Home Forums Long Island & Eastern New York Soccer Message Boards Roll Away The Stone Soccer News Soccer moms demanding refund after Spring season canceled by COVID-19

If soccer is a game of endurance and patience, some Jacksonville parents have exhausted their patience.

"I don't think they're being ethical," said Julie Ebersole.

COVID-19 canceled the spring season for parents and their children. Those who signed up with Florida Elite Soccer Academy are demanding a refund and getting frustrated.

The On Your Side team has received several emails. Nicole Pesant said her loss is $600. That's how much she paid and now she wants a refund.

"We are a family of six on one income, a refund could have bought us a week of groceries," she wrote.

Ebersole in her email said she paid $1300 plus $875 for tournament fees. She said Florida Elite Soccer Academy offers her zoom training to take the place of the spring season, but that is not what she paid for.

Reached by phone, Ebersole said her agreement is for games and tournaments.

"They're saying that 'we are going to offer a 10% discount for those that come back and we are going to offer training sessions in the summer,' well that is not what I paid for," said Ebersole.

Ebersole said her daughter has participated in the program for four years and this is the first time they have been given a reason to lose trust in the organization.

"I'm just looking for half of what we paid because my daughter had a winter season," she said.

Generally speaking, refunds are subject to the terms of the contract and she did not have a copy readily available.

On Your Side reached out to Florida Elite Soccer Academy.

Emails were sent to the Executive Director Sean Bubb and to President Steven Mail for comment.

We even left voice mail messages, so far no response from the sports organization.

Vittorio Ferrara, another parent told us he enrolled his 12 year old and it cost him about $400.

"She attended approximately four practices before COVID-19, but zero games. Now Florida Elite is trying to offer us 10% off of fall registration, yet we have asked several times for a refund," wrote Ferrara, " They just started these training sessions to try to save face but I didn’t sign my daughter up for summer soccer."

Ebersole said the parents have done their part, not the organization needs to to its part.

"We have held up our end of the contract," she said.

Ebersole said she is ready to take the fight to small claims court if Florida Elite Soccer Academy fails to make it right for its parents.

Hold on - One of the parents said the $600 refund could have bought her family of 6 ONE week of groceries? What are they eating?!?! This woman needs to find some coupons!!! Lol

Family of 6. If she has teenage boys that would about explain it.

Most everything is cheaper out of town where that comment comes from, and I can see where $600 can feed her family. Sadly, it may be a lot of pasta and other cost effective foods.

That's not bad being out $600. If she played in NY for SUSA she would be out 5x as much.

When SUSA goes to small claims court they better pray they dont get "JUDGE JUDY" presiding over their cases. She will favor the parents for sure.

if you are worried about feeding your family or soccer, need to think things over.

When your spouse is out of work it is an entirely different ball game, especially with 6 kids. Regardless, she is correct about what she wants regardless of her comment on groceries.

No, she isn't. She joined a club, and members of a club contribute to its expenses. Things may not have gone as planned, but the club is still there. Just like you keep giving to your Church while it has to go online. Just like you don't get a refund of property taxes because the libraries were closed.

Wow!! My head is spinning from the spin of the above post.

Are you for real? They paid for a service that they are not getting. What a stupid response! There’s a sucker born every minute and you are a sucker! Pick a neighbor that’s out of work and donate some of your salary to them instead. Do something good!

You have obviously never been involved in running a club. Of clubs have expenses but if they don't deliver to members what they were paid for they owe the members a refund for that season or a credit if they want towards the next season. A 10% credit? That is absurd beyond belief as well! You're a bubble headed booby!

a couple was to be married. The woman died in a car accident weeks before the wedding. The photographer will not refund their deposit. Think about it real quickly......

I'm thinking your a blithering bag of bovine fodder.....