MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Tuscaloosa United Soccer Club is to - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Tuscaloosa United Soccer Club is to provide soccer players in Tuscaloosa County the opportunity to reach their highest potential based upon each player’s abilities, goals, and motivation. The Tuscaloosa United Soccer Club will achieve this mission by providing: structured, age- and skill-appropriate training for players of ages, genders and ability levels • opportunities for parental input and involvement • a dedicated, trained coaching staff, committed to individual player • development of and access to high quality soccer facilities • a physically and psychological safe environment that promotes a high level of • competitive soccer play and encourages individual and team development

ENROLLMENT U18 U17 Fall 2011 Spring 2012 Fall 2012 U16 U4 45 -1 44 +27 71 U15 U5 60 -2 58 +28 86 U14 U6 56 -11 45 +24 69 U13 U7 46 +8 54 -1 53 U12 U8 31 +6 37 +25 62 U11 U9 51 -9 42 +6 48 U10 U10 50 -19 31 +1 32 U9 U11 32 -18 14 +15 29 U8 U12 18 -12 6 +12 18 U7 U13 13 - - - 9 U6 ELITE 120 -23 97 +29 126 U5 U4 TOTAL 522 -94 428 +175 603

PRODUCT Staff TUSC’s products are essentially soccer and entertainment. Quality soccer is produced by training and utilizing highly qualified coaches and staff members to create a winning product on the field. Soccer Entertainment Facilities Entertainment is created via: The game of soccer • Coaches/staff members who entertain the kids • Use of facilities (indoor swimming pool) • Social Social environment of the club •

PRICE TUSC is conscious of pricing decisions given the current economic environment. Fundraising TUSC programs are priced competitively with other clubs in the surrounding areas. Business Scholarships Decisions TUSC is constantly looking for ways to cut costs for its players through business decisions (uniforms), scholarships, fundraising, etc. Reduced Costs No child should be unable to participate for financial reasons.

PLACE TUSC marketed its fall 2012 programs on three digital billboards throughout the city of Tuscaloosa during registration. Fliers for TUSC programs are also taken to Tuscaloosa County, City, and private schools. Emphasis on schools near Sokol Park, • Bobby Miller Center, or those with a history of program participants (ACA, Holy Spirit, etc.) TUSC’s expanding web presence lends itself to an increased emphasis on digital marketing.

PROMOTION TUSC primarily uses print and digital advertising to reach its customers. Events Forms of promotion used by TUSC: Events (Friday Night Lights) • Fliers • Email Facebook Email blasts • Website • Promotion Facebook • Mailers • Branded Website Branded items (apparel, car decals, etc.) • Items While TUSC’s marketing initiatives have demonstrated their usefulness, Fliers / Mailers word of mouth continues to be an extremely powerful force at play within our programs.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

COMMUNICATION PARA purchased the rights to use the One Call Now emergency notification system. Through this system, a message can be emailed, called, or • texted to each member of the club in an instant. TUSC has improved its web presence through website improvements and social media. Team managers are now being used to help improve team communication. Many communication avenues are being utilized constantly and consistently to resolve any communication issues (website, phone, social media, parent meeting, etc.)

NEWSLETTER TUSC Newsletter first published in the fall of 2012. There are currently three issues available for download at www.tuscaloosaunited.com Represents an additional way to communicate with club members about events and happenings.

SOCIAL MEDIA TUSC launched its official Facebook page on May 21 st , 2012. The Facebook page currently has 95 “likes.” TUSC also has a Twitter account, though it has been underutilized. Social media is an important avenue for communication, especially given Facebook’s aging population. “I didn’t get the email, but I learned about this event through Facebook so here I am.” -Soccer mom at a recent parent meeting

WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS TUSC maintains a website through League Athletics primarily to disseminate information to its members. Website features: Club Weather • • information Sponsorships • Club news Team Pages • • Game Pictures • • schedules Links • Calendars Forms • •

JUNIORS Juniors was launched in the spring of 2009 in an effort to improve the Academy program by placing its U4 members in a separate program. Their limited attention span was difficult to manage. • Each Juniors session lasts 45 minutes and meets once a week at either the Bobby Miller Center or the Sokol North Complex. The Juniors Program currently has 71 members, making it the second largest age group in the entire club (U5 has 86). Soccer is likely one of the first, if not the first sport kids in our area formally participate in.

ACADEMY PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS After listening to the feedback of its participants and parents, TUSC enacted a series of improvements for its Academy program: Assigned coaches to teams • Improved communication • Field markings/signs improved • Enhanced awards program (door prizes, • certificates, medals) Streamlined game/practice schedule • Practice at the University of Alabama (09/06) •

TUSL TOURNAMENT TUSL held a tournament for its U9-U10 teams following the regular season. Many of TUSL’s coaches mentioned their players’ enjoyment of the tournament. The winner and runner up received medals for their accomplishments. Pictured at right: the winning team from the TUSL Tournament coached by Steven Stabler and Carlos Chapparro.

TOPSOCCER TOPSoccer is an outreach program for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. TOPSoccer will be launched in the fall 2012 season. TUSC is offering this program in an effort to serve ALL of Tuscaloosa County. Every child deserves a chance to play soccer. • TOPSoccer sessions will be held at Bowers Park on Sunday afternoons beginning September 23 rd for a minimal program fee.

YOUTH INDOOR LEAGUE The inaugural season of the Youth Indoor League was held this past winter. Over 100 players on 19 teams spread across 4 divisions participated. The Youth Indoor League attracted players of all ages (U9 to U19). The Youth Indoor League is an incredible value including 7 weeks of competition and a program t-shirt. The second season of the Youth Indoor League will kick- off this winter.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Friday/Saturday Night Lights is one of TUSC’s greatest outreach opportunities. TUSC has hosted a total of three FNL events. Designed as an informal night of pickup soccer with minimal adult interference, FNL is soccer at its purest. All soccer players regardless of age or ability are invited to participate at no charge. Door prizes have been given away in the past as an added incentive for attendees.

SUMMER KICK-OFF CAMP TUSC hosted the Summer Kick-Off Camp from Tuesday, May 29 th through Friday, June 1 st at the Bobby Miller Activity Center. The camp was instructed by John Vincent. 36 participants ranging in age from U9 to U18 participated in an effort fine tune their soccer skills for the upcoming fall season. Participants received three hours of soccer instruction each day, followed by an hour of swimming at the Bobby Miller Center’s indoor pool. Many camp participants have become or are regular participants in TUSC programs.

ACADEMY CAMP TUSC hosted the Academy Camp from Monday, June 11 th through Friday, June 15 th at the Bobby Miller Activity Center. The camp was instructed by John Vincent and Shane Reeves 44 participants ranging in age from U5 to U13 participated in an effort fine tune their soccer skills for the upcoming fall season. Participants received three hours of soccer instruction each day, followed by an hour of swimming at the Bobby Miller Center’s indoor pool.

BACK 2 SCHOOL CAMP TUSC hosted the Back 2 School Camp from Monday, August 13 th through Friday, August 17 th at the Bobby Miller Activity Center. The camp was instructed by Shane Reeves 15 participants ranging in age from U5 to U13 participated in an effort fine tune their soccer skills before heading back to school. Participants received three hours of soccer instruction each day, followed by an hour of swimming at the Bobby Miller Center’s indoor pool.

EVALUATIONS Evaluations for TUSC’s Division II travel teams were held at the Sokol North Complex on Saturday, June 2 nd and Monday, June 4 th . Players were able to receive a fitting for their uniforms after receiving an offer from TUSC. Following evaluations, TUSC was able to field a total of 10 teams for play in the AYSA’s Division II State League.

ELITE TEAM CAMP TUSC’s Elite Camp is essentially a team camp designed to strengthen and condition Division II players in the weeks prior to the start of the season. The ELITE Camp is also an opportunity for TUSC coaches to evaluate their players talent and configure their teams for success. Participants receive a t-shirt for their attendance.