Tryout Process Key: GSYSL: Granite State Youth Soccer League (granitestatesoccer.com) VSA: Vermont Soccer Association (vermontsoccer.org) VSL: Vermont Soccer League (vermontsoccerleague.org) USYSA: United States Youth Soccer Association (soccernh.com) LSC: Lightning Soccer Club “Tryouts” is the process through which players are chosen for the various LSC teams. This process consists of written evaluations and observation of the players in a designated Tryout by designated evaluators. Evaluators may, but do not necessarily, include the former coach of the team, the current coach of the team, and/or a coach who has never coached the team. It is up to the team coaches, independent evaluators and the Head Coach to determine how much weight is given to each aspect of the Tryout process. After Tryouts, the Lightning Board and the Managing Director decide for which age groups LSC will sponsor teams, and what the format of those teams will be. This depends on how many players attend Tryouts for each age group, and what we feel will be most beneficial to those players. If a player attends Tryouts for an age group which LSC does not sponsor, and the evaluators feel he/she is able to play for an older age group, he/she will be offered a spot on that team or, more likely, on that team’s Player Pool. Playing Up Policy: After reviewing Lightning's position on playing up, the decision has been made that starting with the Fall 2008 season, Lightning players will play with their respective age groups. Requests for players to play up will no longer be an option. Parents of the player who would substantially benefit from playing up will be contacted directly prior to tryouts. Parents (players), always have the option to remain at the appropriate age level. Tryout Process: 1. At Tryouts, parents and/or players will sign up at a registration table giving basic contact info: name, email, player's DOB, age group and, very importantly, a Tyrout Waiver Form (liability consent) that a parent must sign. This form can be found on our web site and can be filled out prior to Tryout registration. Players are issued a sticker with a number so that they can be identified by the evaluators. 2. After Tryouts, players are notified via a posting on the LSC web site and through an email from the Head Coach that they made either a) Travel Team, or b) Player Pool. In this first round, there will be approximately 16 players named to each Travel Team. An additional 6 players may be named to each team's Player Pool. This number may vary. We do not wish to cut anyone, but we must abide by GSYSL, VSL and USYSA rules which limit us to naming a maximum of 18 players for 11 v 11 teams. 3. Once the first round of Travel Team and Player Pool players have been notified, they will be given a designated time period during which they must complete their registration for the team. Parents will be instructed to fill out all GSYSL, VSL, and LSC required paperwork. With this paperwork parents must send a wallet-sized picture and, for new players, a copy of his/her birth certificate. Also include full payment at this time: $350 for Travel Team players and $125 for Player Pool players. Final Player Registration Process: 1. Once the first round of registration is complete, the Managing Director will assign Travel Team players their jersey numbers. At that time the Managing Director will also decide whether to place a team in GSYSL or VSL, depending on the percentage of Vermont players on the team and on discussions with the Head Coach of that team. The Managing Director then sends all teams’ registration info to the appropriate state agency (GSYSL or VSL) for them to upload to their databases. 2. Pass cards are printed (for the players who have been selected thus far) on USYSA stock, players' pictures are adhered and players sign their cards. Cards are sent to GSYSL or VSL, they are stamped, laminated and returned to the LSC. 3. Early season training will commence in early March. If there is room on a team’s Player Pool, walk-ons may try out and, if qualified, be invited to join during this time. They must then fill out all relevant paperwork and full payment of $125. By April 15, after early season training has been well underway, the final players will be named to each team from the Player Pool squad. Players will be notified by the Head Coach via email or phone call, and web site team listings are updated with the final Team Roster. 4. Once the final Travel Team players have been identified, they must complete payment immediately to secure their spot on the team. The Managing Director will then assign jersey numbers to these players. Final pass cards are printed on USYSA stock, players' pictures are adhered and players must sign their cards. Completed cards are sent to GSYSL or VSL, they are stamped, laminated, and returned. Now the team is ready for its first match!