This policy reflects the Montclair Soccer Club's (MSC) desire to form teams in a fashion that respects the children's best interest and complies with CYSA and JLYSSL policies. The Age Group Coordinator (AGC) is the final authority in the matter of making team assignments. If the AGC and the coach or player cannot find an acceptable solution, the AGC should consult with the Registrar for advice and make a decision that respects the player's best interest.  Recreational teams are formed shortly after our fall registration.  Fall registration takes place in the spring, usually in April.  It is therefore very important that you register on time so that your childs placement for fall can be considered by the age group coordinators.

 Team Formation

Registration takes place in April and the teams are formed in early June by the age group coordinators.  Select teams are formed much earlier...please check the website each year for tryout information.

 Priority order for placing players with coaches:

Player's preference for a coach. If too many players sign up for a coach, returning players for the coach from within the most recent 2 seasons will be given priority. If there are still more players than can be accommodated because of the maximum roster size, the AGC will work with all of the coaches in the age group to find a solution.

Player's preference for friends.

Player's preference for level of play (flight of team for U10 and above.)

Player's previous coach.

Coaches may not pick players.

Coaches may not refuse to take a player. However, if a coach believes it is not in the best interest of the player to be playing in his team, the coach may petition to the AGC that the player be removed from his team. The coach may not contact the player or his parents directly. The AGC has the final say on the matter.

A player may specifically ask not to be placed with a particular coach.

A player is guaranteed a spot on a particular team only if one of the player's parents are willing to be the head coach of the team. Priority placement is given to players whose parents are licensed referees for the team and for volunteers who are listed in our directory.

All decisions by the AGC and Club officials must comply with CYSA's Policy Interpretation Memoranda (PIM) on Class 4 team formation (PIM 00-3 Team Classification and Modification part C. 1.):

Class 4 Definition ( PIM 00-3 C. Class 4)
A team formed within a home league on an equal (in) strength basis to compete in a Class 4 recreational league/division. The use of tryouts, invitations, or recruiting in order to roster players on a team according to player talent is forbidden.

Maximum Roster Size
(JLYSSL Rule XI - Medical Releases and Team Rosters - for U10 and above.)

U6: 10
U8: 10
U10: 12
U12: 15
U14: 16
U16-19: 18

Exceptions:
Placement of players over the nominal maximum roster size falls under "Team Formation" rules (e.g. a coach may not ask for a particular player as the "over the max" player). For U10 and above, the number of players can only be exceeded if the AGC requests, through the MSC Registrar, permission from the MSC to exceed the League maximum roster size. To increase the team sizes for U6, U7, and U8 the AGC can make that decision after consultation with the Registrar. In no cases the roster size shall be increased above 18 (CYSA General Procedure 3:02:03 A) except for Spring League play if there are no other alternatives available. In general, the size of the teams will only be increased when there are not enough coaches to form teams that meet the published maximum number of players and the MSC has exhausted all avenues in recruiting more coaches. When the team sizes must be increased, the AGCs will consult with the coaches and advise them of the need to increase the size of all teams in order to accommodate all players who have registered on time.

Priority for playing in the League for players who register late

In the event of an overflow of players who register late, this is the order of priority in selecting who gets to play:

Players whose parents are board members, coaches, assistant coaches, referees, or coordinators listed in our directory.

Date of registration.

Players whose parents are other volunteers

All others

Please note that the Club controls the registration process and typically does not turn away players unless the request for registration is made after the Club can accommodate the request because of paperwork deadlines outside of the Club's control or because there is no room on any of the teams suitable for the player seeking a late registration. It is the Club's goal to enroll the maximum number of players within the JLYSSL and District time lines. The AGCs are charged to make every possible effort to accommodate all players by actively recruiting coaches or increasing the team size per the JLYSSL rules.

 Playing up

Players may play up only with consent of the coach. The player must identify in their registration the coach who is willing to take them as an underage player. Players playing up go through same team placement procedure as all other players in that age group. A player may not play up if an age group is full and their playing up would result in bumping other players who are registered in their normal age group. For this reason, players must first register in their own age group.  After registering, parents should notify both the age group coordinator of their group and the age group coordinator of the group that they wish to play up to.  On their paper registration, they should also write very large across the top of the 1601 that they would like to play up.  We make no promises that we will be able to accommodate these requests, they are handled on a case by case basis.

Our U6 program does not take any play up players. To play in the U6 league the player must be 5 years old by July 31.   Please look to community programs such as Oakland Park and Rec and the Bladium in Alameda if you are looking for a program for younger children. We look forward to your children beginning our program when they are eligible.   

Policy Approved by Board: 05/14/07
Revision No.: 1
Revision Date: 02/26/08

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