Sarnia Girls Soccer Club’s 2017 Select Program: A Primer for Coaches and Parents S. LeBlanc, ChPC Club Head Coach, SGSC Coaching Educator, Ontario Soccer March 3, 2017

Select vs. House League vs. Competitive: What are these players in for?

Select vs. House League vs. Competitive: What are these players in for? Additional training opportunities Additional playing opportunities Small additional cost A complement to the House League program

What it is not:

What it is not: …just another name for Competitive …a team selected from the age group (i.e. no cuts) …a mandatory attendance program …a substitute for House League

What it is:

What it is: Inclusive Age appropriate – from age 8 - 12 Game day rosters (so that all can play at times throughout the season) Restricted travel Training and Games No scores, no standings  think of leagues at this level as a series of exhibition games

Why use this format?

Why use this format?

Why use this format? Some players just develop later than others It allows the player to experiment with “more soccer” in the manner which they enjoy best. It allows the player to select the level of challenge they want. Optimum development is said to occur when a child plays 50% of the time at their level; 25% of the time with players at a higher level; and 25% of the time with players at a lower level. Allows parents to take vacation without the guilt of letting the team down.

The Ontario Soccer Matrices:

The Ontario Soccer Matrices:

Game day roster example:

Game day roster example: U11 Select Team is playing London Whitecaps and the coach expects this will be their most difficult opponent of the season. The coach can select up to 16 players for the game day roster for their 9 v 9 game. The coach selects 11 players he feels are currently performing the best in the program and two other players to give experience to and round out the roster All the selected players receive substantial game time.

Game day roster example: U10 Select Team is playing Strathroy and the coach expects this will be a more manageable opponent. The coach can select up to 12 players for the game day roster for their 7 v 7 game. The coach selects 11 players, leaving some of the players she feels are currently performing the best in the program off the roster to increase the challenge and development opportunity for the remaining players. All the selected players receive substantial game time.

Some examples:

Some examples: Jane, age 9 is “crazy” about soccer. Jane tells her mom and dad that she will play both House League and Select. Jane plays both House League and Select. She has one game each and one practice each with Select and House League. Jane has four soccer events per week.

Some examples: Tonya, age 11 likes playing soccer. Tonya tells her mom that she will play both House League and Select. Tonya finds four days a lot. She decides to play both House League and Select. She attends the Select practice each and plays both Select and House League games. Tonya has three soccer events per week.

Some examples: Alexandra is one of the strongest players at her age. She is 12. Alexandra tells her dad that she only has fun playing with her friends who are in the House League. Alexandra decides to play only House League. She attends the House League practice and games each week. Alexandra has two soccer events per week.

Some examples: Jess is 8 years old and not sure what she wants. Jess says she wants to try both House League and Select. Some weeks Jess attends all events. Some weeks she mixes and matches between the two programs. Jess has one to four soccer events per week.

Our request: Respect BOTH programs and BOTH your daughter’s coaches. Don’t sign up and regularly not attend. Let BOTH coaches know what your daughter’s wishes are so they can plan their numbers accordingly. Don’t overload her.

What does success look like? Our players in this age group U8 - U12: are having fun; are getting lots of touches on the ball; play games with the Select group if training with them; feel welcome at Select events and at House league events; get the chance to decide if they like playing at a higher level; and both House League and Select coaches are informed of your daughter’s attendance plans.