RAINOUT

Check here for Field Conditions

Tryout Dates/Times:

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 competitive and recreational play, teams are typically fielded in two-year age groups. The exceptions are in Select and in Upperhouse "age-pure" playing leagues, where one-year age groupings are used. 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.

Birthday ranges:
Upperhouse (except for age-pure)
U-10: August 1998 through July 2000
U-12: August 1996 through July 1998
U-14: August 1994 through July 1996
U-16: August 1992 through July 1994
U-19: August 1989 through July 1992

Select and Upperhouse age-pure
U-9:  August 1999 through July 2000
U-10: August 1998 through July 1999
U-11: August 1997 through July 1998
U-12: August 1996 through July 1997
U-13: August 1995 through July 1996

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 - April

Competitive Players' Parents' and Coaches Meeting:
Time/Place TBD - April
No children, please!
Bring: *Color photo of player (1" W by 1-1/2" T head shot)
         *Birth certificate
         *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 (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. Division IV players who are U-8 and U-10 play other teams within the TPSC; players U-12 and above play in the Interleague division and play other Division IV teams throughout Marin.

Competitive Programs in Tiburon

The Tiburon Peninsula Soccer club typically sponsors Division I (Select) teams in one-year age groups when there are a sufficient number of Division I-level players in that age-group.

In those age groups where there are not enough players to field a team, we encourage players to tryout with our neighboring leagues in Mill Valley and Corte Madera.

In addition, the TPSC sponsors one or more Division III (Upperhouse) teams in each two-year age band, plus age-pure Division III teams for U-11 and above (see below). Both Select and Upperhouse 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 with the oversight of the club.

What is the Difference between "Select" and "Upperhouse"?

Both Division I and Division III are advanced programs, and teams in both programs travel to tournaments and league games throughout the Bay Area and are able to participate in post-season CYSA Cup tournaments. While there is a difference in skill-level between these Divisions, the level of coaching expertise is equivalent as is the competitiveness of the games. It is our goal as a club to determine the appropriate placement of each team to ensure competitiveness, skill development and enjoyment of our sport.

What is "age-pure Division III?"

District V has attempted to create playing leagues of "age-pure" U-11 and U-13 teams. In the past, these teams would play as two-year bands with both ages together. The age-pure model is widely incorporated in many other Districts; experience has demonstrated that this enables more flexibility in matching a team's playing level more appropriately within the competitive universe and may allow a better soccer experience for the players.

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, training camps, traveling expenses, and trainer’s and coach’s salaries. 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 after August 1. 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.

What is the cost of playing competitive soccer?
Club fees cover player and team registration, coaching, training and field rentals. Supplemental training: Fast Footwork clinics, Goalkeeper clinics, Ball Striking clinics, pre-season training, tournament training and offseason training are also included in the fees.

Note that Competitive division players also pay for uniforms ($130), 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.)

Fees are as follows:

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 Upperhouse players to field two teams, two equal teams will be formed in accordance with CYSA 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?
In Upperhouse, all teams are re-selected each year from scratch. And while the nucleus of Select teams often stay together from year to year, there are always openings. In the younger ages, as teams make the transition from U-10 eight-a-side to U-11 eleven players on the field, at least three new spots open as the rosters expand. And as the teams get older, there are always openings due to player movement.

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 interviewed, their applications and resumes reviewed, and evaluations from previous seasons and/or recommendations carefully considered. Coaches must be approved 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 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?
Practice schedules and tournament participation are decided by the coach and families. Some teams choose to hold practices beginning in May (but understanding that other sports and activities may prevent all players from attending). Formal twice-weekly practices generally begin in earnest at the beginning of August. All competitive players are required to be available for training and games after August 1st. Most teams also choose to hold a week-long "training camp" early in August; these are usually for a few hours in the mid-to-late afternoons. Decisions as to which tournaments and/or jamborees (including State Cup or Association Cup) the team will participate are decided by the coach and families, with approval by the TPSC and CYSA District V. All TPSC Division III competitive teams are expected to participate in our traditional Tiburon/Mill Valley Fall Kickoff, usually the third weekend in August, or in the U-10 Mill Valley/Tiburon Jamboree earlier in the month.

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 U-15 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 pro-rata for each game officiated. 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.

Junior Referee Course ("Referees-in-Training" Program)
Eleven-year-old players are welcome to participate in the TPSC "Referees-in-Training" program. Following a one-evening class, graduates will be certified by the TPSC to referee U-8 games and be linesmen for U-10 recreational games. This is an opportunity for these young girls and boys to learn the Laws of the Game, acquire experience in a low-key environment and earn referee fees. (Note to Competitive Team managers: these referees-in-training do not count toward your team's referee requirement.) Learn more here.

WHY ARE TRYOUTS SO EARLY?  (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 on very early dates
  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. 

Refund Policy