Purpose:
The Board of Directors of the South Park Soccer Association (SPSA) establishes the following guidelines as a set of policies and procedures to provide consistent guidance regarding all facets of the SPSA traveling program.
Objectives: The primary objective is to provide a higher level of player development in a competitive environment.
1) It is the intent of the SPSA to field competitive teams in every age group for boys and girls consistent with the age groups sanctioned by PA West, and dependent upon the number of registrants in each age group.
2) Such teams will be comprised of competitive players and those indicating a desire to participate in the travel program, in accordance with their skill level and experience.(as per evaluations and coaches input)
3) Teams formed for traveling competition will compete at the highest appropriate level. Said level will be determined by the travel commissioners and subject to board approval.
4) The SPSA travel program is provided as a higher level of play for those who qualify, enabling them to improve upon their skills, gain experience, and achieve a greater level of development.
General Guidelines:
1) An evaluation will be performed for all players. The evaluations* will consist of a skills format and independent game situation evaluations as determined by the Travel Coaches, Commissioners, and the SPSA Board. (* see attached)
2) If there are sufficient registrants in the U10 division to create two teams, the teams will be divided into two teams of equal number and ability. U10 will be a transitional age group with individual skill development as the main focus. The competitive aspect will be a secondary concern.
3) The roster of the team competing at the highest level, in all other age groups, will be determined as follows:
a) At least 70% of the team shall be comprised of the players that achieved the highest evaluation scores.
b) The remaining roster positions may be filled by the Travel Coach and Travel Commissioner.
4) Teams will be formed based upon the following priorities and will be approved by the SPSA Board:
a) Teams formed by single age group.
b) Additional teams in an age group per 4a.
c) Teams formed by combined age group.
d) Additional teams in an age group per 4c
e) In the event of extenuating circumstances, a team may be comprised of both boys and girls within an appropriate age group. Should there be insufficient numbers to satisfy the above, all efforts will be made by the coaches, and the SPSA Board to recruit players from outside of the SPSA to complete a team roster.
f) Spring registrants will be placed on a team provided there are open roster spots available. Fall registrants will take precedence for roster placement.
5) All those interested in being a coach, must notify the appropriate travel commissioner and/or indicate their interest on a players application.
a) All coaching applicants are subject to SPSA Board approval.
b) Coaches will be selected based on experience, licensing, and the Board’s knowledge of that coach’s abilities.
c) Any applicant from another district shall include a resume with coaching experience and references.
d) Coaches will be assigned after player evaluations.
e) After the coaches have been selected and assigned, each shall choose their assistant coaches, also subject to SPSA board approval.
f) All coaches should show a desire to improve upon their coaching skills and knowledge through clinics, licensing classes, and other venues as provided through the SPSA. The SPSA will make information for each of these opportunities known and available to all coaches.
6) Maximum roster size, and the number of players permitted to dress for each game, is mandated by PA West in accordance with each age division and will be adhered to by the SPSA. Efforts will be made to place as many registrants as possible on travel teams with in the scope of these guidelines.
a) SPSA will target limit roster sizes to the number of players allowed on the field plus 5 additional players based on experience, skill level, and evaluations. PA West has proposed a change to the U10 and U11 age groups, 6 plus a keeper in U10 and 8 plus a keeper in U11. That would result in a roster size of 10 and 13 players respectively. All other age groups would have 16 players. Larger rosters may be constructed in order to place additional players, with no viable alternatives, within the travel program. Each player should have a minimum skill level to be competitive as determined by evaluations, Coaches, and Travel Commissioners. As such, coaches will attempt to play each player at least 50% of each game.
b) Final rosters are subject to SPSA Board approval.
7) Players may be permitted to move up and play in an older age group in accordance with PA West rules and subject to SPSA Board approval.
a) All requests for a player to "play up" must be submitted in writing by the player’s parent/guardian.
b) A player wishing to "play up" will be considered provided the older age group has an open roster spot and that the move would not hinder the younger age groups ability to field a viable team.
c) Once viability has been met, (7b), players with the highest evaluation score will be considered first. In the event of multiple players with similar abilities, those players in the same school grade will be given precedence.
d) A player may be asked to "play up" if this is required to create a viable team of sufficient roster size.
Note: The high school will form their own teams. The teams will roster through SPSA.