BRIDGE PROGRAM - FALL

Bridge Program - Summer Player Fees: $295

Uniforms are included in Player Fees.

Included in player fees: 

• Royal Adidas jersey
• Grey training (alternate) jersey

Complete uniform kit required: Royal Adidas jersey, Grey training jersey, royal Adidas shorts, and royal socks.

If new to Tonka United, you will need to purchase royal Adidas shorts and royal socks - available at our office or online HERE.

If previously a TU Recreation player, you are able to use the royal Adidas shorts and royal socks used during the 2023 Spring/Summer season.

Are you interested in parent assistant coaching in the Fall Bridge Program? 

As you complete registration for the season, there will be an option to express interest in coaching. Tonka United will then follow up with you.   

• Every team neeeds a parent assistant coach
• Parent assistant coaches will be responsible for coaching games
• Training will be supported by Tonka United Staff Coach Leads

After tryouts, teams will be balanced by ability. 

• With every evaluation and new season, there comes potential for change and great anxiety from players, parents and coaches alike. We encourage you to remember that each year is a chance to grow, to develop as a player, to develop as a person and to develop a passion for soccer. 
• Long-term player development is unique to each player and is neither consistent nor predictable -- it is the product of several interacting variables (environment, attitude, genetics, training, nutrition, injuries, etc.). In other words, no one can predict where a player will be 10 years from now. Afterall, Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, was cut from his high school basketball team. 
• As such, players, coaches, and parents should not confuse current team placement for long-term outcome predictions. The current teams will look very different down the road (and they should!). Rather, all parties should understand that the goal is to place players in the most appropriate environment for their current developmental needs -- with players of similar abilities to ensure a balanced training and game environment: not too difficult, not too easy.
• We understand and admire the desire for the players to be on "the best team," but hope that you understand the potential difference between that and "the best team for your player right now." The development path that we created and continued to strive for and strengthen allows for movement of players among play levels. 
• This allows for the most suitable player development environment – where players can have fun, be appropriately challenged, and improve game day performance. It is important that every player in our program has the chance to succeed and enjoy playing soccer. Playing above or below one’s level often brings out frustration, boredom or disengagement. Our goal is to help find that perfect balance. Please help support Tonka United by supporting your child – whatever level they are placed at.

• Players will receive their shirt when checking in on site before their initial team placements event. This shirt needs to be worn to all team placements. If experiencing inclement weather, please note that the required shirt must be worn on top of any layers.
• Wear soccer gear: cleats, shin guards, soccer socks, and appropriate clothing. 
• Bring soccer equipment: pumped soccer ball and water bottle. May be helpful to have your name on items. 
• Demonstration of Tonka United’s life skills: fun, respect, positivity, teamwork, perseverance, work ethic and community. 

• Help check in your player on site before their initial team placement session.
• During the evaluation, Parents are not allowed to be near the fields used for team placements, to attempt to coach from the sidelines, nor to approach evaluators to ensure that players and evaluators can proceed distraction free. 
• Before the team placement sessions, encourage your child to do their best and manage the things within their control (attitude, workrate, etc.)
• After placement results, regardless of if your child made the team they wanted to or not, help them practice their resilience. Again, each player develops at different rates – therefore, players move both up and down in team placement, all depending on a variety of factors that change over time. What’s important is that players face the immediate challenge in front of them and continue to improve. 

• There are no make-up sessions or individual evaluations. Every effort should be made to attend the scheduled assessments.
• If a returning Bridge Program player is unable to attend, then their body of work from the previous soccer season provided by their most recent team coach and Staff Coach Lead will be used to help guide their team placement. 
• Players who cannot attend tryouts MUST still register for team placements to be considered for any placement. After completion of the season registration, please email Justin Flack - jflack@tonkaunited.org to inform him of your intended absence.