PLAYER COMMITMENT
Olympiacos Soccer Club Chicago is a family. Together with the administration, staff, players and all the fans, we aim to provide world-class football at a grassroots level of the game. Branching off from the Greek parent club, Olympiacos FC, this is our first academy in the USA and it is an essential part of the Olympiacos FC youth academy globally. Players who attend the soccer school, adhere to the club’s mantra, wear the club uniform and uphold "The Beautiful Game" in a respected and passionate way.
Young players have a direct access to the Olympiacos FC academy in Greece and the possibility to be chosen for academy first team play too! The purpose of this club network isn’t solely for commercial purposes, it’s for children of all ages to take part and experience football and sports in general. The club fosters its players from young ages and looks to impart knowledge about the sport and also being a socially responsible citizen to the community.
It is important to recognize that players and parents invest significant time and resources in playing club soccer and expect the club to create and foster an environment, which will ultimately allow players to compete at the highest levels of high school and possibly college soccer and beyond. Your commitment to the club and the club’s commitment to you are for one soccer seasonal year only - at the end of each year, you must try out again. At the conclusion of the year, your commitment to the club is over and you are free to leave the club if you feel it is in your best interest. The aim of this policy is to create an appropriate competitive environment for the proper development of our players.
The intention, however, is not to create an environment where trainers are unnecessarily recruiting large numbers of new players each year simply to win games and move up the competitive ladder of the league. Also, no player will be cut from a team during a seasonal year unless it is for disciplinary reasons or failure to fulfill financial obligations.
Players are expected to make their commitment to Olympiacos Chicago as their first recreational activity priority during the league season. PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OTHER SOCCER CLUB ACTIVITIES (TRAINING, GAMES, TOURNAMENTS, etc) UNLESS THEY ARE GIVEN SPECIFIC APPROVAL BY OLYMPIACOS CHICAGO. IF PLAYERS ARE FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS RULE THEY WILL BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY. NO EXCEPTIONS!
We expect our players and parents to be ethical, honest and to honor their commitments both verbal and written; therefore you should make your decisions thoughtfully and carefully. Once your commitment is made, the club expects your full participation and support for the entire soccer season. Take into account that when you make your commitment, the coach may need to inform other potential players that they did not make the team. Please be sensitive to others and consider your decision carefully.
If you have committed to the club, the club will also be ethical and honest, honoring its commitment to you. Decisions made by the coaches and Board are final.
PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES
Attendance at games is MANDATORY. Games maybe be rescheduled on short notice and you will be expected to make every effort to attend. Teams may play in tournaments over the Labor Day, Columbus Day and Memorial Day holidays, and perhaps other weekends. Barring a special family circumstance, and with advanced notice, you will be expected to be there. Players should arrive at all games 30 minutes early with all game uniforms available. During games, players are expected to follow the instructions of their trainers. Players not on the field are expected to sit and watch their teammates from the bench. Players are expected to try their best within the rules of the game and compete aggressively but fairly at all times. No smoking and no alcohol of any type within view of the field during games. Players are required to observe a 10:00 PM curfew and no sleepovers the night before a game.
Players are expected to condition themselves both during the season and in the off-season. Failure to be in good physical condition will necessarily affect a player’s ability to perform and will likely cut a player’s playing time during the season. Likewise, players are expected to work on soccer skills year round either on a formal or informal basis. Players need touches on the ball as much as possible throughout the year in order to develop.
Practices are MANDATORY and should only be missed on account of illness, religious obligation or special circumstance. Please inform your coach in advance if you can't make a practice. Players are expected to arrive at practices 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time with lots to drink, a ball and shin guards and dressed according to the club’s uniform policy. Players should use the bathroom prior to practice and should be ready to train seriously when they arrive.
Nutrition and rest are also the responsibility of the player. We expect players to eat nutritious, healthy food in a timely fashion, so as not to interfere with performance. If you have questions about which foods are best for performing athletes, please ask the team coach.
As a member of Olympiacos Chicago, you are responsible for your own performance and conduct. Honesty, communication, and reliability are expected at all times. The club asks that you care about yourself and the sport of soccer. This requires that you maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy team attitude. Any use of drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes is not acceptable to the club and may result in temporary suspension or even removal from the club. In addition, our club will insist you maintain a positive team attitude and a personal sense of sportsmanship and fair play.
TYPE YOUR NAME IN THE ABOVE FIELD IF YOU AGREE.