U17 Boys

U17 BOYS AND GIRLS - Outdoor 2019

For Who?

Players Born January 1, 2002 and Dec 31, 2003 (Gender Specific play)

Philosophy - "Play for Life"

At this stage, players should participate in stimulating practices and games that develop basic technical skills in a challenging atmosphere. The effect of the coach is critical at this stage. Skill demonstration is very important, and the players learn best by doing. The players should have a good level of physical literacy. The community sessions will be focused on a challenging training session and their two 11 v 11 games.

Coaching

Volunteer coaches are appointed for the season, and are supported on a regular basis by the SPDSA Technical Department.  Head coaches will receive a $100 credit towards their child's registration, upon submission of required team information, a valid Criminal Record Check and equipment returned to the SPDSA by the specified deadlines.  Only one head coach per team is eligible for the credit.

In-service coaching workshops will be held before and during the season.

The best qualities of a coach for this stage of player are

1. Enthusiastic and encouraging
2. Demonstrates whilst facilitating practice
3. Stimulates ideas

Officials Cards

Only registered team officials and players are allowed on the field, benching area, change rooms or in the hallways. Parents not volunteering, will be able to enjoy the games from the stands only.  All team officials from U9 to U19 are required to have an SPDSA ID Card.  Cards are valid for a maximum of 3 years and are the responsibility of the card holder. A $20 fee will be charged for replacement of lost cards. Coaches/Managers without a card will not be allowed on the field or benching area during games. Please ensure you contact the SPDSA office, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm about ID Cards.  For teams playing in EMSA either a EMSA card or SPDSA card is required.  There is no grace period for ID cards.  

Players Cards

All Players from U9 to U19 are required to have an SPDSA ID Card.  Cards are valid for a maximum of 3 years and are the responsibility of the card holder. A $20 fee will be charged for replacement of lost cards. Players without a card will not be allowed on the field or benching area during games and cannot participate in the games. Please ensure you contact the SPDSA office, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm about ID Cards.  For teams playing in EMSA either a EMSA or SPDSA card is required to play.   There is no grace period for ID cards.  

Game management,

1. Scores and Standings are kept at theU13 - U19 level with teams eligible for Provincial Competition.
2. Equal playing time for all players.
3. All players will have the opportunity to a variety of positions. Let the players experience different positions and the different challenges that these positions create.
4. Warm Up - all players with a ball, moving, ball mastery.
5. Manage the amount of coaching during the game. "Let them play". Encourage creativity. Don't punish mistakes. Don't referee. Encourage both teams play.
6. Promote soccer that is free flowing, is coach-guided but not coach directed, and demands that all players on the field, regardless of their specified position, participate in defending and attacking.

The SPDSA is committed to providing a fair and equally balanced recreational league for all participants.  Each year we get an increasing number of requests for player placements due to various reasons.  This has put an enormous number of tasks on our volunteers and staff.  Some of these requests put an imbalance in teams and some lopsided scores in games, which does not help anyone.  The Community League is for development, fun and of course competition, but to have fun and have games we need teams, and if players experience unpleasant conditions they do not want to come back.

 To achieve balanced teams, we have implemented the following team formation guidelines

Friend Requests

• We do not allow full or partial teams to register.
• One reciprocal friend request per player may be submitted upon registration.
• While we do our best to accommodate player requests, they are not guaranteed. The top priority at the start of the season is to create balanced teams for each age group. Requests that prevent this from being achieved will not be accommodated. 
• If more than one friend is requested, only the first name listed will be considered.
• Coaches cannot be requested by players. No exceptions.
• Volunteer coaches will have their own child on their team.
• We are unable to switch children to a different team once they are formed due to the many moving parts and large number of special requests received.
• Two coaches wishing to coach together will be permitted, however no friend requests will be honoured and the co coach request will be considered the player request.
• Friend Requests submitted after the Regular Registration deadline will not be honored.

Commitment Level

The community program does not entail the same level of commitment as our Phoenix program; however, players that sign-up are expected to participate in most of games and practices. Team rosters are sized to maximize playing time; as a result, non-attendance will have an impact on the whole team.

Seasonal Plan

9 weeks starting the week of April 29, 2019 and ending the week of June 24, 2019.

Week 1 is weather dependent and will not be rescheduled.  Remaining games that need to be rescheduled will be in accordance with the SPDSA rescheduling policy. 

Four hours of soccer per week - 2 x 90 minute games plus practice per week (Practice at the discretion of the team) (recommended 60 to 90 minute practice)

One tournament - Classic Tournament May 23-26, 2019

Fixtures may include interlocking games with St. Albert, Ft Saskatchewan and Ardrossan

The Top Sherwood Park team may attend Tier 4 Rural Provincials July 5-7, 2019 (Location TBD), as determined by the SPDSA Provincial Qualification Policy.

Days/Nights of Play

Sunday Afternoons (1:00pm or later Start times) and Thursday Evenings evenings with 6:00pm or 7:30pm start times

Game days and start times may be subject to change, pending field availability. 

* Dates and times subject to change-

Minimum 4 teams required to form a league

In the case where a league is not viable, team(s) will be entered into the Edmonton Minor Soccer League (EMSA).

Practice/Game Structure

Practice - 1 v 1 - 8 v 8 skill builders, small-sided games, and functional practices

Match Play - 11 v 11 (10 v 10 plus goalkeepers) with 2 x 45 minute halves

Registration and Fees

$360 Early Bird.   Rates increase after March 1^st by $25.00 and again after March 19^th. 

Fee includes shorts, socks and jersey (Players are required to provide shin pads and footwear)

Classic Tournament is Included in Fees