Is Club Soccer Worth It?
Find Our If Club Soccer Is Worth It for Your Player
Parents have heard time and time again the importance of their children being involved in clubs, sports, and other activities. When a child shows interest in a particular subject, it can be tempting to dive head-first into that activity. However, many parents wonder whether the commitment is worth it. This is especially true when it comes to girls’ soccer. Athletes are expected to be ultra-dedicated and spend lots of time on the field, and it only makes sense that parents want to know for sure that that time is well spent. At NJ Crush Elite Girls Soccer Club, we’re glad to help you decide whether club soccer is worth it for your player. Explore the expectations and benefits of playing girls’ soccer in Bergen County, Essex County and Cedar Grove, NJ.
Make Sure Your Athlete Is Committed
First things first, make sure your prospective athlete is ready to commit to an intensive sport. Players who train with NJ Crush Elite Girls Soccer Club are expected to practice several times a week, especially if they’re placed within one of our more advanced teams. While we cater to many different age groups, we try to instill the same sense of dedication in our younger and older players. If your child is sure they can commit to a team activity, we encourage them to try out for these girls’ soccer teams:
- Goalkeeper Training
- Lil’ Crushers
- Player Pool
- National White
- National
- Academy
- EDP
- ECNL – R
Girls Club Soccer Is Well Worth the Hard Work
Your child is insisting they’re ready for the commitment, but many parents might still wonder if club soccer is really worth it. After all, it takes lots of time that could be spent on schoolwork and chores. However, we ask prospective parents to look at the numerous benefits of playing team sports and getting started young. Not only can joining a soccer team grow a child’s social network, but it can also work wonders for mental health and self-esteem. Check out a few benefits our athletes enjoy:
Make New Friends
Making new friends is likely something that drew your child to playing soccer, and for a good reason! We strive to create a welcoming environment for all athletes and encourage team members to make connections with each other. Many of our players become lifelong friends, even once their time at NJ Crush Elite Girls Soccer Club is over.
Connect With Mentors
Gary Pritchard and Sean Pritchard are our Certified Mental Skills Coaches, and they have many years of experience coaching youth athletes. They lead group sessions that include worksheets, props, stories, visuals, real game experiences, zoom virtual meetings, and in-person events and workshops.
Joining club soccer is a great way to connect your child with mentors they may not have access to at school. Our coaching staff takes their role as mentors seriously and are glad to offer advice when needed. In addition to our coaches, we also offer mentorship from our Certified Mental Coaches Gary and Sean Pritchard. Gary helps our athletes grow in the following traits:
- Mental toughness
- Social skills
- Motivation
- Self-confidence
Learn About Proper Nutrition
Without good nutrition, it’s difficult to be a star on the soccer field. Fortunately, our players have access to our trained nutrition consultant Laura. Laura is always happy to educate children on the best ways to fuel their bodies to succeed at sports. Whether or not your child continues to play soccer in the coming years, they’ll take away important lessons about nutrition.
Balance Mental Health
Registering for a girls’ soccer club is a great way to promote physical and mental health at the same time. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress, lessen anxiety, and improve mood overall. At NJ Crush Elite Girls Soccer Club, we’re proud to offer mental health resources to all our players, including cognitive training from our certified coach.
Master Time Management and Improve Grades
Are you worried your child won’t have time for homework? While adding a club sport will minimize time for schoolwork, it also encourages teens to develop good time management skills. Learning to manage time is a skill that will serve them well even after high school. Moreover, studies show that athletes tend to do better academically. After all, sports require many skills that transfer to the classroom, including:
- Memorization
- Repetition
- Collaboration
- Goal setting
Boost Confidence and Self-Esteem
Confidence and self-esteem are two things many children struggle with. Mental health concerns are popping up in younger and younger kids, and sports are one way to improve issues like anxiety and mood disorders. At NJ Crush Elite Girls Soccer Club, we’re committed to helping our players boost their self-esteem through constructive feedback and plenty of opportunities for player development. Our seasoned coaching staff offers the following supplemental training sessions:
- Ball control
- Passing
- Dribbling
- Heading
- Finishing
- Tactical
- In attack
- In defense
Take Criticism and Manage Disappointment
Taking criticism well is a major life skill necessary in any workplace. Players who participate in sports learn to accept feedback in a constructive way without taking it as an insult. Our coaches ensure that players understand criticism comes from a positive place and isn’t bad—instead, it offers an opportunity to grow. In the same vein, playing club soccer teaches children and teens to manage disappointment. After a big loss, players might feel sad, but they’ll learn to get back on track and continue training to be their best.
Gear Up for the Tryout Process
With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why club soccer is worth the long hours, drives to practice, and bumps along the way. If your child or teen is excited about getting started, we encourage you to register them for tryouts. Players should arrive at their session at least 10 minutes early and come dressed in soccer attire. In addition to proper soccer attire, prospective players should bring the following:
- Shin guards
- Suitable shoes
- A ball
- Water
- Personal medical supplies, like an inhaler
Get in Touch With Our Friendly Staff
Is your athlete ready to join NJ Crush Elite Girls Soccer Club? Feel free to get in touch with our friendly staff. We’d be glad to tell you more about all the ways club soccer is worth the time commitment. We can also walk you through the upcoming season schedule and explain our expectations in more detail.