We are happy to announce GTFC Club tryouts for our local teams on the Springfield Campus.  Tryout details are as follows:

Date: 6/10
Time: 5:15 PM - 6:45 PM
Location: Homecoming Park
Registration: https://greatertoledofc.demosphere-secure.com/_registration
Years: 2015-2007, Boys & Girls

Tryouts are free, and registration is mandatory to attend.  When registering, make sure to choose the Springfield Campus on the screen with the player information.  I would be happy to answer any questions you have at bates.e@greatertoledofc.org, or you can contact our Director of Coaching, Michael Albert, at albert.m@greatertoledofc.org.  More information on GTFC is at https://www.greatertoledofc.org/.

Below are a few common questions and answers about Club soccer.

Why Club vs. Rec
Club soccer is considered the competitive side of soccer, where players will face more difficult competition, which in turn will help them to become better players. Players are trained by licensed and experienced coaches, using GTFC's proven curriculum. More information on the Club's philosophy is available at https://www.greatertoledofc.org/about-us/philosophy.

What are the time commitments?
For our younger teams, the time commitment is not much more than Rec soccer. We typically train two nights a week, from anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 ½ hours (depending on age). So, one extra hour a week. There are typically 8-10 games a season, roughly spread over the same period as our Rec seasons. In addition to that, players will train over the winter two nights a week.

Where do we play?
All outdoor training sessions and home games are played at Homecoming Park in Springfield Township, which is also the home of SFC Rec soccer.

Where do we travel?
Most away games are within twenty minutes of the community (Oregon, Perrysburg, Maumee). Some games will be within the larger league footprint of Northwest Ohio. As players get older they will also participate in tournaments each season, but this is typically after the 4v4 years.

Can my child still play Rec?
Yes! The more touches they can get on the ball, the better! Especially in 4v4 and even into 7v7. As your player’s skill level increases, this question may be revisited in order to ensure fair play on the Rec fields.

When is the right time to join?
The 4v4 years are crucial to players. It is in these years that a lot of focus is on a player's fundamentals, which involves a lot of individual work with the ball. These are the years where players build their muscle memory in regards to fundamentals, foot skills, etc. As they move into 7v7 and beyond, more focus is placed on the tactical part of the game. However, if a player has a passion for the game and is willing to learn, it is never too late to join.

Thanks, and I hope you consider joining our GTFC family here in Springfield Township!

Erik Bates

GTFC Springfield Campus Contact
President-Elect, SFC Board of Directors
GTFC Staff Coach