04/16/2020
The following is a letter from Arkansas United Soccer Club. If you have any questions, feel free to email, call or text me.
This Memo Applies to only CARL Recreational Program Players Only
We are cancelling the Spring 2020 CARL Recreational Program and will offer a new summer program. A recent survey by ASA showed that 30% of players do not wish to return for a Spring season. This would make it impossible to determine which teams will make and which will not. So, we are cancelling this season and will offer a Summer Season if we have enough interest, and if it is determined one can safely be played. We have never done this before but know kids want to be getting back on the field.
Arkansas is a non-profit (501(c)3) Soccer Club. We do not charge a monthly fee but instead charge at the beginning of the season and pay a significant amount of our costs at the beginning of the season. Other costs will continue regardless of our having a season or not, such as field maintenance and rent. We also had to pay the state association a significant portion of your registration to US Youth registration and insurance which will not be returned.
We are offering you three ways to apply your registration fee. The first option is a refund of 75% of your registration using the method you used to register minus a $5.80 charge that we will incur as a transaction fee. (75% was determined due to the fact that a portion of the season was completed by most teams). The second option is a credit toward future program registration (Summer, Fall, Spring). Finally, there is an option to donate your registration to the Soccer Club (the donation will be tax deductible). *Note the CARES ACT, offers an above-the-line $300 tax deduction up to $600 for your donation.
Please also note, your current uniform received this year will be good for the summer or next fall/spring season if you stay within the same program.
We have attached a form for you to complete and submit. It is important that you complete and submit the form by June 1st. If we do not receive a form from you, we will apply your fee as a tax donation and we will issue you a receipt later in the year so you can take a tax deduction.
Also, in the survey, we would like to know if you would be interested in playing this summer (if it is safe to do so). This is not a commitment; we just need to know if it is worth the effort to try to put together a program. We would appreciate the feedback. 70% of players in the ASA survey wanted to play. Teams would be reformed and it would be at a reduced rate because as I stated a huge chunk of the cost have been incurred.
Finally, I want you to know that none of our decisions, about playing or not, are made without fully being researched. We will make no decisions without expert opinions. Feedback is always appreciated, so please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. As a parent, member of the club and a volunteer, I do not pretend to be an expert on the COVID-19 virus. However, please know that we are working diligently to provide your children a chance to play soccer in the safest possible environment.
