premier/elite program

Ballistic United Premier and Elite Teams

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The Ballistic United Premier/Elite program is the logical progression from the outstanding Select/Advanced and Rec Programs offered by BUSC and its neighboring clubs. Ballistic United teams are composed of some of the best players and coaches from Pleasanton, it's surrounding communities and Northern California. The coaches, trainers, players and their parents are dedicated to the development of advanced soccer technique and tactics. Good sportsmanship and fun are still a major part of our program focus, however, BUSC Premier/Elite players work hard to achieve the soccer success they have come to expect and enjoy.

Playing for Ballistic United Premier/Elite offers the opportunity to play with and against players of the highest ability and to travel and meet players from other cities throughout California and beyond. Many Ballistic United Premier/Elite players compete for positions on district, state, regional and national Olympic Development teams as well as high school and college teams. Ballistic United Premier/Elite teams play in the CYSA District III or IV playing leagues (Al Caffodio or GSSL playing leagues) and in tournaments throughout California. BUSC is also a US Club Soccer Member and participates in select events that offer additional developmental opportunities for our players and teams. In 2009, our clubs U-9 and U-10 teams participated in the Nor Cal Fall league.

Season

For our U-9 program, trainings begin twice a week in July. We will participate in local jamborees and typically attend 1 "sleepover" tournament in Sonoma Valley. League runs from September through Mid-November. Mid-November through January 1st will be OFF! We will begin optional trainings once a week In January leading up to placements.

For U10 through U15 teams, optional training starts in April. Many of our players choose to participate in the Nor Cal Spring league but it is not mandatory. All teams get serious in July. During the school year, training sessions are usually held 2 to 3 days per week for an hour and a half to two hours. The District III/IV Al Caffodio or GSSL playing league fall season starts in September and goes to mid-November. Premier/Elite tournaments for U11-U19 start in late July and are normally held once a month through February. Premier/Elite jamborees for U10 are scheduled during the same time frame. The playing season ends with the State Cup tournament, which starts in January for U-11 through U-13 and March for U-14 through U-18. Ballistic training sessions cease in mid-November for the winter high school soccer season for U-14 through U-18 with training resuming in mid-February following the conclusion of the High School season.

 

Commitment

The competition is with and against the best. Players selected for a Ballistic United Premier/Elite team must expect to work hard individually at home and at team training sessions to improve their level of play. United teams are for players who want to be challenged to grow in their soccer skills and love of the game. Parents must also devote significant time, effort and energy supporting their player, their team and the club.

 

Placements

Placements for Premier/Elite teams are held in early spring. Players trying out for the Premier/Elite teams must attend as many of the Premier/Elite placements as possible. Teams will be selected and announced within a week of their final placement date.

Professional Coaching

Professional coaching is a major benefit of Ballistic United. Premier coaches are some of the most dedicated, trained and experienced in Northern California. Ballistic United brings the best coaching resources in the East Bay and beyond to the players in our program. The clubs Technical Director of Coaching & Player Development recruits and contracts qualified coaches to work with the players. The Director of Coaching and the Board of Directors of BUSC set coaching fees for the program.

 

Travel

The Al Caffodio and GSSL playing leagues are made up of teams from Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, Newark and Fremont and other local communities. There are usually 10 league games of which half are played in Pleasanton. Nor Cal leagues usually involve other clubs within Northern California as well – teams from Sacramento, Santa Rosa and San Jose are often included. Club Tournaments are held throughout California. The coach and clubs Technical Director of Coaching & Player Development determine the number of tournaments and their locale. Ballistic United philosophy is that quality is better than quantity. Most teams travel to tournaments in Southern California and occasionally out of state. U-11 through U-18 Teams will generally play 30 to 50 games per season.

 

Uniforms

Players on Premier/Elite teams separately purchase higher quality shorts, socks and uniform tops than Rec teams.

 

Cost

With professional coaching, fields, travel and the intensity of the program it costs more to support Premier/Elite players than Select/Advanced or Rec programs. Parents of Premier/Elite players are responsible for covering the additional costs of this coaching, uniforms/equipment and travel. Specifics on cost for the year are available at the competitive placements.

Premier/Elite Program Fees

2013 DIVISION 1 (Premier & Elite) ESTIMATED COST SUMMARY (ALL estimates are subject to change) Type of Cost Cost/Player What does this cover? When Due Program Fee U8 - U18: $300 Program administrative expenses. At team registration meeting. Training Fees U8: $575   U9, U10: $975   U11: $1025   U12: $1,490   U13: $1,490   U14: $1,640**   U14 Pre-academy: $1950**   U15-U18: $1,420 Coach and/or trainer salaries, coach continuing education programs, field expenses, goalkeeper and position specific training and other program specific costs.           **The additional costs of U14 program is due to extra 2 months of training for these age groups.   **The additional costs of the U14 Pre-academy program is due primarily to the extra day of training required and covers training from Mar-13’ to Feb-14’. Additional payments for Mar-14’ to June-14’ will be required at $225 per month. 4 – equal Payments are made over the course of the year. U9-U14 Schedule: 1-Team Meeting 2- June 1st 3- August 1st 4 -October 1st. U15-U18 Schedule: 1 – July 1st 2-September 1st 3 – November 1st U12-U18 Premier & Elite Team Residential Training Camp See details** **In July/Aug there will be a BUSC residential team camp being hosted at Cal State East Bay (3 nights/ 4 days). The costs of the camp (dorms, cafeteria, fields, technical staff) are INCLUDED within your training fees. The camp will be put on by the club’s technical staff in conjunction with the Dutch HoeK Staff and Sheffield Wednesday academy staff. $370 of the programs fees go towards the camp. Not applicable U9,U10, u11 academy Training Camp See details** **The U9, U10, u11 academy programs will participate in a BUSC internally conducted local team camp. It will take place in either July or August. The first $50 of the camp is covered within your training fees; thus, the club will pay the first $50 of the team camp fees. It is anticipated that this will cover the costs of the camp, however, if not, any incremental costs will be passed on to the team. Not applicable Total competitive program Cost Per Player U8: $875   U9, U10: $1,275   U11: $1,325   U12-13: $1,790   U14: $1,940   U14 pre-academy: $2,250   U15-U18: $1,720 These costs are in addition to the club registration fee and club volunteer fee. All Players must be registered with BUSC. See above info   Possible Additional Fees Uniforms $300 New players will need to purchase uniforms, warm up suits, training gear, bag and ball. Upon selection to the team. Jamboree/Tournaments $250 Application fees to jamborees and tournaments. The team will typically play in 3-4 events. Prior to application. NOTE: The above amounts represent averages. Each team’s total fees may vary depending on number of players on the team, number of tournaments entered, outside league play and other team related expenses. Above costs do not include transportation, meals, hotel expenses, and coaching travel costs.