1. Overview: What is the WYSL Select Program?
The WYSL Select Program offers the most talented and committed players within the Westchester Youth Soccer League the opportunity to come together on one “all-star” team to further develop and advance their skills. The program provides a chance for these players to train and compete at a higher level and faster pace of play under the instruction and guidance of some of the area’s top-level coaches. Our Select Program Coaches are dedicated to the ongoing development of these players in preparation to ultimately compete at the collegiate level of athletics under the structure and curriculum of the US Youth Soccer National Coaching Program.
Please note: the WYSL Select Program is intended to supplement not replace your local club team.
The Select Team season commences with tryouts starting on Monday evenings in mid-September, with finalized rosters normally completed by the end of October. Returning players must tryout each season. Once team rosters have been selected, training sessions will begin with Monday evening sessions starting late October continuing to 2nd or 3rd Monday in December (weather permitting). Spring outdoor training will be held on Monday evenings throughout the spring and early summer starting in mid March (pending field availability) and ending the third week of July. There will be a Select Spring Camp held this year April 6-10 again in Armonk and a summer Select Camp the first week of July.
Training locations: Tibbetts Field in Yonkers, Saxon Woods in White Plains and the White Plains High School fields
Training Times: The developmental age brackets start practice at the first time block normally beginning at 5:30 to 7:00 PM, older teams usually practice in the second time block starting at 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Sessions usually run for one hour for the developmental teams and one and half hour for older teams.
(check with your Team Manager for exact times and locations once teams have been formed)
Structure: There will be two types of teams in the program, depending on the age of the players.
· Select Teams that will play in 3 regional high-level summer weekend tournaments, traditionally the last weekend in June, second and third weekends in July.
(program ends upon the completion of the final tournament in July)
Developmental Teams that do not participate in the summer tournament schedule. Developmental Teams will stress small-sided games to promote ball skill and control under the guidelines of US Youth Soccer player development system. Its goal is to provide a “pressure-free”, higher level of training not generally available to players of this age on their WYSL club team and culminates with an inter-league round robin-like scrimmage games (or an event of a similar nature) at the end of June.
2. Team Formation for 2008-2009:
Select Teams: Boys and Girls born in 1997* 1996*, 1995, 1994
Developmental Teams: Boys and Girls born in 1999 and 1998.
Please Note: Depending on the talent level and turnout numbers a team may not be formed in a each particular age bracket.
* Select 1997and 1996 Boys and Girls Teams will be designated as ENYYSA District Olympic Development Teams. These teams will compete at the State ODP ID Tournament in early May from which players will be selected to form the Eastern New York State 1997and 1996 ODP Teams.
3. Birth Year Team Formations:
Teams are formed by calendar year birth dates. All Players must try out and play on their appropriate birth year team. Players are not permitted to "play up" or “play down” on any team.
There are no exceptions.
4. Who is eligible for WYSL Select?
All WYSL registered boys and girls are eligible for tryouts. Rostering with a team outside of the WYSL excludes a player from WYSL Select participation/registration. If the player’s team is currently inactive, the team must have competed in the WYSL in its most recent active season.
For 1994 and 1995 PLAYERS ONLY:
1994 and 1995 players can not be rostered on both the State ODP team and WYSL Select Team.
WYSL players who are rostered on State ODP teams are not eligible to participate in WYSL Select.
5. Summer Tournaments:
As previously noted the 1994, 1995 ,1996 and 1997 Select Teams will play in 3 regional high-level summer weekend tournaments, the last weekend in June through the third weekend in July.
Developmental Teams 1998 and 1999 will be playing in an inter-league round robin-like format the last Saturday of the WYSL spring season.
Please click on "Tournament Information" on the Select Program home page for a listing of the Select Tournament dates for 2009. (The exact schedule dates will be posted when available.)
6. Tryouts for Select Teams:
Tryouts will start on Monday September 15th. Notices of the tryout times and dates for the 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Select Teams will be posted on this web site and e-mailed directly to all age appropriate players from the fall WYSL rosters by August 25, 2008. Please click on WYSL Select Tryout Schedule” on the select home page for the complete tryout listing.
Players will be asked to register online (see section 8 below) for the tryouts and must bring a printed copy of their confirmation email or online receipt to the tryout. There is a $25.00 tryout fee (fee includes a numbered tryout tee-shirt).
Returning players must tryout each season. Due to the competitive nature of the try out process, there will be no make-ups allowed for a player who misses his or her initial tryout.
Please note:
Exceptions will only be made due to conflicts with tryout dates for the 1994-1996 ENYYSA ODP Teams or issues directly related to team formation.
There will be a 2nd call back round of tryouts for each team. When necessary, a 3rd round call back may be scheduled. All call backs are by invitation only.
The 1998 and 1999 Developmental players are not required to try out; all committed players are accepted into the program. Registration will be opened on-line on or about Sept.15th 2008 (see section 8 below for registration instructions). Once registered, you will be contacted with information about the next step in the program. Please follow the regisitration instructions on the WYSL Select Program home page link.
Due to field constraints, the Developmental teams will be limited to the first 50 players who register. Registration will open September 15th, please do not delay. Once the target number has been reach players additional players will be wait listed.
7. What is the cost?
The program operates on funds generated through player fees.
Select Team Registration Fee:
The fee per player for uniforms, coaching, facilities, tournament registration and related costs
is $425.00 for 1994 to 1997 teams.
Developmental Team registration Fee:
The fee for the 1998 and 1999 Developmental teams will be $350.00.
No player will be prohibited from joining the Select Program due to financial need. However, it is required that a player requesting a scholarship participates in our fund raising program and raise 1/2 the registration fee to participate in the Select program. Contact Select Committee member Sam Arnoff at: arnoff_s@hotmail.com, for further information on our Partial Scholarships Program.
8. Online Registration:
Select: Online registration take place in two stages:
Step 1: Players register for the tryouts, as noted above in section 6.
Step 2: Then, those players invited to join the teams will be instructed how to register for the program.
Please click here to register for the tryouts. ( will be activated by August 25th) You are asked to bring a printed copy of your confirmation email or your online receipt to the tryout. Once the tryout process has been completed and a player has been offered a position on the team, the players will re-visit the same system to register your son or daughter into the Select program.
Developmental: The 1998 and 1999 Developmental teams will accept all committed players (maximum of a 50 player pool, per gender). A direct mailing and an email announcing the opening of the registration period for the 1998 and 1999 players will be sent to all eligible WYSL players in early September. Registration will open on September 15th.
9. No Refunds:
Due to the up front cost related to securing training facilities, coaching, tournaments, uniforms etc.,
once a player has completed registration, no refunds will be issued,
(except in the case of player injury where documentation is provided from treating physical confirming that the player is prohibiting from participation in all soccer related activities, a $30.00 processing fee will be applied)
ALL PARENTS WILL BE ASKED TO ACKNOWLEDGE, with their online signature, THAT THEY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THIS REFUND POLICY.
10. What is the commitment?
Because of the demanding practice and game schedule of the WYSL League and Select Program, a strong commitment is needed from all players and their families. Attendance and on time at all Monday evening Select practices during the spring is mandatory unless given a Permitted Absence (see section 11 below). You are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled practice time to warm-up and check in.
Attendance at all summer tournaments (when selected) is mandatory unless a player chooses to be designated a “Practice Only Player” at the tryouts, thereby excusing him or her from the tournament portion of the program (see section 18 below).
Failure to attend a summer tournament once rostered is grounds for disciplinary action, which may include suspension, removal from the program and/or barred from future Select activities.
Disciplinary decisions will be made in the best judgment of the Select Committee.
11. Permitted Absence:
Monday evenings are traditionally reserved for Select Program practices. WYSL Clubs are strongly advised not to schedule team practices on Monday evenings. Monday practices are mandatory and take precedence over club and school practices. If there is a conflict with a HS game and the Monday Select practice, the player would be given a permitted absence (with prior notice and approval of Coach).
If a player is sick or injured, a phone call to the player’s Team Manager or designated contact is required to obtain a permitted absence from a practice or a tournament. A maximum of two permitted practice absences will be given, with prior notice. Poor record of practice attendance may disqualify a player from tournament participation.
12. Program “Conduct Contract”:
Players and parents are to be held to the highest standards of conduct both on and off the field. They will be required to sign and accept a "Select Conduct Contract" outlining appropriate behavior and commitments expected of a WYSL Select player and parent. This will include a “no poaching” commitment. As members of the WYSL Select Program, parents are encouraged to attend all events to cheer and support their children, in the appropriate manor. Disruptive and or confrontational behavior will not be tolerated.
13. Select Team Camps:
Spring Camp:
During the Westchester County’s public school spring break in April, a week long Select Team Camp will will be held from April 6- April 10th, 2009 in Armonk. The cost is $325.00 per player, and attendance is strongly recommended for all Select Program players. Allowances will be made for Select players attending private school who don’t attend the camp if their spring vacation does not coincide with this week. Select Camp notices will be emailed to all registered Select players in early January. The Camp Registration will be available online on or about January 15th. Space has been sold out for this camp each season so please register as soon as possible.
NEW Summer Camp:
During July 6-10, 2008 a week long Select Summer Camp will be held. (location to be determined) The cost is $325.00 per player, and attendance is strongly recommended for all Select Program players. Select Camp notices will be emailed to all Select players in November and registration will be available online on. Space will be limited to the first 150 players who register.
14. Roster Size:
Select: The expected roster size for the 94 and 95 Select teams will be approximately 25-28 field players and 2 goalkeepers plus up to 3 "Practice Only Players". The District ODP 96 and 97 teams may roster 28-30 field players and 2-3 goalkeepers due to ENYYSA State ODP Team selections.
(see section 18 below for information on Practice Only Player designations)
Rosters at this level may seem high, but we have found these numbers are necessary due the restricted availibility of some players for the later summer tournaments. Please be advised that only 18 players will be suited for each tournament. Player’s chosen for a particular tournament will be determined by the Coach at a time of his/her choosing.
Select Players are guarantee a minimum of attending at least one of the summer tournaments.
Developmental:Teams 1998 and 1999 will pool up to 50 players.
15. Playing Time and Positions:
The WYSL Board and Select Committee encourage each Coach to do his/her best to give each player an opportunity to play a minimum number of minutes in every game. However, due to the highly competitive level of play at the regional tournaments, the coaching staff is under no specific minimum player “minutes per game” commitment. The playing time of each player, or play in any particular position on the field, is at the discretion of the Coach and is based upon his/her judgment of the player’s skill level, ability, practice performance, game performance, and who would best benefit the team effort in each game situation at the time of the match. No player is guaranteed to play a set minimum number of playing minutes per game, or play in any particular position on the field. (For the Developmental team players, this is not applicable.)
16. Tournament Participation:
Each Select team player will be guaranteed participation in at least one of the three regional tournaments, to be determined at the Coach’s discretion. Each Player/Parent will confirm with their Team Manager their availability for at least two of the tournament dates at the teams first spring practice session (unless the player has been designated a “Practice Only Player” at the tryouts).
17. Tournament Guest Players:
Only under hardship cases, with the approval of the Select Program Coaching Director, may a Coach appeal to the Select Committee to allow a WYSL player be added to his/hers Select team tournament roster who has not participated in the full Select process.
18. "Practice Only" Players:
Being designated a "Practice Only Player,” a player will have the opportunity of joining the program and participating in all Monday evening practices. These players are not required to commit to the summer tournament portion of the Select schedule.
To try out for a "Practice Only Player" designation, the player is to inform the coaching staff at check in that he or she has elected to try out for the "Practice Only Player" position on the team. All fees and other program requirements are exactly the same as a regular registered player.
(there will be a maximum of 3 Practice Only Players positions available per team)
19. Who Are The Coaches?
The coaching staff is a very talented and seasoned group of dedicated individuals. Many of the Coaches have played and/or coached at the professional, college or high school level. They hold a wide range of coaching licenses and are dedicated to embodying the highest level of soccer standards to all who partake in the WYSL Select Program.
Here is a sample quote from the 2007 Select Program: “Our Select Coach did a great job with the players. He was very organized during practice, he instructed the kids in practice as well as during the game, and he was always positive and upbeat. He really boosted my child’s skill level as well as their self esteem. Overall, the Select team was a very positive experience for my child and for us as parents.”
20. Parent and Player Meeting:
Once chosen for a Select Team, each player and that player’s parent/guardian will be required to attend a mandatory “parents and player” meeting to review the program. This will be an opportunity to have any questions answered, meet the other players, and meet the Coach, Manager and Program Administrators. The date of this meeting TBD (“to be determined”).
21. Team Management and Communication Channels:
Team Management Staff consists of:
Head Coach
Junior Assistant(s) Coach
Volunteer Team Monitor
Multi-Team Manager
Parents are not to approach a Coach directly on or off the field. This is true before, during or after a training session, scrimmages, or tournament games. Coaches are directed to refer all parents to address their soccer related concerns first to their Team Manager. Your Team Manager will serve as the liaison between the parents and the program staff. Most communications are best handled first via email to the Team Manager, (Team Managers will also be accessible by cell phone in an emergency). In the event the Team Manager cannot resolve the issue directly, he or she will be directed to the proper Select Committee Boys or Girls Administrator.
Experience has shown that this is the most efficient process regarding any WYSL Select Program issue and all parents are required to adhere to this specific channel of communication.
PARENTS ARE NOT TO CALL THE LEAGUE OFFICE.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TEAM MANAGER WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
22. How the Program is Administered:
The Select Program is administered by the WYSL office personnel under the direction of the WYSL Select Committee. The WYSL Select Committee is appointed by the President of WYSL (Rip Fisher) each season and is comprised of WYSL Board members. The WYSL Board of Directors approves WYSL Select Program policy.
Select Program Admistration Office: Lee D’Argenio (tournaments), Angela Olcese (registration)
23. WYSL Select Program 2008-2009 Important Dates To Remember:
· Tryouts: Monday evenings starting in mid-September to end of October
· Call Backs/Roster Selection: Oct./ November
Fall Sessions: Mondays October till December 15 (weather permitting)
· Parents/Players Meeting: February (check the WYSL website during the season for the exact date)
· Spring Outdoor Practices to begin: Mondays March through July (TBD)
· Spring Break Camp: April 6-10, 2009 (strongly recommended, on-line registration opens Jan 15)
· Added Evening Weekday Practices : last week of June (to prepare for first tournament )
Summer Camp: July 6-10 Location TBA
· Summer Tournaments: Tournaments in which we’re expecting to participate:
o Hackettstown, NJ: last weekend in June
o Clifton Park NY, or Laval, Canada, 2nd weekend of July
o Hudson Invitational, NY : 3rd weekend of July
24. Training Times and Locations:
Select Team training starts in October upon completion of the tryout process, and ends in mid-December (weather permitting). There is no winter weekly indoor sessions. Training will start up again in the spring, usually beginning in March (weather permitting) and ending with the last summer tournament in July.
Please note: the 1998 / 1999 Developmental teams do not take part in the summer tournament schedule
All training will take place on Monday evenings. Locations will
Tibbetts
Park in Yonkers, Saxon Woods and
White Plains
High School fields. You will be informed about your specific time once teams are formed via your team manager, in addition to a listing under Fall / Spring Calendar on the Select Program web site.
The 1999 and 1998 teams are scheduled at the earliest time slot usually starting at 5:30 to 7:00 PM. The 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 teams are scheduled in hourly sessions usually 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
