2013 Club Handbook

Information, Guidelines & Forms

May 2013
Contents
Who We Are .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Description, History, Structure, & Levels of Play ........................................................................................................... 3
Mission, Vision, Goals, & Philosophy ............................................................................................................................ 4
Club Development Plan.................................................................................................................................................... 5
Long-Term Player Development Plan............................................................................................................................ 5
Stages of Development ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Season Calendar....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Age-Specific Curriculum ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Annual Training Plan ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Daily Training Plan.................................................................................................................................................... 8
Testing & Player Evaluations..................................................................................................................................... 9
Licensing & Education .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Coach Education....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Parent Education ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Public Relations...........................................................................................................................................................10
Club Fees ........................................................................................................................................................................11
Registration Fees.........................................................................................................................................................11
Club Service Hours Deposit .........................................................................................................................................11
Training Fees...............................................................................................................................................................12
Field Fee .....................................................................................................................................................................12
Timing & Method of Payment .....................................................................................................................................12
Summary of Fee Payments ..........................................................................................................................................12
Player Financial Assistance ..............................................................................................................................................13
Ajax Income & Expense Review .......................................................................................................................................13
Ajax Club Fundraising Program........................................................................................................................................14
Online Registration .........................................................................................................................................................14
Additional Ajax Services & Programs ...............................................................................................................................14
Ajax Recruiting Assistance Plan .......................................................................................................................................14
Player Code of Conduct ...................................................................................................................................................15
Parent Code of Conduct ..................................................................................................................................................15
Who We Are
Description, History, Structure, & Levels of Play
Description & History

Modesto Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) is the parent organization for Ajax United. MYSA currently offers
recreational, mini-season, and competitive soccer (Ajax United). In the near future MYSA will be offering T.O.P.S. &
Adult soccer programs. Our core values are honesty, integrity, respect, and hard work.

Ajax United is a competitive soccer club based in Modesto. The majority of our players are from the Modesto metro
area but we also draw some players in from all the way from Merced to Sacramento.

Ajax United was founded in 1976. The celebrated success of our club includes state cup champion teams, National team
members like Tisha Venturini & Heath Pearce, and thousands of players who had the opportunity to grow their love of
the game of soccer.

Club Structure

MYSA Board of Directors

Ajax Competitive Coordinator MYSA Rec Coordinator

Ajax Technical Director Mini-Season Coordinator

Ajax Coaches

Ajax Staff

Levels of Play

Ajax
Green or Elite

Ajax White or Premier

MYSA Mini-Season

MYSA Recreation
Mission, Vision, Goals, & Philosophy

Mission

MYSA Mission - MYSA provides players and families with a premier, safe, and fun experience for all ages, abilities, and
backgrounds. We foster life skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and technical development.

Ajax Mission - Ajax provides players the highest quality coaches, uncompromising in their path to develop the player’s
techniques, tactics, and character as we ultimately foster a life-long passion for the game.

Vision

MYSA Vision - MYSA is recognized as the preeminent Central Valley soccer club enhancing player’s lives. We deliver
value with top facilities, quality coaching, and a path for development. We offer a fully-integrated soccer program with a
vast network of staff and volunteers. MYSA cultivates a passion for the game with a dynamic club culture and
community involvement.

Ajax Vision – Ajax United is recognized as an educational soccer club where players receive elite coaching from the most
educated and licensed coaches in our area. We provide an opportunity for players of ages 4-23 for superior training and
a path for development based on a club curriculum that fosters creative, attacking players who attract colleges offering
opportunities for our players to continue playing.

Goals

 Roster three teams in each age-group/gender for the Development Academy within next two years
 Roster two teams in each age-group/gender for the Pre-Academy within next two years
 Roster one-two teams in each age-group/gender for the Academy within next three years
 Gain ECNL membership within the next three years
 Reduce registration fees by 10%-20% within the next two years
 Increase financial aid & scholarship fund by 25% within the next two years
 Have all Development Academy coaches with a minimum of USSF D or NSCAA Level 6 License within one year
 Have all Pre-Academy & Academy coaches with a National C or NSCAA National License within three years

Philosophy

Ajax believes in a style of play that involves dynamic attacking players who are willing to take chances to be
successful. Our coaches will not focus solely on wins at younger ages as they work to develop techniques and creativity,
but ultimately will produce players who are able to problem solve on the fly and break down opponents, leading to
more sustainable success at older ages when wins become more relevant. We believe risk taking will allow our players
to express themselves and gain confidence that will carry into all aspects of their life. We apply this philosophy of player
development through a tier structure focusing on three unique stages of development. While our methods and goals
are different within each of these stages there are several guiding principles that envelope our philosophy: love of the
game, risk-taking, hard work.
Club Development Plan
The Ajax Club Development Plan covers three main areas to strengthen our family’s & player’s experience while in Ajax.

 Long-Term Player Development Plan

 Coach & Parent Education
 Public Relations

We are taking specific steps to improve each of these aspects. Below are some concepts we are implementing this
upcoming year that will have an immediate impact.

Long-Term Player Development Plan

Stages of Development
1. Development Academy U8-U11 -- “Mastery of the Ball”
a. 8 Players on the field
b. Rosters of 8-13 Players
c. Primary Teaching Method – 1v1 & 2v1
d. Formation of 1-3-1-3
2. Pre-Academy U12-U14 -- “Playing together”
a. 11 Players on the field
b. Rosters of 14-18 Players
c. Primary Teaching Method – 2v2 up to 11v11
d. Formation of 1-4-3-3
3. Academy U15-U19 -- Playing in a system”
a. 11 Players on the field
b. Rosters of 16-22 Players
c. Primary Teaching Method – 4v4 up to 11v11
d. Primary formation of 1-4-3-3
i. Other possible formations
1. 1-4-4-2
2. 1-3-5-2
3. 1-4-3-3
4. College Academy U20 & U23
a. 11 Players on the field
b. Rosters of 16-22 Players
c. Primary formation of 1-4-3-3

Season Calendar
U8 – February through October, June off
U9 – February through November, June off
U10 – February through November
U11 – February through January, August off
U12 – March through January
U13 – March through January
U14 – March through April, August off
U15 to U19 - June through April
Age-Specific Curriculum
Annual Training Plan
Daily Training Plan
Testing & Player Evaluations
Testing

One of the newest and most exciting introductions in 2013 will be the deployment of a club-wide testing program. This
will allow us to monitor players development as they go through the year, one age group to the next and one coach to
another. This is a quantifiable program measuring a player’s technical expertise. This will not always relate to
effectiveness in a game but is a good indication of their technical development.

Evaluations

Player evaluations are an important part of the development package. In order for players to know where they are
exceling and where they need to put in a little more work, they must have the feedback from their coaches. Normal
day-to-day interaction suffices most of the time but a formal evaluation process is absolutely necessary to make sure the
coaches opinions are communicated clearly and thoroughly to the player and parents.

An exciting tool we are using for player evaluation is a system called Zoom Reports. This is an online system where
coaches are able to provide numerical and descriptive feedback to players based on the four pillars of the game:
technique, tactics, physical, psychological. Within each pillar are specific areas which are evaluated and commented on.
These evaluations are then made available to the players/families. Coaches also have the tool of requesting self-
evaluations to have a player reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses. Ajax coaches will be required to complete
two player evaluations a year using the Zoom Reports tool and some may choose to provide evaluations more often.

Licensing & Education

Coach Education
Each year our coaches are required to complete twenty-five hours of coaching education. The goal of this program is
not only to increase the licenses and knowledge of our coaching base but also to keep our methods and exercises up
with modern developments in the game. The Ajax Technical Director offers some hours as internal education but for the
remaining hours our coaches are required to attend formal outside education courses. Most often these courses are
provided by the two most widely acknowledged soccer organizations in the U.S.A., the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America (NSCAA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

Parent Education
Not all the parents involved in Ajax have played professional or collegiate soccer. Some may just have played High
School soccer while some may have played just some rec soccer back in the day, others may not have played soccer at
all. In order to provide the complete well-rounded soccer education, we need are beginning to implement a parent
education program. This program will involve opportunities for parents to learn about our age-appropriate program
objectives, learn activities to help their children continue playing soccer at home, get a better understanding of
appropriate game behavior, and even a chance to learn the laws of the game.

.
Public Relations
Communication

Ajax is expending a lot of time and energy to make sure we communicate better with our customers (you families). The
most obvious place of information is our club website. This is a great place to start to see the most important events in
our club. Below is a list of other communication tools that are in use:

Website: www.ajaxunited.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AjaxUnited

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ModestoAjax

Newsletters: Sign-up for our club newsletters at the following link- http://www.ajaxunited.org/newsletters/

Field Closure: http://www.rainedout.com/

Marketing

In addition to communicating with our current group of players and families, it is extremely important that we continue
to promote the Ajax Club. The most important and relevant way of promoting our club is through you the parents.
Hopefully we have created a positive experience in a way that you are proud to talk about your club and everything we
offer. Currently there are no funds identified for marketing or outreach but that may change in the near future.

Conflict Resolution

Our Path of Communication is extremely important to make sure that problems are addressed in an appropriate and
timely manner. If you ever feel your player is in an unsafe or potentially harmful situation then you should immediately
contact the Ajax Coordinator. All discussions will be kept confidential if requested by the Parent. If the issue is not a
circumstance of player safety then we urge you to follow the path of communication identified below.

We are working with our coaches to have an open door policy with regard to player and parent concerns. We urge you
to bring up and questions or concerns you may have without having fear of a backlash toward you or your child.

Player or Parent Concerns:

1. Player  Coach
2. Parent  Coach
3. Parent  Team Positive Coaching Alliance (P.C.A.) Coordinator
4. Parent  Ajax Coordinator
5. Parent  MYSA Protest, Appeals, and Disciplinary (P.A.D.) Committee
6. Parent  MYSA Board of Directors

Coach Concerns
1. Coach  Player
2. Coach  Parent
3. Coach  Ajax Coordinator
4. Coach  MYSA PAD Committee
5. Coach  MYSA Board of Directors
Club Fees
Registration Fees
$150 Registration (Option to split into three payments of $50)
The Ajax United registration fee is used to cover direct registration costs and program administrative costs. US Club
Soccer player registrations range from $15-$20, depending on age. Membership in MYSA is $30. Coaching education is
$30. The remaining amount goes to a variety of expenses: equipment, supplies, field prep, website fees, etc.

$75 Registration - New to Ajax (Option to split into three payments of $25)
This is a reduced fee to introduce Ajax United to players of families who have not had any previous experience in the
program. Our goal is to decrease the initial burden of joining the program, in turn, encouraging new families to give Ajax
a try. Candidates must not have had a brother/sister or step-brother/sister who previously participated with Ajax. This
discount applies to the first year of registration in the program and can apply to multiple children registering at the same
time. By adding new players it helps us share the burden of the fixed costs of operating the program. 30 new players
would allow us to reduce registration for everyone by $20 the following year.

Club Service Hours Deposit

$100 Fully Refundable Deposit (Option to split into two payments of $50)
Modesto Ajax serves over 375 players from more than 300 families on 28 teams. Our program would become overly
expensive if all tasks of the club were completed by paid staff. Lots of volunteers are needed to provide our players and
families with a high quality program filled with fun and personal development.
Modesto Ajax requires each family to perform at least five (5) hours of club service. Parents must keep track of their
own hours. As an incentive to participate, Modesto Ajax assesses a $100 fully-refundable club service deposit at the
time of registration. If your family performs five or more hours of club service work, that deposit is 100% refunded.
At the approved event, upon completion of your hours, make sure to get a signature from the event coordinator (see
attached form). Hours will not qualify if not accompanied by the event coordinator’s signature. Upon completion of
your 5 hours, please mail or go to the Modesto Youth Soccer Association office and drop off the signed form. At that
time the form will be submitted for reimbursement, which will be mailed within two weeks. Another option is to apply
these funds to your players team account instead of getting a check mailed to you.
Activities that qualify are listed below. In addition to the list, you may receive special calls for club service with those
hours qualifying. However, activities that only benefit the team will not….while these are very important for your team,
the goal is to have involvement of families with the running of the club.
_____________________________Club Service opportunities include_______________________________
Annual Role* One-time Opportunities
 MYSA Board of Directors  Try-outs
 AJAX Volunteer Staff Member  Camps
 Punishment & Discipline (PAD) Committee  Tournament Set-up/Take-down
 MYSA Task Force Member  Tournament Check-in or Field Marshall
 Recreation Team Head Coach  Club Concessions or Parking Attendant
 Club Fundraiser Events

_________________________Annual* Club Service “Team” positions include_________________________

 Assistant Coach  Team Treasurer
 Team Manager  Team PCA Coordinator

*Note – Annual Roles all exceed the four hour minimum requirement but are offered 50% off all Ajax camps
Training Fees
$50 per Month

These training fees go to cover coaching salaries and program directors (Technical Director and Goalkeeper director).
These fees should be viewed as a payment plan for an annual amount of training. The monthly training fee does not
vary based on hours per month trained. Each team has macro-cycles during the year that involve more frequent
amounts of training and at other times less amounts of training. A team may take up to two weeks off, once every four
months without a reduction or reimbursement in training fees. For teams that have a required month break in their
season we continue to collect training fees for that month but do not collect training fees during the last month of the
their season.

Field Fee
$20 per Month

The field fee is used to pay for practice and game time at Modesto Christian and the new Mary Grogan Soccer Complex.
All teams are required to train at the new facility or by special arrangement at Modesto Christian and this fee will cover
that expense.

Timing & Method of Payment

Registration & Club Service payments must be initiated before player registration will start.

Training Fees and Field fees are due by the 5th of each month. If payment is not received by the 5th then a notification
will be sent to that family. If payment has not been received by the 5th then account will be considered delinquent.
Players with delinquent accounts will not be allowed to participate in practices or games.

There are two payment options: A) Sign-up for recurring payments to be automatically withdrawn from your account at
check-out of registration and then on the 1st of each month, or B) chose to Pay by Check which will allow you to drop
payment (cash or check) off at MYSA.

Summary of Fee Payments

Option 1: Installment Plan

Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 & Beyond

Registration $50 $50 $50
Club Service Hour Deposit $25 $25 $25 $25
Training Fees $50 $50 $50 $50 $50
Field Fees $20 $20 $20 $20 $20
Club Fees Total $145 $145 $145 $95 $70

Option 2: Full Payment

Month 1 Month 2 & Beyond

Registration $150
Club Service Hour Deposit $100
Training Fees $50 $50
Field Fees $20 $20
Club Fee Total $320 $70
Player Financial Assistance
Financial Aid

Knowing that it is not cheap to play competitive soccer and that sometimes we are faced with severe financial
difficulties, Ajax has created the Financial Assistance Fund. Our goal is to make sure we have an option for families that
are facing financial obstacles. In 2012 Ajax provided $9,000 in financial aid to players in the program. 30 players
received assistance to pay for registration or training fees. While we appreciate that $9000 is not much for a club of
nearly 400 players, it is a start and we aim to continue to grow this fund. We gladly accept tax-deductible contributions
for the financial aid fund.

Ajax Income & Expense Review

Ajax Income
2% 1%

5% 16% Registration Income

17% Training Fees

Field Fees
Tournament Net Revenue
Camp Net Revenue

59% Fundraisers & Club Store

Ajax Expenses
1%
1% 3%
4% Financial Assistance
4% 6% Coaching / Training
Fields

16% Coaches Education

Registration
Equipment
65%
Website & Subcriptions
Misc Overhead Expenses
Ajax Club Fundraising Program
 Fireworks Booth (Jun/July)
 *Fun run (April)
 *Parking Lot sale with soccer sale, e-waste and maybe food or something else (June)
 *Golf tournament
 *Christmas trees
 *Fun run (March)
 *Chevy tickets (Oct/Nov)
 *Modesto nuts
 *Carnival (maybe with soccer sale)

Online Registration
Ajax United is using a new website and registration provider. This is an easy process but will require you to use the
internet to register. If you do not have the internet available, please go to the MYSA office and someone will be able to
assist.

Registration Directions

Go to the www.ajaxunited.org website and click on the link in the first article MYSA/AJAX.

Direct Address: https://sports.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=330319

Once at the registration/log-in page, please create a New Customer Primary Contact (Parent or Guardian), complete the
Primary Contact Information. Then add a new participant (player). You will now see the available programs for each
player. Select the appropriate program and complete all steps. The final step in the process requires you to pay by
Credit card or pay by check. One of these must be selected to finish the registration process. After completing
the checkout you will receive an email confirming your player registration.

Additional Ajax Services & Programs

 Ajax College Recruiting Services
 Ajax Soccer Camps
 Ajax Shooting Stars Program
 Ajax Approved Private Trainers
 Technical Director Supplemental Trainings

Ajax Recruiting Assistance Plan

 Ajax Recruiting Seminar (Fall)
 Girls College Showcase (Dec 2013)
 Boys & Girls College Showcase (Dec 2014)
 Ajax Technical Director & Coordinator Networking
 AJAX National Letter of Intent Signing Celebration
Player Code of Conduct

As a soccer player of AJAX United Soccer Club we will:

• Give 100% at practices and games, do your best to help others.
• Be early to practice, have soccer gear on and ready
• Wear the assigned practice jersey to practice
• Remember uniforms and equipment on game days
• Be 60 minutes early to games
• Watch the game and encourage players on the field when a substitute
• Show good Sportsmanship at all times.
• Encourage your teammates at all times and play fun and fair.
• Have fun!
• If you are not going to be at training you must let the coach or manager know 24 hours before through a call
• Bring a drink, water or a sports drink is essential

Parent Code of Conduct

• Arrive on time to practices and games

• Refrain from assessing other players (and reporting your assessment, if negative, to their parents, this causes ill will)
• Encourage practice at home/practice with players at home
• Always stay positive, win, lose or tie
• Express interest, encouragement, and support to your child
• Remember who the player is: your child.
• Respect your child on and off the field, they will be stressed out if you demand performance for your approval
• Always, always lend a hand when a coach or official asks for help, they have very demanding jobs working with many
players
• Let the referee do their job, do NOT make comments to the referee or yell at the referee
• Watch the game from the ‘parent’s side’ away from the opposing team parents
• Be good examples of good sportsmanship, if you have issues with a game please wait 24 hrs to ‘cool off’ and be kind
with words. This is to be a fun experience for all.
• During games keep comments to positive encouragement.
 Please remember to let the coach do the coaching of the team Please, no coaching from the side.
• At practice let Coach and the players practice. Please don’t interrupt during the practice, this will distract the players
and change their attention.
• Enjoy the Experience…
• Travelling Protocol: No adult may share a room alone with an unrelated player. There are to be no unsupervised
minors in hotel rooms, players are always chaperone