Columbus United Soccer Club

Columbus United works hard to keep our registration fee among the lowest in the region. Indeed, it is a fraction of the cost of other area competitive clubs. The club has an open budgeting process and the budget for CSO, which includes United, is published annually on our webpage.

The registration fee is determined annually. It covers the following items:

*Salary of the team’s coach
*Salary of United’s club coach who provides support for training sessions
*Goal Keeper Training
*Speed/Agility Coach & United Player Health and Wellness Coordinator
*Registration of player with US Club (or USYS) and accompanying insurance
*Fees for coach’s required background check, Safe Sport certification, and Disqualification Review
*Money to pay for refs for non-tournament matches set up by the team
*Kickin’ For a Cure Tournament (October)
*Starkvegas Soccer Jamboree (Spring 2025 date TBD)
*MSA League Fee (for teams that opt into league play. Ref fees for league play are the responsibility of the team)
*It further covers a portion of the common expenses of the club including
*DOC salary
*Registrar salary
*Salary of our technology expert and creative content producer
*Fees to keep webpages and registrations online
*Office rent
*Player development funding
*Coaching development funding
*etc.

It does not cover the cost of uniforms and expenses related to tournaments and travel. The latter is determined by each team. Team managers may collect these expenses through a team fee or a “pay as you play” arrangement. Regardless of the method, if the coach is receiving reimbursement for expenses the money must be deposited in a team account with CSO. All funds and expenses must be run through that account (see relevant policy statement).

Competitive Level Player Evaluation & Team Formation

All Columbus United competitive level teams must be formed through a public process of player evaluation. “Open” registration is not allowed. Initial evaluation must be done through a “try-out” or other public method of player evaluation. After a tryout(s) and team rosters have been formed player evaluation may be done on a case-by-case basis provided that the process is uniform for all subsequent players.

 

Tryout Requirements

Tryout(s) must be publicized to the public and not a restricted group of players. Tryout dates and times may be split based on age groups. If holding only one annual tryout and that tryout is canceled, it must be rescheduled. Pre-registration may be required in order to determine numbers. The cost to participate in a tryout, if any, must be included in all published material.

The following rules apply to tryout format and execution.

1.    Players should be divided by appropriate age group. Groups may be divided by gender or sessions may be co-ed.

2.    The evaluation matrix is determined by the club’s administration. The matrix must be explained to the evaluators. The evaluation matrix must be applied uniformly to all players attending.

3.    Uniform application of the scoring matrix mandates that no special consideration is given to a returning player and that there are no classifications for “legacy” players.

4.    The matrix should be made available to players and families. Final scoring may be kept confidential.

5.    When able the evaluation session should be conducted by an individual other than the player evaluator.

6.    Session length and content will be determined by the club administration. It should be comparable across sessions, but variations may be made to take into account the age of players. It is recommended that all sessions include some form of game play or scrimmage.

7.    Evaluators must be a licensed coach. Coaches from outside the club are allowed.

8.    If a coach has a child in a particular age group, they may not evaluate that age group.

9.    Coaches may not evaluate an age group & gender if it is anticipated they will be coaching that group in the upcoming season.

10.Players, families, and supporters should be informed of “next steps” at the conclusion of evaluations.

 

Player Invitations and Team Formation

At the conclusion of tryouts scores for individual players are tabulated by club administration or a committee set-up to do so. Coaches may not be involved in this process. All players that meet the club’s threshold to receive an invitation to register must be sent an invitation. Withholding an invitation to a player who has met the club’s qualification threshold may result in sanction of individuals involved or the club.

The following rules apply to registration and team formation.

1.    Player invitations must be sent in a previously identified manner the choosing of which is up to the club. Players and families must be notified of the manner invitations will be sent and the date by which they will be sent.

2.    The invitation may include a reasonable deadline for accepting a roster position.

3.    Team rostering may not begin until after the deadline for accepting a roster position. Teams may not be “pre-filled” or filled on a rolling registration basis that would give preference to registrations received early in the determined registration period.

4.    The club may include a manner for players and/or families to include preferences or requests in a written manner only. However, players and/or families should not dictate team formation, coaching placement etc.

5.    Rosters begin with dual age groups determined by age matrix of the national affiliate for that team/age. Rosters may be split and/or teams added depending on registration numbers.

6.    In order for a team to “make” it must have sufficient registered players to support the number on the field in the particular age group and additional two players. The recommended cap for rosters is double the number on the field in a particular age group. However, the club may have larger numbers in a training pool.

7.    Should a particular age group’s roster be filled players may be put on a waiting list while sufficient players to form an additional roster are registered. The player/family must be notified of this status.

8.    Playing up is allowed (see club policy). Playing up is to be made on a talent determination basis only. Families may request but may not dictate this status. Club administration is the sole determinator of a player’s ability to play up. This determination may be done in consultation with coaching staff.

9.    The refund policy must be clearly stated prior to or during the registration process.

10. The club may advertise that space is available on rosters with openings. Subsequent rostering may be done on a case-by-case basis through a uniform method of player evaluation.