PREMIER

HANDBOOK

CLUB INTRODUCTION

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

Welcome to Global Premier Soccer

Global Premier Soccer (GPS) is one of the biggest soccer organizations in the United States, currently operating in 11
states across the country. GPS is the official North American Partner of FC Bayern Munich. FC Bayern Munich is one
of the biggest clubs in world soccer and has a proven track record of developing world-class players and competing in
the highest echelons of world football.

Who We Are
The mission of Global Premier Soccer is to be a leader in the development and growth of soccer
across North America and beyond. We will establish an identity of excellence as we pursue our pathway
to success on and off the field, with our primary focus being the development of players and people.
We will develop players who can compete at the highest level of soccer throughout the world.

What We Do
The Player Development Pathway below shows the GPS structure and how players progress through the Club:

Why We Are Different

At GPS we pride ourselves on our professionalism, the care we show to our players and our families, and the
respect afforded to each and every player who enters the GPS program. We want each player to enjoy their time
with the club, be challenged in a positive coaching environment and improve themselves as players and people as
they move through the different stages of their development with us.

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

GPS Premier Program: Introduction

The GPS Premier Program (13-18yr olds) is a year-round program that provides a positive and
challenging training environment and competitive calendar of games, where the emphasis is placed squarely on
player development over results. Our focus will be on delivering an appropriate diet of soccer for each and every
player that incorporates the Technical, Tactical, Physical and Psychological aspects of the game that are appropriate
for these age groups.

The GPS Premier Program is for any player that:

Is passionate about the game of soccer.
Has a strong work ethic.
Wants to improve.
Players will be expected to make a commitment to the club in order to gain the most benefit from the training and
game environment.
The GPS coaching staff are trained to work with our younger players and focus on the pursuit of excellence. We
want them to be coaches of positive significance in our young players lives and we expect the coaching staff to inspire and
motivate in an atmosphere of respect and honesty versus fear and intimidation. At the Premier stage our coaching staff will be
energetic and approachable, patient yet enthusiastic, and will help players to start to think for themselves on and off the field. We
must never forget that players at this age range are still young children we need to nurture them and support them and understand that not everyone will develop at the same rate. Success is achieved through building good habits and the earlier players
develop positive habits on and off the field the more success they will achieve.
Each tier of the GPS Premier Program operates a player pool system. The player pool system will provide our coaching staff the opportunity to move players throughout the year to maximize player development opportunities for the players. Players are placed
on ability, attitude and commitment to the game and what GPS think is best for the players development. At the Junior level, our
coaches will measure success by the difference they have made in the progress of the young players with whom they work.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

GPS Premier Program

U13U18
Teams play 11v11. GPS has a style and system of play that is followed across the club.
Teams will train twice a week in fall, spring and summer and second part of winter. Teams will train three times in first part of
winter (winter A).
Training locations will be as geographically convenient as possible for our families.
Games are typically played on weekends with some exceptions .
Typically teams will play more than 20 games per season.
Typically teams will also participate in several tournaments year round based on age and level of play.
Players will have access to the GPS College Placement Program that will include a new relationship with SportSource for all GPS
players .

BAYERN NATIONAL
TEAM PROGRAM

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

GPS FC Bayern National Team Program

The GPS FC Bayern National Team program is for players within the GPS organization who have excelled in their own
regional environment. Players should exhibit exemplary work ethic, commitment and
have an excellent technical and tactical base.
The GPS FC Bayern National Team Program will identify players, boys and girls,
from U10-15 and will be comprised of a training and game component that will
be specific for each age range. Players will be invited to attend a GPS FC
Bayern National Training Center event and from there players can be selected
to play in the GPS FC Bayern National Team.
The program is split into GPS National Team Program North that will
encompass the NE States, NY and NJ and a GPS National Team
Program South that will encompass Florida, North and South
Carolina and Georgia. There will be certain select events throughout
the year where the players from North and South will come
together as the GPS FC Bayern National Team to attend a high
profile event. These teams will compete at prestigious events
ranging from Showcases to International events such as the
Dallas Cup and Milk Cup in Ireland.

FC Bayern Programming
FC Bayern Identification Program
The FC Bayern ID program is run in all GPS states and FC Bayern affiliate clubs offering U11 & U12 players the
opportunity to mirror the coaching and curriculum that FC Bayern Junior Team players experience in Munich. The ID
program aims to identify talented players across the US with the potential to become future FC Bayern players. The ID
program will run in the Fall and Spring season each year with the end goal to be identified and selected to attend the
National ID Program Residential Camp each Summer. FC Bayern Junior Team staff will then identify the best quality
players and invite them to Munich, Germany on trial to practice and play with the Junior Team at Sabener-Strasse.
FC Bayern Residential Camp
The FC Bayern Summer Residential Camp will run from June 28th- July 2nd 2015 at the University of New England,
Maine. The camp will include an open group for players aged 10-17 and an invitation only FC Bayern ID Program
Residential camp for those selected from the regional ID program training centers across the country.
FC Bayern Clinics
FC Bayern Junior Team staff from Munich will be in the US each session. During their time here they will run day
camps and clinics within the GPS states exclusively for our players.
GPS FC Bayern Munich Tour
Each Summer GPS will send teams to Munich, Germany where they will have the opportunity to play against FC
Bayern Junior teams, practice at Sabener-Strasse, the training complex of FCB, tour the Allianz Arena, home of FC
Bayern and be coached by FC Bayern Junior Team staff.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

Organization and Communication

Each Premier team will have the following organizational structure:
Head Coach  

Responsible for all soccer specifics, team calendar and training and for communicating
effectively with each and every family.

Parent Coordinator (PC) 

Responsible for communication of all team logistics and provides administrative

support to the Head Coach. Has no input on any soccer specific matters.

Director of Coaching

Responsible for oversight of all team matters within their region.

Premier Team Director

Responsible for oversight of regional DOCs and all soccer matters across the State.

GPS-NY Halfmoon Premier Director

Craig Thomas

cthomas@globalpremiersoccer.com

GPS-NY Halfmoon Director of Coaching

Darren Mills

dmills@globalpremiersoccer.com

GPS has implemented a program from a communication perspective called the C.A.R.E initiative.
C Communication
A Accountability
R Respect
E
Exceed Expectations
Head Coaches are expected to communicate effectively with each and every player and family throughout the season
so that there is always clarity in the decision-making process and organization if any last minute changes should arise.
Head coaches will be communicating regularly with parents and players on the team. The protocol will be:
Preseason meeting. Needs to be attended by players and at least one parent.
Monday game report on the weekends game and the plan for the coming week delivered via the First Touch App
(either by Voicemail or written email).
Regular communication with players at training and after games.
End of season Player evaluation.
Players should be clear on the areas that they do well and on areas were improvement is needed there should be
no surprises at the end of year evaluation. If a parent wishes to discuss a soccer question with the Head Coach, they
should set up a specific time to call or meet with the Head Coach in person. It is against club policy for a parent to
approach a Head Coach directly after a game.

PROGRAM CALENDAR

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NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

GPS Premier Calendar 2015/16 Season

Fall 2015: September - October
Season Start Date:
September 2015
Season End Date:
October 2015
Events Per Week:
1 x 90 minute training sessions per week
Tournament Play:
N/A
Team Camps: N/A
Winter A 2015: November - December
Season Start Date:
Winter Break:
Events Per Week:
Tournament Play:

November 2015
December 2016
2 x 90 minute training sessions per week
TBD

Winter B 2016: January - March

Season Start Date:
Winter Break:
Events Per Week:
Tournament Play:

January 2016
March 2016
3 x 90 minute training sessions per week
TBD

Spring and Summer 2016: April - June

Season Start Date:
Season End Date:
Events Per Week:

Tournament Play:
Team Camps:

April 2016
June 2016
2 x 90 minute training sessions per week
TBD
Premier Camp (TBD)

Additional Events
Please note Teams will compete in variety of additional tournaments throughout the year. There will be a tournament fee that
covers the extra events/tournaments outside of the calendar above.

PROGRAM FEES

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

GPS Premier Fees

Payment

Cost

Deadline

$799

1st July 2015

$500

1st November 2015

Tournament Fee

$TBD

1st February 2016

$500

1st March 2016

Fees Include

August Pre-Season Day Camp

State Cup
Fall/Winter/Spring and Summer Training and Games
1 Free Tournament
Coaching Services
Facility

Tournament Fees
Over the course of the year some teams may enter extra tournaments, which will incur an additional cost, which will be represented in the tournament fee. The only time GPS will adjust a tournament fee is when it is the coachs decision to leave a player out of
a tournament squad. Should a player choose not to go then they are still responsible to pay, as GPS base these fees on full participation. The tournament fee, if applicable, will be due on February 1st, 2016 with further information to be communicated at the
end of the fall season.
Payment 1 must be paid prior to August 1st to secure a roster spot for the season.
Fees are collected in advance due to many of our expenses associated with the Junior Program being
payable in advance.
GPS operates a strict No Refund Policy, except in the case of a season-ending injury.
Payment Plans and Financial Aid are provided on a demonstrated-need basis. Financial Aid and Payment Plan requests must be
submitted and agreed upon in advance of payment deadlines. Note that for 2015/16, all families receiving Financial Aid will be
required to provide support to GPS in an area of their choice as documented in the Scholarship Handbook. If you are provided
with Financial Aid, families will be automatically placed on a monthly payment plan to be charged on the 1st of each month. All
Financial Aid applications should be sent to the Premier Director Craig Thomas, by the deadlines noted below.
Returning Players need to have their Financial Aid forms in by August 3rd, 2015.
New Players need to have their Financial Aid forms in by August 3rd, 2015.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER

GPS Premier: Registration

Congratulations on being accepted to the GPS Premier Program! This page will guide you through the
registration process, which MUST be completed to confirm your roster spot.
Step 1 Please click on the registration link provided in your acceptance email, this will take you through to GotSoccer.
If you have a current GotSoccer account, please enter your username and password. If you do not have an
account with GotSoccer, please create one that can be used moving forward. This is a mandatory phase of
registration.
Step 2 Please complete the questions regarding player and family contact information and any additional questions.
Step 3 Please choose your payment option which will be one of the following:

Pay Tuition in Full: Payment to be made in full via either cheque or GotSoccer.com.

Automatic Payment Plan: Your credit card will automatically be charged at the pre-determined payment dates.
In our efforts to continue to provide exemplary soccer training to your child, we will continue to work diligently with you by sending periodic
notifications about your payment status. If your account becomes delinquent after a 14-day grace period, we reserve the right to apply late fees
to your account. If we are required to charge your GotSoccer account there will be a $25.00 admin fee and $50.00 late fee attributed to your
payment. In the event of an unprocessed or returned payment, any charges incurred by GPS will be added to your account.

At this stage of the registration process, you will be required to complete your first payment. If you would like to set up
an alternate method of payment please contact your Regional Player Accounts Liaison.
Step 4 You will be asked to electronically acknowledge/sign off on the following agreements:

Waiver and Medical Release
Talent Release

Code of Conduct
No Refund Policy
Step 5 Electronically sign and your registration is complete!
If you have any questions or looking for registration support please contact your regional liaison:
GPS-NY Halfmoon:

Craig Thomas

cthomas@globalpremiersoccer.com

WELCOME TO THE
GPS FAMILY

OFFICIAL
NORTH AMERICAN
PARTNER