Hosting An MLS Soccer Coach –

Information for Families Considering Housing a Coach During the
Taughannock Soccer Club-MLS Summer Soccer Camp

“Our coach seems to be having a great time with us and we are enjoying getting to know him too.”

Note:  Some of this information comes from the standard flyer provided by MLS, but the rest is tailored to fit the experience and circumstances of our particular camp.  The italicized quotes come from last year’s host families.

How did the Housing Program come about?
“Back at the inception of the MLS camp programs, when there were no hotels or dormitory accommodations for coaches near the camp location, some parents of children attending camp, as well as other camp affiliates, offered to house coaches for the week.  Over the years, the housing program has become an enormously successful experience for both the host families and coaches; in fact, most coaches prefer family housing to hotel accommodations.  The typical ages of the coaches are 21 to 35, and while many come from the U.S., the majority are from the United Kingdom.” [Source:  MLS flyer]

Last year, the coaches housed by Trumansburg families came from England, Wales, Scotland, and Sweden.  They were uniformly polite, grateful and excellent guests.

“Our guest is very polite and friendly and [our son] is in seventh heaven having someone to talk soccer to.”

How long do coaches stay in Family Housing?
            Your coach will arrive in Trumansburg late Sunday afternoon.  She/he will spend some time meeting with the rest of the coaching team and getting organized for the week, and then be ready to come to your house.  You may be asked to come to the meeting spot (probably the house where the Captain is staying) to pick up your coach.

            Departure time will be sometime between the following Friday night and Sunday afternoon.  The coaches do not learn until Thursday of each week where they will be the next week.  Depending on how far she/he has to travel (and whether they wish to take a mini-vacation in between camps) your coach may leave right after camp on Friday, or as late as Sunday. 

What do we provide for the coach?
            The MLS standard response is that you are expected to provide only a bed and use of a shower (for the benefit of everyone!)  But, our experience in Trumansburg is different than the urban/suburban areas in which the camps more typically are held.

            Transportation:  Distances can be great, the coaching team will arrive with only 2-3 cars to ferry more than a dozen people, and giving directions in our area isn’t a simple matter of following a street grid.   Therefore, we ask host families to commit to (1) transporting their coach to the camp each day and (2) at least offering their coach a ride back home.  As the week goes on, your coach may find his/her own ride home with another coach who has a car.  But at least at the beginning, please make sure she/he has a way back to your house – it’s likely that neither your coach nor any of his/her buddies will be able to find it again without you!

            Food:  We are asking host families to provide (1) breakfast, and at least the offer of (2) a packed lunch and (3) dinner for your coach.  The idea that the coaches can fend for themselves in getting food may be fine in urban/suburban areas, but if your home is outside the Village and your coach doesn’t have a car, she/he is out of luck!  As the week progresses and the coaches bond with each other, they will start to make plans for the ones with cars to take the others to Ithaca, etc.  But especially early in the week, your coach will be completely dependent on you.  For lunch, even if a concession stand is open at the Camp, please offer a packed lunch.  Our experience last year was that the coaches eat on the run during the lunch break:  They are supervising bathroom runs, dealing with first aid problems, talking with kids, checking in with the Captain about afternoon plans, and generally running around.  They will NOT have time to stand in concession lines.

“So far this has been great!  Our coach is very pleasant and chatty, enjoys being with our kids, and is very engaging. We are so glad that this is more than us  being a hotel for the coaches and really enjoy the interaction.”

What about laundry and phone? 
            You certainly don’t have to DO their wash, but they really appreciate access to your laundry facilities.  They have a tough schedule – moving to a new place each week – and most pack lightly, so their stuff gets a lot of use.  Also, they may have pinneys for their group that need occasional washing.  

            As for phone, here is the official MLS line:  “Coaches are not permitted to use the phones at family housing without your permission.  Even with permission, calls should be toll-free or local.”  Makes sense to us!

What about other rules of the house?

Again, here is the official MLS line:  “Once your coach arrives, we recommend that you take the time to tell him or her about your family and detail your house rules.  This is the best way to assure that everyone understands what you expect from your guest.  Some rules may include your expectations for curfew, use of your phone, meals, etc.  As part of MetroStars/MLS Camps coaches' training, we review our expectations of how they conduct themselves in your home.  They are your guests, and as such they are to pick up after themselves and follow your house rules.  They are aware that they are to treat you as they would like to be treated.”

Our experience last year was MLS does a good job of screening their coaches, and we are a large and important camp to them, so we legitimately expect to get good people from them.  If, nevertheless, you have any problems, you should feel free either to contact MLS Camps Customer CARE department at 1-888-226-7765 or to call the local camp housing coordinator, Cynthia Farina, 387-5094.

“Our coach is a very nice young man and has been terrific with our children.

 We are enjoying his company and conversation. Looking  forward to

 spending more fun time with him this week.”

Can we schedule sightseeing experiences for the coach? 
           It is up to the host families to decide if they want to schedule these experiences.  Families must realize, however, that the coach's first priority is to work on camp.  This, in addition to any social activities scheduled between the club and families (e.g., barbecues), makes for a full week for the coach.  Keep in mind that any social activities scheduled are strictly voluntary.”  [Source:  MLS flyer]

            Families had very different styles last year.  Some did lots with their coaches;  others did less.  Be guided by what seems “right” for your family once you’ve met your coach.  Our area is pretty isolated compared to the urban/suburban locations of the typical MLS camp and your coach may appreciate sightseeing trips like Taughannock Park – especially early in the week when she/he is still getting oriented.  Also, you might want to help the coach get information about night spots in the Ithaca area. 

Is there any scheduled time for the coach to spend with our family teaching soccer skills?
        Yes.  “You can set up a time with your coach(es) where your child(ren) can receive some brief personalized soccer training outside of camp time.” [Source:  MLS flyer]

“We have had a fantastic time! [Our coach] is a great person and great with our boys, who have also had a great time so far with the camp. [M]y family couldn't be happier!”

Last year host families with more than one child attending the Camp received some scholarship aid.  Will that be true again this year?
            No decision has been made about this yet.

When will we hear if we are going to be hosting?
            Everyone who volunteers to host will be contacted in June.  At that time, we will probably create a standby list, as well as a list of confirmed hosts.  Last year, MLS was adding coaches until the week before the camp started – and of course it is in our interest to have more, rather than fewer, coaches for the camp.

How will all of this be finally organized?
            Because we expect the Camp to grow substantially this year, we are going to hold a meeting of host families rather than rely on phone and email contacts.  This meeting will be in early July and should allow us to efficiently make arrangements, exchange information and resolve any remaining questions.

What if we have questions we need answered in the meantime?
            Contact the local camp housing coordinator, Cynthia Farina, crf7@cornell.edu