Posted in
Updated: January, 2010
Dear Parents and Players:
Thank you for your interest in high level Competitive Soccer for the 2010-11 Season with the Walnut Creek Soccer Club (WCSC). For the 2009-10 season, WCSC fielded 38 Competitive Teams that participated in CYSA sanctioned playing leagues: Golden State Soccer League (GSSL), District IV, and Al Caffodio; or, participated in the US Club sanctioned playing leagues: NorCal Fall/Spring. We have first and second teams in most age groups, with some having a third team. These teams are identified as Blue (1st), White (2nd) and Black (3rd). Of the 38 competitive teams, 21 Blue and White teams played the equivalent of Division 1 soccer, and 17 White and Black teams participated at the equivalent of Division 3 soccer. In 2010-11, we expect to field around 40 competitive teams which will also include U8’s for the first time. The club developed the following list of questions to provide information about our Competitive Program. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Head Coach/Trainer for your age group or a Competitive Committee member.
Question: What is the difference between Competitive soccer and Recreational ‘House’ soccer?
Answer: The major difference is the level of play and commitment required by both families and participating players. All Blue, White and Black, Division 1 and Division 3 teams require an increased time, financial and training commitment of our players. Benefits include:
l Professional coaching / training
l Teammates who are committed to improving the team’s skills and performance
l Play against better competition
l Play more games against a variety of clubs
Question: What is the difference between Division 1 and Division 3 Competitive Soccer?
Answer: The Division 1 level represents the highest level of soccer offered by California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) leagues. The teams are defined by CYSA as being age pure (classified by the oldest player). Players are selected through a series of tryouts. Coaches and the WCSC Director of Coaching will select a team based on their expertise in evaluating youth soccer players. WCSC plans to field Division 1 teams in the following age groups: U-8, U-9, U-10, U-11, U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19.
The Division 3 level is the next level below Division 1. WCSC strives to field age pure (classified by the oldest player) teams in the following age groups: U-8, U-9, U-10, U-11, U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19. Depending on the number of qualified players available, some teams may span a 2 year age group: U9/U10, U11/U12, U13/U14, U15/U16, and U17/U19. Division 3 teams are formed as part of the competitive tryout process after the Division 1 teams are formed. The level of soccer provides more advanced training and playing opportunities than is available at the Division 4 level (house/recreation), and with the intent of preparing players for advancement to Division 1 teams.
US Club Soccer does not designate teams as Division 1 or Division 3, but as 1st, 2nd or 3rd teams in an age group. The teams are then placed to play at the appropriate level (Premier to Bronze) for league play based upon the team’s abilities.
Question: What is the time commitment for Division 1 and 3 Competitive Soccer Teams?
Answer: Division 1 teams (U11-U19) require a 9-10 month commitment from the players as well as the player's family depending on the age group and team. Tryouts and team formation are completed in early spring. Teams will typically begin practicing in May after team formation and tournament play usually begins in July and continues throughout the summer months. Fall League play begins following Labor Day and will continue until mid-November, with the last weekend of September and October designated as tournament weekends. A few teams will also play in a spring league which runs April-June, so those teams will begin practicing in April. The U-11 through U-13 teams will participate in US Club Soccer/NorCal Fall League play and continue with State Cup play into the winter months. The State Cup tournament (NorCal/CYSA season ending tournament) begins in mid-January for U-11 through U-13 age groups and will be completed by late February depending on the success of the team. The U-14 through U-19 age groups must suspend their team activities until the end of the high school season (11/15 through 2/15). The U-14 through U-19 age groups will commence State Cup play in late March with finals being held in May. Division 1 teams tend to play more tournaments than Division 3 teams.
Typically, teams will take time off for Spring Break, 1-2 weeks in the summer, Thanksgiving week and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Training sessions can be two to three times per week. Games are usually played on Saturdays and/or Sundays during both tournament and league seasons.
Division 1 U8-U10 team’s season runs April through mid-December. These team will play in monthly one day Play Days (3 games) each month April through July in addition to the WCSC Jamboree, the second weekend in August. The fall league begins after Labor Day and continues through early November. The season ends for U9 and U10’s with the Norcal State Cup which concludes by mid-December.
Division 3 players and families can anticipate a commitment level less than that of the Division 1 teams. Typically teams begin practicing in late May-early June and play a few tournaments in the summer (late July-Aug). Fall league play runs September through early November with the last weekend of September and October designated as tournament weekends. The season ending tournament (Association Cup) is played in January for U11-U14 and March for U15 and older.
Training sessions are held two to three times per week. Games are usually played on Saturdays and/or Sundays during both tournament and league seasons.
Typically, teams will take time off for Spring Break, 1-2 weeks in the summer, Thanksgiving week and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Question: How much do Competitive Teams travel?
Answer: All U8-U10 play is local (within 60 minutes of Walnut Creek.) Most U11-U12 league and tournament games are within a 75 minute drive of Walnut Creek. U13-U19 league games are within 75 minutes of Walnut Creek and some teams can travel out of Northern California 1-2 times a year for tournaments.
Question: What will be the financial commitment for Division 1 and Division 3 Teams?
Answer: Competitive Registration fee is $265 for all Division 1 & Division 3 players.
Division 1 training fees, including goal keeper academy (total season): U9-U10 (assuming parent head coach with professional trainer) = $500, U11-U13 (professional coach) = $800, U14-U19 (professional coach) = $855.
Division 3 training fees (assuming parent head coach with professional trainer), including goal keeper academy (total season): U8-U10 = $250, U11-U13 = $400, U14-U19 = $450.
Division 3 training fees (assuming professional head coach), including goal keeper academy (total season): U8-U10 = $350, U11-U13 = $600, U14-U19 = $650.
In addition for both Division 1 and Division 3, players will pay for a share of tournament registration, uniforms (if new to WCSC Competitive) and team equipment needs.
Question: What will be the Format for Tryouts?
WCSC holds open tryouts every spring to form Competitive Teams. The tryouts are supervised by the Director of Coaching and conducted by Division 1 professional coaches, trainers and evaluators. The players will be evaluated on their: skill, speed, attitude, and stamina.
There will be at least three tryout sessions for each age group. Players are strongly encouraged to attend both of the first two tryouts and must attend a minimum of two tryouts to be considered for a WCSC team unless excused for medical or family reasons by the Director of Coaching (DOC). Players will try out in their appropriate age level unless given specific approval by the Director of Coaching prior to the start of tryouts. If criteria is met (applies to Division 1 only, player is in top 3 in current age group, approval is received from both age group head coach and DOC), the player must attend the first tryout for their age appropriate group and then may attend the older age group tryout. Parents and players may not request a specific team placement, but may indicate a Division 3 vs. Division 1 preference with appropriate reason (less financial commitment, player has multiple competitive sports, etc) at tryout check-in.
All players attending tryouts must register on-line at http://www.wcsc.org/node/480 prior to participating in tryouts.
All players must check in at each tryout session. Players should arrive 15 minutes early to complete the on-site check-in process and properly warm-up. Players should wear white shirts, shin guards, and cleats and bring a ball and water. Players should not wear any gear that shows any club or team affiliation.
Question: How will teams be formed?
Answer: Teams will be formed in the following sequence:
Division I A / Division I B (if applicable) / Division 3 age pure (i.e. U11) / Division 3 multi-age (i.e. U11/U12)
Question: Are there residency requirements/limits for WCSC Competitive Teams?
Answer: Competitive teams U12 and younger wishing to carry more than five (5) non-residents must justify the need and obtain approval from the Board of Directors.
Question: How will the tryout results be communicated?
Answer: Every player who participates in at least two tryout sessions will receive a call from the head coach/evaluator. Player assignments to the top team for an age group will be concluded no later than three (3) days following the last tryout. The team below the top team will then have three (3) days to notify players and so on down the sequence of teams noted above. The teams will also be posted on the web site as soon as the selections/acceptances are completed.
Question: If my child makes a team, how do I register and pay league fees?
Answer: Each team will complete their own registration during a team meeting in March. There is no need to go to the recreation (house) registration nights if your child makes a Division 1 or Division 3 team.
Tom Ginocchio
WCSC Director of Coaching
doc@wcsc.org
