Being a soccer parent is certainly not easy, being an elite level soccer parent is even tougher. There are great lessons in life to be learned from being involved with the game, but also great sacrifices. Your children are very young to be taking this step and will certainly need your help and guidance. We suggest that you sit with them and read then discuss the player page before you decide to take part in player selection.

As much as we will spend time and energy in educating the players the program will also go to great lengths to educate the parents in the skills and understanding that will be needed to support your child's soccer development. In the past Long Island based programs have been particularly weak in preparing parents for soccer life at the elite level. With our staffs' enormous experience and the support of the LIJSL we hope to provide a consistent support structure to help create great soccer parents as well as players

A thick skin - Everyone thinks justifiably that their child is the world's best. Your child being recognized as potentially one of the best on Long Island will bring with it a great deal of jealousy from others. This needs to faced with understanding, humility and diplomacy.

Supreme dedication - The road to eventual success is long and full of turns and road blocks. You will need extreme dedication to help to support your child to their fullest potential. There are many sacrifices for the family if your child is ultimately successful. For example after age 12 the only holidays you will ever take at Disney will be if the team makes the National Championship there, otherwise its venues such as Columbia, Maryland.

Organization - Juggling an elite players schedule with all of your other families needs is a full time job. This can be a strain on other children who are not involved at the same level. It may led to some jealousy resentment and some tough decisions.

Some character traits that will make it difficult for some to be involved:

Being a "win at all costs" parent - If you have a "win at all costs" mentality. Long Island United is primarily a developmental program. Because of the nature of the development process we do not expect to win a great deal of games or competitions until the players reach the U13 age group. Some people just cannot lose. If so this program is not for you. There are many other programs out there who do sacrifice long term development for short term wins

Pushing your child too hard - If you subscribe to the school that your child needs to train every conceivable spare second, play everyday and during all vacations, attend multiple camps and hit the weight room if it is raining, Long Island United is not for you. Research shows that players treated in this way burn-out at an early age and are far more likely to become disenchanted give up the game and suffer more from career ending injuries.

Thinking only you know best - Long Island United will have the best coaching staff that has ever been gathered together to work with youth soccer players. All will be educated, dedicated and professionally qualified to the highest level. If you are unable to provide them with the freedom to develop your child without continual interference then Long Island United is not for you.

Not understanding there is no "I" in "Team" - An old but very true adage. It is human nature to want to promote and protect your own child. But, the coaching staff do not have that luxury they are responsible for a whole team. What may be perfect for your child may not be best for the team. Being part of an elite team set up is a great deal about trust and sacrifice. If these are not two words that spring quickly to mind when you think about yourselves as parents then this program is probably not for you.

If you have any questions regarding the program please feel free to e-mail them to Questions.