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Monday, July 2 Training & Commitment July 1, 2001 Hey Team Managers, Please forward this to your team players and families regarding training and commitment. If you do not contact your team by email, either down load the letter and mail, or, contact me and I shall mail it. Dear Cobra Players and Families, I have just returned from the Regional Championships with our U13 and U19 Girls. Both teams represented the Cobra Soccer Club in an exemplary manner, and I was totally proud of them both. The U19's, with a small squad of only twelve players, competed extraordinarily well under the circumstances. Playing in tremendous heat, against such a high level of play, in ninety minute games, and with only one sub who could only be used once, created all kinds of difficulties; however, the girls came away with a respectable 1-1-1 record. The U13's had a full roster of eighteen, and also had the luxury of multiple re-entries. Although they had a 0-3 record, they played well, and truly could have snagged a couple of wins on their first visit to the Regionals. I am aware, as I am sure most of you also are, that many premier clubs such as O.P., United, Whitecaps, etcetera are combining groups of players into 'All Star Teams' to compete in tournaments, and more importantly, next season's State Cup. According to the owner of United, the 'All Stars' will be entered in their appropriate age groups, and then the clubs will enter what is left of their respective club teams as well. I am not sure how the 'remnants' will feel about that, but the concern is theirs. Where does this leave the Cobras? Earlier on in the season I was approached by the owner of the Internationals to see if I would be interested in combining the two clubs at the U19 level for the State Cup. His logic was interesting, and from a winning perspective, made perfect sense. Combine the teams, and then we do not have to play each other, take the best from both teams and then we would have a better opportunity to advance to Nationals. The problem for me was what about the girls who do not make the 'team'? How do I tell them that after all these years with me, they do not have a place on the team because winning is more important than they are? Although I want to win more than all of you put together, I have my priorities and my loyalties. We will win with the players we have, and we will win because of our training methods and the players we have. However, training is non functional if players do not show up. This is the Cobra Soccer Club. Players who play for the Cobras know we do not bring guest players in to 'win' things, and I need you all to know, we will not combine with other clubs to 'win' things either. However, this is a Premier Club. To continue to compete in this environment I must continue to make each team stronger. Sometimes this means making cuts, and players and families are obviously disappointed when this happens. We will continue to try to create a second team in any age group with large numbers. If we cannot do this, we will continue to offer the opportunity for cut players to train with their respective teams for the entire season if they so desire. Also, we will continue to make every effort to find another club for the cut player if they need some guidance as to whom to play for. As players and families, I need you to understand that cutting players is best for all parties when it is necessary. A player who does not match-up with his or her team-mates will continually be on the bench in tight games, and will not acquire the playing time they wish to have. This creates long term problems. Finding the another club, or preferably, a second Cobra Team for the players to compete on will give the players the playing time they desire. Owing to how the club is growing, and the environment we now compete in, I need to clarify who is subject to being cut. Over the years players who struggled to compete were the ones who were the first to be cut. As of now, I need you all to be aware that players, regardless of how good they are, will be also be considered to be cut if they do not attend practice on a regular basis. Players who miss games, or, do not attend tournaments will also be seriously considered to be cut. Players who miss entire seasons to play other sports, or, who decide to drop out after the season has started will also be subject to removal from the team. Although some of you will consider this to be rather harsh, this is the way it has to be. The bottom line is, you will not become a better soccer player by taking a season off to play basketball etcetera. You will not become a better soccer player by missing training or games; furthermore, as a club, we will be weakened by your actions. As a premier player you need to consider your commitment to the sport and the Cobras. I want the best for my players, for my teams, and for the Club. If you want to be a part of the Cobras, please consider your commitment to your team. I intend to strive for a much improved focus on player commitment. We must do this to enable us to continue to compete without considering merging players from another club. I intend to implement this policy in the Autumn Season, and continue it from then on. Players will be asked to sign a 'Cut Policy' form explaining the requirements and commitment to the Cobras. This will make all players and families aware we are a serious premier organization, with a vision of optimum success, by only using the players we have at the Cobras. Good luck to you all, Sean. webpage: http://www.eteamz.com/clevelandcobras POLICY OF FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO THE COBRA SOCCER CLUB Any returning player who is delinquent in payment from any of the previous seasons, will NOT be able to play or train until the outstanding fees are paid. Money cannot be deducted from fees because a player does not attend, training, games, tournaments, foot skills, It's a Knockout conditioning, etc... For new players, the $100 deposit is non-refundable. (Once you have signed for the team, and have a roster spot, you are a part of the program. Should you decide NOT to play, we need to have a new roster made out, and, more importantly, we need to try and find a replacement. This procedure is time consuming, and we rarely are able to fill roster spots at such a late time). Should a player sustain a serious injury which prevents them from continuing to play for the season, adjustments will be made to the billing by the club accountant. Returning players/new players, will not be able to play for the club unless they have the full kit. Fees for the Season must be paid at registration, or by the second game (unless prior arrangements have been approved by both Sean/Leslie McNamara and the club accountant). My commitment to the team is a financial one as well as a physical one. (If I buy a season ticket for the Indians and fail to attend one game, there are NO refunds)! Each team carries expenses which must be covered by the participants. The Lake Erie League (LEL) protects its clubs by not allowing any player to transfer, or play for another club if that player has outstanding fees with the previous club. Clubs Position on Training w/ Other Clubs & Alliance League Parents below is an exerpt from a letter sent to the team managers from Sean McNamara. "I want to clarify and confirm with you the Cobras stance with the new outdoor league in Lodi. After careful consideration regarding the location and the principles of the new league, Leslie and I decided we would stay with the Lake Erie League. We intend to stay by ourselves and to keep our teams totally made up of Cobra players. We intend to continue our policy of ensuring our children never play in an inappropriate age group, nor, for the sake of a win, will we bring in guest players at the expense of our own players' playing time. At the same time, we will not allow our own players to guest play for another premier club. If a player decides to go against this policy, they have chosen to leave the Cobras." - Sean McNamara 02/16/01 |
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