In
Division
1 – Competitive – pay to play. You earn your spot on the team and on the
field.
Division 2 –
Challenge – between competitive and recreational teams usually comprised of kids who take the
game a little more to heart than your average recreational player.
Division 3 –
Recreational – everyone signs up to play and gets 50% guaranteed playing time.
Lots of children
play recreational soccer. Not all of them WANT to play at a higher level.
Challenge is the opportunity for the ones that want to measure their abilities
against kids with a similar interest in the game without committing to a season
of division 1 soccer. Challenge provides the bridge
for small organizations and large organizations to compete on a more level
playing field – with each bringing their kids who deeply love the game of
soccer.
Since it is a
separate team the child must sign up with the state a second time ($16.00) and
the tournament requires a player pass ($5.00) on top of any fees you have
already paid for recreational soccer. The team also has to have a uniform and
will spend one weekend in
The “tryouts” are
simply sessions for the kids to get together and practice. The idea is to
promote soccer within the soccer community and the MSA rule states that teams
can be formed by any means including tryouts. Since this is an opportunity to
get a taste of a higher level of soccer we want to expose as many players as
possible to this opportunity and unless someone is clearly not ready for this
level of play all comers are accepted. It is better to have 3 teams of happy
players than 1 team of happy kids and 20 unhappy kids. The only possible problem
would be if there is an odd number of players leaving
us with no mathematical way to place EVERYONE on a team. That is a worst case
and EVERYONE would be approached and told the scenario leaving the opportunity
open for anyone who may not be sure this is right for them.
If you cannot commit
to the practices do not commit to the team. There are local and state provisions
that allow a coach to not play a player for disciplinary reasons and not making
but 50% of the practices would be a problem. The most important reason is it
not being fair to the kids who do show up and work, they earn the right to play
and having a child attend 4 of the 11 practices and still expects to play much
in every game is unrealistic. Life events, church, etc. are understood.
Unfortunately due to the coaches having a minimum of 1 team already their time
is taken and they are giving what was normally a day off for them to coach this
team. That one day with no other soccer conflicts happens to be Sunday. The most
convenient time is between church services which makes it Sunday afternoons. If
making concessions for 11 Sunday afternoon practices is too much for you then
you have already answered the question of “am I ready for Challenge soccer?”
The only way this is
tied to the Rowdies is the offering of assistance with coaching and equipment.
It is hoped that these teams are used as a stepping stone for kids to come into
the Rowdies program instead of going to the various
Players should come dressed weather appropriate. It is better to be over
dressed in layers and be able to “layer down” to comfort as the body
temperature increases than to be too hot or cold the entire time.
Bring a properly
inflated ball.
Shin guards are
mandatory.
Cleats are preferred
but optional.
Any questions about
ANY challenge teams please email John Pummill at 2vp@desotosoccer.org as Mr. Pummill has a list of what teams are available in
what ages and who is coaching them.