DELTA FUTBOL CLUB
Philosophy of Player Development
Delta Futbol Club (Delta FC) is dedicated to developing skilled, competitive soccer players with an advanced knowledge of and a real love for the game. In recruiting, developing, and retaining players, the club focuses not only on the player's current level of play but more importantly on how he/she can be helped in developing their highest potential. Delta offers superior coaching and clinicians, high level competition, and a supportive club network.
The club very much wants to help each player fully develop one′s full potential so that they can be major contributors in high school and possibly college. The club also will expose the older (U15-U17) players in the club to colleges by participating in college showcase tournaments.
Training and Competition
1. Commitment
Delta FC players and their families are asked to make a serious commitment to the club. Individual development is a priority but with a team sport this can only happen if all the players are committed to the team. Attendance at practice, games, and other team functions are the ingredients for successful performance by the individual and the team. Many players U10 through U14 may play both town and club soccer. We do not discourage a player from playing for their town. However, we expect that Delta FC practices and games will take precedence.
Players who sign with Delta FC must attend all team events including practices, games, and tournaments. Only serious injury, illness, academic or religious commitments are legitimate excuses for missing practices, games, and tournaments. Any absence must be communicated to the coach in a reasonable time prior to this. Involvement with other soccer teams, or in other sports is not a legitimate reason to miss Delta FC events of any sort. Players with other commitments must evaluate these carefully before signing with Delta FC and must thereby assure that there will be no conflict of interest.
2. Training
As noted above, attendance at practice is mandatory. Most teams practice in the Groton, Lancaster, and Acton areas. The U10 through U14 teams practice twice a week in the Fall and Spring seasons. Indoor practices begin in January on a once a week basis. Beginning in February or March, the team will begin practicing twice a week. Although it is not required to play in a Winter competitive program, many teams play during this time.
3. Playing Time
Regular attendance at practice, hard work, and concentration during practice, devotion to training at home, and commitment to the team's success is what it means to be on a Delta FC team. Membership on a Delta FC team does not guarantee any specific amount of playing time during games.
The coaches evaluate each player's development throughout the season. They specifically look to see how each player is contributing to the team. Parents are reminded that the coach will decide assignments of positions and playing time based on the player and team development.
4. Competition
Please note the extensive time commitment as outlined below. The spring season includes every weekend from the first of April through the 3rd week of June (this also includes the April school vacation week). Tournament play involves Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Memorial Day weekends. Most teams will also play in a July and August tournaments. The majority of tournaments will be in the New England area. The older teams (U15-U17) will definitely be traveling further distances and will be participating in tournaments that will maximize their exposure to college coaches.
LEAGUE PLAY:
Delta FC competes in "MAPLE" (Massachusetts Premier League) and in "MASC" (Massachusetts Soccer Conference). The U10 through U14's play a Fall season, starting the weekend after Labor Day and running for 9 weeks except Columbus Day. In the Spring, the league season begins the first week in April and concluding on the weekend before Memorial Day. It is important to recognize that games are scheduled on both weekends of the April school vacation. Also, the majority of our teams will be participating in State Cups and post season league matches during the first 3 weekends in June.
Games are played on Sunday afternoons starting between 1:00 and 4:30 PM. Games are located throughout Massachusetts from the Springfield area to the Cape and driving times may be up to two hours. Delta FC's home fields are located at many area fields such as Groton School, Lawrence Academy, Flerra Field, Liberty Field, Devens, Atlantic Union College, and others. For a complete listing of fields please visit our
"Directions" page on the website.
Delta FC has a goal of entering higher level teams into the Region 1 league. This decision will be made based on the level of play of that individual team.
TOURNAMENT PLAY:
In general, the U10-U14 teams play in tournaments on the following weekends: Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Memorial Day. Most teams also compete in tournaments during the summer. Some examples of tournaments attended are the Coastal Summer Challenge (Father′s Day weekend), South County Seaside Classic (RI), Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY, the Guilford Soccerfest (Guilford, CT) during the month of July, and the TWIST in August. In the U13-14 age groups, it is not unusual for a team to look for competition outside the New England area. This may include a tournament trip to Virginia or Georgia in the month of March. Decisions as to where teams will compete in tournaments are also dependent upon the Coach, Director of Player Development, team′s level of play and age.
The U15-18 teams compete in tournaments after the HS season has ended. The club′s goal is to place them in competitive tournaments. Some of these tournaments may be outside the New England region. The club also recognizes the seriousness in placing its older teams in college showcases so that the players are exposed to college coaches.
STATE CUP PLAY:
Delta FC will compete in State Cup play each year. The challenge rounds are played during the fall and spring.
The round robin rounds are played the first three weekends of June.
There is no State Cup play for U10 thru U12. However, the U11′s will compete in the Andre Cup in June and the U12′s will compete in the Divisionalization Tournament.
COSTS
1. Club Fees
Club Fees include expenses for coaching and clinician fees, fields, league play, 1 tournament per season or State Cup fees. This fee structure also includes the winter rental space for indoor practices during the months of January-March.
The majority of other clubs charge an additional winter fee.
2. Uniforms
Cost is approximate
$100 (two game shirt, shorts, and 1 pr of socks);
Delta FC backpacks & warm-ups are not included in the price. Many parents purchase one of the items and wait and buy the other item as a Christmas present.
3. Scholarships
No player shall be excluded from the Delta Futbol Club based solely on hardship. Scholarship aid is available and may be applied for upon request to the team coach or manager.
Conclusion
Delta FC is focused on the development of the player at all age groups. Training hard, setting goals, improving skills, understanding the rules of the game, and being a reliable teammate are the expectations of a Delta FC soccer player. The team in which the player plays for has a goal to win the game. However, in order for the player and the team to reach that goal they must learn how to practice, how to prepare, and how to conduct themselves during and after the game. In return, Delta FC sets a priority on offering first-rate instruction focusing on individual skills and team development to the game of soccer. Meeting the mutual commitments requires a lot of hard work for everyone involved. When a team pursues these commitments with a sense of joy and pleasure, the end result is a successful team that is enjoying every one of their experiences.
Play in MAPLE is highly competitive and demanding, both mentally and physically. Delta Futbol Club′s aim is to develop and retain players who can grow and compete in this environment.
(The statements above have been provided by the club as a general reference guide and are subject to change without notification. Delta FC reserves the right to modify any program and/or fees at it's sole discretion)
