For over twenty years, Warriors FC has offered a highly competitive travel soccer program. This program is geared towards those committed to developing as soccer players in preparation for competitive play in high school. Our coaches also build player confidence and self-esteem through an emphasis on skill development, teamwork, and positive sportsmanship.
Program Structure
The club fields teams in both Fall and Spring seasons from the U9 age level through U15. In the Spring season, high school aged (U19) teams are also fielded. With the exception of the high school teams, players are required to commit to the full year, Fall and Spring. Winter training is optional but recommended. Warriors FC teams play in Northern Counties Soccer Association leagues against top quality teams from around the region.
Players participate in two 90-minute practices each week, along with one game each weekend. All practices and games are coached by certified Red Bulls trainers, using their RED Print player development curriculum. There are also opportunities to participate in regional tournaments, typically once per season.
Player Evaluation
Every player will receive a player evaluation at the end of each season, provided by their Red Bulls trainer. This evaluation will provide feedback in 8 specific areas relating to what the player has been taught that season. Each player is evaluated based on the standard of their team and not the overall age group they are playing in.
This approach aims to highlight strong areas of their development in addition to looking at places where they should dedicate more focus. It also provides a gauge for where the player stands within the overall context of their team expectations. The aim is to develop each individual player and help them achieve realistic targets set each season.
Team Formation
Team formation occurs each Spring, in preparation for play in the Fall. Following the Red Bulls methodology, selection is based on a player’s overall “body of work” from previous seasons, and not on a single open tryout. Traditional open tryouts create undue stress for players and parents alike. With limited training opportunities in the spring season, a fluid team formation process is key so that players continue to train without interruption to the Seasonal Development Plan. A year-long evaluation process provides a more accurate and in-depth look at each individual player and is less taxing (mentally and physically) on our players. Our staff is able to assess a body of work over a larger period of time and in a more natural setting, and we can feel more confident in our decisions for each player.
That said, there will be instances, such as the formation of new teams at the younger age levels, where more traditional tryouts are used to assess players for whom that body of work is not available. And for new players wishing to try out for and potentially join an existing team, a process is in place to give these players the opportunity to participate in training sessions and be evaluated by the trainers.
