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 Marin FC (Select)  U-14 -- U-18 TRYOUTS

Age Group Classifications

All boys and girls who register with the TPSC are eligible to play in accordance with their age groups. The age is determined as of July 31st of the year in which the season begins. In recreational plays, teams are typically divided in two-year age groups, in the younger ages based generally on school grade. In competitive play, teams may be in either one or two-year age groups (always based on soccer age) depending on the team. Requests to "play up" in an older division must be sanctioned by the TPSC board; also note, requests from players not scoring in the top 1/3 of players trying out for the older team will not be considered. (This play-up rule does not apply if we are not fielding a comparable team in the player's age-group. For instance, if we do not have a U-11 team, a 10-year-old could tryout for a U-12 team.)

Our competitive team formation will be subject to the numbers and quality of players who turn out for tryouts. Final decisions on team formation and Division placement will not be made until tryouts are complete.

Competitive Team Managers Meeting:
Time/Place TBD

Competitive Players' Parents' and Coaches Meeting:
Time/Place TBD
No children, please!
Bring: *Color photo of player (1" W by 1-1/2" T head shot - no hats!)
         *Birth certificate (for players new to TPSC Competitive soccer)
         *Checkbook 

Some Questions and Answers:

What is the difference between Rec Soccer and Competitive Soccer?

Recreational Soccer

The large majority of soccer players in the TPSC play recreational soccer (CYSA Division IV). Recreational soccer is the least intense soccer experience offered by the TPSC, not involving substantial travel, and with limited exceptions, not involving tournaments except for the year-end Jamboree. Unlike the competitive programs, parents are not required to make a financial commitment for recreational soccer beyond the annual registration fees and routine costs such as for soccer gear and refreshments after games.

While recreational soccer does not require the time or financial commitment of competitive soccer, it does provide players with competition, the ability to be part of a team, and a challenge to improve soccer skills. With a lower pressure level, many have found recreational soccer to be the most enjoyable level of play. Recreational players who are U-8 play other teams within the TPSC. U-9 and U-10 teams play against teams within both the TPSC and Mill Valley Soccer club.

Interleague
Older players who are U-14 and above may participate in the Interleague Division (CYSA Division IV) and play other teams throughout Marin and Sonoma. Interleague teams have professional coaches for both their twice-a-week training sessions and for weekend games. Interleague is a challenging and fun option for players who are not playing in the Competitive program. Signups for Interleague are held at the same time as the Recreational signups and are first-come, first serve.

Competitive Programs in Tiburon

There are two parent youth organizations in soccer - CYSA and US Club. Currently, the TPSC registers competitive players and teams in one or both, depending on the availability of appropriate peer teams in the particular age groups. In 2009, many of the local clubs will register exclusively in US Club (due to specific disagreements with CYSA management), so many of our competitive teams will likely play in US Club as well. Frankly, we don't expect the difference to be particularly noticeable to the players. Same opponents, same referees, same fields.

Veteran families will recall that CYSA classifies teams as Division I (Select) or Division III (Upperhouse). US Club has only one division, Competitive, but has several playing-league flights including premier, gold and silver, depending on playing ability of the individual teams. But both organizations do their best to "flight" teams of similar abilities with each other.

Competitive teams travel to games throughout the northern Bay Area counties and several times a season may play in tournaments throughout northern California.

All competitive programs provide an exciting experience for those players who show the talent and commitment to go beyond recreational soccer. Each team has a professional coach hired by the club (see bios) and we are proud to say that we have one of the strongest coaching staffs in the area!

Sometimes there are not enough players to form a team in a particular age group. At those times, we often work with the Mill Valley Soccer Club to combine players to form a team. At other times when we don't have sufficient players, we will encourage players to tryout with our neighboring clubs in Mill Valley and Corte Madera.

What happened to U-10 Competitive Teams?
Leading the way on what is an international movement to focus on skill development and not on pressurized travel soccer for younger players, the TPSC begins its Competitive teams at the U-11 level. However, motivated U-10 players may join our Developmental Soccer Academy program during the spring and fall where they will receive additional professional training.
You may read more about this programmatic movement here.

How much of a commitment is competitive soccer?

For both the parents and players, the commitment is not to be taken lightly. Participation in regular practice is mandatory. Coaches expect players to be on time and focused. Parents are called upon to pay for uniforms, tournaments, and traveling expenses for themselves and their coach (for tournaments). Parents are also enlisted as volunteers for team management, fund raising, etc. And families are asked to schedule summer vacations early and to be in town and available for tournaments and all league games between August and November. (Please note, competitive players are required to be available for training and games beginning with our TPSC Competitive Camp in August. Absence will result in a loss of playing time and will be part of the criteria for selection to a team the following year.)

What are the benefits of competitive soccer?

Competitive soccer players experience the thrill of the highest level of competition. They travel, usually together with their families; they learn to accept and deal with new challenges, winning and losing, they learn a "thinking" sport from the best coaches and trainers that we can provide, they establish new and lasting friendships; and, most importantly, they acquire top physical conditioning, all the building blocks for strong self-esteem and confidence.

Year Round?
Our competitive teams begin light training after tryouts and through the spring, averaging once per week at a schedule determined by coach and parents. We also offer clinics and/or activities for both field players and goalkeepers during the season and off-season and all competitive players are welcome and encouraged to attend. These clinics may focus on specific skills and/or offer the opportunity to get lots of touches in a competitive and FUN situation.

What is the cost of playing competitive soccer?
Club fees cover player and team registration, professional coaching, training, field rentals and pro-rata club expenses (see link below). Supplemental training: year round skills clinics and pre-season Club and team training are also included in the Club fee.

Club fees are as follows (no change from last year):

Total Fee : $1,450

• Within 1 week of acceptance:  $450 Registration due immediately, signifying acceptance of position on team
  
• TBD: Team manager collects uniform and team expenses (team expense budget varies by team, parents have input)
  
• TBD: $500 Initial Team payment (collected by Team manager, checks made out to TPSC - or manager can consolidate if easier).
• July 1st:  $500 Final team payment (collected by team manager)
• Teams playing in the winter or spring leagues may have a slightly different schedule and fee structure
  

For more information on fees, see "Where our Registration Fees Go"

Note that Competitive division players also pay for uniforms, tournament fees and travel expenses. (Competitive teams' parents may also optionally choose to pay for uniform accessories, team parties, trophies, and "friendly" practice game expenses.)

Unpaid fees
Families with unpaid fees will not be able to register players in following years until all unpaid fee balances are paid in full. Note: Information regarding families with unpaid fees is shared with other Marin clubs.

Why do some competitive divisions have two teams, some one and some none?

The Competitive Committee, under direction and approval of the Board, attempts each year to maximize the number of children enjoying the opportunity of playing competitive soccer while attempting to ensure that they are playing at a suitable level that will help their development as players and foster their love of the game. 

In a given age group, if there are enough competitive level players to field two teams, two teams will be formed in accordance with our parent organizations' rules.  If not, one team will be formed and the other players encouraged to play recreational level and to try-out again next year.

Occasionally, there will not be enough players in a given age group to field even one team that will be competitive with other teams. In those circumstances, players are advised to tryout in other appropriate playing leagues.

Is there room for me?
While it's typical for the nucleus of players in each age group to try out each year, all teams are officially re-selected from scratch each season. However, as the teams get older and move to larger sided games, there are always openings due to player movement and increased roster size.

Are players ever added later?
On rare occasions, a spot may open up on a competitive team after tryouts. This may be due to a player moving, being injured, or through similar circumstances. At these times, at the discretion of the Club, a player who formerly tried out, or had subsequently come to the attention of the Club (for instance, a previously unrecognized recreational player) may be asked to practice with and/or join the team. There are also instances where a competitive-level player moves to the community after tryouts and a roster spot is made available to enable that player to participate at the appropriate level of competition. All such additions are made only with the approval of the Club.

How are competitive coaches selected?

Coaches submit applications to the Competitive Committee of the Tiburon Peninsula Soccer Board. Regardless of previous experience, all applicants are reviewed, and evaluations from previous seasons and/or recommendations carefully considered. Coaches must be approved and hired by the club in order to coach in the TPSC. Final decisions on teams fielded each year and coaches recommended for those teams are determined by the Director of Coaching and Competitive Committee after consideration of the number and quality of the players in each age/sex grouping at tryouts.

When does practice start and in which tournaments will the team participate?
Teams hold light practices during the spring (averaging once per week after tryouts, with a schedule determined by coach and families to be sensitive to children participating in other spring sports). Formal twice-weekly practices generally begin in earnest after Team Camp week in August.

All competitive players are required to be available for training and games after August 1st. The Club holds a competitive camp during the first week in August, then teams also hold a week-long "training camp" the following week; these are usually for a few hours during the morning or the mid-to-late afternoons. Decisions as to which tournaments and/or jamborees (including post-season Cup play) the team will participate are decided by the coach and families, with approval by the TPSC. All TPSC competitive teams are expected to participate in our traditional Tiburon/Mill Valley Fall Kickoff, usually the weekend before the Labor Day weekend.

What is Marin FC?

Beginning in 2004, the TPSC, Mill Valley, West Marin, Dixie and Central Marin leagues joined together to field U-14 and older Select teams. All Select teams in these age groups will formed under the auspices of "Marin FC." Tryout dates and times for these teams are available on the Marin FC website.
www.marinfc.com
Read the full draft agreement...

Referee Requirements for Competitive Teams

Like many other clubs, the TPSC requires all competitive division teams to provide two referees who will each officiate a minimum number of games during the season (and including the August Fall Kickoff). Each team will be required to post a significant deposit at registration which will be returned when the requirements are met. The games officiated may be at any level from U-10 through all competitive divisions. As the club will pay for the cost of the referee course--and pay each referee per game--this is a golden opportunity to learn more about the game and to help support our club and your player's team. Youth referees ages 12 and above are also welcome; they will referee games that are at least two years younger than their playing age--and the club will purchase their uniform as well as pay for the course. More information can be found on the Referee Page.

TRYOUT DATES  (And why "rain or shine?") The timing of our tryouts are determined by the following:
  1. Local events in Tiburon
  2. Nearby leagues holding their tryouts
  3. Field availability
Regarding #2: our local children are forced to make decisions to either take or pass on offers from other teams; it's hard to pass up a bird-in-the-hand, even though at this age most would 'rather play with their friends.' Therefore our tryouts must be held around the same time as other leagues. 

How Can I as a Parent Help?
There are many ways for parents to be involved with competitive teams. The Club and coach will ask one parent to "manage" the team; if you are interested in doing so, advise the Director of Coaching or Club Administrator at or after tryouts. The Manager is a non-coaching, but essential position. Managers facilitate communication between Club and team and coach and team. They distribute uniforms, collect Club fees, handle player cards and medical releases, and game scheduling and are responsible -or delegate responsibility- for tournament entries, team treasury, travel planning and budgeting. Most managers wisely recruit other team parents and delegate many of these responsibilities. (Don't worry, the Club provides plenty of support and information for managers). As noted above, each competitive team is also required to provide referees. Parents are encouraged to take the free referee licensing course so that they can help the team meet this requirement and help the Club cover games.

Refund Policy