Tournament play is an essential ingredient in developing quality teams. Tournament match play will expose teams and players to the best competition from the region and around the country. Each team will play in a minimum of four tournaments through out the year. Two in the fall and two in the Spring. If a team wants to attend more than four they should seek permission from the TDOC.
All Prince William Courage teams are required to play in the CLUB sponsored Labor Day tournament in September and Icebreaker in March. Note: the club tournaments are provided within the club program but it is required that all teams volunteer to help make them successful.
A successful tournament helps generate funds for the club which then helps reduces costs to the parents. Other Tournaments will be selected by a coaches round table which will meet in the spring to plan for the next seasonal year. A simple majority is required for a tournament to be added/subtracted from the club calendar. Once tournaments are selected all teams are required to attend the selected tournaments. In most cases, there will be more than one tournament possibility for an event based on the level of the teams within the club. Any request must be communicated to the TDOC.
All Division I teams will be required to attend a varying number (depending upon age) of out-of-town tournaments and special "friendly" matches to gain exposure to the best competition from throughout the USA.
The special "friendly" matches for older age group teams may involve, for example, a trip to a college or group of colleges to play college or that local area's Division I teams.
It is strongly encouraged to attend as many name tournaments as possible to continue player development with higher level competition and potentially gain exposure for players that are interested in playing college soccer. All Division II teams are encouraged to attend as many name/competitive tournaments as a way to enhance and broaden the team's soccer competitiveness and experience.
Attendance at tournaments by multiple Club teams is encouraged as a means of promoting unity, friendship and camaraderie.
During tournament travel, the Club believes that team rooms and team meals are an essential part of a quality program. Team living experiences maintain and develop:
**Team spirit and unity
**Competitive focus, concentration and sense of purpose
**Personal growth through increased independence and responsibility
**Proper eating habits during competition
The team coach and several parents act as chaperones and supervise players in the hotel, during meals, at games, and during personal times.
Player transportation and hotel expenses are normally reduced by 2/3 when teams travel and room together.
The goals stated above are for our older teams.
The trainer's expenses for any away tournament will be covered by the Club to the extent funds are available, otherwise they are to be covered by the team or teams at the particular tournament. State, regional and national playoff game expenses for the trainers will be covered by the Club.
Tournaments will be selected by a coaches round table which will meet in the spring to plan for the next seasonal year. A simple majority is required for a tournament to be added/subtracted from the club calendar. Once tournaments are selected all teams are required to attend the selected tournaments. In most cases, there will be more than one tournament possibility for an event based on the level of the teams within the club. Any request must be communicated to the TDOC.
