Frequently asked questions:
How are travel teams selected? The tryout data and the written coach’s evaluations are used at the travel team selection meeting
Who picks the travel teams? Prior to the team selection meeting, any coach may sign up to coach. Once the coaches slate is approved by the coach’s selection committee and the Board, all coaches are invited to the selection meeting to participate in an open forum. The first coach on the slate picks the first team; the second coach on the list picks the second team. Every player on the list gets discussed before the final rosters are selected.
How are coaches chosen? The coach’s selection committee uses many criteria in selecting coaches: coaching experience, coaching licenses held, coaching clinics attended, playing experience, service to the Club, etc.
Can the coach who is selecting the team pick just anyone? No – he/she must use the metrics provided via the tryout data and the coach’s evaluations. Any coach at the meeting may make a recommendation as to who should be placed on what team. The Girls and Boys Directors have veto power over any selection if they feel that the choice is not justified based on the data provided.
Are there exceptions to that policy? Yes, if a player missed the tryout, coaches written evaluations and verbal feedback from other coaches in that player’s age group will be used to place that player accordingly.
Why are there no U9 tryouts? Because we assign the St. Bart’s players and other players entering Needham Soccer club on NSCCL teams randomly in the fall. There are no U9 travel teams in the fall.
Why do the current U12 and U13 players tryout together? There is no U13 division in BAYS anymore. All the 7th and 8th graders play together on teams in the U14 BAYS league. There is no NSCCL (non-travel) program for those players.
How many U10 travel teams are there? We generally decide how many travel teams based on the tryout results and the coaches evaluations and our registration numbers. Our first objective is to develop soccer players. We created the NSCCL program to do just that. By providing practice time, clinics with professional trainers and a non-travel league, players can develop basic skills and learn the game.
Why do U11 players play 8v8 and not 6v6 or 11v11? MYSA (Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association) has created state guidelines for each age group. You can read more about their decision to switch to the 8v8 format on their website www.mayouthsoccer.org. BAYS has also chosen the 8v8 format in some age groups. (www.BAYS.org)
If you have any further questions, you can always find more information on our website www.needhamsoccer.com or email the club at admin@needhamsoccer.com