• u18 FC Virginia ECNL
• u18 Courage 92
• u17 FC Virginia ECNL
• u16 FC Virginia ECNL
• u16 Courage 94
• u15 FC Virginia ECNL
• u14 FC Virginia 96
• u13 FC Virginia 97
• u12 FC Virginia 98
• u11 FC Virginia 99
• u10 United Boys
• Alumni Teams

Team Philosophy

The Under-16 Focus
Our coaching philosophy at the under-16 level is that it is now time for the players to take the technical skills foundation they've built up over the years, and apply that to learning how to play the game of soccer tactically, as a team, with a goal of winning every game - but still willing to take the occasional loss if it means learning the right way to play in the process.

The real game of soccer, and secret to a long career in the game, involves so much more than just being able to shoot, trap, pass, and dribble a soccer ball.

At this age, the game becomes all about decision making, understanding your role within specific systems of play and tactical situations, and knowing when to play it safe, or when to take major risks. It's about learning to play as a team, with a goal of winning the game. And, it's about developing the mental toughness and intelligence as a player that allows you to overcome adversity, as well as quickly adapt to the unexpected - be the unexpected happen on the field, or off.

Teenage Life as a Soccer Player
Beyond that, the life of a teenage girl is much more complicated than what happens at soccer practice or a game, and we understand that. We understand the learning the game should be a primary focus, but that if the girls aren't enjoying their time together, and enjoying the environment, that the critical learning cannot happen.

We provide a positive, nurturing environment for every player, and the team as a whole. We don't teach by yelling, insulting, or being unreasonable. We simply push you to reach your own potential, demanding excellence, but expecting mistakes along the way; and always treating players in a respectful, mature manner.

High School Conflicts
We understand sometimes a high school event, homework, or just trouble at home can get in the way of attending a practice.  And we also know some players play high school soccer or other high school sports that may occasionally conflict with soccer. We will work with the student athlete to make things work, but expect to see them at our games on weekends, and to attend as many practices as their high school practice schedule allows. In the fall, private school soccer players get the most leeway in missing practices without dramatically effecting playing time. Other sports will get less leeway, but are still understood and accepted as a reality of high school life.

We took a sit-out from league play in the spring of 2010 for the first time, but that was partially due to a smaller roster. A decision for spring 2011 has not yet been made, and will likely depend on size, quality, and health of our roster come the need to make that decision.

Winning Feelings

A Courage player will be a winner for life on and off the field, but will also never be afraid to lose! A player who is afraid of losing, will never have the COURAGE to learn how to win against the odds that both life and soccer will surely throw their way. We challenge our players to take on more than they think they can handle, because nobody learns to be a winner by taking the easy road. This approach has brought our team tremendous success on the field - as evidenced by our record - but we win through proper development of superior techniques, tactics, speed of thought, and decision making. We don't win by stealing more athletic players from other teams or making half the team sit on the bench for the whole game whenever things get a little rough. The qualities we emphasize at the youth level are the same that any professional coach will tell you make great players in the older years, and are the types of players they want on their College, Olympic, National, and Professional teams.

Make no mistake, when we step on the field, winning the game is the goal. However, we don't judge our team success by whether or not we win every game. We refuse to sacrifice the long term development plan simply to focus on winning every game at any cost.

Our biggest judgment criteria for success will remain the measure of the RATE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESS our players achieve. By using this measure, we believe we're easily the best team in the region today, and we invite you to join us anytime. Players that come to the Courage learn the game, period.

General Team Information

Travel
At U-16, traveling to the best college showcase tournaments we can get into becomes a major goal. We will focus on staying as close to home as possible, which is easier for teams from the Mid-Atlantic. However, Florida over the Christmas holiday, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Ohio also could come into play for us over the next year or 18 months.

We expect to to do two or three tournaments in prior to the fall 2010 season. At least one will require a long drive and hotel overnight. We also expect to attend an event over the winter, if not two. Two would depend on acceptance to which events. We will also do two spring tournaments in 2011 before deciding on whether to play WAGS in the spring, a regional league, or to take a sit out for high school all together. Target travel events are Greensboro, CASL, Orange Classic, Kickers Invitational, and Jefferson Cup.

Budget
Membership on the Courage costs $95/month, year round, which covers coaching fees and FC Virginia dues. This amount is sent to FC Virginia directly, and can be paid in lump sum in advance, or monthly. FC Virginia then pays the coaches monthly.

All additional team expense are handled as they occur, with the carrying of a team balance to cover advances. As the team incurs an expense, each member is invoiced. These fees included tournament entry fees, WAGS fees, field dues to Chantilly, and equipment. Individual costs include travel and uniforms.

With a targeted roster size of 18-20 players, the per-player costs will help lower things, but since we cannot roster more than 18 players for an one game, tournament costs may never be divided by more than 18.

At a minimum, and before factoring in any team fund raising to defer these costs, each player should budget an additional $400, not including uniform needs for the 12-month season, with an expectation that as the team chooses to do more events, this amount could increase.

We do offer scholarships to players/families in need. How much for each player depends on the situation. Both the coaches and FC Virginia can waive a portion of the monthly dues, and if the team does enough fund raising, the travel costs can be reduced. When we do fund raise, the scholarship families are required to participate, and we then put 50% proceeds into the scholarship fund, until it reaches at $1,000 balance, with the remainder over $1,000 + the other 50% of proceeds going towards reduction of everyone's team expenses that participated in the fund raiser.

Off Season Indoor, Training, and Time Off
We train twice per week in the off-season, and give the players off at least 2 weeks in the summer, and 2 weeks in the winter.

We usually put together one indoor team for fun, but that may end as the girls prefer to play for their high school indoor teams.