Welcome to Miami SOL!

 

Your journey with us has begun and we couldn’t be more excited! For us to run the program the best we can, we’ll need your commitment and buy-in as well.

 

We’ve added some more much needed infrastructure to keep the program running as smoothly as possible. As you know, we have new team communication app, more streamlined coaching for each team, better team store processes, and so much more. There may be a bit of a learning curve as we all get to know the new systems, but we’ll be so much better for it in the end. 

 

We also have certain expectations and require that all parents, players, and even our coaches, read & understand this contract. Upon registering for the team, you were prompted to sign off on this, and everyone did, but we know many times it may not be fully taken in. So we spell it out again here for anyone that may need a refresher! 

 

It is simply a way we can clearly communicate all that is expected to be a part of this team. We also layout some things you can expect from us, and answer some common questions!

 

WHO WE ARE

 

Miami Sol is not just any ordinary team. We are striving to be THE BEST team you’ll be a part of. Team culture and values are a HUGE part of what will help get us there. When you put on the SOL jersey, you are representing everything this program stands for.

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1. RESPECT – We respect our teammates, coaches, parents, fans, refs, and anyone else we come across. We listen. We ask questions. We are ready to learn. We don’t talk back. We accept, learn from, and even celebrate each others’ differences. We may not always like every single person we share a field with, but we will ALWAYS respect one another. Furthermore, we are kind to one another! We support each other, we work together and understand the value of teamwork.
    

2. ENERGY – We always bring a positive energy to any room or field we walk into. We realize that regardless of the energy we bring, we rub off on others. So it’s important to be spreading energy that lifts others up. In turn, we lift ourselves up. When you smile, you make 5 other people in the room smile with you (inside and/or out!)! But remember the same applies vice versa. Any type of energy is powerful. Let’s use it right :)
    

3. [POSITIVE] ATTITUDE - We pick others up, we cheer each other on. We don’t complain. We are coachable. We pay attention when our coaches and teammates are talking. We are confident in ourselves. What we feel we lack in skill, we make up for in HUSTLE. We don’t care about making mistakes so long as we are trying our best. We lead with love. We feed ourselves positive self talk. We are not only nice to each other, but ourselves! We check our stressors at the door, and use this as our release. Always present, ready to work, compete, and HAVE FUN!
    

4. COMMITMENT – We are committed to each other and the team. We show up. We attend practices and tournaments. We put the team above other extracurricular activities. We are dedicated to the vision and mission of the team. We understand what we GAIN from making this commitment, far outweighs what we may miss from anything else. The more time we spend together, the more comradery we build, the more we will care for each other, and the better we work together. You can always hit the wall if you miss out on the stick work, but time spent with your team is irreplaceable.  
    

5. HARD WORK & HUSTLE – We show up every day ready to work. We do the little things, we don’t cut corners, we don’t back down, we rise to challenges, we push ourselves to be the best we can be. We try our best, no matter the outcome. We don’t give up after mistakes, we just work harder, and we learn from them. We have grit, we are scrappy, we compete every day, and we go 100%, 100% of the time.

 

All of these things together, are the foundation of a great team. If you ever forget, it spells out R.E.A.C.H. So let’s REACH for the stars. After all, we represent the biggest one in the sky. Let’s represent it right!! GO SOL!!

 

As a staff, we also vow to embody all of these things and set the right example. We will always give it our all, and always keep our players’ best interest at heart. We also have an open door policy! If anyone ever needs to talk, come to us at practice, or call anytime. We are here to make this the best possible experience it can be.

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Our Mission: To empower our athletes to be the best people and best lacrosse players they can be.

Our Vision: To become one of the best club lacrosse programs in South Florida, and best overall team you’re a part of.​

 

 

EXPECTATIONS & PLAY TIME

 

1) Attendance, Timeliness

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Commitment is a top priority and a valuable piece of our team culture. If players have too many absences, play time in tournaments will be affected. However, we do understand that sometimes things come up that you truly cannot help. As long as players are transparent, and communicate with us about their conflicts, absences within reason, can be excused so that play time is not affected. Furthermore, if too many absences, regardless of the reason, become an issue, we’ll have to discuss if this team is really right for you.

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• An unexcused absence would be a “no call, no show”. Meaning you don’t show up to practice and we have no idea why and no notice. We should never be wondering where our players are!  If this happens, play time in the next tournament will be affected. The amount depends on the amount of unexcused absences.

• If you miss the 1 or both practices before a tournament, you will not start and play time may be affected. In practices leading into a tournament we go over plays, game strategy, etc. and players need to be there for this. Missing out on this, directly effects the team.

• TIMELINESS, is also very important. Please be on time. We hit the field the exact time practice is scheduled to start. If you are running late for any reason, players are expected to HUSTLE out to the field. We shouldn’t see players walking or slow to get ready if they are late. Please show respect for your coaches and teammates’ time, as well as the commitment you made to the team. Consistent tardiness with no prior reason, or no sense of urgency when showing up late, may also effect play time.
   

2) Communication & RSVP’s

All communication should go through email (miamisollacrosse@gmail.com) OR through Team Snap.

In the app, you can hit the “Roster” tab. Click on the person you want to message (Jenna Martino-DiFede is the Club Director), and hit “message”.

• Please avoid texts and what’s app messages as it becomes too difficult to keep up with 5+ different ways we communicate. However, phone calls are always welcome if you would like to chat that way :)

• We also expect all players to take accountability for their attendance. This helps us properly plan practice and keep track of attendance. If you do not RSVP in the app, you may not be counted as there when we look back at the attendance for practices. Again, do not be afraid to mark “no” if you truly cannot come. As long as you have that discussion with Jenna prior to practice via email or team snap, your play time will not be affected, so long as it does not become a habit.

  • In the Team Snap app, you will hit the “Schedule” tab, click on the appropriate date, and hit “going”, “maybe” or “not going”. Any “not going” response MUST ALSO come with an email or message to Jenna as per the above.

3) Inclusiveness

• We have a 0 tolerance policy for any kind of bullying or hate. If we see any of this type of behavior on or off the field, you are subject to dismisal from the team.

• This also includes how we act towards others at tournaments. By signing this form, you certify that you will never speak down upon a player from our team or another based on things such as, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, socio economic background, appearance, beliefs. As a member of this team, we respect one another for who we are without judgement.
   

4) Have Fun!

• Why else would you be playing!? Have fun working hard. Have fun competing. Have fun learning, working together, meeting new people, gaining new skills, getting better. If it ever stops being fun for you, please don’t hesitate to talk to one of us coaches. We can discuss what might be going on and try our best to make sure you are happy as a part of this team!

 

 

Another note on play time:

As noted, play time is based MOSTLY on your commitment to the team and your communication around anything you miss. In some instances a coach may choose to play certain players a bit more than others depending on experience and skill level, but we can guarantee you will never go to a tournament and not see the field unless there is some extenuating circumstance or violation of our policies. Other things (outside of commitment, communication, tardiness) that may affect play time include coachability, attitude, hustle, effort, energy, and all of those values laid out above.

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OUR GOALS

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• To create a team environment that players will learn from in a variety of different ways.

  • This means lacrosse skills and life skills alike. Goal setting, teamwork, time management, confidence, and so much more.

• To teach players the fundamentals and the skills needed to get better every day, and exceed even their own expectations

• To teach players what it takes to compete at any level they choose. High school, college (DI – DIII).

• To change the landscape of South Florida lacrosse - In the past, Miami lacrosse has never been in the conversation when talking about competitive teams in the area. But we are here change that. It won’t happen over night, but it WILL happen over time with hard work and dedication from all of us. When you sign up for this team, you aren’t just signing up to play lacrosse for a few weeks or months. You are signing up to be a part of the change. We hope each and every player and their family takes pride in that and represents the team with a smile on their face, and a determined look in their eye!  Miami Lacrosse is here to stay, and YOU are a huge part of that.

 

 

HOUSE KEEPING

 

• Team communication: Team Snap App! This includes features like:

  • Full schedule listed in the app and ability to RSVP

  • Push notifications/alerts when needed right to your phone

  • Full team or individual messaging

  • Picture sharing

  • Recruiting profiles (for those looking to play in college)

• Team Cost – All players must pay the team dues, or apply for financial aid. We also offer financing options if needed! You can split the payment in 2, or pay bi-weekly. It’s up to you and you can select this option upon registration.

• Financial Aid – To apply for financial aid, email miamisollacrosse@gmail.com. Financial Aid money comes from the “305 Lacrosse Fund” to help provide a bridge for those that truly could not participate without it. **If you’d like to donate to this fund, feel free to Venmo 305 Lacrosse (@lacrosse305) any amount you wish!

• Refunds/Pro-rates/Installment Payments

  • Full refunds are not permitted.

  • Partial refunds can ONLY be made on a case by case basis for things such as long term injuries, illness, or other extenuating circumstances. If paying in installments, you understand that you must complete all payments. We cannot forgive any future installment payments, unless any extenuating circumstances arise as listed above and we discuss how to handle.

  • We do not offer pro-rated terms. If you are signing up for the team, you must pay the full team dues regardless if you will miss a few practices, tournaments, etc. If you are choosing to be a part of this team, it should be a priority and thus you won’t need to worry about missing much! In certain cases we can discuss other options or ways to potentially make up for any missed time.

  • If you are choosing to pay in installment, you must use a credit/debit card, and Team Snap will auto-draft your next installment payments. If you pay offline, you must pay in full by Nov. 24th, 2021 or you are subject to a $50 late fee. A $75 late fee will be imposed for anyone not fully paid offline by Dec. 1.