Q: How do Try-outs work?
A: Independent and qualified evaluators grade the tryout soccer players over 3 to 4 hours split into 2 sessions. A 5-point grading system is used. Within 48 hours following the end of the tryout, the top graded players will be offered a majority of the available roster spots. The coaching staff will then offer the balance of the roster spots to the players of their choice. The offering of the roster spots will be made by the head coach, in person, by phone or e-mail. Typically, the Coach will require acceptance of the roster spot within 24 hours. All tryout players will be contacted within 72 hours following the end of the tryout.
Q: What does it cost to play on a tryout team?
Club Fees cover the cost of: State Cup Tournament entry fees, Coaching Fees, field use fees and maintenance costs, soccer balls, nets, practice supplies, game referees, scholarships, Web site maintenance, Oregon or Washington league fees, office supplies, Association, District and State membership fees, and other miscellaneous costs.
Variable Team Fee cover the cost of: Other tournaments, additional scrimmage costs, costs for Regional or National Tournament if the team wins and moves on, extra scholarships, team parties, etc.
Uniforms: Every 2 to 3 years a player will need to replace their uniform kit which includes; 2-3 jersyes, shorts, 2 pair socks, warm up jacket, warm up pants, back pack at a cost of $230 to $280.
Please remember that often tournaments are located outside of the immediate area which means overnight travel. And, of course, that means extra expenses. Consult with the coach to obtain a list of planned tournaments for the year.
Q: How do I know what the Team Fees will actually be?
A: It is important to speak to either the Team Manager or the Coach about this. They will be able to give you an idea of what to expect. Remember that during the season there could be extra and unexpected costs and so we recommend that you stay in touch with the Team leadership to stay abreast of the financial expectations.
Q: How many tournaments will we play?
A: Typically, the Team will play 4 or 5 tournaments. (More if the team wins the State Tournament!) Tournament fees depend on the team and can range from $100-$250 for the year.
Q: What is my time commitment to this level of soccer?
A: Coaches will hold practices beginning in April or early May. Usually these are limited to 2x per week. Once June rolls around and the Tournament season begins in earnest, coaches may add other practice sessions.
Tournaments run all summer so it is important to learn the tournament schedule and make your plans accordingly. WSA Coaches understand that families have other commitments, like vacations, so it is not a “bad thing” to miss a few practices or tournament games. As always, it is a good policy to communicate your plans ahead of time with your manager or Coach.
Typically, tournaments run from Thursday or Friday thru Sunday afternoon/evening (for the Finalists). Please be sure to commit to the whole weekend if possible. You might end up in the Championship Game on Sunday afternoon!!
The most successful teams have a high level of mutual commitment between the Coaches, Players, Parents and the Team Manager.
Then in the Fall, League play begins. This season runs from September thru October for Oregon and September thru December for Washington.
Player Development League (PDL) has a 14 game season in the fall (Sep to Nov) and a 7 game season in the spring (Jan to March). U15 and under Premier teams will play in the Player Development League this year.
The Washington State Soccer Commissioners Cup tournament begins in early January of each year and may end in mid-March, depending upon how far the team advances. The Challenge Cup and State Championships begin in March and could last all the way to the middle of May, depending on how far your team goes. Premier teams will play in either the Challenge or the State Championships.
Q: Is there a lot of travel involved?
A: Most of the tournaments are either local (WSA’s Clash at the Border Tournament), or in Portland or in Seattle. The Seattle tournaments can mean a hotel stay. There are also very popular and very competitive tournaments in Boise, ID and many in California. In the past, WSA teams have traveled to Hawaii and New York to play. Again, it is very important to check with your respective team manager or Coach.
Q: Will my kid play?
A: If chosen, your son or daughter made it to advanced level soccer. Each coach is committed to developing superior team performance by way of individual skills at the highest levels. This is the best.
Many coaches will play every player often, and at several positions, early in the year. However, as the year progresses through to League play, the positions will be set and playing time could settle in. Most teams carry 14 to 17 players. This means that there are 3 to 6 players on the sidelines at all times. And, unfortunately, there will be injuries or defections. Each soccer player is vital to the team. Make no mistake! Please encourage your son or daughter to speak one-on-one with the coach about improvement ideas and to never ever give up!
Q: Whom can I talk to if I am not satisfied?
A: Your first stop is the Team Manager. Do not hesitate. He/She will work with you and the Coach if necessary to address your concerns.
You can also contact the Camas Washougal Soccer Club Executive Board member at any time and for any reason. You are encouraged to contact all parties to satisfy your needs.
Q: What qualifications do the Coaches have?
A: The WSA Premier Coaches are either Certified “D” or higher, have over 3 years of sanctioned coaching experience or have extensive experience coaching with the Club. The certifications are monitored and renewed through a national set of criteria established by the USYSA and other soccer administrations.
We strive to give the Coach the authority to choose his/her coaching methods as well as player line-ups. With that comes the responsibility to communicate his/her plans and reasons for their decisions. We prefer to have all feedback come back through the Team Manager so that the Coach can focus on the whole team.
Q: What else is there? Should my kid play up?
A: Playing “up” is, of course your choice. This is a high level of soccer and so playing up is usually not recommended. However, occasionally, there will be a young person who is either larger or very advanced and so playing “up” is justified. We recommend that you consult one of the Soccer Coaches or Coaching Coordinators for additional advice on this question. Also, it is likely that the player will be required to “try-out” for the older team just as the other players do.
Q: What is ODP?
A: ODP – Olympic Development Program – is just that. It is a national effort to seek out and develop the premier soccer players in the country to represent the United States at the International Level. It begins locally with a State wide ODP team that holds annual tryouts. It can be extremely rewarding for the player while giving him/her an idea of how they “stack up” against the best. It isn’t easy but it is an excellent program. Consult the WWW or your coaches for more information.
Q: Do college coaches know about the Washington Soccer Academy?
A: All soccer coaches are very familiar with the top clubs and tournaments around the country. WSA is a top club on the West Coast. Most soccer coaches will start paying attention to young talent at 16 years of age. They will attend “showcase” tournaments to see as many teams and players as they can.
