TEAM -
Thanks to those who attended. I have summarized the meeting to the best of my recollection, if any who attended can add or clarfiy, please do so.
Aly Wade offered scenarios and responses which she deemed "typical". Much of this will of course depend on the coach which we are hoping to know if the next week or so.
1) How is Select different from Academy at Santos?
Academy focuses primarily on player development and technique, Select takes this foundation and adds tactics to it. At the U13 level, it is really a combination, but with an eye more so to tactics. It is assumed that players are fairly adept though not mastering, in the area of technique.
Also, in Select, wins and losses matter. In Academy this is not the emphasis, in Select rankings and results are compiled Statewide and published. The quality of Clubs at this level becomes more of a focal point.
Finally, player position becomes more of an emphasis. Goalies will pretty much play in the goal, etc.
The play is 11 v 11, on a much larger field.
Players can only play one match per day.
Training fees, rather than the Academy $330 per player, is figured based on the number of players divided by the coach's contract. So this could be less.
2) How does the tryout process work? Will everyone get picked for the team?
Tryouts are May 31 - June 2. Players are not guaranteed a spot on the team. Typically a coach will pick 15 - 16 players, some may pick 14 players knowing that 1 - 2 who may be of interest could not attend tryouts. GA Soccer allows no more that 18 per team, no matter.
U13 teams tend to be no more than 16 in order to provide ample playing time for everyone.
For our team presently, it is unclear what kind of numbers we will have at tryout and unclear the impact from players at other clubs, looking for a spot. All this is very fluid.
If your player cannot attend tryouts, and he wants to try to make the team, it is important that you communicate with the coach prior to tryouts. The coach, depending on who it is, may talk with Scott, Antonio, etc - to get a feel for the player's abilities.
3) Typically, how many nights each week do Select teams train?
Presently the U13 team trains 3 nights each week, Mon, Wed & Thurs. In all likelihood we will train at East Roswell Park. The days and times for training, again, is a coaches decision, however three nights is typical.
4) Explain the Classic Division scheme. Will we have to travel out of Atlanta to play teams?
GA Soccer splits boys into Classic and girls into Athena. Boys have Classic 1 (high) thru 5 (low) divisions, girls have Athena A (high) thru E (low) divisions.
Results from the the Academy Cup on May 14 - 15, along with the coach's and club's recommendation are factored into division placement by GA Soccer. We will compete against other teams in our division placement and that is statewide.
The U13s traveled to Warner Robins for a Sunday game in the Fall, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus are not out of the question.
Of course, with the number of clubs in our area, travel may be very minimal. It depends on division placement and teams in that division.
Again, want to emphasize, much of this is dependent on the coach selected for the U13 team, but Aly said this is "typically" what has happened in the past. If anyone attending the meeting can add, change or clarify, please do so.
