Website Manager

Marple Newtown Soccer Association

News Detail

25

Nov, 2015

*IMPORTANT* Changes to Travel Play and Registration

On August 24th, US Soccer Federation (USSSF) announced a bold initiative to enhance the development of soccer players throughout the country. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer (EPYS) followed that announcement with a statement of support. EPYS asks that everyone be patient as there were some issues in need of resolution and that they have anticipated other questions to arise. The key issues are mandated standards for small-sided games and the change in registration from a seasonal year to the calendar year.

Small-Sided Games – very simply, all soccer U-8 and below will played 4v4. U9 /U10 will become 7v7 (including goalkeepers) and U11/U12 becomes 9v9. All 11-a-side soccer begins at U13. Roster sizes for small-sided games has not yet been determined.

Birth year registration – the developmental initiative focuses on the change of registration from the “seasonal year” or “school year” to the calendar year, or birth year of the player. The primary reason is to move the United States to the FIFA standard. Simply put, registration will be based on birth year, January 1st to December 31st.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will move forward in the 2016-17 seasonal year with all of its programs and competitions registering by birth year as well. The new seasonal year begins September 1, 2016. None of these changes will go into effect prior to that day. However, planning should begin soon. Spring tryout dates and team selections will require attention. Educating players and their families will be necessary. An important note is that these standards will be firmly applied to travel soccer with the obvious issue being the probability of changes to the makeup of current teams.

MNSA and Alliance FC representatives will be meeting with representatives of EPYS on Wednesday December 2nd 7pm @ The Phelps School (583 Sugartown Rd, Malvern, PA 19355) to discuss the new USSF initiatives and the effects on the upcoming season. The December 2nd meeting with EPYS is just the first of several steps for us all to get educated on the changes so we can make informed decisions for the club. MNSA Board members and coaches will be meeting over the next several months to discuss the changes and how it affects our entire program.

We want our families informed with as much information regarding this change. Parents and coaches are invited to attend the December 2 meeting with EPYS. In addition, below are links to EPYS & USSF websites with information about the changes.

http://www.epysa.org/us_soccer_initiatives_memo_11415/ 
http://www.idevmail.net/assets/epysa/US_Soccer_Initiatives_Memo.pdf 
http://www.epysa.org/membership/USSoccerDevelopment/ 

We will all get through this time of change. As more information and details become available, we will provide them to our club membership. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions and we thank you in advance as we work through these items.


Sincerely,

Chip Stracciolini
MNSA President
2014 Marple Newtown Soccer Association  | Privacy Statement | Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Log In
Sports Connect