Frequently Asked Questions
Many of the questions below are asked every year at every tryout, so we wanted to share answers for your convenience. If your question isn't answered here, then simply send your question to Coach@ValricoFury.com or call Coach Ben at (813) 601-7261 or Coach Ali at (407) 257-8182 and your question will be answered. If it's a good question, we will add it to our list for everyone.
Q. When are tryouts held?
Tryouts are held each June starting one week after the State Cup Finals. A detailed list of specific tryout dates are:
- Wednesday May 28 (7:30pm-9:00pm)
- Friday May 30 (7:30pm-9:00pm)
- Sunday June 1 (4:00pm-5:30pm)
Q. Where are tryouts held?
Tryouts are held at the Valrico Soccer Complex (Keith Waller Park). The address is listed below. You can also find directions on our home page of the website.
1100 Sydney Dover Rd
Dover, FL 33527
Q. Where/When will practices be?
All primary practices will be held at the Valrico Soccer Fields (except for special camps with guest coaches). This sometimes requires us to travel to their college or training facility to get their full attention. Practices will be held from 7:30pm-9:00pm on days still to be determined. They will most likely be Tuesday/Thursday but official days won't be released until the official field schedule is published after tryouts. The team will also require 1 weekend day of training for mini-camps on non-game weekends. When we have a weekend day training session we will NOT have a training session during the week. This will lighten the load for academics at school. Players are still required to do their own training and conditioning during off days.
Q. Who is your Coaching Staff?
We have the same coaching staff (Ben DeBrocke & Ali Laassel) in place we have had for years. Both are Nationally Licensed Coaches that work on the ODP (Olympic Develpment Program) State Coaching Staff. Plus our move to Valrcio a few years ago added the addition of one of the best players and trainers in the business (Derek Smethurst - Email Him - Full Bio). We also added one of the most successful goalkeeper trainers in the business (Justin Throneburg - Email Him - Full Bio).
Q. What are the costs associated with this team?
Many clubs try to fool you into lower fees and don't release the entire fee breakdown for the year. Our fee is SIMPLE. It's $750 for the entire year from start to finish. That includes EVERYTHING. This includes the following: League & Club Registration, Hotel Room fees for Players & Chaperones, Bus & Plane Fares for Players & Chaperones, 2 Sets of Nike Uniforms, 3 Practice Shirts, 2 Practice Bibs, 1 Nike Training Ball, Team Bag, Tournament Costs, Banquet Costs, Professional Trainer Costs, Goalkeeper Trainer Costs, Referee Fees and so on. In short: EVERYTHING! The only cost is your individual spending at tournaments.
Q. If your costs are only $750, how can you do everything you say you do without charging more?
Below is a detailed budget that shows the breakdown of how things work. One of the primary reasons is that our coaches don't take a salary or payment for their training or services. They are non-parent coaches who do it for the "LOVE OF THE GAME". That eliminates a big cost of the training budget and the only costs of the training is for the Weekly Club Professional Training. We are also fortunate to have a tremendous amount of sponsorship funds that you are NOT REQUIRED to get unlike most teams and clubs. We DON'T ask you for a dime over the $750 because we already have sponsors in place to cover the balance of the costs. We also don't ask you to sell tournament sponsorship slots, sponsor fees or anything at all. What you see is what you get.
| Field Use: |
$50.00 |
|
| Registration: |
$105.00 |
|
| Referees: |
$30.00 |
|
| Training: |
$325.00 |
|
| Uniforms: |
$115.00 |
|
| Additional Team Items: |
$125.00 |
|
| TOTAL Per Player Cost: |
$750.00 |
|
Q. What if I have a SPONSOR who wants to donate money to the team?
That's Excellent News. Not just for the team, but for YOU! All funds you bring in from sponsors directly offsets your team fees (less $25 for a team plaque for the sponsor). So, if your team fees are $750 and you bring in a sponsor that donated $500 in your name. Your team fees are reduced by $475 ($500-$25) leaving a balance of $275 for you to cover personally.
Q. What tournaments and leagues are you planning on going to?
TOURNAMENTS: Atlanta Cup or Disney Qualifier, WAGS (Washington DC), CASL Shootout (Raleigh, NC), Disney Showcase or Orange Classic, Score At The Shore, Vulcan Cup, Spring Classic (Dallas, TX), US Club National Cup Cup (Jacksonville, FL), FYSA State Cup.
LEAGUE: We will be playing in the FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE and/or REGION 3 PREMIER LEAGUE.
Q. How does your team travel and get hotels for out of town trips?
We are a TEAM, so no need to make individual arrangements. All Team Travel arrangements are made through our team manager. For trips less than 3 hours, we usually allow everyone to drive on their own or with their chaperone to a TEAM HOTEL. For trips over 3 hours but less than 8 hours, we generally take a Charter Bus and travel as a team together. For trips over 8 hours, we will fly and then charter a bus at the location to get us around.
Q. When we travel, what Team Hotels and Companies do you use?
We have sponsorship contracts in place with Marriott hotels and Delta Airlines. Those are our preferred companies in regards to Hotel & Air Travel. If at all possible, we will honor our agreement with them and use their services. However, should they not service our area or are unavailable for service, then we will use an equivalent level.
Q. You mentioned "Chaperone" somewhere in this document, what is that and how does it work?
When we travel as a TEAM, we use a CHAPERONE system to help offset costs and build TEAM bonding. We group our players into groups of 3 or 4 and assign 1 of their MOM'S to be the chaperone for that event for that group. They are responsible for every action of those players and getting them to team meetings and functions on time and in accordance to team rules. In exchange for their service to the weekend, the Hotel, Travel & Food is covered for the chaperone from team sponsorship funds. This way of doing things make's everything more efficient, cost-friendly and relieves some free time for the parents to have fun while the players are focused on the business at hand (playing soccer).
Q. How does a player make this team?
All players must compete for roster positions. Having played for Valrico in previous years does not guarantee one a spot on this team.
Q. Can I play another sport other than soccer?
The short answer is "Yes". However, due to the dedication, commitment, and level of play that this team participates in, we require this team to be the primary focus. So, you are welcome to play other sports (we encourage it) as long as it does NOT interfere with our team functions or if your performance doesn't suffer because of it.
Q. What do the coaches look for in players?
While tryouts vary from team to team, all coaches look for players who have the potential of becoming high-level, competitive players. Throughout the tryout, coaches assess several player qualities, including but not limited to:
1. Technical skill.
2. Tactical awareness.
3. Physical abilities.
4. Psychological dimension.
Q. How many players will you pick?
There is no exact answer to this question. US Soccer & FYSA have a guideline that allows a maximum of 18 players on a roster and you need 11 to play the game. So, based off of past experience in this age, the number will range from 14-18 players selected with the goal to be 15 or 16.
Q. What happens after the last tryout?
At the conclusion of the tryouts, each coach nominates players for their roster. All coaches and trainers involved in the tryout process will meet to discuss the roster choices and then the teams are then given a final approval by the Director of Coaching.
Q. How long before we know what the outcome is?
Usually, no later than four days after the last tryout, you and your child should receive notice as to whether they made the team or not. Most coaches notify the players immediately after the last scheduled tryout. The tryout selections will also be posted on this website.
Q. What if a player does not get selected?
All players not selected receive notification from the coach no later than a few days after the last tryout. This in no way suggests that they are not quality players, or that they should give up their hopes of playing soccer. It simply means that the coach feels there are other players better suited for this team's level of play.
Q. What if a player is selected?
If a player has been selected, they will be notified via email/phone as to when the mandatory team meeting is to finish registration.
Q: Are tryouts open to all players?
Yes, tryouts are open for all competitive female players that are not over the age limit (Born prior to 8/1/1990).
Q: My daughter wants to tryout for this team. Does she have to attend all three tryout dates? There are 3 other teams she likes. If she comes to Valrico tryout days, how can she tryout for at least one other team?
The public tryout dates are important because they give your player the best opportunity to be seen playing with the current team or the core portion of the current team that will continue in the year ahead.
Each year at tryouts, there are some players who arrive during the week following the public tryout and, in some cases, these players train with the team and eventually join these teams. This is a little less advantageous because some decisions might already have been made, and, secondly, some players from the core team may have headed out for ODP Camps, soccer camps, after school summer vacation activity and so on.
