Mission: The mission of the Pride is to change the competitive landscape of soccer for the elite player in the state by working together. We will provide the opportunity for top players to play with like-minded teammates…in short…more soccer for those that want more. We strive to provide exposure to college coaches at Showcases, quality coaching, and training/ playing with the top players in the state on a consistent basis.
Cost: The cost for the program is $400. This includes all tournament and coaching fees, registration, and referee fees. This does not include individual travel or uniform.
Uniforms: Kit consists of two Adidas jerseys, shorts, and 2 pair of socks, as well as a training top. Cost is $100 and must be purchased at Soccer Nation in Vestavia. Additional Alabama Pride gear will also be available for purchase at Soccer Nation (1082 Montgomery Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35216).
Tryouts: Tryouts will be mid- May. Specific times and locations are TBA. There is no fee to tryout, but all players must pre-register on line prior to the tryout.
Training: Training will be held regularly on Wednesday nights throughout the summer, fall, and spring (14 u only). All five club’s facilities will be used, and training will traditionally be from 6:30-8:30pm.
Coaching: Each team will have a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach. Top coaches from the participating clubs will be coaching the teams. A full staff slate will be available this Spring, well in advance of tryouts.
Roster: Each team will have 20 rostered players, only 18 can participate in a match. Depending on tryouts, we may give the option to some players to join a training pool.
Calendar: Training starts June 7th, and repeats every Wednesday until December 13th. The NPL League season runs August- November. Each team will also attend a number of Showcases throughout the year. A specific calendar for each team will be available on the website. U13 and U14 teams will participate in a spring season as well.
Affiliation: all players will be registered thru US Club Soccer as members of Alabama Pride, and still be eligible to play ASA sanctioned leagues and state competitions.
Gulf States Premier League: Consisting of 11 clubs in 2016, this league features clubs from Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and north Florida, which will minimize travel for Pride teams. More info can be found at www.nationalpremierleagues.com/gulf-states-premier-league.
Player Development Program and id2: The league hosts several “all-star” events, where invited players train and play in select events throughout the year. More info can be found on the website.
Conflicts with ASA Club schedule: All Region Premier League (RPL) and ASA League schedules will be synched to the Alabama Pride schedule to minimize most conflicts.
Financial Aid: There is limited financial aid available. Applications will be available on-line. All players must purchase the uniform kit from Soccer Nation.
Eligibility: All players must live in Alabama, and cannot play on another US Club team concurrently.
College Connection: The Pride has recruited a slew of top college coaches who want to support the program- they will attend training sessions as guest clinicians and observe scrimmages and games to start their recruiting early. A complete list of our College Connection staff will be available this spring.
Alabama Pre-Pride: For 2017-18, the 08 and 06 age groups will be eligible for the Alabama Pre- pride, a primer program for u10s (playing 9-a-side) and u12’s (playing 11-a-side) to get some early experiences in the program. Pre Pride tryouts and training starts in August, more details will be available this spring.
Informational Meetings: There will be five Alabama Pride Soccer Informational Meetings, one at each member club, scheduled for this spring to explain the program and answer any questions. With the exception of Trussville, all meetings will begin at 7:00p.m. Here is the schedule:
- Wednesday May 1- Hoover Soccer Club – Jordan Room at Hoover Met, 100 Ben Chapman Drive, 35244
- Wednesday May 8- Vestavia Hills Soccer Club – SHAC Meeting Room, 4851 Sicard Hollow Road, 35242
- Wednesday May 15- Homewood – Homewood Recreational Center, 1632 Oxmoor Road, 35209
- Sunday May 19- Trussville United Soccer Club – Bleachers near Concession Stand (5:00 p.m.)
- Monday April 10- Briarwood Soccer Club – Oak Mtn. Presbyterian Church, 5080 Cahaba Valley Trace, 35242
