NEYSA Soccer

FAQ’s – Registration and Polices

U-10 and Above

Who runs the Association? How can I become involved?

Northeastern Youth Sports Association (NEYSA) is a not-for-profit youth sports organization. It is a volunteer run organization with governing by-laws that offers youth sports programs for children living in or near Northeastern School District. However, we are not affiliated with Northeastern School District. The general membership meetings are held the second Sunday of each month at 7pm. The meetings are held at the Mt. Wolf Fire Hall.

Please visit our website at www.neysa-sports.org - there is also a NEYSA soccer blog linked off the soccer page of the website. Please visit this blog for more detailed information relating to soccer.

What do we expect of parents and guardians?

The goals of our association include fostering an enjoyment of the game, advancing the development of individual and team skills and promoting good sportsmanship. It is imperative that parents assume appropriate levels of responsibility to help us achieve these goals. While there may be some disagreement about coaching methods, any concerns or disagreements with NEYSA coaches or board members should be handled respectfully and directly with the individuals concerned. As a condition for registering children with our organization, we require that parents agree to abide by the Code of Ethics. Failure to follow these rules will result in appropriate action being taken by the association to ensure that the guidelines are followed, including removal of spectators from games and possibly their child’s dismissal from their respective team.

· treat coaches, players, referees and other spectators with respect

· bring and pick up child from practices and games promptly

· let your child’s coach know when he/she will be unable to attend practices or games as far in advance as possible

· discuss any differences in opinion or concerns with child’s coach in private and at a time agreeable to him/her

· do not be publicly critical of coaching or playing decisions

· do not use foul, abusive or inappropriate language at practices or games

· do not use alcohol or tobacco at the complex or on school district property

· abide by all other posed rules at the complex

We also expect that parents and guardians volunteer to help us with some of the routine tasks that are needed to help run the organization: coaching, concession stand, field lining and maintenance are the most obvious examples.

How are coaches selected?

All of our coaches are volunteers, although because of a shortage of volunteers, coaches are often drafted. Filling coaching positions is currently our biggest challenge. If you have the time to bring you child to practices and games, you probably have the time to help coach.

Ideally, we would like to have experienced coaches with some soccer background coaching our teams at the U-10 level and above. Unfortunately, we usually don’t have enough volunteers fitting these criteria and we often need to draft parents.

I’m not comfortable coaching, but still would like to help out – what else can I do?

There are several other ways that you can help. Team parents are needed to help make phone calls and distribute information for the coaches. We need help staffing our concession stand. We also need people to line the fields weekly, usually Friday evenings.

During the past several years, it has become increasingly difficult to manage the soccer program due to lack of volunteers. Very often, coaches and coordinators have been stuck covering the concession stand or lining fields because parents have not come forward to help. We’re only looking for an hour or two of your time in this capacity, not a full time commitment.

Please contact a Soccer board member if you’re able to volunteer. Without volunteers, there will be no NEYSA Soccer.

What is the difference between Travel and Recreational?

All teams at the U-10 level and above, regardless of Division, play in an outside league and must travel to away games.

Beginning at the U-10 level, there are two options, Division 1 & 2 and Division 3. Players who wish to play Div 1 & 2, are required to attend tryouts, where players are placed based on skill level. Because of the low level of interest in Division 3 above the U-10 level, the club may or may not support Division 3 teams for these ages. Teams above the U-10 level may be placed in Division 3 based on overall skill level to try to keep them in a competitive situation.

Division 1 & 2 teams typically practice twice per week and usually play one game on the weekend. League play is in the York USA league, with travel to away games throughout York County. The teams may also enter competitive tournaments, which require additional time and financial commitment above league play times and fees. NEYSA will offset the outdoor tournament cost by $150 and $100 for indoor leagues. Although coaches are encouraged to provide adequate playing time for every player, there are not guarantees as to playing time. Players participating at this level must recognize that while this is still meant to be a fun activity, the level of dedication and effort required for this level exceeds that of Recreational soccer.

Division 3 teams practice twice per week. League play is also in the York USA league, with travel to away games throughout York County. Unless there are disciplinary issues, Division 3 players must play at least ½ of every game.

Every year, we try to send a representative familiar with most of the teams to a meeting to place our club teams in the appropriate talent bracket within their age group. This is to make sure the kids are on an even playing field. This bracket meeting is held by an outside organization (York USA).

How do tryouts work?

For the U10 and above levels, players are evaluated by impartial evaluators, who may or may not be coaches within the association. Evaluators may not score a tryout if a son, daughter or siblings are participating. Players are evaluated on ball skills, game sense, effort and attitude. Players are expected to attend both tryout sessions. Players with legitimate excuses for missing a session must notify the General Manager in advance of missing a session. Players who do not attend a tryout will automatically be placed at the lowest team level.

Team sizes are determined depending on the number of players participating with a goal of 12 players for U-10 and 16 players for U-12 and above. Players who do not make Division 1 teams are assigned to a Division 2 team for U-12 and U-14 or to Division 3 team for U-10.

What do registration fees cover? Are there additional costs?

Registration fees cover: League fees, player fees, referee fees and office expenses (copying, etc). The jerseys for the players are provided as part of the fee. A portion of all registration fees are budgeted for field services and maintenance items such as paint, nets, goals, flags, balls, etc.

As soon as players are registered, the process begins to register them with the league (ie. the club incurs costs). Therefore, the club does not issue refunds of registration fees, except for unusual circumstances. If a refund is issued, it will be for the full amount minus any expenses already incurred. Refunds will NOT be granted simply because a player decides they don’t want to play or their schedule has conflicts.

Are there fundraisers?

We rely on the operation of our concession stand to replace typical fundraising activities. A Fall fundraiser is held to raise funds needed to maintain our soccer program. Without these, registration fees would need to be significantly increased. Depending on our funds balance, we will determine if we need a fundraiser in the Spring. Otherwise, we try to keep the costs to a minimum for the parents.

Some of the day to day expenses include paint, balls, nets, goals, etc.