Welcome to the Rapids!  This is a fun club that promotes sportsmanship, character and excellence in soccer.  First and foremost, we want your child to have fun.  Why?  When a child loves the game, he will work harder to improve, he will practice more and his heart will push him to play hard when his body has long given up.  A child that loves the game will enjoy the sport all of his life.  We never want to hear that a child is “burned out.”  Our coaches definitely work hard to make the kids better, but in such a way that the kids are having fun. 

We promote good sportsmanship.  This involves the parents as well.  We want the parents to be a source of encouragement to the child before, during and after the game.  Referees make mistakes, coaches make mistakes, and yes even the kids make mistakes, but please remember that at the end of the day…it is just a game—a competitive, hard-fought, battle—but a game just the same.  We will not tolerate children disrespecting their coaches or the referees and the same policy applies to parents.  Our coaches will be held to these same standards. 

Character is important to us, as well.  I’ve heard it said that “competition does not shape character; it only reveals it.”  There is truth in that but I’m also convinced that the more often you are put in a competitive situation, the more often you are shown what you need to work on in regards to your character.  It is our goal to develop kids who have a Winston Churchill mentality:  “Never give up, never give up, never give up!!”  We’ve seen it several times in the past season, where our teams have proved their mental toughness and character.  Winning, though, will never be at any expense—rough and tough, yes, but we will always play with class. 

Finally, we want your child to become the best soccer player that he or she can become.  We will provide the tools but the child must want to do the rest.  Our professional coaching and training staff is generally made up of Auburn University at Montgomery coaches and players.  This is some of the best staff in the area.  We have assistant “parent” coaches that sometimes serve as game coaches when the professional coaches are away.  These parent coaches are licensed and know the game of soccer.  This past year we had three players off the U-13 make the boy’s junior varsity at Prattville High School and one make the girls’ varsity program there.  We have players that are in the ODP (Olympic Developmental Program).  We currently have several other players that are on the junior varsity and varsity program at Prattville High School, as well as schools in Montgomery, Auburn and Clanton.  Your child will be assured of quality training and the opportunity to make the most of his soccer career.

This is my special invitation to you and your child to join our club today and begin a lifetime of fun with soccer.

MARK HINDMAN
President, River Region Soccer Club