Posted in
Updated: December, 2011
Thank you for your interest in high level Competitive Soccer for the 2012-13 Season with the Walnut Creek Soccer Club (WCSC). For the 2011-12 season, WCSC fielded 43 Competitive Teams that participated in the US Club sanctioned RAL and NorCal playing leagues, along with the CYSA sanctioned CCSL East Bay League. We have first and second teams in most age groups, with some ages having a third team. These teams are identified by our soccer club colors as WCSC Blue, White, and Black. Of the 43 competitive teams, 5 played at the Premier level, 10 participated in Gold, 11 in Silver, 14 in Bronze and 3 in Copper. WCSC had a great deal of success in the 2011-12 season with 50% of our teams finishing Top 3 in their Fall league standings, and almost 70% finishing in the Top 4. In 2012-13, we expect to field between 40-45 competitive teams, which will also include the 3rd year of our U8 Academy. 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. Read the FAQ
Question: What is the difference between Competitive soccer and Recreational ‘House’ soccer?
Answer: The major difference is the level of competition and commitment required by both families and participating players. All Blue, White and Black (Premier to Copper) teams require an increased time, financial, and training commitment by our players. Benefits include:
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Professional coaching/training
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Play against better competition
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Play more games against a variety of clubs
Question: What is the difference between the different levels within Competitive Soccer?
Answer: There are now 5 different levels of competition offered in our governing soccer bodies (US Club Soccer & CYSA). The Premier level represents the highest level of soccer in a playing league with the Gold and Silver levels just a notch below. The Premier, Gold and Silver levels were formally known as Division 1 and in WCSC are represented by our Blue and White teams. At these levels teams are defined, by US Club or 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 all Blue level teams and some White level 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 Bronze and Copper levels of soccer were formally known as Division 3 and are classified as Black level teams in our club. WCSC strives to field age pure (classified by the oldest player) Bronze and Copper 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. Bronze and Copper teams are formed as part of the competitive tryout process after the Blue 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 toward higher level teams.
Question: What is the time commitment for WCSC Blue, White and Black Competitive Soccer Teams?
Answer: In our youngest age groups, our U8 Academy requires a 6-month commitment, and our U9 & U10 teams require a 7-8 month commitment. From U11-U19, our Blue teams along with many White teams require a 9-10 month commitment from the players as well as the player's family depending on the age group and team. Our Black teams can require anywhere from a 7-9 month commitment. Younger tryouts (U8-14) take place in Jan/Feb, while older tryouts (U15-19) take place in April.
Spring League: While most teams will typically begin practicing in May, some teams will also play in the NorCal spring league. For our U9-14 teams this will run from April-June, so those teams will begin practicing in April. The U-15 through U-19 age groups will either participate in Spring league (May-July) and start shortly after tryouts are finished; or begin their season in May/June in preparation for summer tournaments.
Summer/Fall: 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. The U-9 through U-13 teams will participate in US Club Soccer/NorCal Fall League play and continue with State Cup play into the winter months. Some of these younger teams will finish their season in December while others will finish in Jan/Feb depending upon their performance in the State Cup tournament. Older teams must suspend their activities once their league season ends in November until the end of the high school season (mid-November through mid-February). The U-14 through U-19 age groups will commence State Cup play in late March with the finals being held in May. All teams will participate in tournaments throughout the year, with the bulk of tournament play occurring during the summer months. On average, Blue and White level teams will attend 3-4 summer tournaments, and Black teams 2-3.
Typically, teams will take time off for Spring Break (although State Cup can be held during this time period), 1-2 weeks in the summer, Thanksgiving week and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
All players are committed to the team is for the entire season which ends with the finish of State Cup.
Training sessions will be either two or three times per week. Games are usually played on Saturdays and/or Sundays during both tournament and league seasons.
Question: How much do Competitive Teams travel?
Answer: Most U8-U13 play is local (within 60 minutes of Walnut Creek.) Most U14-U19 league games are within 45-90 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 Format for Tryouts?
Answer: WCSC holds open tryouts every spring to form Competitive Teams. The tryouts are supervised by the Director of Coaching and conducted by our professional coach & training staff. The players will be evaluated on their abilities in four areas: Technical, Tactical, Psychological and Physical.
There will be at least three tryout sessions for each age group. Players 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. Even if the criteria is met, the player must still 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.
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 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. Our goal is to have all teams formed and communications sent out within 7-10 days.
Question: How will teams be formed in each age group?
Answer: Teams will be formed in the following sequence:
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A Premier/Gold/Silver 1 team is formed- WCSC Blue (age pure)
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A 3rd team is formed if there are enough competitive level players participating in the tryout process. The team will compete at the Bronze/Copper level and is classified as WCSC Black (age pure or age mixed).
Question: What will be the financial commitment for Blue, White and Black level teams?
Competitive Registration fee is $275 for all players.
Training fees for WCSC Blue and WCSC White level teams: (includes goalkeeper academy): U8 Academy= $250, U9-U10 (parent head coach with professional trainer) = $500, U11-U13 (professional coach) = $800, U14-U19 (professional coach) = $855.
Training fees for WCSC Black level teams (includes goalkeeper academy): U9-U10 (parent head coach with professional trainer)= $350, U11-U13 = $400, U14-U19 = $450.
Training fees are increased by the following amount if there is no parent coach but instead we have a fulltime professional coach/trainer: U9/U10 Blue or White teams= $600, U9-U10 Black teams= $450, U11-U13 = $600, U14-U19 = $650.
Additional Costs:
-All players will pay for a share of their team budget, which will include such items as tournament registration, travel costs, and team equipment needs which averages around $200.
-U11-14 teams will also participate in our SCA (Speed, Core & Agility) program, which costs $60/per player.
-Spring League participation. This is an additional eight-week season, and all players participating in will pay a $100 which goes towards spring referee fees and coaches pay.
-Uniforms. Every three years we rotate uniforms so one time during this cycle you will be required to purchase the club uniform which is @ $150.
Teams can run many different types of fundraising programs with WCSC Board approval.
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: If my child makes a team, how do I register and pay league fees?
Answer: Each player will be required to register online as soon as they have been selected to participate a WCSC team. Instructions will be sent via email after notification of the team selection has been made.
Tom Ginocchio
WCSC Director of Coaching
doc@wcsc.org
