Select League U11-U18
Overview
The FC Thunder Select Program is designed for U11-U19 (see Age Group Table below) to determine your child's designated soccer age group) players interested in strengthening their skills and gaining additional knowledge in a competitive environment, while receiving coaching by professional trainers. All FC Thunder Select Coaches are compensated professionals who are nationally certified by United States Soccer Federation (USSF) or National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Players are required to try-out in order to become a member of a FC Thunder Select Team that will play matches against intra-association counterparts from South Texas. Travel will be required for approximately half of the games. Tryouts are hosted annually in May – June and teams are re-established each year. It is possible a player who completes the tryout process may not be offered a spot on a Select Team, however if spots are available, players may be accommodated by adding them to a recreational team in their age group.
Players accepting a spot on a FC Thunder Select Team are required to commit to the team from July 1 through May 31. During this 11-month time period, players will be trained according to United States Soccer Federation (USSF) curriculum. Switching teams between the Fall and Spring is discouraged, however, rare circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Upon completion of the season, FC Thunder staff will evaluate individual players and provide feedback regarding current skill level while highlighting progress accomplished over the seasonal year. In addition, guidance will be provided for areas for development.
To remain in good standing, players and families are required to adhere to rules, agreements, and policies of the following:
League Details
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Item
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Description
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Age Groups
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Age will be determined by the player’s age as of midnight on July 31st of the year in which the player could be registered for fall season play. Teams are normally formed so that players are placed on the youngest team for which they qualify.
U11-U18; see Age Group Table (below) to determine your child's “soccer age group” using year and month of birth. For example, a child born in September 2000 is in the U11 age group.
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Levels of Play
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Click for details: Competitive - Division I, Super II Competitive, & Division II
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Team Formation
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Click the following link: 'Team Formation'
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College Showcase
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The purpose of College Showcase is to prepare players to play at the collegiate level. The team will travel to and participate in tournaments that meet the needs and goals of the individuals.
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Coaching
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Each team will have a Professionally Certified Trainer who will serve as the Head Coach whose responsiblities include, but is not limited to, the following:
*Thunder FC trainers typically coach more than one team, thus, conflicting game schedules may prevent the coach from attending a game. In these instances, Thunder FC will ensure another professional trainer is available to coach the game.
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Team Manager
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Typically fulfilled by a volunteer parent whose responsibilities include, but is not limited to, the following:
Volunteers interested in serving in this role should communicate with the VP of Select and/or team coach.
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Pre-Season Camps
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Required; occur in July and January
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Season
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Fall (July to December) and Spring (January to May) is a season
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Games: Frequency & Playing Time
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Frequency: Aim to have as many as 8 matches per season; however, the number of games is subject to schedule changes by our governing body, weather, and other unforeseen circumstances.
Playing Time: FC Thunder strives to provide at least 50% playing time (not applicable to Division I), however, it may be impacted by several factors including punctuality, attendance, and attitude. Home games will be hosted at Boerne City Park.
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Practices
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Twice weekly training sessions for 16 weeks; may occur on Monday thru Thursday. Attendance is mandatory. Missed practices may be made-up. Practices may occur at Boerne City Park or Fields at Adler Road; confirm with your trainer/coach.
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Costs
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Registration
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see Registration page for additional details
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Uniform Kit
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Required: Jerseys (s), shorts (1), and socks (1 pair); cost not included in registration fee. Players should only use FC Thunder-approved uniforms, warm-ups, and back packs; modification to these items is prohibited. See Registration page for costs details
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Practice Kit1
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Required: includes 2 FC Thunder t-shirts, 1 black short, and 2 black socks. See Registration page for costs details.
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Equipment
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Parents are required to provide cleats, shin guards, and ball (see Game Format Chart for ball size). It is very important players bring a filled water container for all practices and games.
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Financial Assistance
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Financial assistance is available for players who have been offered, and accepted, a spot on a FC Thunder Select Team. Funds for assistance are limited and the amount of an individual award will be determined by the number of qualified applicants requesting assistance and the total amount of funds available. Assistance is only awarded to reduce an amount of the registration fee and may not be applied toward costs of uniforms or any other team-specific additional expenses. Learn more about assistance available by clicking: Registration
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Tournaments
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Teams may participate in one or more of the following:
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Safety
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In advance of practice sessions and games, players are required to remove all jewelry (eg, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hard hair bands/clips), sunglasses (recommend using sport glasses, if needed, for medical prescriptions).
Considering the prohibition regarding earrings, parent should consider not having a child’s ears pierced in advance of the season such that the child is unable to remove them before practice sessions and games. Players are prohibited from practicing or playing with casts of any type; player is required to provide a signed medical release from player’s doctor or legal guardian before returning for play. Players who are bleeding or have blood on themselves or uniforms must be treated, cleaned, and change uniforms, if necessary, before returning to play. |
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Team Photos, End of Season Party, & Trophies
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Optional team photos are scheduled to occur on the second or third weekend of the season, before the scheduled game of the day.
Teams may convene for an end of season party at their discretion. This is a great opportunity for us to show support for FC Thunder sponsors by hosting the activity at their facility. We encourage the team to split the cost of the party among all team members.
Trophies are earned as a result of winning tournaments and/or age-group specific division.
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Key Contact (Select U11-U12)
Courtney Johnson
VP, Academy & Development (U8-U12)
Phone: 210.379.3584
Key Contact (Select U13-U18)
Gabe Fuentes
VP, Select
Phone: 210.213.4863
