INTRODUCTION
The St. Louis Hawks Futbol Club's SELECT SOCCER PROGRAM is a competitive soccer program designed to give players who want more of a challenge than recreational soccer. The Select Soccer Program provides a positive environment for players that demonstrate the necessary talent, commitment and good sportsmanship to continue to develop and compete at the local, state, regional and National level. Teams are formed in June of each year through open Evaluation and Team Placement Sessions (unrestricted kick-a-rounds). Players are accepted for a one year (12-month) commitment to a team beginning July 1st to June 30th the following year. The Select Soccer Program requires additional practice and conditioning, as well as travel to local, regional or out-of- state tournaments, for players and their families. Teams compete at various levels depending upon the competitive needs of the players involved.

SELECT SOCCER COMMITMENT
St. Louis Hawks FC recognizes that family, school and religious events may sometimes take priority over team activities. SLHFC also recognizes that players may have the interest and desire to participate in other sports, and encourages players to do so. However, being on a select team requires that both the child and the parents understand that this activity is a commitment. Neither the player nor the team can develop to their full potential without that commitment. When facing such conflicts parents must notify the coach of conflicts with team activities as far in advance as possible so that plans for other players and the team can be adjusted accordingly. It is especially important that parents notify the coach whenever a player is participating and/or training on other soccer teams at any time throughout the membership year. This includes ODP, CYC, and school teams. This program is not for every child or every family, but what players and families who make the commitment find is that they improve their skills and confidence by leaps and bounds, they make new friends and they have a lot of fun. Winning is the objective of our Club’s teams, however it is not the ultimate measure of success. Parents need to think about whether their child is ready for the experience. If the answer is yes, the child will learn that success does not come easy, that hard work does pay off and that winning is not everything. These are life lessons that we all must learn, and select soccer is a good way to learn them.