YOUTH SOCCER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

MAY 14, 2013

Sponsored by New Canaan Soccer Association

Introduction

 Mike Murphy, NCSA President

2

HOW YOUTH SOCCER IS ORGANIZED

Welcome Shaun Bailey

4

Key Take-aways for you: 1.  The NCSA can provide you with the information that you need to

make decisions about your young athlete 2.  There are several decision points that parents & players make in

their growth as soccer players….   Early/Introduction to Soccer & Team sports: Junior Rams   Improving their skills: Academy or the Travel Program U9-U11 & U12-U14   Becoming a young athlete …transition to Middle School age level and High

School…

3.  The NCSA respects multi-sport athletes 4.  We understand some NCSA players will move to Premier to play at

a higher level of play, but this may not the best path for everyone and it is not the only way to develop advanced soccer skills.

5

Why did we ask you here tonight?

What does the NCSA offer?

CLASSIC TRAVEL ACADEMY JUNIOR RAMS

COACHING ORGANIZATION

NOGA coached games & practices

NOGA coached practices & Parent coached games

NOGA coached practices & Parent coached games

TEAM STRUCTURE U9-U11 8v8 games U12-U14 11v11 games

U9-U11 8v8 games U12-U14 11v11 games

K: 3v3 (no goalie)

1st grade: 4v4 (no goalie)

2nd grade: 5v5 (goalie)

PRACTICE TIME 3 hours + 1.5 hour skills session/week

3 hours/week 2 hours/week

GAME COMMITMENT

One Game Per week vs. town teams in Division

One Inter-town Game per week (3rd & 4th); CJSA Saturday League – one game per week (5th - 8th)

One Game per week – small sided to ensure maximum playing time

COST PER SEASON $465 $330 $105 (K) $205 (1st & 2nd)

6

Youth Soccer: The NEW Premier Clubs

  The top players and the top premier clubs are NOT playing in the CT state leagues, they are playing in regional or national leagues.

  The state of CT has four leagues:   Elite Premier   Division 1   Division 2   Qualifying

  The NCSA offering compares with teams that are playing in Division 2 and qualifying leagues in terms of LEVEL of PLAY (not quality of coaching).

  In many cases, SW District Division A Classic Travel leagues compare favorably to CT Division 1 of the Premier leagues.

7

How can you compare the NCSA & Premier Clubs in CT?

8

NCSA PREMIER CLUBS

Coaching Professional & Qualified (NOGA) Does the Premier Club coach have professional credentials, experience and the right training?

Coaching Quality 100% + NCSAA Is the coaching level considered level A, B or C?

Training Program Convenient, in-town program in Fall & Spring, plus optional winter/summer offerings

How far away is the practice facility?

Practice 4.5 hours/week How often are practices held and the duration of the practices?

Selection Process Open Tryouts What is the criteria of the tryouts?

Curriculum Published & Implemented What is the curriculum of the program? Is it published on the website or easily accessible? How does it compare to the NCSA?

Co-operation with other Sports

NCSA recognizes the multi-sport athlete and works with other sports in Spring season

Does the Premier Club expect 100% commitment or have flexibility for multi-sports?

Cost $465/season or $930/Fall & Spring seasons

What is the Program Cost? Does it include uniform and travel expenses?

Questions to ask Premier Clubs? First questions to ask Yourself and your Player : 1.  Does your player want to play MORE Soccer (additional seasons, etc.)? 2.  Can your family and player commit to travel weekends and holidays for

tournaments/games?

If the answer is YES, then you need to ask the Club: 1.  What are the past results of the prospective team and Club in general? 2.  What is the coaching longevity and is there significant turnover? 3.  Is there team turnover? 4.  Ask about the experience level of the coach? 5.  What league and league level does the Club play in? 6.  What tournaments does the team regularly attend?

9

Looking forward with the NCSA   NOGA CT Summer Select Program [Scott McBride, NOGA]   Introducing the S.T.E.P. Program [Rich Sutherland, NOGA]   New NCSA Strategy with SW District Divisions

  Our objective for Fall 2013 season is for NCSA Red & Black teams to qualify to be placed in the A&B Divisions (respectively) of SW District of the CJSA

10

Summary: NCSA Resources

  website: www.newcanaansoccer.org   Key resources within NCSA:

 Coaching Directors:  Kirk Bamford, NCSA Coaching Director, NCHS Girls Varsity Coach

 Scott McBride, NOGA Liaison to NCSA [NOGA is our coaching partner]  Jay Radecki, NCSA Assistant Coaching Director

 Kevin Bryne, NCSA Assistant Coaching Director

 Kim Persky, Advisor to NCSA

11

Questions ?

12

www.newcanaansoccer.org