SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
ABOUT VIRGINIA RUSH’S SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
The School of Excellence Program is geared towards players who want a higher level of soccer instruction between the ages of 4 and 7. Under a nationally-established curriculum and guided by a passionate and committed professional coaching staff, the School of Excellence offers extraordinary player development. The training environment is fun, structured and safe – a place where players can express themselves and learn what soccer has to offer, the Rush Way.
“I think the coaches are amazing! The care they gave my daughter is excellent and she has grown in confidence.”
“He smiles from ear to ear from the starting whistle through the end. He LOVES it!”
“The training environment is high energy with maximum participation.”
“The program has my son wanting to practice at home!”
- Season Overview
- Registration Instructions
- Fees and Payments
- FAQ
- SoE Seasonal Expectations
- Training and Game schedules
- Contacts
SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE INFORMATION
The Virginia Rush School of Excellence acts as a bridge between developmental and travel soccer for all young Rush players seeking higher levels of soccer instruction.
AGE/PROGRAM DETAILS:
| AGE GROUP | PROGRAM DETAILS |
|---|---|
| U5/6 | 1 training session per week with professional coaching staff and School Directors 1 match day per week at the Sportsplex Grass fields vs. local Rec opponents Focus on individual development following a nationally-established curriculum Winter training available at the Virginia Beach Field House |
| U7/8 | 2 training sessions per week with professional coaching staff and School Directors 1 match day per week at the Sportsplex Grass fields vs. other SOE and local Rec opponents Focus on individual development following a nationally-established curriculum Winter training available at the Virginia Beach Field House |
For each age group, training will cover specific topics every week that follow a curriculum created by nationally-recognized coaches from US Soccer.
The focused training environment and professional coaching staff will work to prepare SoE players for competitive level soccer.
For each age group, the SoE staff has expectations and goals for their players in a variety of different areas of the game, including passing, receiving, dribbling, finishing and challenging among others.
The SoE staff aims to introduce the tactical aspects of the game while continually developing and increasing each individual’s technical proficiencies.
Weekly homework assignments will reinforce SoE lessons and will provide an opportunity for continual learning and development.
VIRGINIA RUSH OFFERS TWO WAYS TO REGISTER FOR THE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
Register Online (See Instructions Below) or Walk-in registrations can be completed at the Rush office.
- Click here http://leagues.bluesombrero.com/varushsoccer to begin the registration process.
- In the top right-hand corner click “Register” to set up your family account.
- Create your family ID and Password. Be sure to save this ID and password, as you will need this for future use.
- Be sure to add the second adult in your household to ensure both adults receive all email communication.
- Once in the account, you will register your child first then select the program.
- In the top right corner next to the shopping cart icon, and click the “Register Now” icon.
- The registration process will show only the programs available for your child’s age. Select the division that you would like for your child to be placed in. Ex: -A male player born in 2013 will select 8U Boys.
- Once you have completed your child’s registration information, click on the shopping cart icon proceed to the payment page. This process is similar to purchasing merchandise online.
- Check information for accuracy and pay the fee by credit/debit card VISA/MasterCard.
NOTE:
Players that are older and do not fall into the U8 age range cannot play in the School of Excellence program. Virginia Rush offers the Recreation, Advanced, and Competitive programs for players U9+.
VIRGINIA RUSH OFFERS TWO WAYS TO REGISTER FOR THE SOE PROGRAM:
- The preferred method is online registration. Payment options include mail-in check or online credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Click the “REGISTER SOE PLAYER NOW” link to the left to begin the online registration process.
- Walk-in registration can be completed at the Rush office. The Southside office is located at 2044 Landstown Centre Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (Monday – Friday) from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
SOE PROGRAM FEES & PAYMENTS:
Fall registration begins in May with the season starting in early September and running through November. Spring registration will begin in November with the season starting in March and running through May.
| AGE GROUP | Fall FEES | INCLUDES/ADDS |
|---|---|---|
| U6 | $170 | Includes 2 Rush School of Excellence T-shirts |
| U7 & U8 | $280 | Includes 2 Rush School of Excellence T-shirts |
Payment is due at the time of registration. Click the “REGISTER SOE PLAYER NOW” link to the left to register and make your payment for the School of Excellence Academy.
REFUND POLICY:
No refunds
1. What should my child wear to practices and games?
Each player (U5-U8) will receive a grey SoE training shirt within the first couple of weeks of training. U5-U8 players will also receive a blue game day shirt.
For training, please wear your grey SoE training shirt (if you have one), dark shorts and dark colored socks. If you are new to the program and do not have a grey SoE training shirt, please wear a grey or white shirt of your own. Please also bring a properly inflated soccer ball (size 3 for U5-U8)
Additional SoE shirts will be available for purchase. We will begin to sell the remaining stock the third week of practice. Cost per extra shirt is $10.
2. What size ball does my child need?
U5/6 Boys and Girls = Size 3 Ball (properly inflated)
U7/8 Boys and Girls = Size 3 Ball (properly inflated)
3. When and where are games held?
Games are held on Saturdays.
All U5-U8 games will be played at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex Grass fields (behind the Sportsplex, enter through the National Hockey Training Center to the right of the Sportplex).
4. How is communication handled?
We will send out weekly emails during the season on Sunday or Monday with information about the week ahead. The email addresses used will be the ones that were used at the time of registration. Please contact Liam Deady at ldeady@varush.com to ensure you get any additional email addresses added to the communication list.
On Thursdays throughout the season, you will get game day information for the Saturday games from the club or the team manager. We will also be holding age group parent meetings to welcome you to the program and to share our expectations in the first couple of weeks of training. For any player or coaching related questions/issues, please contact Chris Panayiotou at cpanayiotou@varush.com.
If you have any administrative and/or registration questions or issues please contact Liam Deady at the email address above.
In case of cancellations, we will email and send a text message.
VIRGINIA RUSH’S SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE EXPECTATIONS
WELCOME TO SOE FALL 2020!
SoE Parents and Players,
We hope this email finds you all well during these different times. For those new to the program welcome, to those returning welcome back.
Below you will find some important information regarding the upcoming School of Excellence season.
TRAINING INFORMATION
- Training will begin on September 3, 2020 (Thursday). All players will get a grey SoE training shirt and a blue game shirt at the first couple weeks of training.
- All training sessions will be held at the Sportsplex Grass fields (2044 Landstown Centre Way, VA Beach, Va. 23456). We will communicate early if there are changes to this.
SCHEDULE
U5/6 Boys and Girls
Thursdays
5:15pm-6:15pm
Bring size 3 ball (properly inflated)
U7/8 Boys and Girls
Mondays and Thursdays
5:15pm-6:15pm
Bring size 3 ball (properly inflated)
GAMES
- The first games of the Season will be Saturday, September 12. Last game November 7 (rainout date November 14 and 21).
- The Schedule will be released soon and a mass email will be sent when released.
- All games will be played at the Sportsplex Grass Fields (behind Sportsplex – enter through Hockey Complex on the Right)
Always bring both t-shirts to games. When two SoE teams are playing each other, the Home team will wear their blue game shirt and the Away team will wear their grey training shirt.
UNIFORMS/TRAINING GEAR
- Players will receive a grey SoE training shirt (wear from training but bring to games) and a Blue Game shirt within the first couple of weeks of training.
- For the first training session, please wear your grey SoE training shirt (if you have one), dark shorts and dark colored socks. No jewelry.
Additional SoE shirts will be available for purchase, but not until all players receive their first hand out. We will begin to sell the remaining stock the third week of practices. Cost per extra shirt is $10.
COMMUNICATION
- We will send out weekly emails on Mondays with information about the week ahead; please contact Liam Deady, ldeady@varush.com.
- To ensure you get all personal email addresses are added to the communication list, please go to your Blue Sombrero account and add emails through your settings (located at the top right of your database homepage). The settings button is shaped like a gear.
- We will be holding age group parent meetings to welcome you to the program and share our expectations in the first couple of weeks of training. If you have any administrative and/or registration questions or issues, please contact Liam Deady at ldeady@varush.com.
- For any player or coaching questions/issues, please contact Coach Chris P at cpanayiotou@varush.com. Please wait for 24 hours after the event if contacting about an issue that occurred during a game.
In case of cancellations, we will email and send a text message no later than 4 pm the day of the training session in question.
Sports Connect Quick Link
leagues.bluesombrero.com/varushsoccer
SOE EXPECTATIONS
- Please remember that it is a game and that our non-negotiable rules for the players are: Give your best effort, have a great attitude and always be ready to compete.
- Parents remember to tell your children that you loved watching them play. On the car ride home ask your child what they think they did well while playing, or what was fun about it. Please refrain from telling what you think they needed to do better or what coach should’ve done, or their teammates should’ve done. Remember our focus is on the process, not the outcome (score).
- If you do have an issue, please wait a minimum of 24 hours after the event before emailing Liam or Chris P
- On game day you may see a coach that is not assigned to your team, rest assured they know the game and will not coach the player on the ball (this generally gives children the answers and takes away their creativity and affects their long-term development). At VA Rush we like to expose children to different coaches and styles, as well as playing with different players. The staff at SoE has been handpicked and all want to develop the person and player to their fullest potential. Success comes in different forms, from playing style, to a player accomplishing a move they’ve been working on mastering. Success is a journey, not a destination. We look forward to sharing this journey with you and your children.
- Please make sure you are on time to pick up your child after each practice.
- Sit in the designated viewing area
- Follow all facility rules and expectations
Liam Deady Chris Panayiotou
Advanced and SoE Developmental Director of Coaching VA Rush
Program Manager Rush Soccer Grass Roots Developmental Technical Director
VA Rush
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SOE ACADEMY COACHES:
- Honest feedback
- Constructive and positive coaching
- Involve players in their own learning process
- Allow players to make their own decisions
- Know that we will coach the game and not the scoreboard
- Understand that we will not allow the PRESSURE to beat the PLEASURE
- Planned, fast-paced training sessions
- Evaluation of your child’s abilities at U8 and above
- Empower players by giving players ownership
- Develop the Person
GAME SCHEDULE
FALL 2020 SEASON INFORMATION
SEASON BEGINS: September 12, 2020
SEASON ENDS: November 7, 2020
Training will begin Thursday, September 3, 2020. Training location: Virginia Beach Sportsplex Grassfields. We appreciate your patience.
TRAINING SCHEDULE
Mondays U8 Boys and Girls
Sportsplex Back Grass fields 4 &5
5:15-6:15PM
Thursdays U6 and U8 Boys and Girls
Sportsplex Back Grass fields 3, 4 &5
5:15-6:15PM
The SOE Administrator’s whose duties include, but are not limited to, the formation of teams, overseeing field operations, program scheduling, and communications with the SOE program participants. All questions or difficulties concerning team formation or schedules should be directed as follows:
