Earning Playing Time: Effort, Commitment and Growth & Performance

We want to be clear: playing time is earned, not guaranteed. At Eastshore Alliance FC, players are expected to demonstrate consistent effort, positive attitude, tactical discipline, and attendance to earn minutes. Game time is one of many learning tools – not an entitlement. We also take performance into consideration at this age. There is NO guaranteed minutes for players on a U16-U19 team.

Research in sport psychology and youth development supports this approach:

Healthy competition fosters resilience, motivation, and confidence (Weinberg & Gould, 2019).

Players who are pushed to compete for roles develop life skills like reflection, adaptability, and performance under pressure. (The Aspen Institute, “Sport for All, Play for Life” Project Play Report).

A competitive environment builds teamwork, self-awareness, and leadership. These are transferable to every area of life.

We are committed to creating a space where players are challenged to earn their spots through merit.

Player Ownership

We believe in empowering our high school athletes to speak for themselves because adolescence is a stage marked by a strong psychological drive for independence and self-expression. Research shows that teenagers naturally seek greater autonomy and often prefer to manage their own responsibilities without heavy parental involvement, especially in areas like sports where they can develop ownership. When players independently ask about game time, communicate availability, or request support, they are not only honoring this developmental need but also building essential communication skills and self-efficacy. These experiences give them practice in navigating adult conversations with confidence, preparing them to handle future challenges in education, work, and life with maturity and independence.