Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My child’s coach ran a session and used terminology that I didn’t understand the purpose of or targeted outcomes for. Who can I speak to about this?
A: Guelph Soccer’s coaches are approachable and committed to supporting community development related to the development programs that they run. We would suggest sending an email to your child’s coach during the period between your child’s sessions and requesting information from the coach on the session or approach you witnessed. Please be patient and allow the coach time to reply between preparing for sessions and their personal time. Our coaches are volunteers and may require a few days to address your query. If you have further questions that your coach is unable to address, you may contact community@guelphsoccer.ca and a member of our team will get back to you.
Q: Why is it that the programming that my child participates in doesn’t look like the 11v11 version of soccer? They don’t have goalies, use cones to mark a much smaller area on the field and there are kids everywhere.
A: As part of our commitment to best practices in development, Guelph Soccer, as a Canada Soccer Club Licence holder follows their Grassroots Standards that govern the equipment, field sizes, and competition structures for all formats of the game. At the youngest ages, research has shown that programming that prioritizes individual technique over tactical approaches to development creates more confident, talented, and committed players that enjoy their soccer experience and remain involved in the game much longer.
Q: Why doesn’t my child get a ribbon, medal, or other rewards at the end of their season?
A: At Guelph Soccer, we believe strongly in the power of belonging. As a soccer club, our club uniform signifies belonging and our development team puts in place programs that align to the importance of our club crest. In support of adhering to the principles of long-term athlete development, we do not use tokens of competition as rewards for being part of our community, but instead work to align our values to the uniform, which all participants keep at the end of their programming.
Q: Is my child’s soccer coach knowledgeable enough about the game to oversee their development?
A: Guelph Soccer is a not-for-profit soccer organization led by an army of volunteers that support our programming, teams, and competitions. A small paid staff, including our development-focused technical team, puts in place the materials required for our volunteers to provide environments in which our community can learn the game with all appropriate training as outlined in Canada Soccer’s Safe Sport Roster. We encourage all in our community with a love for the game and knowledge to put their name forward to support our volunteer coaches or to be volunteer coaches themselves.
Q: What equipment is required for my child to participate in your programming?
A: At Guelph Soccer, we encourage you to come as you are for our earliest program offerings (U-4 to U-8). While cleats and shin guards are a requirement of participation in the development years, at the earliest stages of the game, we encourage you to participate as you can, with what you have.
Have additional questions? Write to us at community@guelphsoccer.ca!
