ORVFC Uniform Policy

Introduction

In the game of soccer, the broader club identity is very important. Player uniforms are an important variable in building that identity. Players need to show up at the field with the same jersey, shorts and socks as the other players on the team. If it is a fresh start to a match, the uniforms need to be washed and well‐maintained. Jerseys need to be tucked in and they should fit properly. We refer to the whole process of maintaining one’s uniform as “Kit Management” and it is part of a player’s responsibility to do this well.

Policy Highlights

• Players that will compete against teams from other clubs will need to purchase a uniform. We keep an inventory of uniforms in stock.  A uniform can be ordered at the same time a player registers for the program.
• For all players participating in our Recreational training and in-house matches (4v4 or 5v5 plus a keeper), we will provide a Sentinel t‐shirt provided as a part of their registration fee and they can wear any available socks or shorts they currently own. Each player is expected to wear this t-shirt to all sessions.
• Each player that wishes to participate in league or non-league play against other clubs is responsible for the cost of purchasing the own uniform or “kit”. This includes socks, shorts and a jersey.  Any player that wants to purchase a kit or various pieces of the kit just to have one is more than welcome to do so.
• It has been our experience that a well managed kit can last a player for 2‐3 years depending upon the player’s physical rate of growth.
• To date, we have not printed player names on jerseys nor are players able to pre‐select a jersey number. This is simply a function of cost and the number of volunteers it would take to manage this.  If we have enough volunteers to manage this process, it is certainly open for discussion.  We do ask that you update your player profile where your registered with the player number you receive. That will help us with roster issues going forward.
• If your son or daughter already owns black Adidas shorts, you do not need to buy new shorts.  We cannot allow shorts that are too short or large (eg., basketball shorts).

Purchasing Uniforms

If you need a new uniform, replacement pieces or additional pieces to your existing uniform, you must request these items during the online registration period via our online registration tool.

Please note – you can request and pay for uniforms at any time during the year via our online registration tool.  This can be done even after you have registered and paid for the program.  Just click on the Register for a Program button and click your way through until you reach the shopping cart.   However, we will only distribute uniforms during team formation periods prior to the start of the season.  The volunteer for the age group will advise you as to the distribution dates and times.   If you are unable to attend a pickup date, please send a neighbor.  Our volunteers do not have the bandwidth to arrange for individual deliveries. 

Uniform Distribution

We will distribute uniforms at set times at different times during the year. These dates, times and locations will be posted on the ORVFC calendar and announced via several email broadcasts to all season registrants as distribution date nears. All requests for uniforms collected during the registration process will be paid for via credit card at the time of registration or a check made out to “ORVFC” which can be mailed to “ORVFC”, P.O. Box 376 Sewickley, PA 15143 prior to the uniform distribution dates.

Uniform Fees

*includes tax. The ORVFC 501c3 status does not absolve the organization from paying sales tax. We are working on that.

Uniform Sizing Recommendations

Why do all players wear the same uniform?

Ours is a community‐based club. For that reason we serve children of varying levels of ability and commitment. Each separate age group by gender will average somewhere between 80-100 children each year in our community. Of those children, roughly one/third will play soccer during any given season. Furthermore, it is not the same third that plays from one season to the next. Players will register to play in the fall but not in the spring and vice/versa. This is not a bad thing – we actually promote this because we feel it promotes the multi‐sport, well-rounded athlete.

However, this type of variability makes it very difficult to form a single team that stays together season after season. It can also be persuasively argued that it is not always in the best interest for the players to have the same teammates, the same level of competition or the same coach season after season. Player development does not occur in a straight line across the whole team at the same time. Club organizers need to be flexible and place players into different situations (teammates, coaches and competition) to help each player have as many opportunities to progress as possible. This flexibility is supported when all players in the club have the same uniform. It is very easy to move a player from one group to another if the club doesn’t have to worry about getting a new unique uniform for the player. This is also the reason we do not put the player’s names on the back of the jersey. It adds additional cost and logistical issues when moving players from one team to the next.

We also believe this uniformity helps the club promote the idea that the players are connected to the club ‐ not just a specific team. We feel it minimizes that risk that any team feels it is “better” than any other team because they have different or more expensive uniforms.

The club policy is that the club determines the uniform selection for all players. No coach, manager or non‐club individual is permitted to acquire separate uniforms for any given team. If an individual would like have an impact on how our uniforms are selected, acquired, produced, inventoried or distributed we encourage you to volunteer to serve on the Uniform and Equipment Sub‐Committee. Just contact the Uniform and Equipment Coordinator whose contact information can be found on our website under the “Contact Us” menu selection.