COMPETITIVE FAQ

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission: Pleasanton RAGE is an all-girls soccer club that empowers its players to reach their full potential through soccer, service, and leadership programming for all ages and abilities.

Our Vision: Pleasanton RAGE is committed to providing the most exceptional all-girls soccer experience in the country, recognized for developing valued skills in its players, on and off the field.

Respect
Attitude
Greatness
Expectations

Important Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Reminders

Parents are vital to our organization. Support your child, your coach, and the referees. Encourage your child to respect the referees and coach.
Parents should:

Not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.
Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment.
Teach your child always to play by the rules.
Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than a victory.
Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Your child will then be a winner even in defeat.
Do not ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or for losing a game.
Set a good example. Children learn best by example.
Applaud good plays by your team and by member of the opposing team.
Do not publicly question referee judgment and never their honesty.
Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches, referees and officials and give them their due respect.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

My daughter would like to tryout for a RAGE Competitive or Select team. How do I go about this?

Please contact your respective Age Group Coordinator for more information about the tryout timeline and process. Their contact information can be found here:https://pleasantonrage.org/programs/competitive/competitive-coaches/

What is the communication process as it relates to soccer-related concerns (playing time and development)?

Trust the process! Coaches are communicating with your daughters regarding areas in which they are excelling, areas in which they need to improve, and their expectations. Improvements do not happen overnight and immediate results for an individual player or team are not realistic. This process and the work needed to improve over time is what makes it that much sweeter in the end. Playing time is directly linked to this process.
If you feel the need to communicate with the coaching staff regarding these concerns, DO NOT do so in any capacity (verbal or written) until 24 hours have elapsed between ALL weekend games. This includes simply requesting a meeting. So, if you have games on Saturday and Sunday, the earliest a coach should receive this communication is 24 hours AFTER the completion of the Sunday game. Also, in the rare instances in which you only have a Saturday game, we kindly request that you hold off on this type of communication until Monday morning so that our coaches can enjoy their Sundays with their family and without these difficult issues being a distraction from enjoying these rare free Sundays. This rule is in place to protect our parents AND coaches, as emotions are naturally higher within this window, and any communication on these matters at this time could trigger unnecessary escalation. Coaches will not entertain communication in any capacity unless received after the communicated window.
While coaches are already in direct communication with players regarding the factors impacting their playing time, players should address any questions or concerns regarding playing time directly with the coach first. If as a parent you feel that it is necessary to discuss these issues with the coach as well, these discussions must take place in person and with the PLAYER also present. This way the communication chain between all 3 parties is very clear and chances of misunderstandings eliminated. Part of our responsibility in this development process is to prepare players for the next level (College, Regional and National teams, etc.), where players must be able to talk directly with coaches about these issues, given that parents will not be allowed to be a part of these conversations at these levels.
Conversations MUST happen with the coach before the Age Group Coordinator is involved. If players and parents have met with the coach and these soccer-related issues are unable to be resolved at that level first, at that time only will the Age Group Coordinator become involved in these conversations. Similarly, the DOC is only to become involved after this process has taken place with the Age Group Coordinator if needed.

Thank you for your understanding and assistance in making this a great season and overall experience!

What tournaments will my team be attending this season?

Our technical and coaching staff has prepared a tournament plan for each team that was distributed to all families during the team formation/placement period. This also includes information regarding associated club and team fees. Please let your team Manager, Coach or Club Representative know if you need to be resent this team information sheet.

How is my daughter doing on her competitive team?

If you would like details regarding your daughter’s individual development in addition to our bi-annual formal player/parent evaluation meetings, please contact your coach. We are happy to share additional information and details throughout the year.

What is expected of me at training and games?

Below is the RAGE Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct signed by all at registration:

I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players (on both teams), coaches, officials, and spectators at every game, practice, or other sporting events.
I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; using profane language or gestures; or using offensive, insulting or abusive language. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well-being of the athletes. I will not verbally address a player on an opposing team except to complement their play.
I will be supportive of my child, unconditionally – this promotes the development of the player.
I will emphasize that the game is played for the benefit of the youth, not adults.
I will let the coach guide, direct, and coach my child and the other players without any interference or coaching from me on the sidelines.
During a match, I will remain outside the field of play within the spectator area, unless called onto the field by the referee.
I will learn and understand the Laws of the Knowing the rules of the game will help with development and will help to minimize disagreements.
I will teach my child to play within the spirit/intentions of the rules and the Laws of the Game.
I will refrain from criticizing the game officials and will respect their authority and decisions during I will not ridicule or yell at my child or another participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
I will never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of the players.
I will demand a sports environment free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all RAGE sporting events or in the immediate vicinity of RAGE matches.
I will be consistent, prompt, and respectful in my communication with coaches and ensure that I understand the coach’s expectations for me, my child, and the team.
I will ensure that my child arrives at training, practices, and games on time and fully equipped per the coach’s expectations.
I will ensure that I am on time to retrieve my child from practices and games.
I will respect the 24-hour rule and not discuss playing time/game issues with the coach until the following day.
I will remember that as a member of RAGE, I represent the I understand poor behavior during practices, games, or tournaments may result in expulsion from the soccer activity. If this happens repeatedly, it will result in expulsion from RAGE for my family.
I will keep my financial account with the Club current and in good standing.
I will adhere to the guidance of the Positive Coaching Alliance, including the following behavior:
· Acknowledge and applaud the genuine effort and good play as well as success· Affirm players, not just for athletic performance or victory, but whenever good character, healthy sportsmanship, and unselfish behavior are displayed· Avoid criticizing a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning· Encourage your player to honor the opponent and to show respect for the referees – without people in these roles, there is no game

Teach your player the importance of keeping winning and losing in perspective – game outcomes are part of, but should never wholly define, the overall experience
Avoid analyzing your player’s performance following each game – instead, let them know you enjoyed watching them play
Encourage your player to work directly with the coach to resolve issues, thereby helping her develop a strong sense of self-advocacy

19. Remember that youth players participate primarily for the fun of the experience.

How can I give feedback to the club regarding my experience at RAGE?

Your opinion and feedback is extremely important to us, both positive and constructive, to assist us in our pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement. We strongly encourage you to reach out to your Coach, Age Group Coordinator, DOC, and/or other Club representatives. We also offer a feedback form and ask that you participate in surveys sent out by the club throughout the year. If you have an issue, know that we are driven to find solutions to any of your concerns. In being able to do so efficiently, it is best that you include your name and contact information to maximize our ability to best address your feedback. Unless you specify otherwise, all feedback is kept confidential. That said, we do provide the opportunity for you to remain anonymous if you choose to do so. We’re thankful for any feedback you can provide to help ensure an exceptional experience for our entire membership.