What is the Mobile Soccer Club?
The Mobile Soccer Club is a a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code run by volunteers dedicated to providing a quality soccer program in the Mobile, Alabama and surrounding areas that will promote the growth and appreciation of the game.
The Mobile Soccer Academy
The Mobile Soccer Academy is designed for younger players age 5-10.
Academy maintains the philosophy that soccer is a sport that players should experience and enjoy above all other considerations. The Mobile Soccer Academy will create a soccer environment that will help players gain love and passion for soccer beyond their playing years. These environments should allow players creativity, problem solving and experimentation in a natural way that places players in situations within their physical, intellectual, emotional and social reach. The Mobile Soccer Academy will provide age appropriate training/objectives for players as well as a parent education program.
Players will also have the opportunity to play against other developmental teams from the surrounding area. Please check our the section on the Academy on this site.
The Mobile Soccer Club Select Program
The Mobile Soccer Club Select Program provides the opportunity to play soccer to young people between the ages of 8 and 18 in a fun and competitive environment.
Goal
The Goal of the Mobile Soccer Club Select Soccer Program is to form strong competitive teams in each age group (U10 - U19 teams) for boys and girls. These teams are coached by certified coaches, with the technical and tactical expertise to properly train and prepare these players to confidently compete against the best in the state and region.
Objective
The Select Soccer Program is organized with the objective to provide youth soccer players the opportunity to compete and develop to their highest playing potential. This opportunity opens the door for Select Players to participate in the Olympic Development Program (ODP), High School soccer programs and to compete for college soccer scholarships.
Selection Process
Once a year, in June, players are selected through try out sessions. Talented athletes in each age group for boys and girls are evaluated in the four components of soccer:
Technical skill
Tactical knowledge
Speed/Agility/Strength/Fitness
Attitude/Team play
Can anyone try out?
Yes, the Mobile Soccer Club encourages all interested players to try out. We have had players from Mobile and all the surrounding areas play for the Mobile Soccer Club.
What if a player tries out but doesn't make a team?
Unfortunately, some players may not make a team roster. The Mobile Soccer Club Board of Directors has committed the club to finding a spot for every player that wants to continue improving her or his soccer skills.
What is a training player or training package?
Some older players (U-12s and up) may be asked to join as a "training player" who would train with a team of their age group under the tutelage of one of our coaches, but would not be on game rosters. Training players would be expected to attend all training sessions and possibly, due to injury or absence of some other team player, be asked to play with the team for a game or tournament. The training player fee is $250.00.
Benefits
Certified coaching staff with technical and tactical knowledge of the game. Allow talented players within specific age groups to train and develop themselves with similarly talented athletes.
Participation in the State Cup and/or Governor's Cup tournament.
Provides opportunities for travel within and out of state for higher quality competition and cultural enrichment.
Provides opportunity for selection in the Olympic Development Program (ODP).
Provides opportunity for college soccer scholarships.
Commitment
Seasonal year commitment from August 1 to July 31.
Two to three practices a week.
Friendly games played at home do not require travel and are played at a Park in Mobile or the Unviersity of South Alabama. Instate tournaments and friendly games require travel, usually no more than two hours, and may not require overnight lodging. Out of state friendlies or tournaments may require travel and 1 – 2 nights lodging.
Will there be one team for each age group?
This depends on the number of players in an age group. There may be two or more teams in one age group or it may be necessary to combine two age groups in order to have enough players to form a team.
Teams U-10 and under play 6v6 and have a roster limit of 11 players.
Teams U-12 and under play 8v8 and have a roster limit of 14 players.
Teams U-13 to U-16 play 11v11 and have a roster limit of 18 players.
Teams U-17 and up play 11v11 and have a roster limit of 22 players.
What is expected at practice?
Players should arrive 10-15 minutes before practice time. Players should bring an appropriately sized soccer ball, shin guards, cleats and water or sports drink. Players should not wear their team uniforms to practice. Club coaches want the training sessions to fun, but players should be ready to listen, learn and work hard. Parents can help their coaches by making sure their player is on-time and ready to play!
Where are practices held?
The Mobile Soccer Club does not own or operate its own fields. We are fortunate to use fields owned by the City of Mobile. Many practices are held at Sage Park (Also known as Herndon Park), Medal of Honor Park (Also known as Cottage Hill Park), West Mobile Park, Semmes and the University of South Alabama.
How often are practices and games?
The team coach will set the practice schedule after teams are announced. Teams will practice twice a week, though some teams may practice more.
Many teams will play in a State league this fall. These teams may play league games two weekends a month and a tournament on a third weekend. League games will begin in late August or early September. Specific team schedules will be arranged over the Summer.
Other teams may not have league games, just tournaments. Tournaments conclude with the State tournaments in November. This past year's State Tournaments were at Jack Allen Fields in Decatur, Alabama.
Teams may play additional games (friendlies) or additional tournaments. Generally those teams playing in a State league are budgeted for league games, a few friendly games and three tournaments including the State tournament. If a team decides to play more friendlies or tournaments, the costs will be split among the players.
How much travel will there be?
This depends in large part upon the level of competition. We encourage all teams to participate in the State tournament held in November of each year. In the past, we have played in tournaments in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and throughout Alabama.
Depending on their competitive level, teams may travel quite a bit.
Division I & II teams participate in statewide leagues and may play in Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and other places.
Division III teams play tournaments mostly along the Gulf Coast (Pensacola, Panama City, Gulfport, Destin, Biloxi, New Orleans, Hattiesburg, etc.) and may also play in tournaments in Montgomery and Birmingham.
What does "Division I," "Division II," "Division III" and "Division IV" mean?
Alabama Youth Soccer Association provides different "divisions" for teams to play in during the fall and spring seasons.
Division I is the highest level of competition playing teams from Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, etc. Normally eight regular season games are schedule (four home, four away) and then the Division I State Tournament (held on two weekends in November). Teams must be U-13 or older to participate in Division I.
Division II is the next highest level, again playing a regular schedule of games with travel to other cities. The Division II Tournament (one weekend) ends the season. Teams must be U-11 or older to play Division II.
Division III is the third level of competitive play. Many times Division III teams play in a regional league like the "Lower Alabama Soccer League." The Division III tournament of the Governor's Cup is in November of each year. Some teams choose to compete in Division III because they do not wish to compete in the State League. Some Division III teams may be as good as Division I or Division II teams and will often compete against those teams in tournaments.
Division IV is generally the local recreation league sponsored by the city or other organization. The Mobile Soccer Club is proud that the Semmes Soccer Association has affiliated with the Mobile Soccer Club as our Division IV league.
Fees
Fees for a seasonal year covers coaching fees, AYSA registration fees, field maintenance, tournament registration fees and insurance. Fees may vary from team to team depending on the level of competition. For questions with regard to the current fees, please contact our Treasurer, Katherine Klyce, at Katherine@MobileSoccerClub.org or at 251-454-1014.
Each player will be required to purchase a uniform.
Teams are encouraged to seek sponsorship and do fundraisers to reduce team expenses.
Fees are generally non-refundable.
What is the "6-man" or 50% rule for High School soccer?
Participation during the school year by students from any high school team (varsity and JV) on a non-school team (like Mobile Soccer Club teams) during the off-season is limited to 50 percent of the number of players required to play the game of that sport (i.e. six in soccer). The rule does not apply to seniors who have completed their high school eligibility in that sport nor to middle school students who will not play on a high school team the following season. This rule was established by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and governs most of the high schools in Alabama.
Questions?