2018 Select Season
What is the Select Season?
The Select season is a program for players who participated in the fall season in the U10, U12, U14, U16, and U19 divisions. This is an opportunity for players to continue playing and enjoying soccer with others sharing their enthusiasm for the game.
Select Season games start in early January and run through May. See " Travel and tournaments" below.
For detailed information, please see the 2018 AYSO Select Manual, downloadable below:
select manual 2018-2019.pdf
Applications
Interested coaches and players can apply by completing a google survey. The application is available here:
Coach application: https://goo.gl/forms/rtcJuI47WeTye2Tp2
Player Application: https://goo.gl/forms/boe0IJRT8C2Go8tU2
October 20, 2018 Registration deadline for Players
Player draft
For U10 and U12 boys and girls, we will have a "preview workout session" in October (see dates below) at Nugget Fields. These are voluntary, but they are an additional way for the Select Coaches to see the players.
The teams are drafted in November, with practices starting in December. Coaches will have scouted the players at a game (and Preview Day, if applicable). Each coach is looking for different things. Factors that often play a part in selection include skill, sportsmanship, team participation, speed, effort, an understanding of the game, attendance and participation in fall training, positional needs of the team and team chemistry. Each team needs referees to be eligible for tournaments. It is possible that a player will be selected because one of their parents is a referee.
Costs
Davis AYSO Select registration fees ($180) includes Regional costs, uniform purchase, and Select Tournament fees. There are a limited number of scholarships for the Region’s registration cost.
In addition to these Regional registration costs, tournament registration fees (other than the Select Tournament), field rental fees, and other miscellaneous costs may be incurred. These fees may range from approximately $200 to $350 per player. Teams may fundraise to provide assistance to families who may need assistance with these fees.
Participation in tournaments may also require lodging, transportation, and food costs, which are the responsibility of each family.
Criteria for the Select Season
PLAYERS: We encourage all eligible players to apply! Interested players must complete a short online application PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE. To be eligible to participate in the Select program, a player must be registered, and must have participated in the prior Fall Season no later than the last Saturday in September. For U10-U14 the player must participate in at least 70 percent of the Fall Season, which includes the Jamboree (U10) or Regional Tournament (U12, U14, U16, and U19). For U16-U19 the player must participate in at least 50 percent of the Fall Season. Rained-out games are included as games played, and players must meet regional playing time guidelines (currently three-quarters of each fall game). Exceptions to the eligibility requirements above may be allowed due to hardship on a case-by-case basis with approval of the Select Committee. Players must participate in the same division in Select as they participated in during the prior Fall Season (age and gender). The number of teams that will be formed in each division varies from year to year. In general, you can expect up to one Select team for every six fall teams. This will primarily depend on the number of qualified volunteer coaches.
COACHES: Similar to the players, all interested coaches who have coached in the Fall must fill out an online application PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE detailing their experience and acknowledgement of the commitments if selected. U10 coaches must have completed the U12 coaching class in order to be considered to coach U10 in the Select Season. All other coaches, including assistants, must have completed the appropriate coaching class level to their age group, AYSO Safe Haven training, and the CDC concussion training. Coaches should have completed the required coach training at the time of applications.
COMMITMENT: A high level of commitment is expected from the coaches, players, and the parents. Select is for motivated and enthusiastic players. While some players are involved in other sports, for the good of the team, most Select coaches require that training sessions and games take AT LEAST equal precedence with other activities. In addition to the player’s commitment, parents are required to participate in running the Select Tournament and the Davis World Cup tournament.
Calendar of events preceding the Select Season
September 17, 2018: Registration opens for coaches and players
October 7, 2018: Registration deadline for Coaches
October 20, 2018 Registration deadline for Players
October 21, 2018: 12U Preview Day, Nugget Fields
Boys: 1pm to 3pm (Check-in from 1pm to 1:30pm)
Girls: 3pm to 5pm (Check-in from 3pm - 3:30pm)
October 28, 2018: 10U Preview Day, Nugget Fields
Boys: 1pm to 3pm (Check-in from 1pm to 1:30pm)
Girls: 3pm to 5pm (Check-in from 3pm - 3:30pm)
End of November 2018: Players notified
Expected travel and tournaments
Select teams will likely play half their games at away locations, so from January through mid-March, expect about five weekends during which you will play away games, usually in the Concord area, but sometimes Antelope or Stockton.
All select teams participate in these tournaments:
Select Season tournament on a weekend in mid- or late March, played in the Bay Area or in Davis.
Davis World Cup, Davis CA (www.davisworldcup.org). Memorial Day Weekend, 2019. The BEST AYSO TOURNAMENT OF THEM ALL! The fee is approximately $600/team. Parents of Davis teams are required to help with the tournament. This is the major Davis AYSO fundraiser each year. Open to AYSO Select teams only. All players must have participated in the prior Fall Primary Season.
Select teams also traditionally participate in 2-4 of the following tournaments (dates subject to change):
San Jose Presidents Cup (http://2jpresidentscup.wixsite.com/homepage). February 2018. The fee has previously been $375 - $500/team.
PHMSA Soccerfest, Pleasant Hill CA (www.phmsa.org). This is typically held the last weekend of March and/or first weekend in April, but has not yet been set for 2018. The fee has previously been $400-450/team. Open to AYSO teams only.
Comstock Shootout, Carson City NV (www.comstockshootout.org). April 2018. This is an “open” tournament so you will see CYSA teams in addition to AYSO teams. The fee has previously been $500 (U10) or $600 (all others)/team, although it may be higher if you do not bring one or more referees.
El Palo Alto Invitational Tournament (www.ayso26.org/soccer-programs/elpaloalto). This tournament is typically held in late April, but has not yet been set for 2018. Fees have been $325-$375 and teams must provide 2 referees, at minimum. Open to AYSO teams only.
Pacifica Fog Classic, Pacifica CA (www.ayso157.org). This is typically held the first weekend in May, but has not yet been set for 2018. Open to AYSO teams. Fee has been $450 (U10; $350 fees + $100 ref deposit), $475 (U12), or $500 (U14-U19)/team.
Concord Cup, Concord CA, (www.concordcup.com). May 2018. This is an “open” tournament so you will see CYSA teams in addition to AYSO teams, although sometimes there is a separate AYSO bracket. Fees have been $400.00+/team. Teams must provide at least 2 referees who will complete a minimum of 6 assignments between them in order to be accepted.
Come Up For Air, South Lake Tahoe CA (http://www.tahoecufa.com/). June 2018. This is an “open” tournament typically with few AYSO teams participating, so you will see mainly CYSA teams. Fees have been $650/team.
Newspaper reporting for Select Season
Only regularly scheduled games and sanctioned tournament results are to be reported. The Davis Enterprise will publish the results of AYSO Select games on their weekly youth soccer page if they are submitted in the proper fashion—see the Select Newspaper page for details.
Select Season FAQs
(updated 9/17/18)
Q: What is AYSO Select?
A: The AYSO Select program is an opportunity for interested players to improve their skills in a more competitive environment following the Fall season. It is open only to players who registered and participated in at least 70 percent of the Fall Season in the U10-U14 divisions, and 50 percent of the Fall Season in the U16-U19 divisions.
Q: How are players selected?
A: Interested players must complete a short online application PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE detailing their experience, current team, potential conflicts/other obligations, and acknowledgement of the commitments if selected. This information is then given to the coaches that have been selected for the division, who will scout the players that have applied during Fall Season games. The coaches then meet and “draft” players for their division to develop balanced teams. Remember that each coach is looking for different things, and it is a very subjective process. Factors that often play a part in selection includes skill, sportsmanship, team participation, speed, effort, an understanding of the game, attendance and participation in fall training, positional needs of the team and team chemistry. Availability for training sessions and a family volunteer commitment also play a role. While it is true that not all applicants are able to be placed on teams, Davis AYSO supports developing as many teams as possible based on the number of available coaches and the total number of registrations.
Q: How many teams are formed?
A: All player applications are reviewed by the Select Committee, which determines the number of teams to field per division. The Committee weighs many different things in determining team numbers, including maximizing the numbers of players involved while keeping the experience focused on skill development in a more competitive environment. The number of teams also depends on the number of qualified volunteer coaches available. In general, you can expect up to one Select team to be formed for every six Fall teams.
Q: How are coaches selected?
A: Similar to the players, all interested coaches who have coached in the Fall must fill out an online application PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE detailing their experience and acknowledgement of the commitments if selected. All Fall U10 coaches must have completed the U12 coaching class in order to be considered to coach in the Select Season. All other coaches, including assistants, must have the completed the appropriate coaching class level to their age group, AYSO's Safe Haven training, and the CDC concussion training (the latter two available online). No exceptions will be made to this rule. Coaches should have completed the appropriate coach training at the time of application. The Select Committee reviews the applications and available reviews from prior seasons to determine the coaches that are most appropriate.
Q: If my child is chosen to play in Select, what should I expect?
A: First and foremost, you should expect the Six Philosophies of AYSO (Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development) to be followed at all times. All players will play a minimum of 50% of all games, with the “regular” Select season (e.g., non-tournaments) requiring all players to play 75% of the game before anyone else can play a full game. You should also expect more distant away games, as typically Davis teams will play other Select teams from nearby Regions (such as Pleasant Hill, Mt. Diablo, Winters, Antelope, and others).
Q: Will Select soccer consume my family’s life?
A: The Select season lasts six months – so it is a long commitment. However, the weekly time commitment is similar to the fall season. There will be two trainings a week and a game on Saturday for the regular season (January – March). Trainings begin in December and games in January. From March through May, the teams will play in tournaments. These are generally a weekend commitment. Most teams play 4-6 tournaments spread out from February through Memorial Day so there are 1 or 2 per month. The other weekends are free. Generally, 1-3 tournaments may include hotel stays – these are really FUN! It should be noted that parents are required to actively participate and help with various volunteer activities to make the Select season a success.
Q: If my child applies for Select, what is his/her and our family’s commitment?
A: A high level of commitment is expected from coaches, players, and the parents during the Select season. If a player or coach applies for Select, it is expected that they will commit to the program for the duration of the season (through May) if chosen. Other obligations (e.g., other sports, jobs, after-school activities) MUST be included in the application if known or anticipated. While some players are involved in other sports, for the good of the team, most Select coaches require that training sessions and games take AT LEAST equal precedence with other sports. In addition to the players commitment, parents are required to actively participate in the season, including helping with needed volunteer activities (e.g., refereeing, set up/take down of fields, team logistics) and running both the Select Tournament as well as the Davis World Cup tournament. If parental assistance does not occur in the latter obligations, the team may not be allowed to play in the Davis-led tournaments.
Q: If selected, what should I expect for a time commitment?
A: Typically, Select teams have training sessions twice a week (similar to Fall season) beginning in December. Select Season games start in early January and run through March, culminating with the Select Season tournament at the end of March. Select teams then stay together to play in several tournaments through at least the end of May, ending most often with the Davis World Cup on Memorial Day weekend.
Q: How much travel is involved to participate in Select?
A: There are usually about 8 regular season Saturday games. Half of the games are home games in Davis. In addition, some of the away games are against Davis teams. So, at least half and possibly as many as 6 of the 8 games will be in Davis. The furthest away games are in Contra Costa County in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and Concord – about an hour’s drive. Tournament travel is similar but can be a little farther – eg, San Jose, Pacifica, and Palo Alto.
Q: What will the Select season cost?
A: Registration costs will be similar to the fall season, which includes Regional costs, uniform purchase, and Regional Tournament fees. Scholarships are available for the registration costs. Team fees (which include other tournament registration fees, field rental fees, and other miscellaneous costs) can vary depending on the number of tournaments a team decides to play, etc, and can reach the low hundreds of dollars. Participation in tournaments may also incur lodging, transportation, and food costs, which are the responsibility of each family. However, teams will always work to find ways to make this as affordable as possible for everyone. These costs are also spread out over a six month period.
Q: Is Select soccer very different from Fall soccer?
A: As in Fall soccer, the AYSO philosophies (Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development) still apply and Select is played for fun. Most Select players simply want to play a longer season with other players who love to play. The main traits of Select players is that they like to play soccer, like to hang out with friends playing soccer, and have energy and enthusiasm for the game. Players will develop faster and more because they play for an extra six months.
Q:What if my child has not played Select before or was not selected previously?
A: This in no way excludes your child from playing this year. Children change dramatically, players leave, and different numbers will register every year.
Q: Whom should I contact if I have any other questions?
A: More detailed information can be found on the Select Season webpage. For other questions or concerns, please email the Select Coordinator, at [email protected].