Guidelines

One of Kansas City Scott Gallagher’s core values is the education of both players and coaches. To support that mission the KCSG Soccer Club will budget a set amount each year from Club fees to be available for reimbursements to coaches seeking continuing education through licensing clinics, coaching seminars or other types of coaching education approved by the Board. This does not include instructional CD’s, DVD’s, subscriptions, equipment or other written materials. The following guidelines have been approved by the Board and must be adhered to by coaches wishing to obtain financial reimbursement from the Club for some or all of their continuing education:

• You must be in good standing with the KCSG Soccer Club as a coach, trainer, administrator or team manager.

• You must fill out a Request for Education Reimbursement prior to attending such event which you are requesting a reimbursement. Your request must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors to be eligible for reimbursement.

• You must commit to being a carded member of the Club for at least 1 year after receiving such reimbursement.

• Coaches receiving reimbursements for earning a “National C” license or higher degree, or an equivalent degree from another licensing body (i.e. NSCAA) are required to conduct 4 hours of a free Club coaching clinic open to all KCSG coaches in the seasonal year the degree is earned.

• “Independent” coaches who do not pay KCSG Club fees, but are carding their team through KCSG for purposes of playing in KC Metro League are not eligible for reimbursements.

• Coaches dual carding with KCSG and other local soccer clubs are not eligible for reimbursement.

Reimbursement amounts will be limited by the following terms:

• New members to the Club or members coaching 2 or fewer teams are allowed to request up to $50 per year.

• Members with greater than 1 year tenure with the Club and coaching 2 or more teams are allowed to request up to $100 per year.

• Members with greater than 3 years tenure with the Club and coaching 4 or more teams are allowed to request up to $400 per year.

• Members who are representing KCSG in an event requiring Club attendance (i.e. MYSA AGM) will have their full expenses reimbursed, provided that the approximate expense amount is approved in advance by the Board.

• Directors of Coaching will be allowed $500 per year in addition to any agreed upon salary for the position.

• If a coach is also employed to coach soccer for a high school, college or university then KCSG will consider 50% of such expenses as eligible for reimbursement, subject to the criteria listed above. The remaining 50% should be requested from the coach’s employer.

• The Board, at its discretion, may allow for greater reimbursement if in its opinion the educational reimbursement will be a general benefit to the Club and the Club has adequate funds in that budget year. The Board may also set additional requirements for the member seeking reimbursement if the amounts are in excess of the guidelines above (i.e. if the coach’s teams pay a percentage of the amounts greater than the limitations above, the Board may choose to increase its reimbursement for that coach).

• The KCSG Board has final authority for approval or rejection of any request for educational reimbursement.

Purpose

This document serves as KCSG Club’s tiering philosophy and implementation guidelines. All top-class soccer clubs employ some form of a formal player and team tiering plan. These guidelines have been approved by the KCSG Board of Directors.

Philosophy

A formal tiering approach, if adhered to by the membership and implemented well by the Club, can serve to promote proper player development and can support teams striving for soccer excellence at all playing levels. KCSG believes in the natural progression of player development from recreational to competitive to premier. The Club accomplishes player development through individual skills-based training at the earliest of ages, transitioning to the age-appropriate team and tactical training at older ages. By tiering players and teams at the proper ages, players and coaches can be grouped together based on player skill and competitive drive. Tiering players at the proper age will assist coaches in maintaining a player pool with consistent abilities which allows for more focus on common development opportunities for the players and team. Tiering players will also allow certain teams to compete at the proper levels of competition from local developmental events to State and Regional Championships. KCSG’s Directors of Coaching expects coaches at all ages/genders to work together by supporting open communication and cooperation within the Club. At the age of tiering, the expectation of coaches/players/parents remains the same; an environment of mutual respect, communication and cooperation working towards a common goal of player development and achievement of soccer excellence.

Implementation

KCSG will implement a formal tiering process for players, coaches and teams during the annual Summer tryouts for teams U12 and above. The following guidelines are intended for U12 and above Club teams:

• Each age group at U12 and above will have a minimum of 1 “top tier” coach designated by the Directors of Coaching. This designation will be made annually by around May 1st. All “top tier” coaches will receive an annual evaluation from the Director of Coaching Committee and they are not guaranteed of that designation in subsequent years.

• Once designated, the “top tier” coach will coordinate with all other coaches for teams in that age group. All coaches in an age group are required to actively participate in consolidated age group tryouts. Exceptions may be made to this policy through advanced communication between the DOC Committee, Age Group Coordinator, and any coaches wishing to request an exception to the policy. Exceptions may be made for geographic reasons ie. North/South or significant differences in player level of the age group pool.

• The “top tier” coach will make his/her roster offers before other coaches form their teams considering input from the DOC Committee, Age Group Coordinator and other coaches in the age group. First team roster offers will be extended no later than the same day of the 2nd tryout, unless the DOC Committee and Age Group Coordinator approves of a change in process. Once the first team roster has been offered and mostly accepted all other coaches are free to make offers to players for their teams. It is expected that players not receiving/accepting an offer to play on the first team would first consider returning to their team from the prior year to maintain continuity from year to year.

• All players intending to play for a KCSG team are required to attend tryouts. Parents/players may choose to attend tryouts at an age group older than the player age. It is the parents/players responsibility to accept an offer from the KCSG team that best matches the soccer experience they are looking for.

• All players rostered to a “top tier” team are expected to be primary carded to that team. These players may only secondary card within the Club. “Top tier” players are not allowed to guest play with another team or play non-sanctioned events (indoor leagues, futsal, 3v3) without the prior permission of their primary coach.

• A “top tier” coach is required to have a minimum “National D” coaching license or NSCAA National Diploma.

• A “top tier” coach is only allowed to coach 2 teams in the same age/gender group. The coach is allowed to train 2 teams in a pool environment if it is in the best interests of player development.

• “Top tier” teams are expected to train 3 times a week during outdoor season and play in State Cup and/or National League. These teams are also expected to play in an appropriate number of high-level regional tournaments and college showcases at the proper age.

Enforcement

These guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive. Any questions, disputes or clarifications should be forwarded to the DOC Committee or Age Group Coordinators. Any violations of these guidelines may be addressed first by the DOC Committee. If disputes/violations are of a more serious nature, they may be brought before the Club Disciplinary Committee or the full Board of Directors.