TriCities Youth Soccer

Spring Soccer Season is here!

04/15/2011 11:41 AM

April 15, 2011: Registration for Fall 2011/Spring 2012 opens
April 16, 2011 : Games Begin
May 21, 2011: Last Game, Picnic at Pottawatomie Park
May 31, 2011 : Registration Ends

We need coaches!

08/30/2010 09:28 PM

We are in desparate need of volunteer coaches for the fall season. Please contact us if you are interested in coaching. If we don't receive sufficcient coaches for the fall season, we may have to combine or cancel some teams altogether.

Free Soccerball Program!

08/30/2010 09:39 PM

Tri - Cities Youth Soccer OrganizationKICKS OFF SEASON WITH DONATION AND EQUIPMENT FROM UNIROYAL^® TIRE AND Z Tire Center

Grand Haven, Mich. — (August 18, 2010) — With the 10^th anniversary under its belt, the Uniroyal^® Soccer Program is continuing to support local soccer across the nation. Starting September 1, players of Tri - Cities Youth Soccer Organization will receive certificates that can be redeemed for a free soccer ball at Z Tire Center, while supplies last. After the 30-day program period, Tri - Cities Youth Soccer Organization will receive $2 for every Uniroyal^® tire sold to the general public on behalf of Uniroyal^® Tire and Z Tire Center.

Since the program’s inception in 2000, the Uniroyal Soccer Program has provided nearly $13 million in funds and equipment in excess of one million soccer balls, to more than 3,000 youth soccer programs across the U.S. and Canada. As a continuation of the 10^th anniversary, Uniroyal^® Tire will be giving away a soccer ball every day in 2010. For more information, please visit the website at www.UniroyalTires.com.

“Giving back to our local community in such a unique way is phenomenal,” said John Helder of Z Tire Center. “We look forward to connecting with players and parents from Tri - Cities Youth Soccer Organization when they come in for their free soccer ball.”

“We are thankful we can provide such a distinct program for our dealers to be able to get involved in their communities,” said Ashley Ramos, Uniroyal^® Tire communications manager. “Soccer leagues depend on donations from partners like Z Tire Center and we are proud to facilitate that partnership.”

To continue Uniroyal’s involvement in the soccer community, soccer fans will have the opportunity to become the official designer of the 2011 soccer ball in the Uniroyal Soccer Ball Design Challenge. The grand prize includes a $1,000 check, a set of Uniroyal^® tires, a $500 car service gift certificate, 50 soccer balls featuring the winner’s design, an Apple^® iPad^TM and more. Interested participants should visit www.UniroyalTires.com/soccerballdesignchallenge beginning July 1 for details.

Uniroyal^® Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal^® Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw^® and Laredo^® series. Uniroyal^® tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties.

For the latest information about the Uniroyal Soccer Program and Uniroyal^® Tires, visit the brand's website at www.UniroyalTires.com and find Uniroyal on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UniroyalSoccer.

To learn more about Z Tire Center please call John Helder, (616) 846-1600 at 17278 Robbins Road in Grand Haven, or visit www.z-tire.com.

TCYSO Players/Parents Manual

03/18/2009 12:57 PM

TCYSO, THE ORGANIZATION

What is TCYSO?

TCYSO stands for the TRICITIES YOUTH SOCCER ORGANIZATION, a local organization with a mission to develop and deliver quality youth recreational soccer programs. TCYSO is a registered 501(c), non-profit entity that is known as the Tri-Cities Soccer Club. The program is based on the following philosophies:

· Open registration-no try outs

· Balanced Teams

· Positive Coaching

· Good Sportsmanship

TCYSO encompasses the greater Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg areas; is comprised of about 1,200 players; and an all volunteer team of local residents who participate as coaches, assistant coaches, referees and members of the Board.

Who Can Play?

Each year over 1200 local boys and girls register to play soccer in the TriCities Area. Boys and girls play on separate teams that do not play one another.

· The players must be between the ages of 4 ½ and 11, (ages 12 to 17 play in the TCYSO sponsored GHAASL).

· There are no tryouts or prior experience requirements.

· Everyone who can make it to practices and games can play.

What is GHAASL?

Grand Haven Area Advanced Soccer League is designed for Girls and Boys ages 12 to 17. The teams play at least 6 outdoor soccer games. Both in the fall and spring. We will continue to offer this exciting new program if we register enough players and coaches to form at least two teams. It is an open format; there are no formal teams but rather teams are formed the day of the game similar to “pick up”.

Are you interested in Volunteering?

It takes more than 450 volunteers, which equates to about one volunteer for every 3 to 4 players, to deliver this program each year. Please request a Volunteer Application Form or contact the Commissioner to see how you can help. There is always a need for volunteers.

Who Can Sponsor a Team?

TCYSO Team Sponsors are local businesses (large and small) that share TCYSO’s belief in offering a quality, recreational soccer program to the youth of our community. Sponsors donate $150.00 for each team they sponsor, which helps keep registration fees low.

TCYSO forms about 125 teams each season and our goal is to have a sponsor for each team! Please request a Sponsor Registration form or contact the Sponsor Director for more details.

We sincerely appreciate our current sponsors. Please patronize our sponsor’s businesses and thank them for supporting our players.

REGISTRATION

Fee

The fee for the TCYSO season, which includes 6 to 7 games in the fall and 5 to 6 games the following spring, is $40.00 per player.

· The fee for (ages 4 ½ to 11) must be paid at the time of registration.

· The fee for GHAASL (ages 12 to 17) will be collected upon formation of the league.

Birth Certificate

When registering, each new player must provide a copy of their birth certificate to confirm their birth date.

TEAM FORMING

Boys and Girls Divisions

Everyone with a completed registration and who has paid their fee plays! Players are assigned to Divisions initially and then to teams. The Divisions are based on age and birth date. There is no crossing of Divisions allowed. You can determine your player’s Division using the information presented in Table 2.

Separate teams for boys and girls are formed within the Divisions each year in late spring at the end of registration. These teams play together with the same coach and sponsor for an entire season, which consists of 6 to 7 games in the fall and 5 to 6 games in the spring. Teams are balanced according to the Player Evaluation cards completed by their coach from the previous season(s).

Table 2-Age-Based Division Guide for 2009-2010

Season

Division	Born between…	(ages of 7/31/2005)			Ball Size	Team Size
*GHAASL 3	8/1/92	and	7/31/97	12-17	5	11 vs. 11
TCYSO 4	8/1/97	and	7/31/99	10-11	4	15 8 vs. 8
TCYSO 5	8/1/99	and	7/31/01	8-9	4	11 8 vs. 8
TCYSO 6	8/1/01	and	7/31/03	6-7	3	8 6 vs.6
TCYSO 7	8/1/03	and	1/31/05	4 ½ - 5	3	6 3 vs. 3

*We will offer this exciting new program if we have an adequate number of players and coaches.

Balancing the Teams

Forming and balancing teams is likely the most complex and time-consuming activity that the volunteers perform. It also can be the most controversial aspect of the process. Our goal is to create balanced teams based on a limited amount of data available for each of the 1,200 + players.

The date includes:

· Division

· Gender

· Confidential ratings (1 to 5 scale) by a player’s previous coach(es) (available only for returning players).

· Age

· Height and weight

Entering the date from all of the player registration forms is the first step in the process of creating balanced teams. Utilizing team balancing software programs constitutes the second step in the process. This software incorporates division, gender and confidential ranking, when available. The teams are further balanced by “hand” taking into consideration the number of “younger v. older” players on each team (note that the TCYSO software can differentiate between the ages of players within each of the divisions), the players size and requests made by coaches, assistant coaches, sponsors and same gender siblings who are in the same division.

Team forming requests that we strive to honor:

· Head coaches can request that their child/children (same division and same gender) be assigned to the same team that he/she is coaching.

· Assistant coaches will be assigned to the team with their child or children playing in the division.

· Team Sponsors can request that a specific coach or player/players immediate family, (same division and same gender) be assigned to the team that they are sponsoring.

· Parents or guarding can request that their two or more children who are in the same division and of the same gender be assigned to the same team.

Team forming requests that we don’t consider (even though we are empathetic to the

busy schedules of today’s families:

· Players cannot be assigned to teams outside of their birth date and/or gender-based division.

· Players will not be assigned to a team with a specific coach (with the exception of the coach’s dependents and the sponsor requests).

· Players will not be assigned a team on the basis of playing with another specific player.

· Players will not be assigned teams to accommodate schedule conflicts.

· Players will not be assigned teams to avoid crossing “the bridge” for practices.

· Players will not be assigned teams to accommodate neighborhood carpools.

TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONS

· In mid August, each household with a registered player will receive a Newsletter that will provide detailed information pertaining to the season.

TCYSO offers on-line registration at www.tcyso.org. Once the teams are formed, using your access code, you can check registration, the team to which your child/children have been assigned, their coach, the game schedule and much more.

· Each player’s coach will call on or before Labor Day to arrange the first practice. Expect to receive practice schedules, game schedules and Team t-shirts at the first practice or team meeting.

· Please contact the registrar if you have a change in address or telephone number before or during the season. It is important that the registrar and the player’s coach be able to contact you in the event of a cancellation or some other event.

· An updated listing of local TCYSO contacts is at the TCYSO website..

PRACTICES AND GAMES

TCYSO Season

Player registration is April 15 to May 31 for the following season. A TCYSO “season” includes games in the fall and the spring. When they sign up, players are committing to play on the same team in the fall and in the spring.

Practices

It is important for players to attend practices, which are usually scheduled for one hour and only once per week during the fall and spring seasons. Practice fields may or may not be the same in the spring and fall seasons. Please have your player to the practices on time. Please do not leave during practices. Do not leave other underage siblings or friends at the practices unsupervised. The Coaches are focused on guiding their team members. Aside from you, the parent or guardian, there is no one at the field who can be responsible for siblings and/or friends who are not team members.

Locations

Our practices and games are on various fields at parks, schools and recreation areas in the greater Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg areas. Please show your appreciation for the use of these areas by making sure you take all litter and items with you when you leave

Weather Considerations

Soccer games and practices are not cancelled because of rain or sleet. Games and practices are cancelled if a tornado watch or warning has been issued for the county prior to the activity. If in progress, games and practices are cancelled by the referee or coach when thunder is heard (an indication that the potential for lightening may exist). The balance of the day’s practices or games will continue as scheduled once the watch or warning has been lifted or the apparent lightening danger has passed. Cancelled games are not rescheduled.

UNIFORMS

· Each player will be issued a Team t-shirt that is his/hers to keep when the player finishes the season. (We only need the shirt back when a player quits and the shirt is needed for his/her replacement). The player must wear their Team t-shirt at every game.

· Parents and guardians have an opportunity to select a t-shirt size during registration. When specifying a size, remember that the t-shirt has to fit for a year after registration and that a size or two larger will accommodate some growth and layers of warmer clothing during the late fall and early spring.

· Each soccer player will need a pair of black shorts to wear at the games. The players may wear the black shorts over long pants in cold weather.

· Players are required to wear shin guards at all games and practices. The shin guards must be covered by knee socks (or long pants in cold weather). Referees and coaches shall not allow players on the field without covered shin guards.

· Shoes designed for outdoor soccer are recommended, but not required. Tennis shoes, basketball shoes, turf shoes or indoor soccer shoes may be worn but they will not be nearly as effective as outdoor soccer shoes, especially when the grass is wet. Baseball shoes are not allowed.

· Straps are required for eyeglasses.

· Jewelry, including earrings and other body piercings, must be removed prior to games and practices. Covering earrings or other body piercings with band-aids or tape is not allowed.

· Physician-prescribed knee braces are allowed if they do not pose a danger to the other players.

· Plan on supporting your Team from the sidelines in the unfortunate situation where you are wearing a cast or a splint. You will not be allowed to play even if you cover the cast or splint.

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

Support/Cheering

In TCYSO, all players will play and playing time is balanced by the coach. Help make it a fun learning and exercising experience by keeping it light and friendly.

Support your players, coaches and team. Let them have fun by not focusing on winning and losing. Be respectful and kind to both teams by cheering to acknowledge good plays and by complimenting the efforts put forth by both teams.

Do not put pressure on your player or your coach to “win”, to perform to unreasonable standards or to meet potentially unattainable expectations. Point out the positive efforts/results and don’t dwell on the negative. When everyone tries their best they deserve to be treated like winners.

Sideline Coaching

TCYSO allows limited, positive sideline coaching by the coaching staff. Spectators may encourage and cheer, but please do not coach or shout directions to individual players. Leave the coaching to the coaches!

Monitor your cheering. Make it encouraging. Do not shout directions. Do not shout insulting or offensive cheers to the coach, referee, or players on the opposing team.

Complaints

TCYSO does not allow protests. Contact the referee, referee administrator, field director or the Commissioner if you have a safety related concern or complaint.

When making calls, referees are not allowed to be influenced by the coaches, players or spectators. Mistakes will be made by coaches, players, referees and spectators. The highest paid World Cup Referees make mistakes and so will the TCYSO volunteer referees. If you think you can contribute to the cause in a positive manner, your volunteer efforts will be appreciated.

Verbal Abuse

Do not shout insulting or offensive remarks to the referees or the coach or players on the opposing team. Discussions must take place during breaks and must be handled in a quiet, subdued manner. Do not argue with, shout protests at or take issue with the referees. They are most likely volunteering their time for the benefit of the players.

Insults and other forms of verbal abuse will not be tolerated. The steps for dealing with verbal abuse are:

· Warning to the abuser by the referee or coach,

· If it persists, request that abuser leave the field,

· If it persists, end the game.

Children of parents who persist with verbal abuse will not be allowed to continue playing in the league. Beginning in the fall of 2004, Coaches are evaluated by parents of the players. Negative evaluations will be investigated and if negative evaluations are corroborated, coaches will not be allowed to coach or assist in subsequent seasons.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse will not be tolerated and violators will be prosecuted.

REFUND POLICIES

TCYSO may issue a partial refund ($20.00) if the request is made before August 1 of each year. Let us know as soon as possible if you are moving out of the area, if your player has changed his/her mind about playing, if your player chooses instead to be on a Striker Team, etc. If your child is also trying out for strikers, they will be placed on a waiting list rather than on a team to avoid the mass confusion with dropping and adding players just prior to the season beginning. Please call or email the registrar as soon as possible if your child will be playing TCYSO so that we can place him/her on a team. Early notification is a win-win situation:

· A partial refund will be issued if you make a request on or before August 1.

· There is no refund if the request is made after August 1.

· It is important that the player return the Team t-shirt, if one has been issued, so that the coach can issue it to a new player off the waiting list. We only order t-shirts for the number of players on the team.

To obtain a refund, submit a brief, dated, written request to:

TCYSO Registrar

101 Washington Avenue

PMB # 102

Grand Haven, MI 49417

INJURIES

Report all injuries for which you seek medical treatment to the Commissioner immediately. TRICITIES YOUTH SOCCER ORGANIZATION (TCYSO)’s Accident Reimbursement Plan (ARP) may assist in paying out-of-pocket medical expenses for treatment of qualifying injuries during a scheduled TCYSO practice or game.

The success of the program depends on everyone; parents, players and all the volunteers who give up their time to make it all come together. There are over 1,200 youths in the program. That translates to over 125 teams playing 75 games each Saturday morning of the season on most every green space in the community. Thanks to all of you, it is the most successful youth recreational program around. Keep up the good work. The kids obviously enjoy it.

First time soccer players.

08/30/2010 11:45 AM

Soccer ball size:

Division 7: Size 3
Division 5 & 6: Size 4
Division 4: Size 5

For further information, click here for a link to Dick’s Sporting Goods soccer selection.

Team size:

Division 7: 3 on 3
Division 6: 6 on 6
Division 5: 8 on 8
Division 4: 11 on 11

Game length:

Typical quarters are played 10-12 minutes.

Lost and Found

06/01/2009 09:38 AM

From time to time you may find articles of clothing and/or soccer gear upon conclusion of your practice or game...contact us here so that we can list the article and the contact where the misplaced item can be retrieved.

LOST:

Canon camera, model SD950. Left it at Coast Guard Park.
Blue and white Nike soccer ball, Size 4, left at East End Park by Washington and Beechtree on Saturday at the 11:00 game

IF FOUND, PLEASE CONTACT US AT THE EMAIL LINK ABOVE SO THAT WE CAN RETURN THE ITEMS TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS!

Pictures!

09/23/2008 09:17 AM

Watch Tri Cities Soccer athletes in action!

Send us your shots and be featured on our web site!