Salina Soccer Club Frequently Asked Questions

Salina Soccer Club Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I contact the Salina Soccer Club?  SSC website: www.salinasoccerclub.com Phone number: 785-823-8108 Address: Salina Soccer Club P.O. Box 535 Salina, KS 67402

  2. What rules are used for the soccer club? We are governed by the rules set out by our state youth soccer association;  KYSA. All rules and regulations can be found at www.ksysa.org

  3. How do I find out what teams are available? The SSC website has a list of teams and contacts.

  4. How do I get on a team?  Please contact the team coach or manager for your age group. You can also contact the SSC Registrar.

  5. Are there annual Player/Team Evaluations? At this time, individual competitive teams will hold a tryout.  Tryout period takes place  June 15th – July 15th .  There are no tryouts for recreational teams.  Players are either assigned to current recreational teams that have openings or new teams will be formed from the new player registrations.

  6. What are the different categories under which a team would form? Recreational or Competitive.

  7. What is the difference between a recreational and competitive team? As in all matters, we are governed by the KYSA rules.Competitive teams are usually considered hand-picked or chosen teams.  Recreational teams cannot be chosen by a coach; they must be put together by either the club’s Registrar or Directors of Coaching. Your team can be a recreational team if it was assigned to you by the SSC or if you brought your team over from the Y or Salina Parks & Rec program (i.e., it was assigned to you by the Y or the SP&R). If you have a Rec team, then you must accept player assignments from the SSC unless your roster is full. If you picked your team members or held Player/Team Evaluations, then it must be a competitive team, unless you accepted everyone who attended the Player/Team Evaluations. The distinction between Rec or Competitive is not critical to most of our teams, since most leagues and tournaments only have one division. An exception is the Governor’s Cup Tournament, which has separate divisions.

  8. What are the age groups? Each player must be born on or after the following date:

    Age Group
    		 Seasonal Year
    2006/2007
    		 2007/2008
    Under 19
    		 08/01/1987 08/01/1988
    Under 18
    		 08/01/1988 08/01/1989
    Under 17
    		 08/01/1989 08/01/1990
    Under 16
    		 08/01/1990 08/01/1991
    Under 15
    		 08/01/1991 08/01/1992
    Under 14
    		 08/01/1992 08/01/1993
    Under 13
    		 08/01/1993 08/01/1994
    Under 12
    		 08/01/1994 08/01/1995
    Under 11
    		 08/01/1995 08/01/1996
    Under 10
    		 08/01/1996 08/01/1997
    Under 9
    		 08/01/1997 08/01/1998
    Under 8
    		 08/01/1998 08/01/1999
    Under 7
    		 08/01/1999 08/01/2000
    Under 6
    		 08/01/2000 08/01/2001

  9. How many players on a roster?  The state and national soccer associations have adopted the small team roster sizes, to encourage more participation by each child. Leagues may occasionally differ, so be sure to check with them.


    Age Division
    		 Game Length
    		 Ball Size
    		 Max Roster
    		 Players Per Side
    U6
    		 Two 20min halves
    		 3
    		 6
    		 3
    U7 and U8
    		 Two 20min halves 3
    		 8
    		 4
    U9 and U10
    		 Two 25min halves 4
    		 11
    		 6
    U11 and U12
    		 Two 30min halves 4
    		 13
    		 8
    U13 and U14
    		 Two 35min halves 5
    		 18
    		 11
    U15 and U16
    		 Two 40min halves 5
    		 18
    		 11
    U17, U18,  U19
    		 Two 45min halves 5
    		 18
    		 11

  10. How do you make roster changes? Depending on what kind of changes are being made, there are forms that need to be completed and signed by the player,  parents/guardians, team coach, and the registrar. These forms are found on ksysa.org and can be easily printed and copied. Please contact the Registrar if you need guidance on which forms need to be completed. The completed paperwork is then sent into the KYSA office. Roster changes can only be made up to 72  hours before playing in a tournament; after that deadline no roster changes can be accepted.

  11. What are the rules on player recruitment and what is “free agency”? Unless a player is a free agent, he/she may not try out, practice or be placed on your roster unless you have a written release from the player’s coach. All youth players will become free agents on June 15. They shall remain free agents until they and their coach sign a player agreement or contract, that is, until they register or roster to a team. However, any player rostered to a recreational team will still be considered a free agent between the period of June 15 and July 15, and may try out for a competitive team without a written release during that time period. Once a player has rostered to a competitive team, that player shall have thirty (30) days in which to change their mind. See the KYSA website for more details and release forms.

  12. Other than the club-sponsored June Player/Team Evaluations, how can a team find players to fill its roster? Teams may publicize and hold Player/Team Evaluations at any time. They may seek or recruit players at any time, as long as they don’t violate the KYSA rules about taking a player from another team without the other coach’s permission. Finding new players is hard work but it is worth the effort. Ask other children, parents, and teachers for names of possible players. Go to other kids’ sporting events, and do some scouting. Hold a public Player/Team Evaluation, and publicize it via the Recreational Calendar in the newspaper, and by placing posters in places where children and their parents will see them. Contact the club Registrar, Directors of Coaching, and other coaches of the same age to ask if they know of anyone looking for a team.

  13. Where would my team play? Salina Soccer Club teams participate in the Mid-Kansas United Soccer League at the Salina Soccer Complex. Teams from all over central and south-central Kansas compete in this competitive league. Teams have 2 options: A “Home Only” options which means your team will play all of their league games in Salina, or a “Home/Away” option, which means your team plays 4 games in Salina and 4 games in  Manhattan (Wildcat League). The excitement of this choice comes in knowing your will be able to play a wider variety of teams and open your team up for more competitive opportunities. There are also competitive leagues in Manhattan, Topeka, Wichita and Kansas City on Saturdays and Sundays during the Fall and Spring.

  14. How do we find out about tournaments? Go to the tournaments section of the SSC website for a listing and contacts for all tournaments. The most popular tournaments are: Governor’s Cup in Topeka in May and October, Hutchinson in April, and TRYSA in Emporia in April/May and October.

  15. How do we get driving directions, field maps, tips on hotels, etc.? This information will usually be included in the tournament packet that will be sent to you. Also, look at the tournament’s website for information, and don’t hesitate to call or e-mail someone from the tournament. Many teams have also found it extremely helpful to call that city's Chamber of Commerce. You can get a packet of information that includes coupons to motels, restaurants and local hot spots. Mapquest.com is a great source for driving directions to each city.

  16. Are there uniform and number restrictions for club soccer teams? In order to establish a sense of pride and recognition for our club, the SCC teams voted to designate an official color (purple) and club logo that should be placed on the uniform. There are no number restrictions as long as numbers aren't duplicated within the team. A uniform consists of 2 jerseys (purple w/logo & alternate color), shorts and 2 pairs of socks.

  17. Does the SSC provide help with the first time purchase of team uniforms? No, although some teams have old uniforms they would loan out.

  18. Who is the SSC contact who will help with uniform purchase? TBA.  Call the Registrar in the interim.

  19. What about existing teams and their uniform colors? Existing uniforms may be used as is (but please add the SSC logo if possible). When buying new uniforms the following requirements apply:
    a. SSC color *purple (Adidas *Collegiate purple)
    b. Display the SSC Logo
    c. Style and vendor is teams choice

  20. Where do we find coaching clinics? Many coaching clinics are available each year locally and throughout the state. All coaches are encouraged to improve via the many resources that are available. See the SSC website as well as ksysa.org for links to good coaching sites. There is a library of coaching tapes and DVD’s at the Salina Soccer Club office. Just call to reserve one. The public library has many helpful books and videos.

  21. What kind of coaching support is offered to forming teams? Coaches are assigned by the Salina Soccer Club Director of Coaching. If your team wants to supply your own coach, The Director of Coaching needs to visit with that coach. Many teams start with parent coaches for the first years, then add a more experienced coach when play becomes more advanced. Our club has been blessed with many excellent KWU players who coach our youth teams for a nominal fee (see coach mentor program). See the Guidelines for New Soccer Teams available on the SSC website.

  22. What options are available for places in town to practice?  Several city parks have nice fields. Bill Burke Park has 6 – 8 full size fields. Ox Bow Park has 1 full size field. In most cases, only ½ of a field is needed for practice sessions. – You must call the Parks and Rec office each week if you want to reserve a field. Many school yards are available and more are getting soccer goals each year. 

  23. What is the cost of participating in organized soccer? Typical costs are $75 to $130 per player each season, depending on league fees, number of tournaments, uniforms, etc. This includes league fees of about $300 per team, tournament costs of ~$350 each, $40 for uniforms every couple of years, and coaching fees of ~$500 if appropriate. This figure also includes the yearly membership fee (currently $35) per player per soccer year (Fall to Spring) collected by the SSC, to pay dues to KYSA carding fees, and dues to the SSC.

  24. Do you offer scholarships? The SSC Scholarship Program's goal is for no one to be turned away based on ability to pay. Scholarships may be available; see the SSC website for more information and an application. Donations to the Scholarship Program are encouraged and tax-deductible.

  25. What kind of support will teams receive in return for their membership dues? SSC dues (currently $35) pay for membership to United States and Kansas Youth Soccer Associations, supplies and general office expense and the student Coach Mentor program. The SSC helps teams organize and get established. SSC promotes team and player development by sponsoring quality player and coaches clinics locally. SSC plans to have tournaments (regular season full team tournaments and summer 3v3 tournaments). Involvement from the entire soccer community is needed to make the tournaments a reality.

  26. How often are the dues paid? The soccer year is Fall to Spring, from September 1 until August 31. Dues are paid once each soccer year prior to the fall season.

  27. What is the Olympic Development Program (ODP), and how does one qualify?  ODP is a program organized by the Kansas and U.S. Youth Soccer Associations for the purpose of developing and identifying top soccer players. Anyone may participate in the state practices and camps. See ksysa.org for more information about how to join. Participants benefit from the high level of coaching and competition, but a significant time commitment is involved due to out of town travel. Selection at each level (state, regional, national) is generally based on the 4 components that make up a soccer player: 1) Technique; 2) Tactics (decisions on the field); 3) Fitness and athletic ability and 4) Psychological component (attitude). Several Salina players have been selected to their top state teams. Mike Dibbini, SSC’s Director of Coaching, is on the Kansas ODP coaching staff.