Youth soccer clubs in our area seem to be competing just to exist. As previously covered in other articles. Many coaches believe they need to consistently win in order to keep teams from season to season.

And that’s not too far from reality. Let us be honest when we were kids we always wanted to be on the winning team. It was much more fulfilling, Nowadays parents may be more engaged with their kids. However, they still don’t want to be listening to their kids upset with not winning.

Not all players are the same. Some have a winning mentality others are happy to be around friends and if a win comes by, great.

Winning V Development

Consistently hearing player development, team development, etc. is great but developing versus winning is a fine balance. No coach will tell you that teams without wins will stay together, no matter what the age.

It takes a brave coach or club to maintain the narrative of development first. Why? because development takes time. lots of time! In the modern world where everything is about immediate returns and instant rewards. Working towards building technical competency is not given the time it deserves.

Instead, coaches are using easy on-the-eye improvements and game tactics to maximize winning outcomes. Winning games are important for parents or coaches alike to promote their league position, a number of tournament wins to aid in the retention and recruitment of players.

The negatives are players with reduced touches on the ball. In a game where touches and time on the ball are already at a premium for players. Taking more opportunities away will only stifle game understanding, repetition, and decision-making.

Trying to replicate game situations is already difficult enough at practice so it’s imperative players experience that in games.

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Being Brave in the marketplace

Swimming against the tide is difficult, uses more energy, and requires more patience. It’s also easy to give up and just go with the current for an easier ride and safer success.

Those that do go against the status quo will benefit immensely. But only if the communication and belief are there. Those teams swimming against the tide will be stronger, more resilient, have better-equipped players, and more.

It’s important to realize that not all players will become elite-level players either. Body movements, biomechanics, the mind’s speed at processing information, body size are all factors that can hinder elite-level performances.

That shouldn’t change clubs playing beliefs, or development models. Whatever the model, philosophy or beliefs are, make sure that it’s visible from all areas of the club.

Creating a DNA starts with creating culture.

So what is Culture?

Culture is the club. It’s every aspect of the organization. The staff that is hired, to the coaching expectations on the practice field.

What type of employees are you wanting? excited, outgoing energetic personalities or traditional corporate America personalities? People are allowed to express ideas and suggestions, or people that are very good at delivering what has been asked of them without the need to change the process.

How will the team play? are you wanting high-tempo gameplay, or methodical build-up and ball possession.

Expectations on matchday and training policies. Coaches’ and players’ expectations on attire, uniform, language, and appearance.

True Culture

But the culture and DNA of a club can’t just be a flirting casual conversation in a board room.

It should be consistent throughout all aspects of the club. It should be seen clearly by other organizations and their publics. Maintaining consistency between teams and divisions is equally as important.

Imagine asking a team to play quick, fast play with giggenpressing yet in practice the opposite is expected. Slow methodical workloads, and not replicating the game tactics wanted by the coach.

Create the culture at practice and it will develop the DNA at the game.

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Soccer Club Culture: The DNA for success

Understanding that culture is important to organizations. Knowing that culture is a focal point and consistent throughout every facet.

But culture needs to be authentic.

Copying other organizations’ cultures and DNA would be difficult to maintain. Organizations feeling the need to copy others are not being true to themselves.

They will only succeed in confusing their own publics and community. Communicating one thing then completely doing something else in actions will only make for a disjointed messaging.

Those organizations not creating a culture probably lose members, customers, or staff. People having no sense of direction, a purpose within a structure, or failing to see the outcome and end product won’t have any cause to stay.

Culture thats meaningful

Create meaningful and authentic trends within the group’s community. As mentioned earlier, it takes braveness to stand out from the crowd.

Consistent communication and actions will allow your publics to trust in the process, support the message and promote the organization organically.

Dare to be different, but also be real. Be consistent with your actions and your words. Make sure both are the foundation of your mission.

Create the culture, own your culture, and be proud of the DNA you create. Success will follow.