Website Manager

Southeast Soccer Academy

Southeast Soccer Academy

Select FAQ's

Q: What is “competitive” soccer?
A: Quite simply, it means players are selected for teams via tryouts rather than assigned to teams based on where they live, as is done in recreational soccer. The terms “select,” “competitive” and “competitive soccer” are used interchangeably. In Iowa, competitive soccer teams can be formed beginning at the U11-age group.

Q: Who should try out for a competitive soccer team?
A: Kids who really love to play soccer and want to learn to play at a more advanced level are good candidates for competitive soccer. Competitive soccer is for the player who wants professional instruction and who wants to be in a more competitive environment with other players who share the similar commitment levels and performance goals. Kids that participate in competitive soccer programs tend to be those that want to play for their high schools and even possibly in college. On the other hand, kids should not consider attending tryouts for a competitive team simply because some of their friends are, or because they feel that they “have” to try out for competitive soccer to keep playing at U11 and older; WDMSC also has an excellent recreational soccer program for youth from U11 through U18 which allows us to support the needs of players at all age and ability levels.

Q: What will the Club do to develop my child as a player?
A: WDMSC has adopted a long-term player development (LTPD) model that focuses on providing players with the opportunity to play and develop to a level they desire to commit to. One aspect of our LTPD model focuses on adopting a player centered and ‘process’ orientated philosophy that places greater emphasis on the developmental ‘process’ rather than just the ‘outcome’ (or ‘winning’). We believe that ‘winning’ is a natural byproduct of focusing on the development of a sound technical, tactical, physical and psychological skill base. Gareth Smith, our Director of Coaching, has implemented a player development model that provides a framework for planning and training for optimal performance in each distinct stage of player development.

Q: Who will be coaching my child?
A: A competitive soccer program cannot be successful without quality coaching and WDMSC takes great pride in the coaches that work with us full-time and part-time. The WDMSC is fortunate to have a highly skilled staff of over 20 professional coaches, nearly all of whom have completed the licensing requirements of the United States Soccer Federation or other national soccer education organizations. Collectively, our staff has over 120 years of coaching experience with 85 years of service to the West Des Moines Soccer Club. These statistics represent a dedication to the sport, player development, and loyalty to the club. Completing these advanced licenses requires weeks of training and study. Our coaching staff report to Gareth Smith, our Director of Coaching, who currently holds a Masters Degree: Physical Education, Health and Recreation. In his professional coaching career he holds a USSF ‘A’ license, UEFA License, USSF National Goalkeeping license, US and Scottish F.A. National Youth License. The coaching staff at WDMSC has coaching experience at Club, College, State/Regional ODP, and Youth National team level. Nearly all of our competitive teams have two coaches assigned to them, who, in turn, divide the training and coaching responsibilities between themselves.

Q: Does the WDMSC use parent coaches?
A: The WDMSC do not use parent coaches for our competitive teams. Although this is the approach taken by some other local clubs and there are pros and cons to each approach, we feel that providing professional coaching will help to provide facilitate player development and maximize each opportunity reach their full potential.

Q: When are the tryouts for competitive teams?
A: U11 players are offered the opportunity to try out at three different 1- to 2-hour sessions (see the tryout schedule for details). We recommend that players attend as many of these tryouts as possible to allow them the best opportunity to show their skills – we realize that not everyone has a ‘great’ day every day.

Q: What happens during the tryouts?
A: Upon arrival, players will be checked in and presented with a numbered club t-shirt that specifically identifies each player. Players are then placed into game related activities to allow the WDMSC coaching staff to assess them (Player Evaluation Form) on the four main components of the game. The areas evaluated include: 
• Technical: passing, dribbling, shooting and first touch
• Tactical: decision making, vision, game awareness and positional sense
• Physical: Speed, agility, strength, endurance and power
• Psychological: attitude, coach-ability, confidence, competitive 
Players will be placed in game related 1v1, 2v2, 4 v 4, 8 v 8 and 11 v 11 situations (for the relevant age groups) allowing lots of touches on the ball for the players and lots of opportunities to be observed in game related activities. Goalkeepers will be included. Tryouts are run by the WDMSC professional coaching staff, and they are sometimes assisted by other local professional coaches. 

Q: What if my child cannot attend tryouts? 
A: If for some reason a player cannot attend any or all of the tryouts for his or her age group, it may be possible to attend tryouts for another age group (however, a younger player will not be trying out against older players). Call Gareth Smith to make such an accommodation.

Q: When are offers for competitive teams made?
A: Offers for all U11-U13 and U14-U19 competitive teams in the Des Moines Metro area, as outlined by the Iowa Premier Soccer League, are made on June 16 and June 26 respectively. Offer letters will be mailed for delivery on the appropriate date. Teams are formed within a few days and usually begin practicing in early August.

Q: How many U11 teams will be formed?
A: It is the Club’s intention to field at least two U11 coed and two U11 girls’ teams this year, each with a roster of 12-14 players. The number of teams formed and the makeup of these teams will depend on the number and level of ability of players who try out, the number of players who accept offers, and their capabilities.

Q: How many practices are there per week?
A: U11 teams will have three practices per week, with a goal of having all players attend at least two of these practices. Practices usually last 1.5 hours. Practices are usually held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. During some practices, all U11 boys (or girls) will practice together, while in others they will practice with their respective teams.

Q: How many league games will teams play per season?
A: Each season (spring and fall) will usually consist of eight to ten league games; 1-2 per week, usually on weekends and this is dependent on the number of blackout dates your coaches requests. In the spring, the season runs from the first week of April to the first week of June; in the fall, the season runs from the last week of August to the first week of November. Our select teams play in the Iowa Premier Soccer League (IPSL) and U11-U12 league games will be played against other Des Moines area competitive teams (Urbandale, Waukee, Johnston, Ames, and Menace). At U13 and above, our teams play against other competitive teams from around the state, with half of the games played in the Des Moines area and half played in other cities (usually either Iowa City or Cedar Rapids). When traveling to cites, teams usually play two games in a single day. The U13 and above teams may also play in other leagues – the Nebraska Soccer league in Omaha and state champion and runner-up teams are eligible to play in the Midwest League against other state finalists from surrounding states.

Q: How many tournaments will teams play in and how much travel is involved?
A: At U11-12, travel is limited. Teams will typically play in 2-3 tournaments per season, two of which are located in the Des Moines area and one that is located elsewhere in the state (Cedar Rapids, Iowa City). League games for U11-12 are played in the Des Moines area. As teams get older, they will travel increasingly to play quality competition, but nearly all of this travel (with the exception of high-school-age teams) involves driving trips to sites in the Midwest. Chicago, Omaha, Minneapolis, Kansas City are examples of the cities our U13 & above teams have traveled to in the past year. While traveling to a soccer tournament is not exactly a vacation, it is a unique opportunity to spend time with your child.

Q: What about playing time?
A: In league games at U11-U14, Club philosophy is that all players will receive a minimum of a third of each game with the goal of getting them to play as much as possible. This will also usually be the case during tournament pool play. However, players may not receive exactly equal amounts of time in any one game. In the semifinals or finals of tournaments, coaches may adjust lineups such that some players play more or less than others. As teams progress in age, playing time will be increasingly determined by the coaches with a goal of fielding the players who have worked to earn more play time.

Q: Where are practices and games held?
A: All practices and games are held at our club-owned Hidden Valley Soccer Complex, located just east of Walnut Woods State Park. Hidden Valley Soccer Complex is generally regarded as the highest quality Club-owned facility in the Des Moines metro and one of the best in the region.

Q: What happens during the winter?
A: Typically, teams will take some time off in November/December and then begin training indoors one-two times per week. Players may also elect to play in an indoor soccer league sponsored by the club; this usually involves playing one game per week. The club also offers speed and agility training programs. Outdoor practice sessions begin again in March, depending on weather.

Q: Is it possible to play other sports/activities while participating in competitive soccer?
A: Absolutely! Most of our players at all age levels participate in multiple sports and many other activities – even at high school age. The club does not have a goal of turning kids into “soccer-only players.” However, as children increase in age, it does become increasingly difficult to play multiple competitive sports with overlapping seasons. 

Q: What does it cost to participate in competitive soccer at WDMSC?
A: The costs to participate in the competitive soccer program at the WDMSC are similar to those of other competitive programs in the Des Moines metro area. There are four different components of cost:

A: Annual competitive fees (2013-2014) - $1,145 per year for U11-14, $895 for U15 & above. These fees pay for coaching, facilities upkeep and improvements, league fees and some Club overhead. This cost is paid to the Club. Payments plans and scholarship are available.

Uniforms – approximately $150 initially. Uniforms will be changed every two to three years and players may need to purchase larger uniform components more frequently depending on growth rate. The Club is conscious of this expense and makes every effort to ensure that uniform changes are done as infrequently as possible to limit the expense.

Tournament fees – approximately $100-$120 per season. Participating in a tournament  is funded directly by the team, and in some cases is covered by team-run fundraising activities. Travel costs – depends on number and location of tournaments played. Obviously, there are no travels costs associated with the local tournaments our teams play in. Traveling to an out-of- town tournament will cost a family between $150-$300 for two nights of hotel stay, plus gas and food. On most teams, especially as they get older, it is common for parents to take turns as chaperones, having some kids travel and room with other players and parents.

Q: Are scholarships available?
A : Scholarships and payment plans are available. Contact Heather Ramsey, WDMSC Administrator at [email protected] or 222-0079 for more information.

Q: Who plays for WDMSC competitive teams?
A: The majority of players on most WDMSC teams come from the communities within the West Des Moines school district, with the balance coming from surrounding communities. Over the years WDMSC has been fortunate in that we also attract players from various surrounding communities. Most of our players got their start in soccer in the WDMSC recreational program, or participating in our camps or clinics.

Q: How does West Des Moines Soccer Club compare to other competitive soccer programs?
A: We recommend measuring the success of a competitive soccer program based on the individual accomplishments of our players and the success of our teams. WDMSC competitive team players are consistently starters for their respective high school teams and top college programs. In the past five years, WDMSC competitive teams have won a total of 30 state championships and 14 runner-up awards. – the most of any club in the state of Iowa and by far the most of any metro-Des Moines area club WDMSC teams are consistently competitive in tournament play throughout the Midwest.

WDMSC is very well represented in the Iowa Olympic Development Program (ODP), with over 60 players selected to participate at the state level, and several at the regional level. ODP is a national program that identifies players at the state, regional and national levels at ages 13-18. Recently, Cole Poppen and Jordan Lucas were recently selected for the Region II U14 Boys ODP team. In addition, Whitney Sharpe was named to the U.S. National U-15 women’s’ team pool; Nikki Thaden, sister of Michael Thaden currently playing at Drake University, was named to the U21 National team; and Jordan Lucas was recently selected for the U-14B U.S. National I.D. Camp. At present, over 50 former WDMSC players are playing or have committed to play collegiate soccer – several at the Division I level.

Q: Is my child covered (insurance) if they get injured?
A:  Yes, if your son or daughter is injured while playing soccer, the clubs have secondary insurance (through Iowa Soccer Association) that will cover what their primary insurance does not (minus a $500 deductible). For serious injuries this can be a significant amount. For example, if you experience a torn ACL and go through surgery and rehab it can cost as much as $27,500 in billed expenses for everything (surgery, medication, physical therapy, etc.)  Of that portion, families often have to pay a certain amount.  Our members have secondary insurance  via the Iowa Soccer Association?”  Click here on this link and fill out a form. Please note you have a 15 month window to report the injury.

Copyright © 2024 Southeast Soccer Academy  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Log In