Changing clubs mid-year in NorCal

N

NorCalSoccerFan

BRONZE
I am seeking advice on how best to switch clubs during the Winter break. The current club is a NorCal member club like most clubs in the area. I understand that there are two main ways to go about this: (1) ask permission to tryout in other clubs, or (2) ask to be released from the club.

Has anybody got experience with either of these approaches? What is the best way to proceed?

I looked into NorCal / US Club Soccer policies, and the only part relevant that I found was this:
In accordance with US Club Soccer policy, Clubs will release Players who request their release from the Club.
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(From https://norcalpremier.com/resources/tryout-window/)

Does this mean that if we ask our child to be released, the club must allow it?

Can the current club block my child from changing clubs if the coach/DOC is petty about it?
 
Unfortunately there's no way to provide specific advice without knowing which specific clubs you're talking about. Yes - any club will eventually give you back your player card, even if they'd prefer not to. If push came to shove, a DOC couldn't completely block your kid from going to another club, as eventually NorCal would effectuate the release - as long as the new club hasn't crossed any NorCal lines re: recruiting. But many won't provide any refunds for the rest of the full year. The reasons for leaving and the personal relationship you and your kid have with the coaches and docs involved directly affect whether this is an easy / peaceful switch, or something a bit less cheery.
 
I moved my youngest Daughter Clubs last year during the break. I reached out to the DOC at the club we wanted to move her to, asking if there were possibly any roster spots available for my DDs age group. He in turn reached out to the coach for her age group and got back to me saying there is, but obviously no guarantee and she would essentially have to try out. Before they would let her attend training to be evaluated she would need to be released from her current club.

mind you, I have an older DD playing in college. So I've made connections over the years. This DOC is close to us, so I had no issues reaching out to him directly.

I hadn't planned on moving my youngest so early in her soccer journey. My oldest bounced around to a lot of clubs, and we didn't want to do that with our youngest. unfortunately the situation required action, and I wasn't going to wait any longer. With that in mind, we took the risk knowing if she wasn't given a roster spot at the new club we could be without a club for a few months (they only had one team in the age group), and we were ok if that was the outcome.

So a few things to consider. Are you dead set on her moving to a 1st team only? would you accept a "B" team offer?

To Answer you question lol, yes they have to release her.
 
Nocal said:
I moved my youngest Daughter Clubs last year during the break. I reached out to the DOC at the club we wanted to move her to, asking if there were possibly any roster spots available for my DDs age group. He in turn reached out to the coach for her age group and got back to me saying there is, but obviously no guarantee and she would essentially have to try out. Before they would let her attend training to be evaluated she would need to be released from her current club.

mind you, I have an older DD playing in college. So I've made connections over the years. This DOC is close to us, so I had no issues reaching out to him directly.

I hadn't planned on moving my youngest so early in her soccer journey. My oldest bounced around to a lot of clubs, and we didn't want to do that with our youngest. unfortunately the situation required action, and I wasn't going to wait any longer. With that in mind, we took the risk knowing if she wasn't given a roster spot at the new club we could be without a club for a few months (they only had one team in the age group), and we were ok if that was the outcome.

So a few things to consider. Are you dead set on her moving to a 1st team only? would you accept a "B" team offer?

To Answer you question lol, yes they have to release her.
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Most clubs will release no matter what. This is because eventually they'll want other clubs to release their players and if someone wants to leave your club making them stay only pisses everyone off.
 
RandomSoccerFan said:
Unfortunately there's no way to provide specific advice without knowing which specific clubs you're talking about. Yes - any club will eventually give you back your player card, even if they'd prefer not to. If push came to shove, a DOC couldn't completely block your kid from going to another club, as eventually NorCal would effectuate the release - as long as the new club hasn't crossed any NorCal lines re: recruiting. But many won't provide any refunds for the rest of the full year. The reasons for leaving and the personal relationship you and your kid have with the coaches and docs involved directly affect whether this is an easy / peaceful switch, or something a bit less cheery.
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Do we actually need the player card from my child's current club? Can't the new club just print a new copy?

Good point about the refund. We have accepted that we won't get any refund if we go through this.
 
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