Developing a Model Soccer Club

Book excerpt: Soccer clubs of all levels and sizes play vital roles in their communities, yet most face challenges that prevent them from achieving their goals each year. This book documents the practices of the best-run clubs and provides straightforward guidelines to bring these practices to your club. This book is required reading for all administrators, coaches, and parents who want more from their club! More than anyplace else, player development occurs (or breaks down) at the club level. With this in mind, soccer organizations should make it a top priority to study the best practices of other soccer clubs and work to bring these practices to their own members. This book examines eight critical components of the "Model Soccer Club," and provides specific examples and guidance for each element that will allow you to separate your club from your competitors. All clubs, regardless of size, history, or geographic location, will benefit greatly as they apply the principles detailed by the authors in this groundbreaking text. As a group, the authors (Robert Parr, Terry Eguaoje, Tom Condone, and Matt Fansher) represent 65 years of collective experience in coaching and administration of soccer programs. Whether you are a parent trying to ensure your child is in the right environment as a soccer player, a coach who wants to understand the key steps to take as players develop, or an administrator responsible for the operations of a soccer club, this book will provide you with invaluable guidance that will challenge many of your assumptions and put you and your club on the path to success!