer club. In our view, the club exists to help each player reach his or her full potential, as opposed to players existing to help the club reach its full potential. Because our players are kids, and all kids develop at different rates (whether cognitively, physically, or emotionally), FC Springfield does not believe in the use of periodic tryouts to form its squads; instead, roster spaces are filled on an invitation basis, and current players always have first right of refusal, with a published deadline, before new players are invited to join a squad. FCS adheres to this philosophy to ensure that current players will have ongoing access to quality instruction from experienced coaches as they follow their individual paths toward adulthood. 

FC Springfield also believes in the “old-fashioned” benefits of youth sports, such as developing noble character traits like teamwork, honesty, fair play, humility, leadership, trust, and loyalty.  We believe these are the primary reasons for kids to participate in our club. It is true that winning is a natural goal for any sports team, yet our club sees player development as the more essential goal, both on and off the field. Therefore, while FC Springfield is a competitive soccer club, we readily believe in the philosophy of providing equitable game time to all FCS players until they reach the older high school ages. Kids must have opportunities in games if they are to improve, and we intend to help each player improve their ability so long as they play for FC Springfield.

We summarize our principles and purposes as follows:

• To enjoy quality, competitive soccer training and play;
• While demonstrating professional and positive attitudes, appearance, and sportsmanship at all times, both on and off the field; and
• Learning and emphasizing positive life skills and lessons.

While our club takes its commitment to its players seriously, we also expect our players to make a reciprocal commitment in return. First, players should display regular and consistent attendance at practices and games. As members of a team, players must realize that persistent absences affect the other players who have elected to invest his or her energy and time into our organization. All players find it difficult to improve when teammates skip practices, and teams cannot compete at their full potential if players are out of sync due to a lack of attendance at practices.

Second, players should notify the club as early as possible if they intend not to play in an upcoming season so that roster spots can be filled as early and seamlessly as possible. The outdoor season(s) are required for players to keep their roster spot guaranteed, and FCS prefers, depending on what seasonal play is offered, that players practice and play throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons, until that time when high school rules prohibit such.  

FCS also realizes that a healthy diversity of interests is good for kids. We encourage all of our players to pursue interests beyond soccer.  For example, we encourage our middle school and high school players to represent their schools in sports and/or activities separate from the club’s participation in league and tournament play. We also encourage our players to be involved in family, civic, and religious activities.  In this regard, we try to avoid practices on Sunday morning. 

Finally, each age group has a different approach to their FC Springfield seasons: 

Youth Development (U7s through U11s) - Fall and Spring outdoor seasons expected. Winter practices and indoor season strongly encouraged, but not required. As kids advance in age through this youth development group, we expect fewer kids to come and go-expecting that players will have determined their level of affection for soccer and will gradually feel comfortable with higher degrees of winter attendance at practices and indoor league play. As kids progress in age and ability, tournament play may be encouraged. 

Middle School (U12s through U14s) - Indoor and Outdoor seasons are expected. There is the possibility for simultaneous participation in school and club soccer. Middle School soccer is not provided by the school system and the opportunity exists to play both school and club soccer within the same season. The middle school outdoor league occurs in the fall for boys and the spring for girls. Therefore practice, league, and tournament options are discussed between coaches and parents to determine a comfortable commitment level between club and school soccer. The “club only” soccer seasons will primarily involve league play, and should include some local tournament participation with the possibility of out-of-town events. 

High School (U15s through U19s) - Outdoor seasons expected: Spring for boys and Fall for girls. During the high school soccer seasons, club practices, league, and tournament options are banned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). FC Springfield practices will usually begin in January for boys, and in August for girls. The club soccer seasons will include minimal league play and organized “friendlies” and scrimmages, but will primarily consist of tournament play, including a few out-of-town events that include college showcase tournaments.