BAYS Travel Team Tryouts / Selection

Each Gender:

• 3rd Grade – 1 Team – SPRING ONLY – 7v7 – 13 players per team
• 4th Grade – 2 Teams – Fall & Spring – 7v7 – 13 players per team
• 5th Grade – 3 Teams – Fall & Spring – 9v9 – 14-15 players per team
• 6th Grade – 3 Teams – Fall & Spring – 9v9 – 15-16 players per team
• 7th/8th Grade – All teams are BAYS Travel Teams* – Fall & Spring – 18-22 players per team

*The first 4 7th/8th Grade teams are selected, while the remaining players are balanced on remaining teams (typically for a total of 6-8 teams).

4th-8th Grade teams are selected annually each Spring for the following Fall – Spring year. These tryouts are typically held late May / Early June

3rd Grade teams are selected annually each Fall for the following Spring season only. These tryouts are typically held late October / Early November.

There are no other team selection windows or tryout periods. Changes to 4th-6th Grade teams, and top 4 7th/8th Grade teams outside of these selections only occur if a previously selected player withdraws, in which case coaches are encouraged to call up a replacement.

A number of factors go into the selection of Travel teams with the aim of the strongest possible teams in the highest level possible within the BAYS Travel league.

1. Potential coaches apply and are slated in order of suitability for the role of Head Coach for each age group (full process detailed below).
2. Slated coaches are encouraged to watch games and scout prospective players for consideration during the season
3. A tryout is held for each age group. Tryouts are not mandatory in order to be considered, but interested players are encouraged to attend.
4. Team coaches within the age group (existing Travel and ‘in-town’ NSCCL coaches) are asked to submit player evaluations. Coaches are also encouraged to flag players throughout the season that they feel would be strong candidates for selection.
5. A selection meeting is held for each age group with all coaches in the age group asked to attend, having the opportunity to advocate for/discuss players under consideration.
6. Final decisions on selected players are made by the head coach, but must be based on the above metrics.

A more detailed tryout process and selection meetings process is outlined below.

Any Coach/Adult is eligible to apply for the role of Head Coach for a BAYS Travel Team. In most cases it is a coach with a child in the age group.

• Coach must register on GotSport during specified registration windows. Coaches interested in a BAYS Travel Team Head Coach role have an earlier registration deadline. Latest coach registration info can be viewed HERE
• NSC Selection Committee meets prior to tryout date to review potential coaching candidates. Committee reviews all relevant information.
• In accordance with club by laws, the Selection Committee uses this information to “slate” coaches in order of suitability for the role.
• All Slated coaches are then invited to observe tryouts in order to take notes and scout participating players.
• Following the tryout, the Selection Committee reviews all relevant data to ensure our top slated coaches child is a viable candidate for the Travel Team before notifying them of their selection as Head Coach.

Coach Selection Criteria:

• Individual’s coaching licenses
• Ability as an instructor
• Personal playing experience
• Past coaching experience (including in the desired format i.e. 11v11, 9v9, 7v7 & age group)
• Non NSC coaching experience
• Efforts to develop as a coach (additional soccer related certificates/licenses & participation in coaching development activities)
• Adherence to the mission and philosophy of NSC, including but not limited to club Codes of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy.
• Ability of the coaches child if playing in the age group

The committee shall use reasonable judgment to weight the above information, and other relevant information it deems appropriate, to choose the best coach for each team.  Such chosen coach should demonstrate a willingness and ability to effectively train and coach players and to act in accordance with the philosophy and practices of the NSC.

The following criteria shall be given consideration to distinguish between coaches of identical or very similar qualifications:

• Service to the club
• The desire to provide players a variety of coaching styles

• Players attend a 1.5 Hour Private Tryout Session for grades 3-6th
• 2 Hour Private Tryout Session for 7th & 8th grade.

• Tryouts are run by Director of Coaching Matt Murray with help from the Professional Coaching Staff of the New England Revolution Academy to evaluate players impartially.

• Each tryout consists of 4 skill stations, followed by 45 minutes of game place (1 hour each for 7th/8th Grade)
• During the skills stations players get scored 1-5 on 2 topics per station, for a maximum score of 10 at each station and 40 as an overall score. Stations Include:

• Game Play Phase: Players will play 3, 12 minute games where the Revolution Coaches will mix players around between each game so players can have opportunities to play different positions, with different players and be evaluated by different coaches.
• Following Tryouts – Scores for each station are collected by DOC, organized & made available at earliest possible date for slated coaches to review as well as for selection meetings.

• Prior to selection meetings, top slated coach is given the opportunity to meet with Tryout Coordinator or Director of Coaching to look over all relevant data
• Slated head coaches may come to the meeting with some names in mind that they are considering for the team. Slated coaches are encouraged to do their ‘homework’ and have at least some names in mind, but come in open to discussion and recommendations.
• All current coaches in the age group (Current Travel & NSCCL) are invited & strongly encouraged to attend the Travel Team Selection Meeting where all coaches in room can give input and provide feedback on players on their team as well as players they have played against or coached in previous season.
• Slated Head Coach discusses with the room & reviews both the Tryout Data & Coaches Evaluation forms to help in selecting the Travel Team roster.
• Boys & Girls Directors collect final rosters at the end of each meeting for each team and send to our club registrar to create teams.
• Once team information can be pulled from our registration system and players are confirmed to have registered for the following season, the Head Coach for each team is given opportunity to personally reach out and offer a roster spot to each player selected.
• When all players confirmed. Email notifications will be sent to thank everyone for participating and inform them that they will be place on a NSCCL roster for the following season.

ALL CONVERSATIONS AND INFORMATION ARE CONFIDENTIAL.COACHES ARE ASKED TO NOT COMMUNICATE ANY OF THE FINAL ROSTER SELECTIONS PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CLUB.