Skills Clinic is our free training program. In these sessions we’ll cover topics such as receiving, passing, dribbling, and positions and communication on the field. We believe in our no-barrier-to-access programs, and we think fundamental skill training and confidence building through personal development aren’t things people should have to pay for. We believe adults should be provided the same level of access to learning a new sport without pressure and influence as children are exposed through school. Many queer youth felt unwelcome in locker rooms or in sports spaces as youths and Skills Clinic is a way to give back to players of all levels so they can learn the sport in a gentle and supportive space.
Because of this, Skills Clinics are not only one of our most critical programs for inclusion and accessibility, it is often the one at most threat of funding loss. As a no-cost 12-months-a-year program taking place on city fields and relying on club-provided equipment, costs for just one session of this program range $150-200 each month. RCSC is committed to keeping our barrier-of-access-free programs open, and is only possible through funded donations such as these.
The goal of Skills Clinic is to help new players feel comfortable and confident when on the field. Skills Clinics cover topics such as receiving, passing, dribbling, and positions and communication on the field. Each Clinic will build on the topics covered in the last session, so we recommend coming to sessions regularly – but anyone can drop in and out as their schedule allows!
These clinics have been developed and will be led by our very own Dekel Zuhri. Dekel is a veteran not only in our club, but also in the elite world of soccer in general, having spent many years of his career shaping and defining his impact on the world of coaching and advanced skills building. Dekel will be joined frequently by other advanced skills experts at each clinic; as a diverse club, we are extremely lucky to have soccer coaching and training professionals on our board and in our community willing to donate their time to run these free clinics to meet our members’ needs.
Wherever you are at developmentally, we are excited to work with you to help you grow.
As a club when we say “community first, soccer second”, we mean it. We are defined by an unmatched passion in our love of soccer but firmly grounded in our intentionality to always put community building first.
The members that make up our community come from all walks of life. Many have been avid soccer fans and passionate players for years; others are casual players who are returning to the love of soccer after a long absence, or rediscovering a new love for an old passion when soccer is aligned with queer advocacy.
Even more frequently we are seeing brand new members, not only to the club, but new to our beloved sport. These are brave folks willing to try being “bad” at something because they never had a comfortable space before to feel welcomed as themselves in the world of sports.
Regardless of each individual’s particular background, our Skills Clinics are designed to train players towards a uniformed skill set and with it, a new-found confidence on the pitch. Our entire goal is breaking down and removing barriers so that any and all who are interested in the sport feel welcome, included, and armed with the skills they need to play.
