Refund Policy
Like other area organizations, PDP team formation takes place during a period when tryouts for many clubs are taking place, and during the time of year when the number of players looking for new clubs is at its highest. As such, there are usually more players seeking a place on our rosters than there are available roster spots. Therefore, the tryout process requires that we may reject some players in order to offer spots to others. Additionally, should a player later drop out, there is a considerable reduction in the pool of players from whom we could replace not just that one player, but also necessarily complete the roster with players of the ability and commitment anticipated by other team members. As acknowledged in the initial offer, upon receipt of the deposit payment we commit to holding a roster spot for your child. Of crucial importance, you have the benefit of knowing that other families whose children play on the team are bound by the same absolute and non-refundable nature of their financial commitment, which constitutes a large part of the confidence necessary in signing up for a team well in advance of the start of play.
This arrangement, while necessary given the calendar of youth soccer and the reality that tryouts for the upcoming year’s teams take place during a certain period in the Spring, means that our ability to mitigate financial damage caused by a later change of heart is considerably reduced. Accordingly, should a family wish to remove their child from the PDP program, their full financial commitment to making all payments will not change. We will not refund any monies under any circumstance, and, in order to bring the relationship to a timely conclusion, will invoice all outstanding monies in full, no later than 10 (ten) days of the family notifying the Club of their intent to leave PDP. Once payment in full has been made, player cards will also be returned, canceled, or released (as appropriate), and the player will be removed from team roster, allowing all parties to pursue alternate opportunities with all prior obligations met. This commitment is considerable, but is laid out in writing in advance, in order for the family to freely choose whether to enter into it. We are transparent about this commitment, and in agreeing to join PDP, the parent or guardian must electronically agree to all payments, acknowledge that PDP will likely have difficulty replacing their child should they later leave, and, knowingly and reasonably waiving in writing their right to later cancel their authorization for these charges. Further, the parent has acknowledged that payment in full for all dues is technically due at the time of offer acceptance but, as a courtesy, we do offer in most instances a payment plan to assist families with meeting these financial obligations. That being said, please understand that all payments made are not refundable under any circumstances, and that the commitment to paying the full amount is a necessary financial commitment required by PDP to form our youth teams in advance of the season, with the considerable financial obligations that are necessary to run a youth soccer club of this type. The parent/guardian has also agreed to be bound by this policy, and has had ample time to consider the obligations herein, and the fact that other families committing to the team will be bound by these same obligations. In addition to the dues payments as discussed here, all credit card, installment, or other processing fees that may be incurred are non-refundable, particularly as those monies are not paid to PDP, but rather directly to third-parties.
In accepting a place on a PDP team, the family recognizes that the team is run as part of the PDP program as a whole. As such, many operational decisions within the team and proram are made by the team Head Coach, the program’s Director of Coaching and other Directors. Indeed, the removal of parents and volunteers from these decisions, substituting instead the judgment of professional staff, forms a major part of the decision of which, from many available clubs, a player wishes to play for. These decisions include, but are not limited to: which leagues and tournaments the team participates in, who trains and coaches the team, including possible trainer/coach changes, numbers of players on a roster, the selection of players to the roster, which players compete in which game(s), decisions on how long players play in any given game(s), and the position(s) that players play when on the field. The family agrees that having these decisions made by the professional club staff rather than any parent on the team is an important part of the club, and of their decision to join PDP, and understand that should they later disagree with those decisions over the course of the year, that will not be cause for a refund of any kind, nor will it reflect a full or partial breach of any obligations by PDP or our member clubs.
This level of financial commitment is considerable but necessary, not because of the reality that children will change their mind from time to time, but to avoid the considerable damage to the program and other families that would be caused were adults to be able to avoid their agreed upon financial obligations. This includes damage in which the program or our member clubs pay for the loss directly, or indirect damage caused by forcing other parents within the club to incur unexpected charges due to the actions of those breaching their agreements, thus harming the PDP program’s reputation. Please note that there are no exceptions to this policy.