What is the Blythewood Soccer Club?
The Blythewood Soccer Club is a volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded to promote the sport of soccer in Blythewood and surrounding areas of Richland, Fairfield and Kershaw Counties. This is done by offering different soccer leagues, training, camps, educational events, tournaments and other gathering. It is open to anyone with similar interest. Volunteers and Donations are much appreciated.
Who Runs Blythewood Soccer Club?
The Blythewood Soccer Club is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. Information about how to contact them is available under the About Us Tab of the Website. They typically meet at least once a quarter. Announcements of upcoming meetings are made through the clubs email, on social media and on the website. These meetings are open to the membership and participation is highly encouraged. There is a time set aside in each meeting for members to ask questions and financial information is regularly shared.
What is Club Soccer?
Club soccer is as the name implies a group that forms for the promotion and development of soccer in their area. Typically, they are affiliated with a state and or national organization and offer both recreation in-house programs and more competitive travel teams. They often host camps, tournaments and other events to promote the sport in their area.
Does My Child Need to Be a Super Star to Play with The Blythewood Soccer?
No. The Blythewood Soccer Club was founded to help develop soccer for all levels. It is a developmental club that has offerings to meet the needs of all youth soccer players regardless of skill level.
At What Age Can My Child Start Playing with The Blythewood Soccer Club?
The Junior and Recreation Programs are for ages 4 to 14. Academy level is available for those age 8 or higher and select level players are 12 or older. The Blythewood Soccer Club follows the age guidelines set forth by US Youth Soccer in that age is based on a child’s age on January 1st of each year. It does not go by school year so it is not unusual for children with birthday early in a calendar year to be in a different age group then others in their class with later birthdates. To find out exactly what age group your child should be in CLICK HERE.
Isn’t Club Soccer Really Expensive?
This is something you hear often from those that don’t really understand club soccer. Most clubs including the Blythewood Soccer Club offer various programs to help meet the needs of ALL looking to get involved in the sport. Yes, when you figure in the cost of league fees, team fees, travel and time academy and select teams are more expensive than the club’s in-house recreation or development offerings. Blythewood Soccer Club because it is a volunteer organization offers some of the lowest fees in the region for similar offerings. Cost should never be a reason not to participate. If it is a concern, please contact us as we do offer payment plans and a limited number of scholarship opportunities.
I Heard Club Soccer is Prohibitively Time Consuming. Is That True?
Typically, our Recreation & Junior Programs practice once or twice a week for about an hour and play games on Friday evenings. The academy and select teams do require more of a time commitment and are geared towards those players that want to make soccer their major sport and have a desire to develop their game to the fullest. Each team at this level practices 2 to 3 times a week and have one to four games a week. The academy team may be asked to travel up to an hour or two to play for some league games while select teams may be asked to travel a little farther. Teams in these upper divisions also normally participate in tournaments though out the state as well.
My Child Plays Multiple Sports? Can He Still Play Soccer with the Club?
Yes. The club has offerings for all levels of interest and commitment. There are times during the year where there is little or no club activities. During these times players are encouraged to play other sports and to stay active. Especially at the young ages and at the recreation/Juniors levels it is suggested players try out other sports. As mentioned earlier the higher level programs are designed more for those that have decided to make soccer their main focus, but as long as there is no conflicts it should not be a problem.
Do I Have to Live in Blythewood to Play for Blythewood Soccer Club?
NO. There is no residency requirement to participate in any of these. The club regularly has players from throughout the region come play with the club.
I have played for or am playing for another club in the area, can I also play with the Blythewood Soccer Club?
At the Juniors recreational level that should not be an issue. If you are currently playing for another club at the academy or select level you can change clubs after the completion of the state cups which is normally in early May and before play starts back up each fall. Transfers at other times once a player has committed to playing for another club’s academy or select program will require a release from that club.
Does Blythewood Soccer Club Offer Girls Teams?
The Blythewood Soccer Club welcomes girls and all effort is made to form girls only teams in age groups when possible. However, if there are not enough girls available in an age group they are welcome to play with the boys teams. Especially at the younger ages girls are often more physically developed than their male counterparts and tend to excel. If you have a young lady that wants to play and are interested in knowing if there is a girl specific team available please feel free to contact us.
My Child Has Never Played Soccer Before. Can He Still Join the Blythewood Soccer Club?
Yes. Blythewood Soccer Club is a developmental club and has offerings to benefit all skill levels. Focus of all we do is on the long-term development of all those involved. We regularly have player evaluations and would love to help you find where you player fits best.
Why Choose Blythewood Soccer Club Over other organizations in the area?
We like to think we do things a little differently than other organizations in the area. While we believe there is no one size fit all approach to youth soccer we do feel ours is the perfect fit for a family looking for a more personal soccer experience. We outline many of our philosophies in our club’s visions statement below.
We Believe!!!
- In a community based soccer club.
- In being a club in which players can freely enjoy the sport and grow in it at their own pace.
- In being an organization in which players no matter when they start or at what level they begin the process they will be afforded the opportunity to grow to obtain whatever level of the sport they wish to achieve.
- A club should be transparent in their actions and its deeds.
- In being a group in which coaches, parents and community members all work for the growth of the players and the sport of soccer as a whole.
- In being competitive, but always first focusing on player enjoyment of and development in the game.
- In being a good community steward that adds value to and reflects positively upon the communities that we service.
- In trying to make the sport obtainable and open to as many players and families as possible despite whatever challenges they face.
- In teams being "TEAMS" developing on and off the field together and not simply a different pool of players playing together each week.
- In a club in which if players pay the same fees they deserve the same opportunities.
- In a club that supports it coaches and volunteers as much as they support the club.
Should My Child Play in the Club’s Recreation/Juniors Program or the Academy/Select Program?
The club offers different programs to best meet the needs and requirements of the community. Our Juniors Program is designed for all players from U4 to U14. It consists of at least one practice each week with a Coerver Coaching coach specializing in player development and one small sided game a week. Some teams also have a training opportunity with a parent or other volunteer coach. It is about having fun while learning the skills needed to play the game. The structure of these practices is such that many of the players are having too much fun to realize they are actually learning valuable soccer skills. Our recreation program is for U9-U14 players that may not have the time or other resources to commit to an academy level team or are a late starter in the sport that is looking to develop skills and confidence. The Academy and Select programs are for those players looking to make soccer their primary sport. There is a little more time and financial commitment in these groups. Each player at this level will be evaluated and placed on a skill and age appropriate team. They will practice 2-3 times a week including at least one training session with a Coerver Coach. They will play other teams of the same age and skill level throughout the region in both league and tournament games. If you have any questions about where you think your child may fit please contact us as there really is a place for most everyone’s need.
We Just Moved to The Area. Is it Too Late to Join the Club?
Please contact us directly. The Junior & Recreation programs normally have registration in July-August for the fall season and February for the spring season. If you want to participate in those programs you really need to register during those times. If you are looking to join the Academy or Select programs evaluations/tryouts are held in May for the year starting in July through the following May. We try to find places for anyone that is interested, and it is not unusual for there to be spots available on these teams. The club also normally has open tryouts/evaluations for any open spots December or very early January. So, if you are interested please let us know and we will see what opportunities are available.
Does the Blythewood Soccer Club Offer Non-Travel or In-House Soccer Programs?
Yes. Our Juniors program is a non-travel program for the younger kids and the club offers a recreation level in-house program for U9 to U14 players. The cost of these programs are very comparable to other similar programs in the area. Depending on the season there may be opportunities for some players to play other club rec teams in the area, but these will be on a voluntary basis and will be in addition to an league games.
Does the Club Only Offer Competitive Travel Programs?
No. See Above
What is My Child’s Age Group?
The Blythewood Soccer Club follows the age guidelines set forth by US Youth Soccer in that age is based on a child’s age on January 1st of each year. It does not go by school year so it is not unusual for children with birthday early in a calendar year to be in a different age group then others in their class with later birthdates. To find out exactly what age group your child should be in you can in CLICK HERE
Does Blythewood Soccer Club Offer an Adult League?
At this time we do not, but if there is interest we would be open to help form one. A number of our coaches and parents do participate in leagues and pickup games in the area and would not mind helping if contacted.
Are the Club’s Board Meetings Open to the Membership? Yes, we highly encourage all that are interested to attend these meetings. It really is the only way to know all that is happening with the club. While there are times the board has sensitive stuff it must talk about in a closed meeting all other meetings are open to everyone. We share information about what is happening, where the club is heading, and everyone is welcome to ask questions and give input. Check the club’s website, Facebook page or Twitter feed to find out when the next one is. This is really the membership’s club. Make your opinions heard. You often get out of the club what you put in.