Youth Competitive Soccer

Some Basics about Competitive Soccer

Note: The level of commitment increases from Division 1 to Premier, and from Premier to Regional and Provincial. Elite teams in Regional or Provincial leagues are only at U12 and above.

Tryouts

Players per team

Players on the field

7 for U09, U10 and U11 and 11 for U12 to U18

Travel

Usually around Ottawa with occasional travel within Eastern Ontario . Tournaments are further a-field.

Games per Week

One league game plus periodic friendly games and tournaments.

Practices per Week

Usually 2 (coach and team usually decide on the number of practices)

Tournaments

3-6 usually on weekends and depending on team age and interest, parent commitment; each costs about $15 per player for fees, plus travel if any.

Additional Costs

Uniform about $50-75. Misc. to team treasury of $20-40. Some tournament costs.

The Player

Must commit to making a solid effort to be a good team-mate: work hard; get along; be on time and ready; respect team-mates, coaches, officials and opponents. Put the success of the team before personal achievement.

Parent's role

Coaches are there to coach: to teach and lead. The team relies on parents to carry out the administrative tasks. All of the following are important: manager, tournament manager, vacation scheduler, phone tree organizer, trainer, and nets and equipment person. A good manager is the key to a team's success.

Planned Absences

Must be planned with the team head coach. Players must recognize that following extended absences (camps, vacations, etc.) they will have reduced playing time after they return, until they work back to their previous playing form.

Playing Time

This is competitive rather than developmental soccer. Players will generally average at least half a game of playing time, but there should be no expectation of “equal time for all.” Players who perform well, who work hard, and who listen and attend practices, are likely to be rewarded with additional playing time.

Other Sports

The level of commitment required makes significant participation in another sport during the soccer season very difficult. At the beginning and end of the season, players must be careful that absences for playoffs or tryouts in other sports are scheduled with the coaches in both sports.

Team Meetings

Coaches hold regular team meetings to discuss plans and expectations. These usually start during tryouts, with the most important of these at the end of tryouts.