Northern Virginia Royals Incorporated

Review: The Northern Virginia Royals advertised a summer camp for college players. The advertisement is still posted on their web page: http://www.novafc.org/pdl/index_E.html

I paid $400 and registered my son for the second session. It turns out that this camp is really just training with the Royals PDL team, which is actually a great experience. However, training was cancelled twice due to Royals games, with no notice to the paying "campers." By this I mean kids showed up for camp and there was nobody from the Royals staff there. Then the Royals PDL season ended July 15, so no more “camp” at all. There were no more than 6 training sessions, not the 12 sessions that were promised. There are other issues, too. The advertisement promises 6 games in "matchplay conditions." There were no games at all. Furthermore, the camp is not held at the new, professional standard Evergreen Park as advertised; it is at the crummy, old [redacted] complex. I have e-mailed the Royals to ask whether there will be a refund for cancelled sessions, or whether makeup sessions will be offered. The Royals have not replied to my e-mail. We received no more than 1/3 of the services we paid for, and at lower quality facilities. This sure seems like consumer fraud.

Here is the advertisement copied from their web site:

SUMMER TRAINING PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE PLAYERS and HS SENIORS

EIGHT WEEKS OF COMPREHENSIVE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL TRAINING With ROYALS Head Coach, [redacted] (former Manager of Scottish Championship club, [redacted] and Assistant Coach with [redacted])

Northern Virginia Royals are providing an opportunity for college players and select college-bound HS Seniors to train throughout the summer with top [redacted] coach, [redacted]. This comprehensive off-season opportunity will be offered in two intense 6 WEEK Programs that will enable players to train, improve skill levels, advance soccer specific strength and conditioning and play in matchplay conditions at [redacted]s NEW and outstanding professional standard facility. Space will be limited to only 25 players maximum per session.

“We are looking to provide a unique training opportunity for returning college players who wish to stay on top of their game during the off-season. So many college coaches I speak with are always looking to find quality programs or environments where players can train to a high standard, improve skill sets and work on areas of deficiency. We are providing that in a very demanding professional program that will be both beneficial and enjoyable for our participants.”

[redacted], No VA Royals

Session 2* Tuesday Jun 22nd through Friday Aug 2nd 2014

12 x Training Sessions every Tues & Fri 10am – noon + 6 games

Players will be provided with weekly workout sheets with core strength exercises and a High Intensity running program to supplement soccer specific training

COSTS: $400 per session Registration https:/[redacted]/Desired Settlement: I am requesting a full refund because, not only did the Royals not provide the services we paid for, we incurred additional expenses when my son drove to "camp" on days when there was nobody there.

I am requesting refund by check because the credit card number I used to pay on line is no longer valid, so credit card refund would not work.