FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Tryouts
What should my child wear and bring at tryouts?
Each player should bring a water bottle and a soccer ball with their name on it. All players should wear shin guards. Also, players should wear proper soccer attire. No metal cleats will be allowed and wearing jewelry is highly discouraged.
Who are the evaluators during tryouts?
Only Breakers coaching staff are involved in evaluating the players during tryouts.
What age should my child tryout for?
All the players are recommended to tryout for their own age group. In some cases, it makes sense for a player to tryout at an older age group.A player cannot tryout at a younger age group.
Who will decide if my child will be playing up?
The coaching staff will discuss with the family the recommendation for the child and with the family will make the proper decision in the best interest of the player.
Will my child receive any feedback from the tryout?
Each family will be notified individually by a Breakers coaching staff (usually the head coach) within 48 hours of the last scheduled tryouts about your child’s placement in the Breakers club. You will have the opportunity to ask him or her questions about your child evaluation.
Is there a cost associated with the attendance of my child at a Breakers tryouts?
No, tryouts are free.
Where are tryouts being held?
Because players in the Breakers club have been coming from different areas of Santa Cruz County and the central coast as well, Breakers tryouts are usually held at a central location in mid-county such as Cabrillo College. Tryouts are held rain or shine. However, it is your responsibility to check the Breakers website before you leave for any last minute change that could occur due to circumstances out of the control of the Breakers organization.
Teams & Training
How many teams do you have at each age group?
We usually form 2 teams at the U9 (some of the players are U8), U10 and U11 age groups. From U12 and up, we usually have one team per age group and gender. Occasionally, we have two teams when the numbers and quality allow us to create them.
How many players do you usually have on each team?
At the U9, U10 and U11 age groups, we can carry 13 players on game day while a team could register 18 players maximum. At the U12 and up, we usually register 18 players per team and 18 are allowed to dress on game day. However, US Club Soccer allows the clubs to register a pool of 26 players per team.
How many seasons do the teams play?
Usually, after tryouts, the teams are formed and training starts in early March. Spring league games start in early April and end in early June. Depending on the age and the level, teams take a summer break (from 2 weeks to 3 weeks). Summer is usually the tournament season and a team can attend up to 3 tournaments at the most until Labor Day weekend. Then, the Fall season starts and ends before Thanksgiving weekend.
Can my child guest play with another Breakers team?
Yes, but only up and not down. However, it needs to be coordinated with the Breakers coaching staff.
Do managers have a say in player movements or coaching decision?
Absolutely not. Only the coach makes coaching decisions.
How much playing time my child will receive?
This is perhaps the most common and sensitive question. At the U12 and below, coaches try to balance the playing time within the roster as much as possible. At the U13 and up the same philosophy applies but it varies depending on the level and competitiveness of the team. However, it is important to focus on the quality of the playing instead of the quantity of the playing time.
How many training sessions does a team have a week?
The younger U9-U12 teams will train 2 times a week and once or twice a month during the Spring and Fall season, they will have one extra training at the Breakers Junior Academy with the directors of the club. The older teams train 3 times a week.
What can I do if my child would like to train more?
The Breakers soccer club also offers private individual training and small group training to complement the team training. It is a valuable option for the player who would like to take their game to the next level.
Does the club offer Goalkeeper (GK) Training?
Yes, the club has a GK Director who trains all the GK’s in the club once a week. Just like the individual training sessions or small group sessions, families can complement the club training session with extra GK sessions with the Breakers GK Director.
Fees, Fundraising & Scholarships
If my child makes the team, what are the costs?
Competitive soccer is more expensive than the recreational soccer opportunities offered by the local clubs during the fall season. With the Breakers Soccer Club players will receive more frequent and higher quality training and game contacts throughout the year with professional coaches. The families can chose a payment plan of their choice, such as a monthly payment plan. The total annual costs of the program are divided into equal monthly payments, March through-February . Families have the option to pay online as well. Please see Fees for current season fees. We are proud to say that the Breakers Soccer Club is one of the least expensive competitive and successful soccer clubs that uses professional coaches in Northern California.
Is the Breakers Uniform Kit included in the price above?
No. Every two years, families of U10 players and above are required to purchase a complete uniform kit that includes home and away jersey, shorts, socks, backpack, warm ups and training T–shirts. All Breakers uniforms are NIKE and all the uniforms come with logos, lettering and numbers. The player’s kit cost roughly $ 300.00. We offer both women’s and men’s sizes.
What are the travel expenses for a competitive team?
Each individual is responsible for its travel costs to training, games and tournaments. The Breakers soccer club highly recommends that families arrange carpooling as much as possible. Travel expenses will vary from team to team based on the number of tournaments attended and the location of the tournament. A few of the older teams may go to an out of state tournament or college showcase. Younger Breakers usually travels within the Bay Area. Most of the Breakers teams go to a maximum of 4 tournaments a year including the Breakers Cup.
Are there hidden costs?
Absolutely not. All families should attend the first parent meeting to clarify any questions related to cost.
Does the Breakers Club organize fundraising activities?
The Breakers soccer club puts an effort in several fundraising events throughout the year to offset club costs and offer more financial aid. Teams are strongly encouraged to have their own fundraising as well to offset other expenses associated with running the team successfully.
Does the Breakers offer Financial Aid?
Yes, Breakers can give financial assistance to qualifying families who wish to play in the club. This help takes the form of club fees. Travel costs, uniform kits and team dues are the responsibility of each individual player.