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Mad River Youth Soccer League
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
MRYSL FAQS (updated 6-9-09)
What is Mad River Youth Soccer League (MRYSL)?
Mad River Youth Soccer League (MRYSL) is an educational and charitable non-profit organization. MRYSL activities include teaching soccer to youth from the age of 4 to under the age of 19 at all skill levels, educating coaches, educating parents about their role in youth sports, organizing games and practices, providing the facilities to conduct team practices and games, organizing teams to play league games, training referees to referee games, conducting tournaments - (We sponsor a Division 1 & 3 Tournament), organizing training academies and workshops, and raising funds to conduct said activities.
What options are available for youth players in regards to playing soccer?
There are two distinct options for playing youth soccer: Recreational Soccer and Competitive Soccer
Recreational Soccer
Division 4:
Everyone that signs up by the deadline is guaranteed a spot on a team and practices are usually held at a school playground. Generally parent volunteers are the coaches for these teams.
Competitive Soccer
(There are two tiers of competitive soccer, Division 3 and Division 1, that field teams from U10-U19)
Division 3:
Within MRYSL there is a competitive soccer club called, Mad River United. These teams compete at the Division 3 level. Division 3 is more competitive than recreational soccer, but the emphasis is on player development and specifically skill development over game outcome. Tryouts are held for these teams in the spring. (Not everyone will make a Division 3 team). We try to form multiple teams whenever possible. The purpose of Developmental soccer is to teach the finer aspects of the game in preparation of the youth athlete to have the option to pursue D1 Soccer or High School Soccer.
Division 1:
Humboldt United is a joint venture of Mad River Youth Soccer League and Humboldt Youth Soccer League created in order to provide Humboldt County’s elite youth soccer players with the best possible development.
Humboldt United is a soccer club that will field only Division 1 caliber teams. (Division 1, or D1, is the highest level a club team can play. This means they enter the most competitive tournaments and play the most competitive league schedule possible.)
The reason for Humboldt United to be created is so ALL top players in Humboldt County who have the skill and desire to play D1 club soccer have that opportunity.
Both HYSL and MRYSL felt that in order to field the best possible D1 teams they must work together. From this goal Humboldt United was formed. Not to replace either organization, but to act as a place for both organizations to send there best and most dedicated talent in order for them to work together. By allowing the most talented players in the county to play together, in the most competitive leagues available, we create an environment that encourages skill development and advanced play.
What does the U in “U14” mean?
The U means ’under’ and the players age must be under that age on August 1st. Please check each child’s birth date in order to make sure they are being placed in the appropriate age group.
What happens at tryouts and how are teams formed?
Recreational Soccer: Everyone that signs up by the deadline is guaranteed a spot on a team and practices are usually held at a school playground. Because we are somewhat rural in the area that we serve and our coaches come from all over, we are unable form teams by schools.
Competitive Soccer: Mad River United and Humboldt United teams are formed based on the following:
Teams will be formed based on the Exley Evaluation System and the recommendations from the Director of Coaching to the Competitive Committee. The Exley Evaluation system is effective in determining which soccer level each player should be playing at (D4, D3, and D1) and how each player compares to one another.
Using the Exley Evaluation provides coaches an objective score in which to select players for the team they are assigned.
The situation becomes more complex when more players qualify for either D3 or D1 soccer than the roster will allow.
Example: 23 players qualify for D3 soccer. Clearly this is not enough to form two teams so the question is:
How is the final roster selected?
In these particular circumstances the coach that was hired to coach this group of players will hold a Final Team Formation Tryout. Relating back to the example above, the hired coach will have all 23 players to the Final Team Formation Tryout and select a team based on the Exley System Scores and their own observations. The Director of Coaching will be present to aid in the selection of teams. The Final Team Formation Tryout does not consist of the same drills that are used during the Exley System; rather each individual coach is given the freedom to choose the drills that they believe will aid them in picking a proper squad. In addition to skill and evaluation scores, coaches will be looking for positive attitude, commitment, determination, and coachability. Parents can help their players to have a better chance of making a final roster by encouraging those qualities.
In the case that there are enough players to form two D3 teams at one age level, a fair and equal draft will be used to create the two teams. The Director of Coaching must be present to oversee and approve the final draft.
Essentially, the Exley Evaluation System is a way for Mad River United to objectively determine how many players are interested in playing soccer, what skills level they are, and what level different teams should be playing at. After determining this information the DOC and CC can select coaches for particular teams and move forward with Final Team Formation Tryouts if necessary.
How long is the season?
Recreational Soccer: Approximately early August until the end of October.
Competitive Soccer: There are two seasons to participate in competitive soccer.
1. Summer/Fall 11v11- Approximately beginning of June until Mid November
2. Spring 6v6- Approximately beginning of March until Mid May
May my child play other sports?
Yes! This is especially important at the younger age groups. However when playing competitive soccer the expectation is that players are committed to playing for their team. This means attending practices and games.
What are the costs?
-Summer/Fall 2009
*MRYSL (D4)
$75 Registration Fee + $20 Volunteer Fee
The Volunteer Fee can be earned back at the end of the season if a parent donates 2 hours of time to the league. Possible jobs are field set-up or take-down, working in the concession stand at Hiller Park, etc.
*Mad River United (D3)
$95 Registration Fee + $100 Volunteer Fee + $30 Monthly Club Fee
(Tournament costs, coach’s travel, and personal travel are not included in the above fees and will be additional)
The Volunteer Fee will be due in August, and can be earned back if a parent or player donates 10 hours of time to the league. A list of jobs will be available online, and all jobs will have a “supervisor” to sign-off the completed job for a refund from our league treasurer. We simply need more help from volunteers in order to continue to develop and maintain our league—with too few people doing way too many things, our burn-out rate has been severe. Please help us to make competitive soccer available for the kids!! Hardship waivers are available.
*Humboldt United (D1)
$95 Registration Fee + $40 Monthly Club Fee
(Tournament costs, coach’s travel, and personal travel are not included in the above fees and will be additional)
The following information is in regards to Recreation Soccer- D4
When are sign ups for D4 (recreation)?
Sign-ups are always during the month of May. They begin on May 1 and end on May 31.
Registration Forms are available on line. Can I late register?
From June 1-15 we hold late registration there is a $25.00 late fee charged.
What if it is past June 15?
After this date we form a waiting list. Children’s names are added to this list and if there are openings you fill out the registration form pay the fees and your child is placed on a team. To get on waiting list phone 707-822-3333 this is the only way to get on the waiting list.
How old does my child have to be to play soccer?
Children must be at least 4 years old and not older than 18 as of July 31 of the registration year.
Do I really need a copy of my Childs birth certificate for registration?
Yes, if it is your Child’s first time playing or you skipped a year you must attach a photocopy of the Certified Birth Certificate from the County records office, or copy of passport or copy of California Medi-Cal card. A hospital certificate is not acceptable. All registration forms that are incomplete will be returned.
Are there any fee reductions available?
Yes, we offer a $30 fee reduction. You must include your share of the fee at the time of registration. Fee reduction forms are available on our web site and must be included with registration. Fee reductions are not available after May 31.
Can all my children be on the same team?
Teams are formed by age. For example U6 must be under age of 6 as of July 31. Age groups for D4 are U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, and U18. U6 and U18 are Co-ed and the balance are either boys or girls teams.
Can my child play in a different age group?
There are no move downs but you can request a move up in age for D4 only. For D4 your child must be of comparable size and skill of the next age level. You must request a move up in writing to the Board of Directors. This must accompany your registration form. No move ups will be granted after teams are formed.
Where are games played?
U6, U8, & U10 are played in McKinleyville, Arcata, Blue Lake, Willow Creek and Hoopa U12, U14, and U18 are played in McKinleyville, Arcata, Blue Lake, Willow Creek, Hoopa, Eureka, Fortuna, and Redway.
I have never played soccer can I be a D4 coach?
Yes, we rely on adults that want to be involved with their children. We offer many short clinics and have lots of resources on our web site for the beginner coach.
When do I find out who my Child’s coach is and what team they are on?
You are notified of team placement between August 8 and August 20. You will not hear anything prior to this time.
What if I haven’t been notified by August 20?
If it is after August 20 you can email info@mrysc.com or call the hot line at 822-3333 or check the web site www.mrysc.com for the appropriate age representatives contact information.
Can I make a request for my child to play with a coach or another child?
Yes, but the request must be on the registration form. Remember if the coach or child is not in the right age group we cannot honor the request. We try to honor as many requests as we can but because there are so many children playing we are unable to accommodate every request.
Can I get a refund for my registration fee?
We give refunds only with a medical excuse or if you have relocated out of the area. All requests for refunds must be in writing received by August 31 and sent to MRYSL, P.O. Box 103, Arcata, CA 95518. If your child was already placed on a team there is a $25.00 service fee deducted from refund.
Do I get a uniform with my registration?
Each child registered at D4 receives a jersey, shorts and socks. You will need to provide shin guards, cleats, a water bottle and a ball for practice. Uniforms will be distributed by coaches at a practice.
Are there Sunday games?
U18 is played on Sunday and U12 and U14 might have an occasional Sunday game depending on field availability.
Do we play in the rain?
It depends on field conditions. We generally play rain or shine. Check web site day of game. Coaches only are to call hotline and coaches will notify parents if games are cancelled. If there is nothing on web site about games being cancelled and your coach doesn’t call then you should proceed to fields. Game status will be determined by referees at the field.
What if my Referee didn’t show up?
If there is another licensed referee attending the game they may step in and referee. If there is none then coaches should agree on a volunteer to do so. The games should start on time no matter what. If coaches cannot agree on a volunteer then the match should be cancelled. The Home coach should then notify the referee assignor after the game that no referee was present.
When are Board of Director meetings?
BOD meetings are usually the second Tuesday of each month at the Joyful Healer Church in McKinleyville.
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fax (707)443-1946