| SYSA Programs | Ages | Description | Coaches | Seasons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House League | Team Soccer | 4-14 years | Part of a team, skill development, house league games | Parent volunteers – staff support | Fall, Spring |
| Kick it Kids | 3-14 years | Skill development and small sided games | SYSA staff | Fall, Winter, Spring | |
| Prospects | 7-10 years | Extra training in addition to house league | Parent volunteers – staff support | ||
| Development Teams | U11, U12 | Teams play in BC Coastal Soccer League | Parent volunteers – staff support | Sept-March | |
| Games played in Lower Mainland and Squamish. 2 training sessions a week | |||||
| Boys Saturday games – Girls Sunday games | |||||
| Training players | Play with house league, train with Dev. called up for Dev. games | ||||
| Select Teams | U13-U18 | Teams play in BC Coastal Soccer League | Parent volunteers – staff support | Sept-March | |
| Games played in Lower Mainland and Squamish. 2 training sessions a week | |||||
| Boys Saturday games – Girls Sunday games | |||||
| Academy Sessions | U13-U18 | Extra training in addition to development or select | SYSA staff | Spring | |
| ID Sessions | U10-U18 | 1-2 sessions with TD. ID and team formation for next season | SYSA staff and team coaches | April | |
| ID | Identification | ||||
| TD | Technical Director | Peter Weiland | |||
| BC Coastal Soccer League | Includes 8 Lower Mainland Districts including sea to sky. www.bccoastalsoccerleague.ca | ||||
The Select program is our more competitive stream and requires a higher level of commitment and skill level than our house league program. This stream starts with the Prospects training groups for U8 and U9 boys and girls. These players all still play in house league but will also compete in exhibition games and tournaments throughout the season.
We then move into the Development teams for U10, U11 & U12 age groups. It is at this stage of SYSA development plan that the teams enter into league play against Vancouver teams. For all of these teams we identify a group of “Core” players that play every weekend in a Vancouver league, with home games and away games alternating every weekend. For each of these teams we also identify a group of “Training” players. Training players will remain in and register in house league, but will train with the Development team each week and are also asked to join the “Core” team for their league games on a rotational basis. This provides an opportunity to train up to three times a week and possibly play two games! Make sure, if you have been identified as a Training player, you register as a training player so you will be added to your Select team.
***Please note that at this stage there is not a league for the U10 girls to join, however the team will be built as if there was with the hope being that a league will be formed or many exhibition games will be played.
Finally we have our Select teams for U13 and older. Like the Development Teams the Select Teams compete in Vancouver leagues with home and away games. At these ages we have a much larger group of “core” players, due to the teams moving from 8v8 play in U11 & U12 to 11v11 play in U13, and reversely a smaller group of “training” players. This is good motivation for those “training” players in the Development teams to continue to work hard and stay motivated as more spaces open up in the Select Teams.
Participation in the Prospects, Development, and Select Program is by evaluation and approval. We hold evaluation sessions in April to identify players. For the Prospect Training groups we aim to take all players that want to join as long as the players skills are not dramatically different to the rest of the group. Outside of the official ID sessions you can request an evaluation of your child if their House League coach or SYSA Technical staff recommends them.
PROSPECTS TRAINING GROUP FORMATION PROCESS
Players interested in joining the 2016/17 Prospects Training Program please review the following:
What is the SYSA Prospects Training Program?
The SYSA Prospects Training group are formed for the upcoming U8 and U9 age groups. These teams are formed through a player identification process where the SYSA technical staff cooperates with volunteer team coaches to assess players based on their current level of observed performance. The number of teams formed for each age group may vary from year to year based on the available player pool and their general level of performance.
The intent of the SYSA Prospects training group is to introduce our young enthusiastic players to a more competitive environment in preparation for potential participation in the future with our Development and Select programs. Players selected to the Prospects training group will continue to participate in the SYSA House team program but will be exposed to one additional practice per week and semi-regular exhibition games against selected opponents and the possibility of participating in tournaments located in the lower mainland. The prospects program will run continuously from September through March with approximately 2 to 4 weeks off around the winter break.
What is the Level of Commitment Required for the SYSA Prospects Training Program?
Level of commitment required by players selected to the SYSA Prospects training group is one additional training session per week and one or two exhibition games each month.
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The prospects season begins in September and runs continuously through to the middle of March. There is usually a break in play from mid-December to mid-January.
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If your child is participating in multiple sports at the same time please have a conversation with your coach to discuss any potential conflicts.
What if my child cannot make the required level of commitment?
These situations are discussed on a case-by-case basis. Some options are available for families who may have difficulty making a full commitment on a weekly basis. Please bring any concerns up with the SYSA technical staff.
What If My Child Is Told S/he Is Not Ready For the Prospects Training Program?
Players who are assessed as ‘not ready’ for the SYSA Prospects Training Program are encouraged to register in the SYSA House program. In this regard they can continue to be observed by SYSA technical staff and be provided opportunities for continued development and evaluation.
Players are also encouraged to join any available SYSA supplemental training or third party academies.
DEVELOPMENT TEAM FORMATION PROCESS
Players interested in playing in the 2016/17 Development program please review the following:
What is the SYSA Development Program?
The SYSA Development teams are formed with the U10 – U12 age groups. These teams are formed through a player identification process where the SYSA technical staff cooperates with volunteer team coaches to assess players based on their current level of observed performance. The number of teams formed for each age group may vary from year to year based on the available player pool and their general level of performance.
The intent of the SYSA Development Program is to introduce the players to competitive league play and to prepare players for potential selection into SYSA Select teams at the U13 and older age groups.
How Is My Child Identified For A SYSA Development Team?
Registration for ID Sessions opens in March. SYSA technical staff and volunteer coaches will identify players through ID sessions held in early April of each year.
If Selected, Is My Child Guaranteed A Position On The Team For The Duration Of The Season?
Once teams are formed some player movement from Development to House or House to Development may occur. This movement will help to address the varying maturation and technical development rates of children over the course of the year. Any player movement that occurs after teams are formed is done in consultation with the technical staff, team coaches and the family to ensure the specific developmental needs of the player are met. Any movement that is required will not be a surprise to the families involved.
What Is The Level Of Commitment Required For The SYSA Development Program?
SYSA development teams train two times a week with one competitive game each weekend.
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The season begins in September and runs continuously through to the middle of March. There is usually a break in play from mid-December to mid-January.
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Practices are held during the week Monday to Thursday depending on coaches schedule and availability.
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Development teams will compete against opponents from the Vancouver region.
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All home games will be held at Brennan Park while away games could be held anywhere in the lower mainland, usually in Vancouver. The schedule generally alternates between home and away games each weekend.
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If your child is participating in multiple sports at the same time please have a conversation with your coach to discuss any potential conflicts.
What If My Child Cannot Make The Required Level Of Commitment?
These situations are discussed on a case-by-case basis. Some options are available for families who may have difficulty making a full commitment on a weekly basis. Please bring any concerns up with the SYSA technical staff.
What If My Child Is told S/he Is Not Ready For the Development Program?
Players who are assessed as ‘not ready’ for the SYSA Prospects Training Program are encouraged to register in the SYSA House program. In this regard they can continue to be observed by SYSA technical staff and be provided opportunities for continued development and evaluation.
Players are also encouraged to join any available SYSA supplemental training or third party academies.
What if my child wants to play in a higher age group?
If you believe you have the skills and maturity to play in a higher age group please review our Playing Up Policy and Application.
SELECT TEAM FORMATION PROCESS
Players interested in playing in the 2017/18 Prospects divisions please review the following:
What is the SYSA Select Team Program?
The SYSA Select Teams are formed from the U13 through U18 age groups. These teams are formed through a player identification process where the SYSA technical staff cooperates with volunteer team coaches to assess players based on their current level of observed performance. The number of teams formed for each age group may vary from year to year based on the available player pool and their general level of performance.
The intent of the SYSA Select Team Program provides an appropriately challenging environment for the committed and competitive player to further develop in the sport.
SYSA Select Team Registration
ID sessions for team formation for the 2022/2023 soccer season will take place at the Brennan Park turf field, April 19-29. Please register and check the date and time for your age group at the following links.
How is My Child Identified for an SYSA Select Team?
Players are required to indicate their interest or selection to our Select Team Program by registering for the assessments. Once registered you will then be provided the opportunity to attend our Evaluation Sessions.
If Selected, Is My Child Guaranteed a Position on the Team for the Duration of the Season?
After teams are formed some player movement may occur over the course of the season. This movement will help to address the varying maturation and technical development rates of children over the course of the year as well as help to address long-term injury or commitment issues. Any player movement that does occur after teams are formed is done in consultation with technical staff, team coaches and the family to ensure the specific needs of the player are met.
What is the Level of Commitment Required for the SYSA Select Program?
SYSA Select teams generally train two times a week with one competitive game each weekend (generally Saturday for males and Sunday for females). Specific training days are determined in August and are dependent on available fields, registration numbers and supporting resources. It is expected (but not guaranteed) that all Select Team training will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We understand that your child may be experiencing multiple sports at the same time and excelling in each. The SYSA makes every attempt to provide as much advanced notice on scheduling items as we can.
What if my child cannot make the required level of commitment?
These situations are discussed on a case-by-case basis. Some options are available for families who may have difficulty making a full commitment on a weekly basis. Please bring any concerns up with the SYSA technical staff.
What If My Child Is Told S/he Is Not Ready For the Select Team Program?
Players who are assessed as ‘not ready’ for the SYSA Select Team Program are encouraged to register for our House program. In this regard they can continue to be observed by SYSA technical staff and be provided opportunities for continued development and evaluation.
Players are also encouraged to join any available SYSA supplemental training or third party academies.
What if My Child Wants to Play in a Higher Age Group?
If you believe you have the skills and maturity to play in a higher age group please review our Playing Up Policy and Application.
Select team schedules and standings can be found at:
Select ID Sessions
Select ID sessions take place in April each year. Once dates and times are posted you can find them here. Players are evaluated on FOUR main criteria: technical skills, speed, attitude, and game intelligence.
Select Program Coordinators
Girls & Boys: Annabel Ray: travelg@squamishsoccer.ca
Equipment: Ray Christensen: vp@squamishsoccer.ca
Fields: Contact: fields@squamishsoccer.ca
Select Program Forms
Soccer Registration
Our organization is split into two streams:
House and Select Programs.