TRAVEL TEAM POLICY
1)
PHILOSOPHY
a) The North Andover Soccer Association (NASA) was formed to
provide recreational and athletic activities for the children of
Our association is dedicated to the belief that any child, regardless of
ability, has a place in the association. The In-Town teams provide the
opportunity for the children to learn the game and develop soccer skills, while
all Travel Teams play in ECYSA and compete at the appropriate competitive
level.
In order to assure fairness, this Travel Team policy has been drawn up and
approved by the Board of Directors, and will be implemented by the Travel Team
Committee.
2) TRAVEL TEAM COMMITTEE
a) The Travel Team Committee shall be comprised of 4 members with
two co-chairs from the Board which will be respective the Boys and Girls Travel
Directors. All 4 Travel Committee
members should be current or prior Travel Team coaches with at least 2 years of
coaching experience; or be an individual with extensive knowledge of soccer and
the NASA programs. (If the Travel
Committee member is a current travel coach, their youngest child should be in
their last year of travel). The co-chairs shall be Board Members (Boy’s and
Girl’s Travel Team Directors). The other committee members shall be non-Board
members and must be nominated for approval by the NASA Board of Directors. No Travel Team committee member shall serve
more than 4 consecutive years.
b) All members of
the Travel Team Committee should be seasoned coaches or individuals who have
sufficient knowledge to contribute for the following reasons:
i) They are familiar with the highest level
of Travel Team play.
ii) They are aware
of the coaching and playing situations unique to this level.
iii) They are among the most dedicated
individuals and fully understand the effort needed to compete at the top
levels.
iv)They will have
Tournament experience which can be conveyed to NASA coaches to aid individual
skill development and game tactics.
v)
At any time during the tenure of a Travel Committee Member, the NASA
Board of Directors reserves the right to remove any member who does not
sufficiently fulfill his/her duties and obligations as a Travel Committee Member.
c) Even though
this committee appears to be autonomous, it is not. The intent is to allow the
committee to oversee a specialized situation and to unburden the Board of
Directors with problems unique to this area. It should also be recognized that
this Committee has the responsibility to act openly, fairly, and effectively
upon each and every Travel Team situation which arises. Committee members will be volunteers or
nominees approved by the Board of Directors as needed. No sitting board members, with the exception
of the President and the respective Boys and Girls Travel Directors, shall
attend each Travel Team Committee meeting, except at the request of the
committee. The President shall sit as a
non-voting member, however, in the event of a tie vote
after nominee consideration, the President will cast the tie-breaking vote.
d) This Committee is responsible to the
NASA Board of Directors. However, it will also be relatively free to govern its
own affairs in order not to burden the Board of Directors with day-to-day
matters.
3)
U12 AND U14 SELECT TEAM COACHES
a)
Select
Team Coaches must apply in writing to the Travel Team Committee by January 15th preceding
the Fall season in which they hope to coach.
b)
Application
letters must be a maximum of 2 pages.
c)
Choosing
a coach one full season in advance will allow ample time to "scout"
potential players, so that he or she may make informed choices for the Travel
Team Roster.
d)
A
Select Travel Team coach will be selected and recommended to the NASA Board of
Directors by the Travel Team Committee. He or she will be assessed on the
following qualifications: :
i) Personal
qualities – integrity, leadership, understanding, sensitivity, organization,
ability to communicate, fairness, dedication, commitment, etc.
ii)
Coaching
experience.
iii)
Coaching
license. The expectation is this coach
will have at least an E license.
iv) Recommendation of other
coaches, coordinators, Board members, U-10 Director, Referee Director and
parents.
v)
Playing
experience.
vi) Other factors deemed appropriate by the Travel
Team Committee.
e)
The Travel Team Committee reserves the
right to request that each applicant attend an interview process. If only one applicant has applied for the
position, upon review, the Travel Team Committee reserves the right to seek
additional applicants for the position.
f)
Select team coaches selections will be
recommended by the Travel Committee to the NASA Board of Directors. The NASA Board has the option to approve or
reject any selection recommendation.
Upon final decisions by the NASA Board and the travel committee, the
applicable Travel Team Director will communicate the outcome to the select team
coach applicants.
g) The Travel Team Committee may also recommend a second
Division 2 Travel Team in the U12 and U14 age groups if they deem appropriate.
The Committee shall try to select the head coach from among those not selected
(but formally applied) for the two primary Select Team coaching positions in
that age group, or from among anyone who has formally
applied specifically for that position.
To minimize conflict, board members who are candidates for a select team
travel coach position may not vote for themselves. As deemed appropriate, the board member will
be asked to excuse themselves during the discussion and about his/her candidacy
or any other potential conflicts.
h) These additional Division 2 teams will be
designated as Select Teams and tryouts will be mandatory for players to be
selected for these rosters. If there are not enough players attending tryouts
to fill out the roster, then the requisite number of players will be placed on
the roster at the discretion of the appropriate Select Team Coach with input
from the Travel Team Director and other coaches in that age group.
i)
Attendance at tryouts for “club” players is
imperative for participation in the NASA Travel Team program and only written
excuses in advance of the tryouts will be considered by the Travel Directors.
j)
In
case of no coaching candidates for a particular Travel Team, it will be the
responsibility of the Travel Team Director and the Travel Team Committee to
obtain a qualified coach for the team. It is the intent of NASA to not deprive
k)
A
Travel Team coach is subject to review and scrutiny of the Travel Director or
Board from time to time.
l)
The
Select Travel Team coach must make a commitment to a team for both the Fall and Spring seasons.
m) There must be
one head coach for each Travel Team. This individual will have the final say in
player selections, and will be responsible for all phases of the team. He or
she will choose an assistant coach. First year Travel Coaches will choose an Assistant Coach after
tryouts are completed.
n) Travel Team
coaches should be encouraged to attend coaching clinics offered and sanctioned
by NASA (other than "in-town" clinics), as we want to continually
advance our level of play and coaching techniques. NASA will reimburse coaching licenses up to
Class D. Class C licenses and above will
be subject to reimbursement at NASA’s Board’s discretion, based on a commitment
made by the licensee to NASA in the form of hours donated to camps, clinics,
skill sessions, etc.
o)
Coaches
may not start practicing more than two weeks before their first regular season
game without prior approval of the Travel Team Committee. If a coach wishes to
practice earlier than two weeks before the season, then he or she is required
to get approval by the Travel Director with approval by the NASA Board of
Directors.. The parents and players would be notified
that the practice is optional. No practices will be authorized before March 1
or August 1 respectively, and will not be more than once per week until
official practices are started.
p)
Use
of the fields is prohibited at the start of the season until released by the
Field Director. Practice should not be conducted on wet, sloppy fields.
q)
In
the case of wrongdoings by the Travel Team coach, either in violation of NASA guidelines or league rules, the coach may be removed
during the season by the Travel Team Committee with Board approval. A letter of
reprimand may be issued for the first time violations and further action may be
taken on subsequent violations.
1)
4) SELECTION OF
PLAYERS FOR TRAVEL TEAM
a)
The
head coach of each Select Travel Team will have the final choice of the players
selected for his or her team. Personal judgment will obviously be a factor in
the selection process, but the coach must generally consider the input from other
sources. “Other sources” may be defined
as recommendations of other coaches, scouting indoor and outdoor games, team
practices, and
other involved coaches. All selections must be from those players that have
tried-out (or having an excused absence) first. Only when all players that have
tried-out (or with excused absences) have been selected, may coach select
additional players.
b)
During
the initial Spring Season after his or her appointment, the Select Team Coaches
should scout
all teams multiple times in the age division for potential Travel Team players.
The new boys and girls U12 Division 2 Coach should consult with U10 coaches for
potential players.
c)
Open
tryouts for Fall Select Travel Teams for all Age Divisions (U12 and U14 Boys
and Girls) will be advertised prior to the end of the Spring
season in the Soccer Net News. New U12 all 5th grade players will have two
tryouts.
d)
A
player will be permitted to miss a tryout for good cause (e.g. illness,
injury, unavoidable family obligation). In the event that a player cannot
attend a tryout, a letter must be sent to the Travel Team Director indicating
the reason for the absence. If the Travel Team Director finds the excuse acceptable, the
player will be eligible for consideration by the appropriate Select Team coach,
provided the coach has seen the player practice or play during the current
season.
e)
A
U12 or U14 eligible player who moves into town after tryouts may be considered
by the Travel Team coach if his/her team has a roster position available, if
the parent(s) request consideration, AND if that player previously participated
in a select team-like program.
f) Travel Team
Players maybe placed on or off a Select Team between seasons. Any existing player who is
not selected for the next season’s pure grade Select Travel Team must be
notified by phone or in person by the Travel Team Coach first; the parents will
be personally notified and then the child in a mutually acceptable manner to
the parents and to the coach. Because of the nature and composition of mixed
grade Select Teams (they are composed only after the pure grade teams are
assembled), such notification is not possible.
The Travel Team Coach should be communicating with players during the
season so that the final decision will not be a complete surprise.
g)
At
least one member of the Travel Team Committee will observe tryouts for fairness
to everyone. Using guidelines
established by NASA, and using a NASA evaluation form for tryouts, the Travel
Team Coach is expected to use independent coaches and evaluators during the
tryout process. The tryout process, in
and of itself, does not assure nor deny a player of a position on a select
team. The coach must take into account
the “full body of work” of the players.
That is, performance in games, commitment to the sport, and the many intangibles
outlined with guideline 4o.
h)
No
commitment will be made to any player prior to or during the tryouts. The Travel Team Select coaches should not
communicate until the postcards are received by the players. At no time should player tryout rankings or
results be discussed with players or player parents. These results are only to be used by coaches
and the Travel Team Director in the player selection process
i) The Select
Travel Team Coach will make his/her selections for up to 18 players in any
season. A Select Travel Team Coach may limit his/her roster to 16 players,
especially if the coach feels that the next best players are not sufficiently
competitive at that level and/or the consequence would potentially be a
negative experience for those players and/or the team. If a Select Team has
fewer than 16 players, the Travel Team Committee may require the team to add
players up to 16 to accommodate a greater number of registered players.
j)
By
mid June and mid December, the Travel Team Director will advise of their consent, or
resolve any questions regarding the Travel Team Roster with the respective
Travel Team Coaches. (All players selected must be paid registrants of our
Association.)
k)
All
players coming to tryouts must be advised of their selection (or non-selection)
by means of an authorized post card which will be mailed no later than July 15th.
l) Alternatives or
additions to the roster will be according to ECYSA rules. Division 3 roster
sizes may be extended to 20 players, as permitted by ECYSA, but only in the
event that doing otherwise would result in players who registered on time not
having a team to play on.
m)
In
order to maintain eligibility for the Tournament of Champions, Select teams
will include no more dual-rostered players than
allowed by MYSA. Each Select Team Coach is responsible for informing players
and parents up front on the situation and keeping track of the number of dual-rostered players on his/her team. Travel team coaches are encouraged to monitor
the impact club players may have on their team and potential for spring
conflicts that may arise.
n Select Team Players will be judged on:
i)Physical Ability
(1)
Coordination
(2)
Endurance
and Strength
(3)
Speed
and Quickness
(4)
Durability
(5)
Overall
Health
ii)
Soccer
Skills
(1)
Passing
(2)
Trapping
(3)
Heading
(4)
Dribbling
(5)
Shooting
with both feet
(6)
Tackling
(7)
Throwing
(8)
Kicking
(9)
Goal
keeping Skills
(10)
Other
iii)
Knowledge
(1)
Anticipation
(2)
Ability
to use open space
(3)
Strategies
(4)
Tactics
(5)
Rules
of the Game
(6)
Mental
alertness and quickness in various
situations
iv)
Attitude
(1)
Coach-ability
- willingness to follow directions
(2)
Teamwork
– ability and willingness to be unselfish
(3)
Supportive
while being both on and off the field
(4)
Aggressive
but fair when playing
(5)
Respectful
to coach, players, and referees
v)
Commitment
to the game, practices, and the team.
Because placing
a player on a Select Team roster, by definition, prevents another player from
making that team, there is an implied commitment. The Travel Team Committee and
Board of Directors, therefore, have decided that every select team player
should meet an acceptable minimum requirement. That requirement is that each
player should participate in one of the two scheduled practices each week and
be available to play in every ECYSA game. Only compelling reasons will be
considered acceptable excuses for not meeting this requirement. Compelling
excuses will be defined as situations, by their nature, that are beyond the
player’s control, i.e. an important family obligation or responsibility.
Obviously, a greater commitment than the stated minimum is encouraged and is in
the best interest of the player and the team. Failure to meet this commitment
requirement may result in the player losing his/her place on the team. Further,
the expectation is that the player will play both fall and spring seasons to be
eligible to play on a select team. A
coach is expected to communicate his/her own requirements prior to the
selection process.
o)
When
the Travel Team Committee deems a second U12 or U14 Division 2 team
appropriate, head coaches of the two primary Select Teams in that age group
shall provide a list of players that he/she recommends for consideration for
the additional team. The additional team’s Head Coach will then select the
team, but selection must first come from among those having tried out for the
primary team or those with excused absence.
NASA strongly recommends an even roster split if the talent is deemed to
be comparable between the grades. Mixed
select teams should be comprised of a minimum of 7 players from each age group.
p)
Travel
Team players may be suspended during a season for disciplinary reasons by the
coach with the approval of the Travel Team Committee and the Board of
Directors.
q) The remaining Division 3 teams should be
balanced by the Travel Team Director and coaches in order to provide competitive
balance in ECYSA.
5)
NUMBER OF TRAVEL TEAMS
a)
It
is suggested that we have the following number of Travel Teams in our town:
U-10: None.
U-12: one 10 Year Old (typically the 5th grade) Team, one 11 Year
Old (typically the 6th grade) Team, and all other 10 and 11 Year Old
mixed teams
U-14: one 12 Year Old (typically the 7th grade) Team, one 13 Year
Old (typically the 8th grade) Team, and all other 12 and 13 Year Old
mixed teams
U-16 All Team Travel (see appendix)
U-18 All Team Travel (see appendix)
U-19 All Team Travel (see appendix)
This would apply to both the boys and girls division.
b)
Teams
would be established strictly by age for better or worse to provide continuity
to our program and to allow other players of the same birth year to compete for
the available positions. This restriction will help force us to further develop
the skills of our players rather than going after the superb athlete.
c)
A
decision to change a Division 1 vs. Division 2 designation in the Spring
requires recommendation by the Travel Team Committee and the Board of
Directors.
6)
TRAVEL TEAM UNIFORMS
To insure
uniformity of the soccer association players, all U-12 and U-14 teams will wear
the NASA approved uniform. This uniform
is chosen by the board of directors. The only exception to this policy is when
there is a conflict with the color of the opposing team uniform.
7)
TRAVEL TEAM POLICY CHANGES
Any changes to this policy will require affirmation by the Board of Directors
according to NASA By-Laws.
8)
RIGHT OF APPEAL (Player Selection)
If player selection is accomplished by the guideline stated in this policy,
appeals should be unwarranted.
However, if a parent wishes to make an appeal, it must be done in writing to
the Travel Team Committee stating the specified and objective reasons as to why
their child should have been selected.
The Travel Team Committee decision regarding the appeal will be subject to
Board approval.
APPENDIX A (TO TRAVEL TEAM POLICY)
a)
U12 and U14 TEAMS
Coaches have discretion regarding playing
time and equal playing time is not always possible. It is expected, however, that the coach has a
consistent policy as pertains to playing time and that it is communicated to
the players and parents. It is expected
that travel coaches employ equitable playing time.
a)
U-16,
U-18, AND U-19 TEAMS
The Travel Team policy as stated in the attached document does not specifically
apply to U-16, U-18, and U-19 teams. These teams are unique and depend upon the
number of available players prior to county deadlines.
b)
As
many teams as possible shall be formed and fielded in these age divisions.
c)
Age
division Travel Teams from the U-14 division can remain intact if there are
sufficient remaining players and coaches from these teams.
d)
Additional
players will be placed to fill the rosters of existing teams or create another
Division 2 team. If no prior travel teams remain, then the players will be
pooled into Division1 and 2 teams as the numbers allow.
e)
These
older teams will be placed in the county leagues according to their relative
strength by the Travel Team Director in conjunction with the U-16, U-18, and
U-19 coaches.
f)
Moving
players up in order to "field a team" will be done as follows:
i) In a manner
that does not severely handicap the original age group teams.
ii)
In
a process that will allow only players with significant varsity experience to
be considered for movement to the U-19 team.
iii)
In
a way to ensure as many youngsters are playing soccer as humanly possible in
each group.
iv)
In
a manner to never allow an older player to be denied the opportunity to play
because a younger player is taking a position on the U-19 team.
g)
It
is our intention to promote soccer at this older age level. Competitive, well coached teams at the U-16,
U-18, and U-19 level will increase the interest of our teenagers. Opportunities
abound at the U-16, U-18, and U-19 age groups for district, regional, and
national competition as this promotes the Olympic Development Program.
h) If a roster has
openings as of December 1st, coaches may recruit non-resident
players. These players will not be removed from the team due to late (after
December 1st) registrations by a North Andover resident. Recruiting
non-resident players must be done in accordance with ECYSA rules and
regulations. Each year the non-resident player must wait until the December 1st
deadline before being placed, even if the player was on the team the previous
year.
Revised 1/21/2006
(NASA subcommittee-