1
Great Valley Girls’ Soccer
Parent and Player Handbook
2
Coaches Information
Head Coach
JV & Volunteer Coaches
Derek Brogan
Work phone: 610-644-6440 ext 2113
Cell phone: 484-252-6431
dbrogan@gvsd.org
Meghan Daney
mdaney@gvsd.org
Tom Doyle
tdoyle"@openskycorp.com
Great Valley Soccer Goals
Goals of the Great Valley Girls Soccer Team are as follows:
1. We want to meet our individual goals
2. We want to be competitive in every game
3. We want to beat the teams that we should beat
4. We want to be one of the top 2 Teams in the Ches-Mont League and make the playoffs
5. We want to win the Ches-Mont League Championship.
6. We want to qualify for the District 1 Championships.
7. We want to win a District 1 Championship Game.
8. We want to qualify for the PIAA State Championships.
Great Valley Soccer Commitment
The deeper the commitment to the Great Valley Girls Soccer Team, the greater the achievement the team and players
will experience. Ask yourself, “What are you willing to do this year to make yourself and the team successful? What
have you done to prepare for this season?”
Committed Soccer Players:
1. Follow training rules;
2. Set goals for the Team and Individual;
3. Attend practices, meetings, and competitions on time;
4. Attend all practices and games;
5. Maintain enthusiasm and intensity during practice;
6. Encourage teammates to make improvements;
7. Enjoy challenges and work hard to accomplish them;
8. Are dedicated and reliable;
9. Are coachable and cooperative; and
10. Are responsible students in the classroom
3
Great Valley Soccer Guidelines and Conduct Code (in general)
Every society that has ever existed has established a code system to govern its citizens. Our team is our society
and each one of us are citizens of that society. In order to function as an efficient and successful society there
are certain rules that we must abide by. Like any law, we expect these to be obeyed.
1. Smoking, drinking, and other anti-social activities will not be tolerated.
2. Keep regular hours. You will be working your body hard, give it rest. At least 8 - 11 hours of sleep a night.
3. Eat good meals at regular hours. Stay away from “junky foods.” Stay hydrated.
4. Grades must be kept up or you cannot play soccer.
5. All student athletes will be expected to follow the Athletic Policy guidelines as stated in the Great Valley
Student-Parent Handbook and that are communicated through the Athletic Office.
6. Initiations: Initiation of any soccer player will not be tolerated. This initiation may occur in or out of school,
ie – summer camp. If it occurs, the people involved may be suspended from participating in upcoming
competitions and or will be removed from the team. Any incidence of initiation will be reviewed by the
Coaches, Athletic Director, and Administration and they will
7. Alcohol and other drugs: When it becomes known that a player is abusing drugs (underage drinking is
included) she will be:
1. Referred to the Athletic Director to have the athletic department policies and procedures implemented.
2. Referred to the Student Assistance Program.
3. Removed from the team if any further drug use occurs.
Online Information
Click here: Mr. Brogan’s Website
Click here: Soccer Calendar
Soccer Specific Information:
Practices
Practice Guidelines:
 In most cases, we practice every day except Sundays. No unexcused absences will be tolerated. Great
Valley Girls’ Soccer must come first before any other sports, for the entire season. Any other sports that
adversely affect the physical condition or attendance of the athlete will not be tolerated. (ie: GVHS Soccer
players will not be permitted to play in the Powder Puff Football Game during the GVHS Soccer Season).
 The Varsity and JV teams will be using on the fields on the Great Valley High School / Middle School
Campus. We will be using the varsity field, turf fields, and various practice fields.
 A player’s commitment to the team begins on the first day of preseason in August. All players are expected
to attend all preseason workouts and all in season practices.. No excuses. See the Soccer Calendar for
specific times and dates.
 Be on time for every workout session. Afternoon training sessions during school practices will be
between 3:00 PM – 5:30 pm (the latest).
4







Be cooperative and participate in drills to the best of your ability. While explanations and demonstrations
are being given there is to be no talking or fooling around.
All weekend and holiday training sessions will be announced in advance. All sessions are mandatory.
If you are not able to attend a practice it is your responsibility to notify Coach Brogan or the JV Coach (if you
are on JV) 24 hours in advanced. Missing soccer practices or games for a job, another sport, family vacation, a
birthday celebration, anniversaries, weddings, etc. is not acceptable. As a result, players who miss one or more
games or practices without an excused absence will jeopardize future playing time. In addition, after the second
unexcused absence, the coach will meet with the player, the player’s parents, and the AD to discuss further
implications of the unexcused absences.
College visits should be scheduled for out of season as best you can, or at the very least, scheduled around
games and the practice prior to the game. Please see Mr. Brogan if there is a conflict.
If at any time, during a practice or a game you become ill or injured, inform one of the coaches at once.
Keep all of your possessions locked in your locker at all times. The coaches are not responsible for any lost
articles. All equipment issued to you by the school is to be returned at the end of your season. Any equipment
that you are responsible for which is lost or stolen will be charged to you. There will not be any exceptions.
Nobody is allowed in the medicine kit except a coach or manager or with a coach’s permission.
Attendance Guidelines Concerning Practices and Games
 If you are absent from school or you become ill at school, please email Coach Brogan at dbrogan@gvsd.org or
call 610.644.6440 ext. 2113 or text/call 484.252.6431. JV players may also contact the JV coach.
 Please do not send a coach a message through a third party.
 Please try to minimize the scheduling of doctor’s appointments during the season. Let your coach know in
advanced of any appointments that you make.
 School work comes first. That said, you need to stay on top of your work so there is not a conflict with soccer
and school. Please see your coach if there is an academic issue that may impact your attendance at soccer.
 Please see your coach if there is a conflict with soccer and a school trip or another unusual circumstance.
Conditioning/Injuries
 All players are expected to come into the season having conditioned over the summer. Roster spots in part
are determined by a player’s fitness level.
 If a player has an injury that is affecting her play, she is to see a coach and a trainer immediately and on a
continual basis if necessary.
 The coach and the trainers communicate constantly concerning players’ injuries and it is the trainer and/or
family physician who determines when and if a player can practice after sustaining a significant injury like a
concussion, torn muscle, or broken bone.
 It is expected that players who are injured will still participate in practices or games as determined by the
trainer and the coaching staff.
 Players are expected to still come to practices and games even if they are sidelined with an injury.
 Players need to see the trainer before practice as early as possible in order to be at practice on time (3 pm on
weekdays and 8 am on Saturdays)
 A player who cannot sprint at a 100% capacity will not be able participate in practices or games.
 A player may be asked to take extended time off in order to assure that an injury is completely healed
 A player who cannot finish practice due to an injury must see the trainer immediately and should
communicate to the coach the decisions that were made based on the visit to the trainer. In most cases, if the
practice was the day before a game, the player will not start in the following day’s game and playing time
may be limited. In addition, the player maybe asked to sit out for an extended period of time (3 days
minimum) to allow for the injury to heal.
 Any player who has a concussion should not participate in any aspect of practice until cleared by a doctor
and/ or trainer.
5
Soccer Specific Information:
Games








All soccer players will help with equipment before and after games as determined by the coaching staff.
Soccer players are expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No critical comments will be
directed at officials or opponents at any time.
All soccer players who are not involved in the game will remain at the bench.
Soccer players will take directions from the coaches - not from people (fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters,
etc) in the stands or on the sidelines.
Parents and/or spectators are not to stand or congregate behind the player’s bench. We would appreciate if
our fans would please line the sideline opposite the team benches. Parents and spectators should not try to
communicate with the players during the game, when the players are to be focusing on the game and their
respective positions. If this does occur, the player or players may not be placed into the game.
It is important that each player understand that being on the team is not a guarantee that you will play in all
the games, this includes varsity and junior varsity. In addition, some players may be asked to move teams
during the course of the season. The coaches make the final decision on who plays, when and on what
team.
Players may be asked to run lines or to watch/support both Varsity and JV games. During home night
games, the JV players may be asked to stay for at least part of the game to support the varsity and/or help
run lines.
Websites that update scores and schedules can be found on Mr. Brogan’s School Website.
Playing Time





Soccer games are heated battles of emotion, physically and mentally exhausting for everyone involved.
After a game is not the time to ask the coaching staff concerns about individual playing time. The coaching
staff is always concerned about the team first and needs time to reflect on the game before answering
questions about playing time. Therefore, please do not approach a coach about playing after a game.
Any concerns about an individual’s playing time should be made at the conclusion of practice. Please make
arrangements with the coaching staff prior to practice so we can allow time for a conference.
Encourage your daughter to speak with the coaches after practice rather than sending an email if there is a
question about playing time
Questions or concerns should follow this order:
JV
Varsity
1. JV Coach
1.Coach Brogan
2. Coach Brogan
2. Athletic Director
3. Athletic Director
To maximize your playing time potential
1. Come into the season physically fit having touched the soccer ball as often as possible
2. Participate in voluntary workouts
3. Give 100% in everything you do. Play and practice with a positive attitude.
4. Listen to and act on what coaches are trying to teach you. Focus in practice
5. Work to improve to meet your goals and the team’s
6. Make others around you better. How can you help others?
6
Equipment
soccer shoes *
running shoes
clothes for cooler conditions
T-Shirt/Pinnie (blue and white)
shorts
shinguard with NOCSAE stamp
water/sports drink
*For the safety of our athletes it is recommended that high school soccer players have a pair of turf style soccer
shoes in case of hard dry playing fields. Soccer players should have a pair of molded cleat style soccer shoes
for normal play.
Uniforms
The Great Valley Girls’ Soccer Team will wear school issued equipment for all GVHS Soccer Games.
Home Games: We wear White Shirt, White Shorts, and White Socks.
Away Games: We wear Blue Shirt, Blue Shorts, and Blue Socks.
Shinguards
Rule 4-1-1: Shinguards must meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment
(NOCSAE) specifications.
Players will be permitted to wear only shinguards that meet the National Operating Committee for the Safety of
Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) specifications. Shinguards that meet the standard will have a permanent seal or
mark visible on the front of the equipment. Each manufacturer whose shinguards meets the standard will be
required to indicate the height of the player that would be permitted to wear that specific equipment. Coaches
should be certain that every player has shinguards with the NOCSAE seal and that the player meets the height
requirement posted by the manufacturer on the equipment. During the pre-game inspection, officials need only
ask the coaches if their players are legally and properly equipped according to NFHS Soccer Rules.
Compression Shorts
Rule 4-1-1: If visible apparel is worn under shorts, it shall be of a similar length, all alike and of a solid color Great Valley wears Black and Royal Blue
Team Travel






Soccer players must be on time for all departures.
All players are expected to ride to and from games on the bus unless there are extenuating
circumstances that have been discussed with a coach.
 An email or note must be sent/given to your coach at least 24 hours before the game.
 JV players are permitted to ride home with a parent/guardian for away night games. An email or
note must be sent/given to your coach at least 24 hours before the game.
Players should call ahead and tell parents when they will be arriving.
Obscenities or less than classy behavior will not be tolerated.
No litter will be left on the bus, playing field, or team bench area.
The Great Valley Girls Soccer Team will travel to and from away games as a team on the bus provided by
the Great Valley School District