Birth Year Matrix

Frequent Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between in-house rec and travel? In-house Rec teams typically practice once/week for 60 minutes whereas travel teams practice 2 times per week for 90 minutes. All in-house rec games are in Prospect and are against other Prospect teams whereas travel teams play against teams from other towns and typically travel to those other towns for 50% of their games (typically inside a 20-30 minute drive for away games).

2. When will the season start? The Travel season will start early in April (Spring) or late August (Fall) and Rec season will start late April or early September - weather and fields permitting. We will communicate more specifically as the season gets closer.

3. Why is the registration deadline so early for travel? This deadline is driven by the fact that we must submit our travel team numbers and classifications for the season to the district by late Jan or late July so they can form the divisions for the season - doing so requires that we know in advance how many players we'll have by age and gender.

4. Do I register for the team I played on last Fall/Spring? Registration is now based on birth year of the child, please visit -> US Soccer Birth Year and Season Matrix to see which Ux your child will play for in the Fall, for example birth year of 2010 is U9 and 2004 is U15.

5. Do I have to play Rec if I play travel? PSC highly recommends U9 and U10 Travel players to play In-house Rec and encourages older children as well; however, it is no longer required. The cost to play In-house Rec will only be $15 if signed up for Travel. If interested, please register for both and prior to paying, please contact Aaron Semrow ([email protected]) who will apply the discount.

6. There is a question on my travel registration form about travel rec vs travel comp - what is the difference? The primary difference between travel rec and travel comp pertains to how the players are selected and how play time is determined as outlined below. We have included this question as part of the registration process to help us understand which players prefer travel comp vs travel rec and will use answers to this question when forming teams and deciding which teams are travel comp vs travel rec.

   • Player Selection: On a Travel Comp team players are typically selected based on skills in relation to other players whereas on a Travel Rec team anyone who signs up is placed on the team. These evaluations can be based on a Coach's exposure during prior seasons, formal tryouts and/or a combination of both.

   • Playing Time: On a Travel Comp team there is no guarantee or guideline around playing time during games. While Coaches still strive for play time of those selected for the team - this play time is determined based on how a player is performing for the team (both in practices and in games) and player attitude (eg toward teammates and coaches) and can vary from game to game (eg in a highly competitive 'league' game less advanced players may not see as much or any play time). On a Travel Rec team there is a guideline in place that all players receive 50% playing time. While we allow flexibility on this guideline from game to game - our PYS Travel Rec team coaches are asked to ensure that all players receive a balanced and evenly distributed amount of playing time over the course of a Travel Rec team's season.

7. Will there be tryouts for the travel teams? Tryouts will be on an as needed basis for travel competition teams. We will not have tryouts for travel recreation teams. Tryouts for travel comp teams will be communicated to age appropriate players in advance of tryouts if they become necessary.

8. My son/daughter played for PSC last Spring but then went to High School last Fall. Can s/he return to play PSC this Spring? Yes - we will have a U14, U15, and/or a U16 travel teams providing we have enough age appropriate players signup.

9. Do I need to pay when I register? It is highly recommended that you pay in full at the time of registration. If you do not pay your player's registration will not be considered complete and your child may not be registered to a team. We are a volunteer run organization and appreciate your assistance in helping us to avoid volunteers spending time following up to collect missing payments.

PROSPECT SOCCER CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT and ETHICS

Purpose:
This Code of Conduct and Ethics has been adopted by the Prospect Soccer Club (PSC) to clarify and distinguish approved and accepted professional, ethical, and moral behavior from that which is detrimental to the development of soccer within the PSC community, South Central District (SCD) and Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA). 

Policy:
PSC’s primary concerns are the welfare, positive character development, enjoyment, and safety of our players, and fostering an environment of the highest caliber sportsmanship.  Volunteering is a privilege offered and granted to individuals who perform capably during PSC, SCD and CJSA sanctioned activities.  It carries with it an obligation for each individual volunteer to represent the program and their community in the most sportsmanlike manner by upholding and promoting the stated goals and objectives as outlined herein. 

Applicability:
All player, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, parent, guardian, and/or relatives of a PSC soccer player, promise to uphold the following:
1.     Cheer in a positive manner for all players, regardless of which team they represent
2.     not criticize the performance of a player or their teammates
3.     not criticize the opponents of our team
4.     allow the coaches to do the coaching
5.     not embarrass those present by my behavior
6.     respect others and their property and not make comments based on race, religion, gender or ability
7.     respect the game and the league officials and communicate with them in an appropriate manner
8.     lead by example by demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all involved
9.     obey the laws of the game and play within the spirit of the laws.

All board members, head coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, and other volunteers will be held to the Code of Ethics.

Article I - COACHES TEN COMMANDMENTS
As a volunteer with the PSC, I will…
1.     Ask, “What can I do for the player”, not “What can the player do for me?”
2.     Put developing character ahead of developing soccer skills.
3.     Demand the right intent over the right result. 
4.     Empower players to think and act positively on their own.
5.     Demand the very best from each player at all training and competitions.
6.     Prepare for training sessions and games to the greatest extent of my ability.
7.     Continually look to improve as a coach.
8.     Treat players and opponents with respect and demand the same back from them.
9.     Hold my players accountable for whatever they have control over.
10.  Lead by example as a role model and as an ambassador of the game.

Article II – Responsibilities to Players
1.     Never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of players.
2.     Instruct players to play within the written laws of the game and within the spirit of the game at all times.
3.     Do not seek an unfair advantage by teaching deliberate unsportsmanlike behavior to players.
4.     Discourage inappropriate behavior from players regardless of the situation.
5.     Recognize that academic goals and progress take precedence. 
•       No PSC recreation team shall require practice more than 1 hour/week
•       No PSC travel team shall require practice more than 3 hours/week. 
•       Attendance at supplemental skills training offered by PSC shall be optional for players unless participation is in lieu of regular team practice.
6.     Never encourage players to violate PSC, SCD, or CJSA eligibility or players’ rules or policies.
7.     Strive to allow each player to experience each position – this is particularly important for younger players as position rotation will allow them to learn all aspects of the game and ultimately develop them into more well-rounded players.

Article III – Responsibility to Club/League
1.     Adherence to all PSC, SCD, and CJSA rules and policies.  It is the responsibility of each coach to know and understand these rules.
2.     Any problems that cannot be resolved between volunteers should be referred to the appropriate PSC Board Member.

Article IV – Responsibilities to the Laws of the Game
1.     Coaches shall be thoroughly acquainted with, adhere to, and demonstrate a working knowledge of, the Laws of the Game.
2.     Assure players understand the intent as well as the application of the Laws.
3.     Coaches are responsible for their players’ actions on the field and must not permit them to perform with intent of causing injury to opposing players.
4.     Constantly strive to model and teach good sporting behavior.

Article V – Responsibility to Officials
1.     Officials must have the support of coaches, players and spectators.  Refrain from criticizing officials in the presence of players or spectators.
2.     Professional respect, before, during and after the game must be mutual.  There must be no demeaning dialogue or gestures between officials, coaches, or players.
3.     Do not incite players or spectators or attempt to disrupt the flow of the game.
4.     Comments regarding an official shall be made in writing to the appropriate organization assigning the official.

Article VI – Responsibility of Public Relations
1.     Volunteers represent the program, the community, and the game of soccer to the public.  Comments and critiques of governing bodies, teams, coaches, players, or parents must be positive and constructive.
2.     Coaches have the responsibility to assist their players in conducting themselves properly when in public, when representing their team, PSC, SCD, and CJSA.  

Article VII – Other Responsibilities
1.     The behavior of coaches must be such as to bring credit to themselves, the PSC, the SCD, the CJSA, their community and the sport of soccer.
2.     While the concept of rivalry is wholly embraced, it cannot take precedence over exemplary professional conduct.
3.     The attitude and conduct of the coach toward officials, players, spectators, and coaches must be controlled and sportsmanlike.
4.     It is unacceptable for an individual to have any verbal altercation with an official, opposing coach or bench before, during, or after the game.
5.     Coaches must use their influence to control spectators that demonstrate intimidating and/or unacceptable behavior toward officials, player(s), and opposing team members.