Tryouts & Team Selection

Every year the number of sanctioned teams will depend on the number of children registering. Every attempt is made to accommodate as many children into the program as possible. However, sometimes the maximum number of children allowed per team (12 for U10, 14 for U11 and 18 for U12+) under the rules established by SoccerMaine, the governing body for youth soccer in Maine, can create a situation where cuts must be made. In addition, the FYSA is a “travel” program, which means that children should have a basic level of competency for their age bracket in order to participate. Particularly for younger children, the Falmouth Community Program sponsors an excellent recreational program where basic soccer skills can be learned.

2009 Evaluation Dates

Evaluations have already taken place for 2009.

Team Selection Policy and Procedures

The purpose of the Falmouth Youth Soccer Association is to foster and enhance the opportunities for the children of Falmouth to improve their skills in soccer through clinics and in a competitive league format.

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for directing, implementing and enforcing the following team selection policy and procedures of the Falmouth Youth Soccer Association.

1. Eligibility: Each child desiring to participate in the Travel Team League shall register, provide such information and pay such fees as the Board of Directors shall establish from time to time. No child may play in the Travel Team League unless so registered.

2. Tryouts and Team Selection: Tryouts shall be conducted at such time or times as the Board of Directors shall determine. Each child desiring to participate in the League shall be required to tryout, unless this requirement is waived for an individual player by the Board at a regular meeting. Any child not able to attend scheduled tryouts must contact a Board Member to make other arrangements.

All players trying out in a Travel Team age division will participate in tryouts together.

Criteria to be considered in choosing Travel Teams shall include but not be limited to the following factors:

(a) ball handling skills, including trapping
(b) defensive capabilities
(c) sportsmanship
(d) coachability
(e) desire, enthusiasm and attitude
(f) team work

Coaches may assign such weight to the foregoing factors as they determine and may develop other criteria as they deem appropriate.

Coaches shall initially select players for teams in their age division.

Team rosters shall then be finalized at a general meeting of all coaches of the Association.

Decisions shall be communicated only after the completion of all tryouts and the finalization of rosters; and shall be done by coaches in an age division in a timely, simultaneous and sensitive manner to all players who tried out.

Team rosters will consist of no more than the maximum number allowed by the State Soccer Association.

Once a player is assigned to a team roster that player may not be moved to another team unless the change is approved by the Board of Directors.

Tryout evaluations shall be in writing. Evaluations shall be confidential, shall not be made public and shall be for the sole use of the coaches in the age division of that child.

3. Number of Teams: The Board of Directors, in consultation with the coaches of the League, shall determine the age groups for which there will be Travel Teams and the number of sanctioned teams in each such age group.

It is anticipated that only teams approved by the Board of Directors will participate in the League. Other non-sanctioned teams may participate in the League. Other non-sanctioned teams may participate but preference on scheduling/field use/tournament participation/uniforms etc. shall be given to sanctioned teams.