Montana RQT Info/Q&A Session

U.S.S.F Youth Affiliates

U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) Regions USYS RegionsPlayers by Region I: 1+ million II: 629k III: 678k IV: 669k Total: 3.2+ million

Big & Small 5 Largest States California North – 171,267 Massachusetts – 164,901* New Jersey – 148,354 California South – 144,161 Virginia – 142,260 5 Smallest States North Dakota – 7,280 Hawaii – 5,904* Alaska – 5,389 Wyoming – 4,888 Montana – 4,840 Note: 24 states have not won a Nat’l Championship

Montana at FWR History Once every 5 years a Montana team advanced to QF or SF (10 age groups = 1 in 50) Montana withdrew from FWR for 2 years – Cost – Results Returning now on a team-by-team basis

What’s different now? Previously there was only 1 state cup – Winner had to go to FWR - even if they didn’t want to – or face a massive fine. Now, 2 state cups – 1 to go to FWR and Pres. Cup (RQT) – 1 for teams who do not want to go to FWR and Pres. Cup (MYSA State Cup) State Champion: ???

What Does it Take to Succeed at FWR/Pres. Cup? Depth – All 18 players need to have the following: Skill: Extremely technical Fast: Individually and speed of play Vision/Chemistry: Knowing what is going to happen before it happens Adaptability: Major tactical adjustments on the fly

General Info RQT League played on Sundays Top 4 in League play RQT Tournament RQT Tournament is Mem. Day weekend Winner goes to FWR in NM 2 nd Place goes to Far West Pres. Cup in CA 3 rd /4 th play in MYSA State Cup

The RQT Process

MYSA League Options RQT League (Intended Top level) MYSA Select League (2 nd level) Classic League (3 rd level)

What Are We Committing to? Travel to: – RQT League – RQT – FWR/President’s Cup – National Championships/President’s Cup Nationals. Goal: Winning a USYS Nat’l Championship or President’s Cup Nat’l Championship.

What Are We Really Committing To? 2-3x weekly practice – Additional speed/agility work on own – Additional technical work on own Additional coach and/or coaching fees 2 games every weekend April-mid June – Including RQT and tourns, game season Soccer as a long-term, year-round priority Financial Commitment

RQT Entry Fees $1,500 team fee ($ covered by HYSA) Includes RQT League, RQT, Select League on non-RQT League weekends, MYSA State Cup for all teams but RQT finalists $2,500 bond to be returned upon successful participation in RQT, RQT, and FWR/Pres. Cup if you qualify – Four-figure fine for qualifying and not going to FWR/Pres. Cup.

What does $4,000 buy me? RQT League MYSA Select League (when not paying RQT League) RQT MYSA State Cup for all but top 2 $2,500 refund when complete (not sure if deposited or not)

Personal Expenses About $80 additional in team fees. Travel Expenses – Airfare – Lodging – Food – Rental Cars

Ways to Deal with the Expenses Fundraising Chaperone parents – Instead of the entire all parents traveling, the entire team divides the expenses of the coaches and a few parents to make the expenses more manageable – Each parent is responsible for a group of players

Will This Really Work? Yes, if: – The kids are having fun – They get along well with each other as a group – They enjoy learning for the sake of learning – They’re free and creative thinkers – Soccer is everyone’s top priority – Coaches and parents are fully invested – Kids and parents buy into coaching philosophy and trust the coach to take the kids to the next level – Parents offer positive support

In Short RQT really needs to be something that is a common goal amongst the entire age group. Unlikely to work without the support of parents, peers, neighbors, dogs, cats, coaches, teachers, etc.

In short (cont’d) Players from all over the country dedicate themselves completely for a chance to win a state championship and represent their team at Regionals. Unfair to all, including other players from around the country, to have a group less dedicated and committed getting their shot at a regional championship.

Team Formation RQT Commitment will impact team formation if the playing ability of ‘yes’ players allows for a team to be formed that HYSA feels will be able to compete at a high level within that age group. Saying ‘No’ does not automatically exclude someone from a Premier team, but understand that it may.

Team Formation (cont’d) Is there a priority in team formation: ability or RQT? – No. HYSA Coaching Committee will look at all factors and make appropriate decision. – HYSA’s responsibility to look out for the best interests of our member families.

Why Does HYSA Have a Say At All? It is HYSA’s responsibility to look out for the best interest of our players and families. FWR and Pres. Cup are extremely high levels of play. Very discouraging for individual families looking for a higher level of play if the team were to be significantly outplayed at a higher- level tournament and may impact how families participate in the future.

Examples If 12 of top 18 players say ‘yes’ and 6 say ‘no’ a team will not do RQT. If 16 of top 18 players say ‘yes’ and 2 say ‘no’, we’ll look at the ability of the next two highly- rated players and determine if the difference in ability will significantly impact the team’s potential to compete at a high level. If all top 18 say ‘yes’, now a team decision if they do RQT or other regional-level tournaments.

Player Options Arsenal team (Helena only) RQT Arsenal team (Helena) RQT team from another town AND Arsenal (Helena & out of town) Other RQT team (out of town) Other team (out of town) HYSA Recreational League (non-Arsenal)

Player Options (cont’d) Montana ODP – Tryouts November 9-10 in Helena Montana United Rocky Mountain FC – High school players allowed to try out next Sunday after MHSA state tournament. – Tryouts/training next weekend in Helena

Questions?