Online Payments for Competitive Soccer

Credit/Debit Card

Online Registration is available through our regular registration system.

The below chart shows the fee breakdown for each age group. The Volunteer fee is one per family and will show on the registration page as a Service fee which is combined with the Credit/Debit fee for paying using this method.

Please fill in ALL the information as you proceed through the on-line process. This information is important to St.Pete Raiders Soccer Club in order to process your child’s registration in a timely and accurate manner for FYSA, and is an important communication link to all members of our club as well.

Please also update any household(email) info that is wrong.

To complete your Club Registration with payment Click this Link

Comparing Competitive Soccer to Recreational Soccer

Ever wonder what the difference is between Competitive and Recreational soccer? This article tells you the basic differences between the two.

Competitive Soccer is also known as "Club Soccer" or...

St. Pete Raiders Competitive Program

2024-25 Season Information

ST PETE RAIDERS
COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
INFORMATION SHEET
2024-2025 SEASON

Questions? Email Mike Winsor at raidersdirops@gmail.com

Welcome to St Pete Raiders Soccer Club and thank you for your interest in our Competitive program. Established in 1970 as “Northeast Raiders,” we have a long, celebrated history. Our local club currently consists of 20+ teams in St. Pete and an additional 20+ teams in Tampa all of which are competing within the U8 through U19 girls and boys age divisions. Our teams compete in the United Soccer Association (USA) the Florida Club League (FCL) the National Premier League (NPL) and the Florida State Premier League (FSPL).

Our competitive program is centrally managed to ensure professionalism and accountability from our coaches and to provide the best all-around soccer experience for our players. Our CEO and Director of Coaching, Tony Paris, has led our club for more than 20 years and holds the distinguished “UEFA A” license, said to be the highest credential in the world.

All our teams are coached by coaches that are either USSF, NSCAA-licensed or who have collegiate, and in many cases, professional soccer playing and coaching experience. To ensure that our players receive a consistently high level of training, we encourage all our coaches to continue their coaching education so that they stay current with new techniques and developments. Coaches are evaluated at least annually based on FYSA/USYSA/US Club standards for youth play.

Starting at the U8 age level, our program's primary focus is on player development cultivated in a competitive, team-oriented, fun environment. Players are taught technical proficiency at the younger ages so they will be able to thrive in the sport as they move to the competitive level. As our players grow and mature, their technical skills continue to be refined; however, the training concentration gradually shifts to the more tactical aspects of the game. At all levels, we also strive to achieve an atmosphere that promotes and nurtures leadership skills, sportsmanship, teamwork and a general love for the “beautiful game.”

FEES FOR 2024-2025
Club Fees
Cover overhead expenses at the organizational level, such as registration fees, referee fees, field rental, utilities, administrative expenses and staffing costs.

Volunteer Fees
Can be refunded upon completion of at least 5 volunteer hours for the club. The $150-per-family fee will be collected at registration.

Coach’s Fees
Vary by team, ranging from $300 to $800 per seasonal year. Coaching fees are paid directly to your coach. The coach will determine the payment schedule. Any questions or concerns with your coaching fees should be directed solely to your teams coach or team manager.

Team Fees
Cover tournament costs and other team-level expenses. They vary based on the events that the team chooses to participate in. The team manager should be able to supply an estimate for the season.

Uniform Costs
Uniforms cost are approx. $255.00 and are good for two full seasons (2024-2025 & 2025-2026). Uniforms are ordered online from the soccer.com by each family. Families are encouraged to size the uniform so that it will last for two full seasons. Players will have required uniform pieces that include two game jersey's (one red & one sky blue), one pair of game shorts (navy blue) and two pairs of game socks (one red & one navy blue). At least one full training uniform is also required but we encourage you to order two if possible. (gray jersey, navy blue shorts & navy blue socks). Note the same navy blue shorts and socks are used for both games and practices.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the time commitment for competitive soccer?
As you can see from the details outlined in this pamphlet, competitive soccer demands a fairly large time commitment since our soccer year extends from August through May, a 9/10-month calendar. Players should not enter a competitive soccer program without the expectation of attending at least 80% of practices and 95% of games. Competitive soccer does not usually interfere with afters school activities; however, occasional evening games on school nights do occur, as do multi-game weekends. Our club supports all efforts and communications by FYSA and the US Youth Soccer to caution against the over-scheduling of young athletes. In addition, our club requires every family on each competitive team to complete 5 volunteer hours, including service at our home tournaments. We also need one volunteer per team to serve on our events committee.

Is club soccer expensive?
We feel our fees are very reasonable and still offer an excellent level of training and competition that matches and even exceeds other clubs in the area. To help offset the costs, individual families will have numerous opportunities to conduct fundraising efforts and help cover their expenses.

What kinds of fundraising opportunities are available?
Teams may participate in several fundraising opportunities such as tournament ad sales, local sponsorships, etc.

How are competitive teams formed?
Our club conducts open tryouts or ID Selection Sessions following a process recommended by US Youth Soccer and Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA). To help ensure accurate, objective player ratings, our professional coaches, along with an independent evaluator, conduct every age group’s tryout.

Should I insist my child try out for a competitive team?
No. Competitive soccer, and club sports in general, is best suited for aggressive, athletically minded children who thrive on competition. Most children playing Recreational soccer are aware of the Competitive program by the end of their second grade year. Because of the time commitment on the part of the players, we encourage parents to let their children decide whether to try out.

What’s the Best of the Bay tournament?
Annually, our club hosts the Best of the Bay tournament. All of our U9 thru U15 teams participate in the tournament, and player parents are required to serve as volunteers. This tournament generates income for the club to use toward capital improvements for the Puryear Park soccer facilities, club-owned equipment and various expenses deemed necessary by our board of directors.

Is the St Pete Raiders Soccer Club run by the City of St. Petersburg?
No. Our club uses public fields while operating in partnership with the city of St Pete. Field use policy and other strategic decisions are made in collaboration with the City. The volunteers on the club’s board of directors primarily manage our Club’s operations.

How far will I have to “travel”?
Most of our teams’ league games take them around the greater Tampa Bay area, with an occasional game to places farther afield.

TryOut Questions to Consider

Before making a decision on where you should play, you need to look at the following, and then make an informed decision:

Who will be the Head coach of the team you will play for?
What are the coach’s qualifications? His/Her objectives?
What are the coach’s philosophies?
Does the Coach have tenure with the club soccer program?
What experience does the coach possess?
Are they looking to develop?
Is it win at all costs (The quick fix)
Who is the DOC of the club and what are his qualifications?
Clubs goals and objectives?
The infrastructure of the club

What does the club offer by way of further opportunities?

Free Training with professional coaches?
Camps?
College referral?
Overseas Travel?
Mentorship?
Extra training opportunities

What qualification does the coach possess?

Is the coach successful?
Are they renowned for player development?
Do they possess good training abilities
Do you feel this coach can get the best out of you and help you develop? \Do you want to play for this coach?
Does the coach shout loudly from the side line thus unnerving you?
Is the coach a positive force or a negative one?
Does the coach understand your psychology?

Life After the Academy

So, your child has completed 2 years of Academy training and is now ready for the cut and thrust of competitive soccer, so how does this differ from what your child has experienced and what can you expect?

The same high standard of coaching will still be evident. A new coach will be in place and will be able to take over where the Academy coaches left off. This change is important as it’s a proven fact that both players and coaches can stagnate when together for too long. Also we have coaches in place whose expertise is at this age bracket.

Team play will become more evident as we move from 7 aside to 9 aside, although the technical side of the game will still be the Coaches priority on training nights. A possible 3^rd night of training could be an expectation as there is a great deal to cover as we move forward.

Game days

This will differ from what you have been used to in the Academy format. Teams will play just one game, which will last 60 minutes, divided into two 30 minute halves. Scores and standings will now be a factor, however still a small one.

The emphasis is still on development. It’s not possible to Coach to both win and develop, winning will come later. Most games will be in and around the Tampa Bay area and within an easy 30-45 minute drive.

You will now see 3 officials which, will consist of one center Referee and two Referee assistants. The Offside rule will now be implemented, which changes the way the game works. This rule is greatly misunderstood by many. It is suggested that reading a Rule book might be advisable to give a better understanding of how it works.

Tournaments

These become more prevalent at this age and are normally hosted at local clubs over a weekend. Most teams will enter at Least two Tournaments throughout the season to give players the club experience. You could expect 2 games on a Saturday and one on a Sunday. If successful in the preliminaries a final game is played later on Sunday. Trophies and medals are a part of these events.

Costs

The fee to participate at U-11s does go up in cost. You will incur, as you did in the Academy, both club and training fees. Club fees are normally paid in three installments; with training fees paid on a monthly basis during the course of pre season and culminating at the end of the season.

To summarize

Although your child is playing “club soccer” keeping things in perspective is absolutely vital. Reducing the pressure of performing and keeping the game “fun” is vital if they are to mature in to complete soccer players. Burnout is at 75% at the ages of 12 and up, so keep it fun for your child and things in perspective, this will make for a wholesome and positive experience throughout their club tenure.

Tony Paris
Executive Director

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE Much

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Much has been written about College scholarships and how to acquire one. Well, I want to put my perspective on this topic and clarify my thoughts.

As we move towards the end of the season for many, the thoughts of Tryouts are on the lips of everyone, with players and parent alike being promised all sorts of things to try something new?

My first thought is to beware of Club Coaches that promise the world and guarantee College scholarships to players that either play for them or are looking to jump ship for this very reason. I want to make it absolutely clear that no club coach can promise this? So, Buyer beware!

In some situations players do get a scholarship, but where to? Perhaps to D1 schools that are not soccer power houses and tucked away in the middle of nowhere! Perhaps it’s better to consider a top quality D2 school in these situations, in a strong conference and a chance to play for a national championship! Remember playing time is important so go to a school where this is a possibility.

The lure of playing for club with aspirations of a State cup Championship always seems attractive to players who are looking to play at Collegiate level. However this can be a fallacy for these very reasons.

As en Ex- College coach of 10 years I can assure you that State Cup teams did not impress me, I was never interested in teams and results, but players and the coach that coached them. I will quantify that statement. Did the coach prepare the individual for College and the demands that are put on players over that 4 year period? Or was it just team driven with no value on the individual? Did they instill the core values that are so important to make it at the next level? There is a marked difference between the two, coaching to win and coaching to develop are two different things. There one thing getting a player to College and then graduating?

As we see 75% of players from the age of 12 and up leaving the game we need to be sensitive to burnout and overzealous coaching.

We are in an enviable position as we continue to grow and have other clubs in the Tampa Bay area wanting to join a winning team and coach with a winning formula! There are no shortcuts to success, so you need to entrust your child’s future to a club that has professional expertise with people that have played and coached at the professional level, with the highest licensure in the world of soccer! But above all a club that holds integrity above all else with no compromise.

Rules and Regulations:

On a final note:

Nothing feels better than being told by a coach from another club you are good player and that you should wear the colors of their club... Of course this is a sales pitch.

If these approaches are made before tryouts is an infringement of FYSA poaching rules and highly illegal. Please be sure to let me know if this happens to you, as they might not value the rules, however we do and take this extremely serious as the playing field needs to be equal if we are to succeed.

So, on that note I look forward to seeing you all at St. Pete Raiders Tryouts.

Sincerely,

Tony Paris
Executive Director
St. Pete Raiders