Club Mission & Philosophy

History

	Founded in 1972, the Mustang Soccer League was established for the purpose of providing positive and safe soccer opportunities to children from age five through eighteen. While the original administrative area included what is now the City of San Ramon, Mustang Soccer currently serves the citizens of the Town of Danville, Diablo, Alamo, the Blackhawk area and a small southern slice of Walnut Creek, consistent with the San Ramon Valley School District boundaries. With over 4,700 children registered yearly (as of 2011), our roster of players represents nearly one out of every two students in the schools that fall within our coverage. The League utilizes 31 soccer fields located at 15 separate school or community park sites. These sites are owned or operated by the Town of Danville, San Ramon Valley School District, Alamo (R7A), the Athenian School and Blackhawk Homeowners Association. In 2007, two artificial turf fields and a fieldhouse were completed at the Mustang Soccer Complex.
Organization
	Mustang Soccer is organized in "Divisions" consistent with CYSA directives to provide the following levels of play: Division I (D1) \| GOLD \| Competitive \| GOLD teams are where you will find the top players compete with similar teams in our district, throughout California and nationally. A significant time and financial commitment is required. Participation is determined by tryouts and a selection process. Additional fees are applied above League Registration fees. Division 2 (D1) \| SILVER \| Competitive \| SILVER teams also offer a high level of competition. Players are selected after Gold teams are formed. Travel to games in our District and in Northern California. A significant time and financial commitment is required. Participation is determined by tryouts and a selection process. Additional fees are applied above League Registration fees. Division 3 (D3) \| BRONZE \| Competitive \| BRONZE provides traveling team experience with similar teams in our District and compete in tournaments at various locations in Northern California. This level also involves summer team camps and a significant time commitment. Participation is determined by tryouts and a selection process. Additional fees are applied above League Registration fees. Division 4 (D4) \| COPPER \| Recreational \| COPPER teams in the U19 recreational age brackets play similar teams in our District with a limited amount of travel. Division 4 (D4) \| WHITE\| Recreational \| Recreational teams, where more than 80% of our children are involved (approximately 350 teams), are the largest segment of players in Mustang Soccer. This division has been developed to be sensitive to youthful aspirations, family time and financial commitments while providing a "Positive Coaching" experience for all participants. Any child who wants to play soccer, regardless of ability, can play in Recreational or Rec Plus, depending on the level of family commitment. THERE ARE NO TRYOUTS FOR EITHER LEVEL OF ACTIVITY. Recreational is purely recreational for the player who just wants to play and have fun without making a major time commitment. Rec Plus (U9-U14)requires a greater commitment than Recreaional, both in time and finances. This level includes weekly training and two tournaments. Additional fees are applied above League Registration fees. Division 5 (D5) \| Special Needs \| In recent years, Mustang Soccer has lead the way in providing a soccer experience for physically and mentally challenged children to play soccer. This program has been developed under the auspices of TOPSoccer. CCSL, Golden State Soccer, NorCal and ECNL: Mustang teams participate in District III along with San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, Newark and Fremont, and for older teams with 14 District IV clubs, as well as teams from other areas of Northern California. Through these programs children are allowed to participate at a level where they can succeed and develop, both as individuals and as soccer players in a team environment. Those that seek to achieve higher levels of competition may try out for the Olympic Development Program and the State Team. We are proud of the fact that our District III Olympic Development teams sometimes have up to one-third of the team members from our Gold teams. Mustang Soccer offers summer camps, skills clinics, a Spring Coach less Soccer session and other opportunities for team and individual training. The camps and clinics are staffed by top level professional trainers selected by John Doyle for their ability to provide high level instruction directed at particular age groups.
Expenses
	Annual registration fees for Mustang Soccer are $225 per player ($100 for Ponies). The cost of a uniform usually averages about $40 for Recreational, Rec Plus, and Copper players, with Gold, Silver and Bronze uniforms costing significantly more. Rec Plus players pay an additional fee of $250 for training and tournaments. Expenses for participants in our Division 3 generally run about $600.00 per year, in addition to registration fees. Division I Gold and Silver players’ expenses can reach $2,100 per player for training, tournament fees and other team expenses. Travel and hotel expenses are in addition to these amounts.