The Consumer Complaints Blog

Fighting the trained monkey in modern society.

August 13, 2006

Soccer at The Docks in Toronto

Filed under: Service Based — Editor @ 2:51 am

I signed my 10 year son up for one week of soccer and fun at Soccerworld @ The Docks. I registered online on April 19, 2006. My payment was processed that day for $267.50. The website shows its last update Feb 1 2006 and is still that current.

It promised:

  • Outstanding instruction for girls/boys
  • Ages 6-16 from Conquest Coaching Staff
  • Official Soccerworld Camp t-shirt and ball
  • Personal “Skills Evaluation” (Written by camper’s Coach) and workout calender
  • Emphasis on fundamentals, sportsmanship
  • And team play

The list of Coaching staff was impressive, the director is the Head of women’s soccer program at UofT. The other coaches were also from UofT. This is what was delivered:

  • Campers were to be dropped of at Spike’s Clubhouse … it’s a bar!
  • NONE of the coaches were in attendance during the week.
  • No “official” camp t-shirt. My son received an adult sized shirt with two company names on it that meant nothing and just advertising them.
  • No ball.
  • No personal skills evaluation.
  • AND on the last day some children received a ball or hat for ‘good sportsmanship’ or ‘participation’.
  • No mention had been made the first day that some prizes would be given for these things.

I complained via email on Day 2 as my son had come home Monday night with a severe burn on his face and body from swimming without a shirt and sunscreen. There is no shelter at the docks and the counsellors did not enforce that sunscreen be applied to shirtless bodies. I had a telephone promptly after my complaint email. We discussed the burn. We discussed that when our son was dropped off to a young cousellor in flip flops that there wasn’t a sign in sheet. All other camps we attend duly mark off the name and we can leave with assurance that he is accounted for especially next to Lake Ontario.

On Friday after a disappointing week learning that nary one coach was ever in attendance during the week and that his most fun he had was go-karting in the week… I marched over to the trailer to speak in person to the director of the camp. He thought my expectations for the camp were too high. My expectations were what they printed online and what I paid for online. I feel they were misrepresenting the camp and false advertising.

My son was disappointed that we did not get a new soccer ball as we expected. I feel I paid too much and received too little. I’m glad I only took my son for one week and I will tell my friends not to make the same mistake. I should have called and asked more questions instead I believed what I read online.

I hope this might help others.

Signed,
janet joy wilson

Disclaimer
This article was submitted by one of our readers. Penciltrick cannot make any claims as to its authenticity but the article was accepted on a good faith belief that it is an accurate and truthful account of the events listed.

4 Responses to “Soccer at The Docks in Toronto”

  1. Robert Ortali Says:

    It is quite astounding, how someone would be able to post information that is not true, our camp although not delivering certain things, do deliver beyond the parents expectations,

    The kids throughly enjoy the camp, bar none, we have numerous letters of appreciation,
    It do admit that the environment is not perfect, and that you have some valid points, however some points are absolutely not true, especially the coaching staff, all are U of T CIS players, except for one who goes to Western and plays baseball and Kayaks competitively.
    Is it the kids we care about or our egos.
    We pride ourselves in delivering a camp in a warm and caring environment with quality instruction. We are sorry that we didn’t achieve your expectations.
    Regards, robert

  2. Stephanie Says:

    Expectations? Don’t you think if you post something on your website and people PAY for what they’re reading, that you are SETTING the expectation?

  3. Tarik Soliman Says:

    Dear:Robert Ortali;

    would you please send me your email address or phone number? I have something I would like to discuss with you about the docks soccerworld. I think you would want to know this information if you care about the future of the great leagues you run there. You can also call me at 647-500-6873.

  4. Jamie McBride Says:

    I had my child at this camp. We attended for two weeks, and I must add my child can be more then a handful at times. She enjoyed her experience, and on top of that, her rep coach noticed her improvement during games.

    This posting just seemed bitter to me. You are upset your child got a burn on their head, and the rest just seems like you are nitpicking.

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