Tryout / Team Formation Update

As previously shared, we plan to release updates on each age group on a rolling basis starting with our oldest age groups and progressing to youngest. 

We will begin to send updates beginning today and continuing into next week, balancing end of season considerations for currently active players/teams and everyone’s desire for the update/information as soon as practical.  

Players invited to a given team will receive an email requesting acceptance of a roster position.  Please be attentive to these emails and accept your offered roster spot as soon as possible so we may complete this process efficiently.  Roster positions are confirmed by way of completion of registration and payment.

Efficient acceptances benefit all our players and teams, as well as the volunteers seeking to complete the process for each group. 

Reminders:

• We had a record number of players register for and participate in tryouts 

• Each age group is unique in terms of number of players, depth of the player pool, and other considerations such as relative age and grade within a birth year 

• We consider closely how to best set up each age group and the adjacent age groups for success for not only this coming year, but the years that will follow as well (roster sizes expand every two years to match field format) 

Team Formation Principles:

• Place as many players as possible to maximize positive development and quality of teams 

• Consider competitiveness of each team in context of the leagues/divisions available for play 

• Place players on teams where they are challenged to grow, but also where they can build confidence

• Consider selectively utilizing combined age group teams when it can help to optimize participation and competitiveness for more

• Recognize that some players are best fit for our recreational programs, rather than competitive teams - while that is a difficult message to convey, it is always made with the player’s best interests in mind. We have a place for every player to participate and we have seen many players make future teams on their 2nd, 3rd or more tries. Every player’s entry point and soccer journey is different.  

Age Group Considerations

Below is representative. Actual number of teams in each birth year and number of players per team will be different based on specifics of each age group.

• U9 (2016), U10 (2015)

  • 7x7 game format (small field)

  • Roster size of up to 12 players

  • 2-4 teams per birth year per gender 

  • 2017s will be included to “play up” if 1) space available on rosters, AND 2) they are ready for the physical/competitive level and are socially/developmentally ready to be among older children for practices and games - it is most important their first more competitive soccer experience is a positive one

• U11 (2014), U12 (2013) 

  • 9x9 game format (medium field)

  • Roster size of 14-16 players

  • 1-3 teams per birth year per gender

• U13 (2012), U15 (2011/2010) 

  • 11x11 game format (full size field)

  • Roster size of 16-20 players

  • 1-2 team per birth year or age group per gender

For reminders about the program, please visit the WSA Info Session Presentation and the relevant program pages on this website.

Thank you,

The WSA Team