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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

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Wilton Soccer 2024/2025 Travel Tryout Update

Thank you for registering for WSA's 2024/2025 Travel Soccer Tryouts. Please review below closely and complete actions as appropriate.  

  • Tryout Update: Tryout registrations +30% vs. last year (for the 3rd year in a row!) For those not yet signed up, registration link will be open for a few more days. Link to register is HERE

  • Travel Info Session - LINK to slides we shared live earlier this week  

  • Tryout Schedule - LINK for the tryout schedule and tryout day reminders

  • Tryout Conflicts, Injuries or Change of Plans? - If your player is injured, has an unavoidable conflict, or no longer plans to tryout, you must let us know in advance of tryout dates by completing this FORM   

  • Summer Soccer! - lots of awesome summer soccer offerings HERE, sign up soon!

  • Questions:  If you have questions about the program or tryouts, please review the FAQ, and if that does not cover it, please email info@wiltonsoccer.info

Thank you!
the WSA team

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Spring 2024!

March 22, 2024

Hi team!

Spring season is here. A few important updates as we launch into another season.

  • Team practices begin March 22nd for selected teams and week of March 25th for all. There are NO practices on March 29th.

  • Log back into your TeamSnap, find your squad, update your contact info and check your schedules. All practice and game details will be posted in TeamSnap. Games will be loaded as soon as we receive schedules from league.

  • Confirm your player’s availability for each practice and game in TeamSnap at the beginning of each week (or sooner) if you can.

  • Check assigned Parent on Duty (“POD”) responsibilities. Every team must supply a POD for every practice to ensure coaches have another adult on site to support if needed. Team Managers are coordinating POD duties.

  • Buses to Hurlbutt/Ambler practices (IMPORTANT): For players taking bus to practices, 1) must be entered as such in School Dismissal Manager; 2) for WSA to retain this privilege, players must be calm and respectful on the bus, towards driver and other student riders at all times - please remind your players!; 3) PODs must greet the bus at the field / entrance to Ambler upon arrival (one POD for each team that has players on the bus). PODs must arrive early and be waiting for bus to arrive or bus driver will not allow players off. PODs direct/walk players safely up to the field and ask them to get prepared for practice in orderly fashion.

  • First League games are Sunday, April 7th. League schedules are still being finalized and should be published this coming week. Please be patient as Team Managers have not yet received game schedules from League. Once they do, they must coordinate with opponents to finalize times/places. First game’s details likely won’t be final until 3-5 days before that first game date. Games are intended to be between 12 noon and 6PM on Sundays, unless mutually agreed by teams otherwise, so please plan accordingly for that.

  • For overview of our League (CJSA Southwest District) and related information on the season, please click link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xUtWZYbBHHU_nwD_JNI8Y4WGAKztbdh_JZELssrVE6g/edit

  • NOTE: League schedule will have games on the two Sundays surrounding Wilton Public Schools’ Spring Break (Sunday, Apr 14, Sunday, Apr 21). Please inform your manager ASAP if you plan to be away either or both of these Sundays. We will need to ensure we have sufficient players for these games, or request to reschedule.

  • Spring season is a busy one with many of our players participating in multiple sports and activities. The WSA team will do its very best to navigate conflicts. For that to be possible it is imperative that you communicate clearly, early and often with your team manager about prospective conflicts.

  • Players must do their very best to uphold their commitment to the team, the success of any team relies upon the presence of its players.

  • For our new teams and players, if you have any specific questions about the upcoming season, please email david.nuttall@wiltonsoccer.info

  • Thinking ahead (already!), in coming weeks we will be opening registration for tryouts for the next cycle (Fall 2024/Spring 2025). Please register ASAP when it goes live. We will provide a full rundown on this process when registration opens.

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