Travel Soccer Program Guidelines
Travel Soccer Program Guidelines Cranford Soccer Club – Updated April 2016
Travel Program The Travel Program described in this document is a framework for all coaches, teams, parents and players participating in the Cranford Soccer Club Travel Program. Anything not included in this policy is left to the discretion of the Club’s Vice President of Travel and the Club’s Board of Directors. All members of the CSC must adhere to the CSC by-‐laws and requirements and as governing body and violators may expect action from CSC.
The Club
The Cranford Soccer Club is a tax-‐exempt, not-‐for profit, volunteer-‐run organization incorporated in New Jersey in 1980. The Club “is organized to support the development of the sport of soccer for youths and adults in Cranford and neighboring communities. To this end, the CSC organizes, sponsors and administers teams, competitions and programs to ensure the highest possible levels of soccer competence, sportsmanship and enjoyment of which it is capable.” (CSC By-‐laws, Article II).
Club Organization
The Club is run by an elected (two year terms of office) and appointed (one year terms) Board of Directors. The Travel Vice President who is elected to a two-‐year term in odd numbered years administers the Travel Program. To improve the Travel Program the Club created Travel Coordinators for both boys and girls travel teams. The members are referred to as CSC Travel Committee. These additional positions were created to provide additional club support for the travel teams having the coordinator working directly with Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers and SAGE representatives.
Cranford Soccer Programs
The Club sponsors two seasons of play (fall and spring) for In-‐Town Recreational teams (Kindergarten-‐2nd Grade), Intercounty Rec teams (3rd-‐10th grades), and Travel teams (U-‐9 to U-‐ 19) with more than 1000 children participating each season.
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Affiliations
The Club is a member of the Mid-‐New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (MNJYSA) through our Travel Program. MNJYSA is one of 15 leagues that comprise the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (NJYSA) which, in turn, is a member of the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), the Unites States Soccer Federation (US Soccer), and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) – the world governing body for soccer. Mid-‐New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (MNJYSA)
All Cranford Soccer Club Travel teams play in and are affiliated with MNJYSA. Over 900 teams in 80+ clubs in Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Essex counties play each fall and spring in six (6) divisions of play for boys’ and girls’ teams in U-‐8 through U-‐19 age divisions. MNJYSA sets our competition level, provides the referees, determines the home-‐away schedule and organizes regional and league select programs in the summer.
Divisions of Play Teams are grouped into divisions based on the ages of the players. These divisions are based on the year of the player’s birth as mandated by a recent change in age group classifications made by the US Soccer Federation. These birth-‐year classifications begin with the fall 2016/spring 2017 travel soccer season and are as follows: -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐
U9 – players born in 2008 U10 – players born in 2007 U11 – players born in 2006 U12 – players born in 2005 U13 – players born in 2004 U14 – players born in 2003 U15 – players born in 2002 And so on…
A seasonal year begins on September 1st and ends on August 31st of the following year. The Cranford Soccer Club generally tries to form single birth year teams – i.e. U-‐14, U-‐13, etc. – so that the players are competing against teams made up of kids in the same age/grade range. The U-‐16 and U-‐19 (high school) teams are made up of players with a wider age span. US Soccer sets the upper age limit and no exceptions are allowed.
Player Levels: Players are encouraged to play “age appropriate.” Players are not permitted to “play down” per NJYSA Rules. Any player wishing to try out for a higher age group (“playing up”), must contact the CSC Travel Committee for approval before tryout dates. Parents of players will have to sign special waiver forms indicating that they understand the potential risks of playing with and against older players. If approved, the player will need a ranking of top 6 overall in the higher age group in order to be offered a spot over an age-‐appropriate player. Out of town players cannot play up for a travel team.
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Player Eligibility
All Cranford residents and Non-‐Cranford students attending schools in Cranford are eligible to participate in the CSC Travel Program. Non Cranford residents are eligible to try out for teams of any age group but will only be offered a spot on a team under the following conditions: U-‐9 and U-‐10 – Non Cranford players will only be offered a spot if they are needed to enable a Cranford team to complete their roster in order to be able to field a team . U11-‐U19 – Non Cranford players will only be offered a spot if: •
Their overall ranking falls within the top one-‐third of those trying out AND…
•
The following Cranford player ratios are maintained: o Roster of 18 players need 16 Cranford, NJ residents (88%) o Roster of 17 players need 15 Cranford, NJ residents (88%) o Roster of 16 players need 14 Cranford, NJ residents (88%)
While the number of out-‐of-‐town players playing Travel Soccer is small and the Club does not actively seek players, Cranford Soccer has always had an open-‐tryout policy. Often they are needed to form a team so that Cranford kids can play. At other times, out-‐of-‐town players are selected to strengthen a team and allow it to play at a higher, more competitive level. Because of this, exceptions can be presented and approved by the CSC Travel Committee. Exceptions will be judged on a case by case basis. Any team wishing to add players after teams have been formed must seek approval from the VP of Travel.
Parent Expectations
The expectations of every CSC travel parent include: Conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner, all parents must: •
• •
demonstrate appropriate behavior on and off the field, including respect for the host team facilities. Anyone showing a lack of respect for others or their property will be subject to disciplinary action by the Club’s Board of Trustees. refrain from derogatory comments to players, coaches, opponents, other parents and especially officials. adhere to CSC’s zero-‐tolerance policy with regard to the use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol at any CSC game or practice. Spectators are also prohibited from smoking on the sidelines or near the fields.
Adhere to CSC guidelines for appropriate game day behavior, these include: o
o o
providing positive encouragement to your child during the game. Do not coach from the sidelines. Let the coaches coach. Coaches work on specific skills and tactical concepts in training that they hope to have the players execute in a game. At best, parents yelling instructions will only confuse the players and at worse, contradict what the coaches are trying to convey. Furthermore, players must learn to make their own decisions and experience the result of those decisions – it’s the main mechanism in which they will grow and advance. utilizing the designated spectator areas on the opposite touchline from the teams. Please do not cross the field during the game or at halftime. knowing the laws of the game, which are available at FIFA.com and via the cranfordsoccer.com website.
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o
adhering to the ‘24 Hour Rule’. This rule states that parents may not speak to a coach or trainer about a specific game until at least 24 hours after that game. This allows time for tempers to cool and for both parent and coach to put issues into the proper perspective. It is strongly suggested that should a parent still need to speak with a coach or trainer after 24 hours, it should be done so either in person or via phone and NOT via email or text.
•
Behave in an appropriate manner at all times and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Any violations of this basic premise – as well as violations of SAGE (“Set a Good Example”) principles – will be addressed immediately and, if necessary, will lead to disciplinary action by the Travel Committee and the CSC Board. In an effort to provide guidelines for parental behavior, see attached “Parents Code Of Conduct.”
•
Take care of any administrative duties related to the team: o completing all forms deemed necessary by either NJYSA, MNJYSA or CSC (e.g., Medical Releases, Travel Program Policy Observance, etc.) before a player can participate on any field activities, including practices. o Work with the Parent Manager to fulfill duties, before during and after the regular season to include fieldwork, snacks and parent stay duty.
Adhere to CSC guidelines regarding tryouts and team selection processes: -‐
Maintain confidentiality regarding communication of tryout results. If you receive notive that your child is offered a spot on a travel team he or she tried out for, you must not communicate the offer with your child or other families for 48 hours out of respect for those who might not have been so fortunate as to receive the same offer
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Once travel spots are offered, families will have 24 hours to accept the offer or Cranford Soccer has the right to rescind the offer and present it to another player
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Playing Time
All Travel players must play at least ¼ of each game and all U-‐9 and U-‐10 players must play at least ½ of each game with equal playing time over the course of the season also required. The primary goal of the CSC is player development and to foster the love of the game, both of which comes from equitable playing time to all players. Additionally, coaches of U9-‐U11 teams are strongly encouraged to give players chances at multiple positions, so as not to pigeon-‐hole anyone from a young age at any one position. Additionally, these teams should also look to use at least 2 goalies each game.
Travel Tryout Selection & Policy See www.cranfordsoccer.net
Seasons of Play U-‐9 to U-‐14 Travel teams are full year teams that play 10 game seasons in MNJYSA in the fall and in the spring; U-‐15 to U-‐19 teams only play in the spring. Teams are grouped in flights of 6-‐11 teams by MNJYSA based on playing level. Teams can play against towns as close as Westfield and as far away as Hillsborough, Wayne, Flemington or Long Valley. The U-‐11 to U-‐19 flight winners in both the fall and spring receive plaques and all U-‐9 and U-‐10 players receive participation patches each season.
Commitment & Player Expectations Players sign up for both fall and spring seasons when they accept a position on a U-‐9 to U-‐14 Travel team. Practices are generally twice a week for approximately 90 minutes, conditions permitting (and can be more based on the desires of the coach and the team parents). Pre-‐season practices with the team’s coaching staff can start up 3 weeks prior to the fall season. Fall season runs early September through late November. Spring pre-‐season indoor training begins in late January and will end in the beginning of March, right before the spring season begins. Spring season ends before school lets out in June. Games are generally on Sundays from 11:30 AM onward and teams can enter tournaments on almost every conceivable holiday weekend. Children playing Cranford Travel soccer are not allowed to play on an Inter-‐County soccer team as per NJYSA rules. Children are expected to dedicate themselves to the program. The level of commitment (and attendance) increases with each age group, stepping up in middle-‐school. The CSC recognizes children will likely miss sessions due to school or religious education commitments, vacations and commitments to other sports. Players are free to pursue other sports and activities but parents must recognize the time and commitment involved in Travel Soccer.
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Make safety a primary concern and all players must: • • • •
wear shin guards during all contact training sessions and games. Players without proper equipment will not be allowed to participate. not wear jewelry of any kind, including necklaces, bracelets, wristwatches, while on the training or game field. wear either sports goggles or contact lenses as required by New Jersey state law, if corrective lenses are needed. Regular glasses are not permitted during practices or games. adhere to CSC’s zero-‐tolerance policy with regard to the use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol by players. Any player found to be in the possession of, or under influence of, these items would be subject to suspension and/or removal from the team.
Conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner, all players must: •
• • •
demonstrate appropriate behavior on and off the field, including respect for the host team and their facilities. Anyone showing a lack of respect for others or their property will be subject to disciplinary action by the Club’s Board of Trustees. show respect for the referees during and after the game. show respect for teammates and coaches. refrain from verbal or physical fighting during practices and games.
Make a commitment to their team, all players must: • • •
make a commitment to the team for both the fall and spring travel seasons. attend scheduled practices and games or contact the head or assistant coach if the player is going to be absent. Player must follow NJYSA guidelines when quitting their teams mid-‐season. The guidelines state that when players leave their teams mid-‐season they will have their player pass held by the District Commissioner and will be required to sit 3 league games before playing for their new team. Details of this policy are available on the NJYSA website.
In the event that a player is suspended from a team and the club, he or she may be reinstated to the team after holding a meeting between the player, parent and head coach, with oversight by the Travel Committee and approval of the Board. Reinstatement is dependent upon the player and parent agreeing to abide by the guidelines established in the CSC by-‐laws and all policy and guidelines provided. Upon being suspended from the team, the player and parent can appeal this decision to the Discipline & Protest Committee and CSC Board.
Roster Size
MNJYSA requirements state that a team may have a maximum of 18 (14 for small sided teams) carded players on its active roster at any one time. A player can only play for the team for which he/she is registered. Cranford Travel Soccer looks to have 15-‐17 players per team on the U-‐11 to U-‐14 teams and 12-‐14 players per team on the U-‐9 and U-‐10 teams. The coach and Travel Committee determine the final number of players per team during team formation. Any CSC team looking to add a player from another club to their team mid-‐season cannot have any discussions or make any arrangements with that player until they’ve been officially “dropped” from their existing team. Should this player be added to a team, they will be required to sit out the first three games from their addition to the CSC team roster. These are MNJYSA rules, and the CSC is not empowered to grant any exceptions. CSC Travel Program...6...4/14/16
Registration Fees
Registration fees are disclosed prior to the tryout process. Registration fees cover player and team registration, secondary insurance, referees, coach and referee training costs, professional training, winter gym fees, field maintenance, equipment and supplies, administrative expenses, etc. The registration fee does not include uniforms, any additional training, tournaments, travel expenses, pizza parties, warm-‐ups, etc.
Winter Soccer During the winter, team activity varies from once-‐a-‐week indoor training to participating in indoor leagues and tournaments. The decision on what the team does is a joint one between the coach and parents.
Tournaments
Most Travel teams participate in 1-‐3 tournaments each year at a cost of $300-‐ 400/team/tournament. The most popular ones are held in Branchburg (Labor Day), Piscataway (one week after Labor Day), Parsippany/Wall (Columbus Day), Rahway (Thanksgiving weekend), Monroe (mid-‐April), and Chatham/Montclair/Maplewood (Memorial Day). Player participation in these tournaments, while not mandatory, is expected and is at the parents’ expense. It is required all travel teams participate in a minimum of 1 tournament for the year. As part of pre-‐season team meetings, coaches should present their proposal for the number and dates of desired tournaments and gain concurrence up front from parents. This will eliminate any financial and time-‐commitment surprises during the season.
Professional Training
The CSC is providing baseline training consisting of 10 weeks for each the fall and spring seasons, conditions permitting. Winter training hours will be included for U9-‐U11 teams. Teams are free to use the approved trainers at negotiated rates for additional/optional training such as game days, pre-‐season camps, winter and tournaments at an additional cost to the team. Coaches should discuss any additional training proposals and associated costs with parents prior to a season’s start. Once agreed upon, coaches should request the additional training through the Club’s training coordinator. Once finalized, these additional costs will need to be added to the team’s regularly submitted budgets. Teams can fundraise for the additional fees. No team may select a trainer without prior approval of the Board. Please note that any base training hours missed due to weather during the fall will not be made up in the spring season. Hours must be used in-‐season.
Travel Uniforms
All new Travel players will pay the full cost (approximately $75-‐95) of their uniforms at registration. Returning players only pay for uniform pieces (jersey, shorts or socks) that they need. Uniforms are estimated for use of 1-‐2 years. CSC Travel Program...7...4/14/16
The CSC board will select the uniforms for all CSC teams. Any deviation from the selected uniform must receive approval from the board. Any individual CSC team may not seek outside commercial sponsorship without the approval of the Ways and Means Committee and the Board.
Fundraising
All fundraising activities must be brought to the attention of the Ways & Means Committee. See Ways & Means Team Fundraising Policy found at www.cranfordsoccer.net
Team Organizations Team responsibilities/management is divided in 2 ways: Head Coach/Parent in Charge and Parent Manager. The Travel Coach Selection Committee selects the Head Coach and the Parent manager is selected by the Head Coach and is responsible for the team’s organization and finances during the season. A professional trainer is selected/assigned by the Travel Committee. The professional paid trainer works with the HC. The HC and trainer will also be responsible for evaluating each player at the end of each season in a diligent and objective manner according to the club’s player evaluation form. Each team is required to have a parent meeting upon team formation to review objectives and organizational details for the upcoming year. The meeting can take place at the Cranford Community Center or parent’s home but not take place on the field. Trainers are encouraged be at these meetings to discuss the team’s development objectives and season’s expectations. If the trainer is not able to attend this meeting another trainer introduction should take place before the season begins. A team may not hold practice or play a match unless 2 adults are present (2-‐deep). The Parent Manager will schedule a parent stay schedule. The 2-‐deep attendance can include the paid trainer but a parent representative (can include volunteer coaching staff) must be present. Any substantiated reports of a team not abiding by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action. Any team wishing to play in a league or flight other than appropriate for their age or gender must first receive permission from the Travel Committee. The number of tournaments and the number of practices in addition to baseline training is at the discretion of the coaching staff, subject to the approval of the Travel Committee. The CSC recommends Travel teams are required to play at least 1 tournament a year with 1 per season recommended. All CSC coaches/teams are responsible for any fines incurred by their teams and any referee fees when the game is not cancelled in the timeframe the field assignors requires or in the case of a no show of their team. All fines must be paid at the time conclusion of each season. In addition, all CSC required paperwork, including yearly team budget, must be completed before any team is given player passes.
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The Parent Manager
Every successful soccer team has an organized team manager(s). Almost all team managers in youth soccer start out as soccer moms or dads with no previous soccer or team manager experience. The team manager’s responsibility covers: a) b) c) d) e) f)
Pre -‐season team organization Maintain a good channel of communication with parents & professional trainers Managing regular season league play End of season wrap-‐up Recruit parent volunteers for a SAGE Rep & Snack schedule Team finances, including the submission of team budgets prior to the fall season and at the start and end of the spring season. g) Stay Parent Duty
Each team manager should involve as many parents as possible. The club has found the more involved everyone becomes, the better their team becomes and miscommunication is minimized. Parent managers are required to attend at least 2 general board meetings per season or to designate another team parent to attend in their place. The parent manager is required to forward any club communication sent to them to all team parents as directed by the Board or Division.
Coach Selection
The CSC will select coaches for a one-‐year term. Once assigned the CSC coach may be removed from his/her position for reasonable cause by the Board. Grounds for removal may include, but are not limited to violation of the CSC Coach and/or Parent Code of Conduct, failure to abide by club rules and policies and failure to attend mandatory Coaches meetings. All interested must email the assigned Travel Coordinator by May 1st. Coach selection interviews will take place during travel tryouts. Existing team coaches will be reviewed on a yearly basis. Coach selections will be based on coaching history & experience, game and practice observations, feedback and parent surveys and good standing with the club. All Travel Coaches are required to have a minimum of an “F” license (it is recommended that each coach on 11 v 11 teams posses a minimum of an “E” level license) and concussion training http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000. Head coaches may select up to 2 assistant coaches among the parents of the chosen players with Travel Committee approval. Head coaches must also select a Team Manager and SAGE representative from the chosen players. Coaching staff and their family members cannot perform duties of Team Manager and/or SAGE representative.
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Head Coach Expectations
Ensure the safety of their players by: • • • • • •
Having a first aid kit available at every practice and game Calling for medical help immediately when needed Informing a parent of the injured player immediately Having the Player Medical Release Form and player emergency contact information at every practice and game Submit a “Kid’s Safe Form” Informing your travel coordinator of any injury within 24 hours, in writing (email is acceptable), and completing any necessary documentation.
Conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner • • • •
Demonstrate appropriate behavior on and off the field Refrain from derogatory comments to players, coaches, opponents, parents and officials. Adhere to zero-‐tolerance policy regarding the use of tobacco, drinking alcohol or smoking on front of their players during CSC sponsored events. Report any SAGE infractions from parent, trainer or other coaches to you travel coordinator.
Ensure all players are registered with CSC. Provide a mandatory two 2-‐week break for the team during the year in July and December. Utilize fields as assigned by the CSC. All coaches should carry with them a copy of the field permits to avoid any infringement by other teams or programs. At the beginning of each season the VP of Operations will forward all permits and pertinent information. Submit to the Travel Committee a comprehensive team budget that takes into consideration all costs, including pre-‐season, training, tournaments, additional training hours including games, etc. Each team budget is subject to approval by the Travel Committee. The head coach must share the budget with the team’s parents. Participate in the various skill training and development programs offered by the CSC. The Head Coach is the primary game day contact with MNJYS and the coach of the opposing team. The Head Coach is listed as the main team contact. The Head Coach should become thoroughly familiar with MNJYS. These guidelines cover topics from paying referees, field set up, player/coach conduct and disciplinary actions/fines. The Head Coach is also responsible for organizing game day preparation for home games such as field lining, putting out corner flags, returning corner flags and the proper anchoring of goals. In addition to attending all mandatory coaches meetings, coaches are required to attend at least 6 general meetings in a calendar year, 3 per February – July and August – January. Attendance at these General meetings will be taken into consideration during the Coaches’ Selection Process of each following season. All coaches must adhere to CSC guidelines and Parent Code of Conduct. Any coach who feels they cannot meet the above requirements at any point during the season must inform the appropriate Travel Coordinator immediately and a replacement will be appointed by the Travel Committee and approved by the CSC Board. CSC Travel Program...10...4/14/16
More Information • • • • • • •
Jamie Teel, Travel VP, [email protected] Brad Young, Travel Program Registrar, [email protected] Rick Morris, Girls Travel Program Coordinator Chuck Shaw, Boys Travel Program Coordinator Karen Lynch, President, [email protected] Email the Club at [email protected] or write us at CSC, P.O. Box 903, Cranford, New Jersey 07016. Attend the monthly Board meetings at the Cranford Community Center the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30.
Information on the Club, MNJYSA, New Jersey Youth Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer, US Soccer and FIFA can be found at the following web sites: Cranford Soccer Club Intercounty Soccer MNJYSA NJYSA USYSA USSF FIFA
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www.cranfordsoccer.com www.eteamz.com/icysl www.econatus.com/MNJYSA/prod/ www.njyouthsoccer.com www.youthsoccer.org www.us-‐soccer.com www.fifa.com
