Lightning Soccer Club

When the parents who left 1 star below signed up for competitive soccer, I’m not sure what they were expecting. When you play competitive, it’s expensive. I agree. However, Lightning gives generous scholarships to families like ours who want to participate and can’t afford it. My son has had 2 different coaches with Lightning, and I have been totally impressed with their professionalism, ability, and modeling of sportsmanship to my son. I think a family’s experience will vary form team to team depending on the coach, but I have been very happy so far. It’s important for me to have my son play on a team where parents are not allowed to behave poorly on the sidelines, and so far the coaches have managed both the children and adults very well. I have also seen my son develop so many skills that will serve him a lifelime– not just skills with a ball. He has learned teamwork, how to be a leader, self-​confidence, how to win and lose with grace… we have played in other clubs, but Lighning is so far the best by far.

First let me state that I am a staff coach for the club, but with that being stated. I have coached for over 15 years in other clubs and very good understanding of soccer clubs in San Diego. This is my second year with Lightning, enough time to realize that Lightning is an excellent club. Well organized, excellent competitive coaches, top directors, great parents on the board and the best facilities in North County. As for the comment that Lightning will accept any kid that tries out for a competitive team, just to make a team is a complete misnomer. An example for this year is that the club had over 100 players come out for our boys under 10 team. The club made an effort to create enough teams to accommodate those parents that want to be part of the club and play competitive soccer. The fact is that parents would rather have their kids play on a 3^rd or 4^th team at Lightning then play on a first team at another club. The 5^th boys team for this age group, also has one of our top coaches in the club. Of course players do get cut from teams at Lightning, but the club does an excellent job of offering opportunities for these players to develop. It is my personal opinion that we are not an All-​Star club, where all the top players go to play, We are a developing club, that develops top players, that win National titles.
The club is very clear on fees, there are no surprises. The club also donates large amounts of money to the school district and has a huge financial aid program for players that can not afford to play. The club has a great grass roots program with our rascals, rookies program, all the way to our Elite program for college bound players. Compare Lightning to any club in San Diego or Southern Cal and you will hard pressed to find a better club. Once, again .no club is perfect. Please visit our website, contact a coach in your kids age group, contact a board member or a lightning parent.
Cheers
Coach Bill Buelna
GU7 Red
GU8 Red
Carlsbad Lightning Soccer Club

Been with them for 2 years now. 1^st year with recreational program, which was just ok (typical parent-​coached teams and not much interaction with the Club itself, really).
2^nd year we did their Competitive program, which is more than a thousand dollars, which their website fails to mention. The kids «try-​out» and if they make the cut, then you are slammed with the ridiculous fees. They make it seem like they pick only the best players, but really they’ll accept most anyone so they can make more money. Sure, you get a professional coach, but he/​she will most likely not be there for practices and games a lot, like ours was.
To top it all off, each soccer tournament your child enters has an entry fee, which amounts to hundreds of dollars more to dish out. With the pressure of being in a «competitive soccer» setting and wanting to be loyal to your team, we spent hundreds more.
The coach played favorites and didn’t seem fit to coach young people, IMO. I agree with the other parent, it’s a money-​driven organization that cares very little about its young players. Stay away from Lightning Soccer. We wish we did.

I have been happy with this league. My son started last year as a 5 years old and I thought it was well run, utilized a nice facility and the coach was pretty good. This year I flaked and forgot to sign my son up by the deadline. The website said registration closed. I e-​mailed the appropriate person from the website and they said a few spaces were still available and to follow a link to get him signed up. Even the customer service seems to be good. So far, I’m a fan.

Awful customer service, no personal attention for new families entering the sports world with young kids, heard bad things from other families and now I agree! Watch out moms and dads!