Players in the Cheshire Soccer Club’s U-9/U-10 in-house program span 24 months in age. They represent, however, about a 36 month span in athletic ability, skill development and maturity. In order to encourage the continued development of those older players who demonstrate a readiness to train and play at the next level the club has developed a supplement to the regular in-house program
A “pool” of 20 to 25 U-10 players (U-9s not included) are offered the opportunity to participate in additional practices, a limited number of additional games and usually one tournament. The additional practices are held once a week during the fall and spring outdoor seasons under the direction of experienced coaches. The additional games usually include “friendly” matches against out-of-town opponents and participation in one of the weekend-long invitational tournaments sponsored by the Cheshire Soccer Club during the spring season. Such games are played solely as an aid in the process of player development.
No player in the pool is expected to play in more than 4 such games per season (tournament play excluded). The “pool program” is NOT an All-Star Team.
Rather, it is a program of development for players who show early potential for playing the game well. It is not about competition, but about skill development! Emphasis is placed on challenging players to learn and play the game better, not on winning! The program is designed to include not only the few players whose athletic ability and advanced coordination currently set them apart, but also other players who show the potential for further development.
Although there are limitations on the number of players who can be accommodated in the pool program, it is the intent of the club that the real limiting factor should be the readiness of the players themselves. Every effort will be made to include all players ready for the next step. No try-outs will be held! Try-outs are by their very nature exclusionary and therefore will not be part of the pool selection process.
Players will be invited to participate in the developmental pool based upon evaluations and recommendations from coaches of the in-house program. The pool program is offered in addition to, not in lieu of, the club’s regular in-house program. All players participating in the pool program are required to keep all commitments to their regular in-house teams.
