What a team admin's game-day email covers, from the club's own. Send it before each game: home or away, the venue and field, the start time.
Reminders for families
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early. The players need that time to get moving, get touches on the ball and get in the right headspace. Warm-ups are on the side of the field the team will play on: meet the coach and the team beside the field.
- Bring a bag to every game with a ball, the alternate jersey and a water bottle. Always bring BOTH the home and away jerseys: home is white and away is navy, and teams don't always follow it.
- Accessories: all watches, bracelets, necklaces and earrings come off before the game.
- No jersey yet? Bring a shirt in the team's colour for the day, and the team can put a duct tape number on the back.
Sideline etiquette
- Rule #1: All comments, cheers, whoops, hoots and hollers from the side must be POSITIVE. The coach knows what they're doing, and players miss out on learning and growth moments when their confidence is affected by negativity.
- Rule #2: Sit on our side of the field: across from the team's bench, whichever side the coach and players choose. Don't cross the halfway line, especially if you'll be cheering for your player.
- Rule #3: Clubs develop a reputation based on the parents within them. When you sit on the side, you are representing Blue Valley. Hold each other to as high a standard as we hold our coaches and staff.
What the club asks of families and players
- Playing time is based on skills, punctuality, attitude and performance at practice and in games, and isn't guaranteed. For U8–U12, the coach makes every effort to give 50% playing time in each half to players who keep their commitments.
- Soccer questions go to the coach first (players with a parent there if needed). Use the 24 Hour Rule: if you're unhappy about something with your child or the team, wait 24 hours before talking to the coach. Cooler heads are always more productive.
- Concerns about the coach, players or club policies go first to the coach, then the Age Group Director, then the Gender Director (the Boys or Girls Director), and finally the Board of Directors. See Who to go to.
- Players tell the coach or team admin if they'll be late or miss a practice or game, and about any injury right away. Uniforms are worn properly: socks up, jerseys tucked in.
- SBV premier players may not guest play or roster with any other club's team.
If it goes wrong
- A first offense: a meeting with everyone involved (the player, parent, coach, director and, if needed, the club's Disciplinary Committee).
- A second: a two-week suspension from all team activities.
- A third: suspension for the rest of the season. For something severe, the club may go straight to the second or third step.