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Summer Training for U9-U18 will run through the first week of August 2020!

WELCOME TO ORONO WESTONKA SOCCER CLUB

The Orono Westonka Soccer Club is committed to providing high-quality and fun youth soccer programs to families in the Orono and Westonka areas. Our goal is to build sportsmanship, self-confidence and teamwork through participation in soccer. We are a non-profit organization that relies on a network of volunteers and professionals to deliver our programs.

2020 Spring Competitive Soccer Season Update-6/17/2020

By OWSC Board 06/17/2020, 4:45pm CDT

Dear Orono Westonka Soccer Club Families, 

 

As you already know, the 2020 spring competitive league programming has been canceled due to the unforeseen impacts and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the health and well-being of our families is the most important priority in all of this, we realize it is still disappointing to pay for a soccer season that did not happen as it was supposed to.  We want to pause and express a sincere thank you for your patience, understanding, and support during this time.  

 

This communication is the OWSC response to answering all questions regarding 2020 spring competitive soccer season fees already paid.  Note: This does not apply to Lil Lakers/Recreational fees, as their season is slated to start the end of June. 

 

As mentioned last month, OWSC is a non-profit 501(c)(3), run by minimal staff and volunteers. The restrictions due to COVID-19 have negatively impacted our ability to play a normal soccer season and completely shut down programming at the Welu indoor soccer complex in Mound.  We have been working diligently behind the scenes to cut or avoid unnecessary costs, yet there are some costs that could not be canceled or recovered (see matrix).  Analysis, benchmarking with other clubs, and collaboration have led us to offer 2 options for delivering value back to OWSC families.  

 

The 2 options below are for players registered for the 2020 spring competitive season:

 

  1. DONATION:  Families can donate their spring season payment, less services received (winter training), to OWSC.  Any donations will be reinvested back into the club to support scholarships and future programming.  You can select this option by clicking HERE on or before 7/1/20.

    1. The tax-deductable portion of donation amounts will vary by player depending on Age, Player Level, and cost of Winter Training services received.  See FAQs for more information.

    2. Since we are a non-profit 501(c)(3) your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.  OWSC will gratefully provide a receipt for your donation.  

    3. We look forward to recognizing donors on our OWSC donation wall at the Welu soccer complex in Mound to thank them publicly for their generosity.

 

  1. REFUND REQUEST:  This option is for families seeking refunds for spring fees paid.  For competitive families, OWSC will refund 25% of spring fees paid.  You can select this option HERE on or before 7/1/20. 

    1. To arrive at this 25% we did an analysis (expense matrix below), benchmarking with other local soccer clubs (refunds ranged from 15-30%), and collaborated as a board to arrive at an amount that would return value yet allow OWSC to stay in business.

    2. Refunds will be returned via your original payment method. Refunds will be processed by SportsEngine and will be refunded to your credit card or bank account on file. SportsEngine estimates they will have refunds processed by August 7th.

    3. This does not apply to Lil Lakers/Recreational players, as their season is slated to start the end of June.

 

Summer Training is optional and available to all competitive players, regardless if you choose to donate or refund a portion of your spring fees paid.  The club is not using any spring fees paid to fund summer training and this has no impact on refund amounts.  We recognize players did not get the traditional spring/summer season and this is a way to safely play soccer and encourage them to return to play.  Summer training will run later into summer, with an end date of August week 1.

 

REMINDER:  Please use this LINK to choose your donation OR refund option for each competitive player in your family. All requests are due by July 1, 2020.  Note:  If no option is selected by July 1, 2020 deadline, donation will be the default choice.


 

Please direct all questions to admin@oronowestonkasoccer.org.

 

OWSC 2020 Spring Competitive Season Expense Matrix

 

Refundable

Not Refundable

Partially Refundable

      

Admin

  

X

        

Coaches

    

X

Hourly coach wages not paid as many hours

    

Staff Payroll

  

X

        

Equipment

X

    

Budgeted equipment purchases are forgone

    

Outdoor Field Rental

    

X

Field rental fees reduced due to no games played

    

Indoor Space Rental

  

X

        

Rent for Welu Facility

  

X

        

Insurance

  

X

        

League Fees

    

X

League fees partially paid by the club

    

Referees

X

    

Referee fees not paid by the club

    

Scholarships

  

X

        

Tournament Reimbursement

    

X

Some tournaments are only refunding a portion of pymt

    

 

Thank you again for your understanding, patience, and ongoing support as we navigate this adversity and strengthen our resiliency as a soccer community and human beings.  

 

Please watch the OWSC newsletter for future activities and support we will be offering to players who registered for the 2020 spring competitive season.  

 

Best, 

Orono Westonka Soccer Club

 

Here is a current list of FAQs related to this donation/refund communication, we will continue to update on our website HERE.

 

Q: Is OWSC a for-profit organization or a non-profit organization?

A: OWSC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Each player’s registration fee consists of coach pay, league fees, indoor facility fees, outdoor field fees, referee fees, and indirect program and operational costs.  Registration fees are set each year with the goal to break even as a club. It is not OWSC's goal to make a profit. Under these extreme and exceptional circumstances, the club will incur a loss in 2019-20.

Q: Can we donate our refund amount to OWSC?

A: Yes, you can donate your spring season payments, less services received (winter training), to OWSC. Since we are a non-profit 501(c)(3) it is tax-deductible as allowed by law.  OWSC will gratefully provide a receipt for your donation.

Please consider donating back to OWSC to use for scholarships and future programming.  As a non-profit youth soccer club, we depend on registration fees to cover expenses that go beyond our competitive season. We also realize this is a tough time financially for many, including businesses, small business owners, and individual families. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you’re able to donate your refund amount to help offset scholarships, staff and coach expenses, and future programming, we would greatly appreciate your consideration so we can continue to provide the best youth soccer experience in the future.

Q: What fees will be refunded due to the cancellation of summer league games and limited practice sessions?

A: OWSC is refunding the unused portion of each player’s registration fee plus any other fees that were not incurred, such as refunded tournament fees. 

Q: Will our coaches and staff be paid?

A: Yes.  Since they are coaching a shorter season, however, coaches and staff will be paid for the work they have done. We believe standing by our coaches and staff is the right thing to do since they’re critical to delivering the best soccer experience for our players and families, now and in the future.

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Facebook Live Training Sessions (previously recorded)

1,000 Touch Challenge

Dear OWSC Families,

In follow up to our club update on Friday 3/20 about the impact COVID-19 is having to soccer operations, we are excited to share our first of several "Soccer Training at Home" communication. Keeping our kids moving will be important for their physical, mental and intellectual well-being during this time of self-isolation from family and friends. Here we go!

#1 - 1,000 Touch Challenge

  • Parents and players can access the video to this challenge HERE on YouTube. This will also be posted to OWSC social media.
  • WHAT is the challenge?  
  • Player watches the instruction video and works to achieve (at least) 1,000 touches with the soccer ball.  
  • No limit to daily touches, do as many as you can for as many days as you like!
  • You can print the attached document as an easy way for players to track their ball touches weekly.
  • Here is a list of recommended different types of touches:
  • Alternate Juggling x 50
  • Toe Taps x 100
  • Foundations (Inside/Inside) x 100
  • Inside/Outside x50
  • Inside/Outside/Outside x 100
  • V-drag Inside x 100
  • V-drag Outside x 100
  • Sole/Outside x 100
  • Sole/Out-In x 50
  • Sole Rolls x 100
  • L-drags x 50
  • Cryuff Turns x 50
  • Pull-Backs x 50
  • WHEN is the challenge?
  • It starts TODAY and will run until we start playing soccer outside.
  • WHO is eligible for this challenge?
  • All current OWSC players (Lil Lakers/Recreation and Competitive)
  • HOW do players submit their activity?
  • Parents send an email to Grant Steine vouching your player completed this challenge.  
  • Optional: Parents can send a short video of players in action doing their touches at home and (if desired) grant permission to post on OWSC social media.
  • Is there a PRIZE for completing this challenge?
  • Yes! The player who completes the most touches during this time will receive FREE tickets for themselves and 2 friends to a MN United soccer game!

We hope your players have fun with this!

Our Best - Orono Westonka Soccer Club

 

COVID-19 Update 3/20/2020

Dear OWSC Families, 

 

As the global effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, OWSC is firmly committed to the health and safety of our members and employees.  We are closely monitoring the changing situation, and complying with public health guidance.  Last week we made the decision to suspend soccer activities and wanted to provide an update.  

Welu Indoor Soccer Complex remains closed and all in-person soccer programming (both competitive and recreation/Lil Lakers) are suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  

We know the news of soccer being on hold is hard for not only the kids but also the parents. In the interim, our soccer staff will start sending out activities using different electronic vehicles (email, social media, etc.).  

Please keep your eyes out for these activities coming soon!

Spring Competitive Soccer

We are working with US Club Soccer, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL) on how the spring competitive season could look, and when.  TCSL and MYSA are both weighing options and making contingency plans based on potential outcomes. We are early in this journey and will be keeping in alignment with all organizations through this process.  

Once we receive updates in Mid-April, and if the spring season is delayed further, we will provide information regarding any refunds at that time.

  • 3.17.20 US Club Soccer Update:  

  • 3.16.20 Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA):  

  • 3.17.20 Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL):  

  • April Tournaments:  As you can imagine, tournament directors are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will follow suit with organizations such as US Club Soccer once more is known.  They have committed to providing the next update to soccer clubs by April 1st.  

  • Technical Academy:  We know the last day of this was supposed to be March 16th and had to be canceled.  We will be issuing a refund for members who were signed up for that day. 

Recreation/Lil Lakers Soccer

Lil Lakers is managed in house and this will allow us to be flexible in scheduling once we are able to move forward.  We know how important it will be for our children to exercise and run around after spending so much time inside. We will update you all on future programming once we are able based on government and health agencies.  Once we receive updates in Mid-Late April, we will provide information regarding any refunds at that time if the season doesn’t happen.

  • Lil Lakers Saturday Program:  We know the last day of our last session was canceled.  We will be issuing a refund for members who were signed up for that day.

  • For those wondering what Lil Lakers is all about:  We are proud to offer the Lil Lakers Recreational Soccer program to provide our young players with an entry-level opportunity to learn the fundamentals of soccer and enjoy the game with their friends in a relaxed environment. It is an in-house program with parent-volunteer coaches where the focus is on fun rather than high-level competition.

We are committed to all of our players, families and our local community.  While we know it is hard for all of the players to not participate together in an activity they love, we also know this pause in time is necessary to protect player health and safety.  Thank you for your support. Be safe and be well.

Our Best - Orono Westonka Soccer Club

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN:

Seeking OWSC Board Members

The Orono Westonka Soccer Club is a non-profit organization, which requires parent involvement and leadership to support our soccer community. Starting in January 2020, we are seeking individuals to fill a 3-year term for open board positions.  Expertise/skillsets desired:

 

  • Fundraising
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Soccer
  • Operations

 

This is a "working" board and as a member, you will be expected to lead a subcommittee that will help shape the future of our club!

If you have an interest in applying for an open position or to learn more, please contact our current OWSC Board President at president@oronowestonkasoccer.org.  The deadline for all applications and inquiries is 1-10-2020.

Please see the OWSC board application below.

Thank you for your consideration!  We look forward to hearing from you.

OWSC Board

SPRING 2020 Uniform Ordering

The Club is in the middle our our current uniform cycle that will be used through the 2020 Fall Season.  Players who are new to the club this fall or did not play the 2019 Spring season need to order a uniform kit. 

The Required Uniform Kit will include: 

* 2 Under Armour Jerseys ( home and away)

* 1 Pair Under Armour Red Shorts

* 1 Pair Under Armour White  Socks

 

News

Volunteers Needed!

OWSC is in need of volunteers to help get our new indoor training facility ready!  Please click the link below for volunteer opportunities.

OWSC ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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