2024 Policies

Policies, Financial Commitment, and Other Information

Club Breaks|Coach’s Responsibilities|Parent Responsibilities|Player Responsibilities|Social Media Guidelines |24-Hour Rule|Financial Commitment|Injuries|Volunteer Commitments|Policy Changes

1. Club Breaks

Below is the schedule for club-wide breaks for the 2024-2025 season.

• • U9 to U19 Breaks (Non-ECNL Teams)
    • Summer:  Saturday, June 22 through Sunday, July 7 (unless teams have an event June 23-24)
    • Thanksgiving:  Monday, November 25 through Sunday, December 1  (this applies to teams not in a competitive event)
    • Christmas:  Friday, December 20 through Sunday, January 5, 2025
    • Holidays:  New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
  • U9 to U19 Breaks (ECNL Teams)
    • Summer:  Due to potential playoff dates for ECNL teams, the break is scheduled for one week on June 30-July 7 and then another week from July 23-28 after the Surf Cup Tournament. This schedule is TBD as some teams will go to the ECNL playoffs, Surf Cup, and/or Pleasanton. These teams will have off July 29-August 4.
    • Thanksgiving:  Monday, November 25 through Sunday, December 1 (this applies to teams not in a competitive event.)
    • Christmas:  Friday, December 20 through Sunday, January 5, 2025
  • U9 to U19 Holidays (all teams):  New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

2.  Coach’s Responsibilities

Each coach is expected to abide by the Placer United coaching philosophy and style of play. The coaches:

• • will communicate with parents and players;
  • will lead by example;
  • will be professional during games and training sessions;
  • will be approachable; and
  • will create a fun and exciting soccer environment for their players. Training.  Each 7-a-side team will train a minimum of twice per week All other teams (9-a-side, and 11-a-side) will train a minimum of three times per week. The coach will arrive at practice on time, so the training session can start at the designated times. Rain Days.  In case of rain, it is the responsibility of the coach to notify the team of changes or cancellations. Coaches will make every effort to make up for missed practices. Game Days.  The coach will arrive at the field at the designated time. If there is a conflict with another team/game, it is the responsibility of the coach to communicate with the team about how to proceed with warm-ups, etc. Player Evaluations.  All players will receive a mid-year review and end of season evaluation.

3.  Parent Responsibilities

Each parent is responsible for helping to create a fun, positive, and competitive soccer environment.  While all of us (DOCs, coaches, parents, and players) contribute to the competitive soccer experience, parents are a critical part of the formula for success.  Parents will be required to:

• • Complete all paperwork and registrations timely
  • Pay all required fees and dues timely
  • Vocalize positive, constructive comments from the sidelines. Coaching your son/daughter or his/her teammates during games or practices is not acceptable.
  • Avoid yelling at referees or opposing players
  • Avoid undermining the coach and his/her methods
  • Follow field and venue rules always. We take our soccer culture very seriously. This is youth soccer…let’s enjoy it.

Each parent is responsible for showing sportsmanlike conduct to all players, parents, coaches, and referees within and outside of the Club. Any behavior that is deemed disrespectful while at a Placer United facility, practice, or event, may be brought to the attention of the Placer United Board of Directors for possible disciplinary action for the player.

4.  Player Responsibilities

Each player is responsible for showing sportsmanlike conduct to all players, parents, coaches, and referees within and outside of the Club.  Any behavior that is deemed disrespectful while at a Placer United facility, practice, or event may be brought to the attention of the Placer United Board of Directors for possible disciplinary action.

5.  Social Media Guidelines

We believe all players, families, and staff within our Club should show sportsmanlike conduct whenever engaging in communication with others. Each member of the Club is responsible for helping to create a fun, positive, and competitive soccer environment.

The policies below are specifically related to online communications. Everything a member posts is public information and any derogatory, defamatory, or other inappropriate comment may result in discipline of the player, family, or staff member.

1. 1. 1.  Remember to be positive and respectful when communicating internally with your team/Club and externally when communicating with opponents, referees, and other community members. When disagreeing with others’ opinions, remain appropriate and polite. If you find yourself in a situation online that is escalating, please refrain fro further communication and contact the Club Administrator or a Director of Coaching.
      2. Do not post content that would damage Placer United’s reputation. All individuals within the Club are representatives of the organization. If you are unsure whether a post is appropriate or not, please run it by the Club Administrator or a Director of Coaching.
      3. Be wise about what you publish. What you post online exists forever and is easily found by future colleges, coaches, and employers.
      4. Encourage others to engage in positive interactions on social media. If you are concerned about someone else’s behavior online in regard to the Club, please bring it to the attention of the Club Administrator or a Director of Coaching.

Violations of the Social Media Policy: The Placer United Board of Directors has the authority to monitor and enforce the above policies. Any violation of this policy that is brought to the Club’s attention shall be reviewed by the Placer United Board of Directors who will then determine if disciplinary action is warranted.

The failure of any Club or staff member to adhere to the above policies shall be considered in violation of the Club Policies and will be subjected to any or all of the following disciplinary actions.

a.  Training, game, tournament suspensions or Club release for the player (based on level of violation in review conducted by the Board).

b. Temporary or permanent suspension of attendance at any Placer United game/event for any parents/family members in violation.

c. Suspension or removal from job duties for any coach in violation.

6.  24-Hour Rule

Parents and/or players must wait 24 hours following a game or training before discussing soccer issues with the coach. This provides for a cooling-off period for all involved.

7.  Financial Commitment

Placer United is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The money paid by parents funds the mission of the organization. If the financial commitment from parents is not fulfilled, none of this is possible.

Monthly Dues.  Monthly dues vary by age group and are paid on the 1st of each month in advance of the month – not paid in arrears. Monthly dues are scheduled and paid electronically on a monthly basis through GotSport.

Registration Fee.  The registration fee will be collected electronically upon player registration in GotSport shortly after the completion of tryouts. No refunds will be granted for the registration fee.

Overdue Accounts/Player Passes.  Any player with a past due account of more than seven (7) days will be at risk of losing access to his/her playing pass. Until such time that the account is current, the player will be ineligible to participate in tournaments, team games, scrimmages, or training. If a family has more than one child playing, this can impact all players, even if not all players have past due balances.

The same policy applies if a player is not registered in GotSport, or if the registration fee has not been paid prior to the beginning of the season. The Club Administrator will notify the coach of the past due balance and the coach will enforce the policy by not allowing the player to participate.

No player will be released from the Club with a past due balance.

The Club Administrator will notify the parent, coach, DOC, and Club Registrar if a player account is seven (7) days past due. The family will work with the Club Administrator to resolve the past due account. The coach’s only responsibility is to enforce the player’s ineligibility at the team level.

The Club Administrator will email the parent, coach, DOC, and Club Registrar as soon as the account is current.

Repeated Past Due Status.  Players whose account shows a history of late payments (two times or more in one season), will have the no play policy enforced as of the 2nd day of the month if payment has not been made. Players will be ineligible to participate in training or games until such time as the account is current. If a family has more than one child playing, this can impact all players, even if not all player have past due balances.

Early Resignation from the Club.  If a player resigns from the Club prior to the end of the season, he/she must provide written notification by email or U.S. mail to the coach and Club Administrator (admin@placerunited.com). Phone calls are not sufficient to stop player payments. If notice is received on or after the first of the month, the player is responsible for that month’s dues. No refunds will be given for failure to notify the Club of your player’s resignation.

Players will past due balances at the time of resignation will not be released from the Club to participate elsewhere until all outstanding balances are paid to Placer United Soccer Club.

Per US Club policy, players with past due balances at the time of resignation will not be released from the Club to participate elsewhere until all outstanding balances are paid to Placer United Soccer Club.

Other Costs.  In addition to the monthly dues and the registration fee, each player is responsible for the cost of his/her travel, uniform, training kit, shin guards, and soccer ball as further described below.

• • • Travel.  Each player is responsible for his/her travel expenses for league play and tournaments. Depending on the age group and the team, this could include the cost of a hotel, airplane tickets, meals, gasoline, and/or other incidentals. Teams participating in stay-and-play tournaments are required to stay in hotels that are approved by the tournament.
    • Uniforms and Training Kits for U9-U19.  Each player is required to purchase one uniform and one training kit. This includes two jerseys, two pairs of shorts, and two sets of socks. The training kit is required per our existing contract with Adidas. This includes one practice shirt, one pair of shorts, and one set of socks. Each player is required to wear only the Placer United training kit at practice. Please note that all Placer United uniforms and practice gear are to be ordered directly from SoccerPros (the designated vendor per Placer United’s contract with Adidas).
    • Shin Guards.  Each player is required to wear shin guards during all organized training sessions, scrimmages, and games. As required by our insurance policy, players not wearing shin guards will not be allowed to play.
    • Cleats. Each player is required to wear appropriate soccer cleats during all organized training sessions, scrimmages, and games.
    • Soccer Ball. Each player is required to bring the correct sized soccer ball to every training, scrimmage, and game.
    • Optional Gear.  Each player has the option, but not the requirement, to purchase warm-ups and soccer bags at an additional cost.
    • Logo Gear/Spirit Wear.  Players and parents have the option to purchase logo gear/spirit wear. Please visit the Placer United Store to learn more. The Placer United Logo is a trademarked logo. Use of the logo outside of approved vendors is strictly prohibited. Logo gear must be generated and purchased from approved Placer United vendors. The Placer United Soccer Club contract with Adidas prohibits ANYONE from printing and wearing the Placer United logo on other competitive apparel brands such as Nike or Puma.
    • Other.  Each team may request a donation for a team tent, team bench, or other incidentals. These costs are determined on a team by team basis.

8.   Injuries

If a player is injured and unable to play, our injury policy is as follows:

• • • Player must notify the coach AND the club administrator of their inability to train/play at the start of the injury in order to be considered eligible for a pause in dues.
    • If the player is out for less than four (4) weeks, the player/family will pay dues as normal.
    • If the player sustains an injury where the player will be out for more than four (4) weeks, the player must provide a doctor’s note indicating the dates the player will not be able to train/play. Dues will be suspended for the period of time indicated in the doctor’s note. Dues will be suspended from the date of the doctor’s note, or from the beginning of the 5th week, whichever is earlier. Dues will start again once the player has been released and provides a doctor’s note to resume training with his/her team.

Doctor’s notes should be emailed to admin@placerunited.com as soon as possible after the player is unable to participate. At the time the doctor approves the player’s return to training, the player must provide a written release to return to activity to the coach and should also email the doctor’s release to admin@placerunited.com for the Club’s record keeping. Under no circumstances will a player be allowed to return to activity without a release from their doctor.

Concussion Injuries.  A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can have a serious effect on a young, developing brain. While most children and teens with a concussion recover quickly and fully, some will have concussion symptoms that last for days, weeks, or even months. Not giving the brain enough time to heal after a concussion can be dangerous. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain heals from the first, usually within a short amount of time (hours, days, weeks), can slow recovery or increase the chances for long-term health problems. These may include changes in how the child or teen thinks, feels, and acts, as well as their ability to learn and remember. While rare, a repeat concussion can result in brain swelling or permanent brain damage. It can even be fatal.

Placer United has a comprehensive Concussion Policy and every coach and team manager is familiar with this policy. The policy and procedures are outlined in a handout prepared by Placer United.

Concussion Policy

9.  Volunteer Commitments

Each family is required to volunteer six (6) hours to support the Club‘s fundraising efforts and support the Club community. During registration, you can sign up for various volunteer opportunities.

Placer United Girls Cup: This is the biggest fundraiser for the Club and is held the last weekend in October yearly. Shifts are two to four hours depending on the job duties.

Club Appreciation BBQ:  This event is the last Sunday in August and is a fun event for families to enjoy with games, bounce houses, and water features hosted at a local park. Shifts are two hours.

Fireworks Booth: This is a club fundraising event and each team is required to provide volunteers for at least four (4) shifts over the week leading into July 4th. Shifts are three hours.

Dinner Dance Auction: This fun event is just for the parents!  Each year we pick a theme and host this event in the Spring. Teams are asked to procure a minimum $350 retail value donation of merchandise or services for the auction. This can be one item, or several items that together equal $350 in value.  Volunteers are involved in the pre-event planning and preparation for the night’s festivities.

10. Policy Changes

The Club policies are intended to convey expectations and to establish rules of conduct with respect to commitments and obligations. We do our best to communicate what we know at the time the policies are published. As circumstances change or needs evolve, the policies are also subject to change.

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