The WYSL Select Program offers the most talented and committed players within the Westchester Youth Soccer League the opportunity to come together on one “all-star” team to further develop and advance their skills. The program provides the organization and structure for these players to train and compete at a higher level and faster pace of play all under the guidance of some of the area’s top-level coaches. Our Select Program is dedicated to the ongoing development of these players in preparation to ultimately compete at the collegiate level of athletics.
Please note: the WYSL Select Program is intended to supplement not replace your local club team.
The Select season commencing with tryouts starting on Monday evenings in mid-September, with finalized rosters normally completed by the end of October. Once team rosters have been selected, once a week on Mondays training sessions will begin late October and continuing until the 2nd or 3rd Monday in December (weather permitting). Monday evening training will resume in the spring and continue into early summer, starting in mid March (pending field availability) and ending the third week of July. There will be an optional (but strongly recommended) Select Spring Camp held this year April 6-10, again in Armonk and a newly proposed summer mini-camp the first week of July.
Training locations: Tibbetts Field in Yonkers ( Boys 94-97) Saxon Woods in White Plains (Girls 94-97 ) and the White Plains High School fields (Developmental Teams 98/99)
Training Times: All MONDAY EVENINGS
Typical Monday Evening Practice Schedule:
Developmental teams 1999- 1998 normally practice starting at 5:30 to 7:00 PM Select Teams 1997-1996 normally practice starting at 6:00 to 7:30 PM Select Teams 1995 -1994 normally practice starting at 7:30 to 9:00 PM
(check with your Team Manager for exact times and locations once teams have been formed)
Structure: There will be two types of teams in the program, depending on the age of the players.
·Select Teams that will play in 3 regional high-level summer weekend tournaments, traditionally the last weekend in June, second and third weekends in July. (program ends upon the completion of the final tournament in July)
Developmental Teams do not participate in the summer tournament schedule and players are not required to try out for a roster spot. Developmental Teams will stress small-sided games to promote ball skill and control under the guidelines of US Youth Soccer player development system.Its goal is to provide a “pressure-free”, higher level of training not generally available to players of this age on their WYSL club team. The program culminates with an inter-league round robin-like scrimmage games (or an event of a similar nature) at the end of June.
2. Team Formation for 2008-2009:
Select Teams: Boys and Girls born in 1997* 1996*, 1995, 1994
Developmental Teams: Boys and Girls born in 1999 and 1998.
Please Note: Depending on the talent level and turnout numbers a team may not be formed in a each particular age bracket.
* Select 1997and 1996 Boys /Girls Teams are designated as ENYYSA District Olympic Development Teams. These teams will compete at a State ODP ID Tournament in early May from which players will be selected to form the Eastern New York State ODP Teams.
3. Birth Year Team Formations:
Teams are formed by calendar year birth dates. All Players must try out and play on their appropriate birth year team. Players are not permitted to "play up" or “play down” on any team. There are no exceptions.
4. Who is eligible for WYSL Select?
All WYSL registered boys and girls are eligible for tryouts. Rostering with a team outside of the WYSL excludes a player from WYSL Select participation/registration. If the player’s team is currently inactive, the team must have competed in the WYSL in its most recent active season.
For 1994 and 1995 PLAYERS ONLY:
1994 and 1995 players can not be rostered on both the State ODP team and WYSL Select Team. WYSL players who are rostered on State ODP teams are not eligible to participate in WYSL Select.
5. Summer Tournaments:
As previously noted the 1994, 1995 ,1996 and 1997 Select Teams will play in 3 regional high-level summer weekend tournaments, the last weekend in June through the third weekend in July. Please click on "Tournament Information" on the Select Program home page for a listing of the Select Tournament dates for 2009. (The exact schedule dates will be posted when available.)
DevelopmentalTeams1998 and 1999 will be playing in an inter-league round robin-like format the last Saturday of the WYSL spring season and do not participate in the Select summer tournaments.
6. Tryouts for Select Teams:
Tryouts will start on Monday September 15th. Notices of the tryout times and dates for the 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Select Teams will be posted on this web site and e-mailed directly to all age appropriate players from the fall WYSL rosters by August 25, 2008. Please click on WYSL Select Tryout Schedule” on the select home page for the complete tryout listing.
Players will be asked to register online (see section 8 below) for the tryouts and must bring a printed copy of their confirmation email or online receipt to the tryout. There is a $25.00 tryout fee. (fee includes a numbered tryout tee-shirt).
New teams are formed each year and all returning players must tryout each season. Due to the competitive nature of the try out process, there will be no make-ups allowed for a player who misses his or her initial tryout. Exceptions will be made in cases of player injury with directors approval or due to player conflicts with tryout dates for the 1994-1996 ENYYSA ODP.
There will be a 2nd call back round of tryouts for each team. When necessary, a 3rd round call back may be scheduled. All call backs are by invitation only.
The 1998 and 1999 Developmental players are not required to try out; all committed players are accepted into the program. Registration will be opened on-line on or about Sept.15th 2008 (see section 8 below for registration instructions). Once registered, you will be contacted with information about the next step in the program. Please follow the registration instructions on the WYSL Select Program home page link.
Due to field constraints, the Developmental teams will be limited to the first 50 players who register. Registration will open September 15th, please do not delay. Once the target number has been reach players additional players will be wait listed.
7. What is the cost?
The program operates on funds generated through player fees. Select Team Registration Fee: The fee per player for uniforms, coaching, facilities, tournament registration and related costs is $425.00 for 1994to 1997 teams.
DevelopmentalTeam registration Fee: The fee for the 1998 and 1999 Developmental teams will be $350.00.
No player will be prohibited from joining the Select Program due to financial need. However, it is required that a player requesting a scholarship participates in our fund raising program and raise 1/2 the registration fee to participate in the Select program. Contact Select Committee member Sam Arnoff at: arnoff_s@hotmail.com, for further information on our Partial Scholarships Program.
8. Online Registration:
Select: Online registration take place in two stages:
Step 1: Players register for the tryouts, as noted above in section 6.
Step 2: Then, those players invited to join the teams will be instructed how to register for the program.
Please click here to register for the tryouts. ( will be activated by August 25th) You are asked to bring a printed copy of your confirmation email or your online receipt to the tryout. Once the tryout process has been completed and a player has been offered a position on the team, the players will re-visit the same system to register your son or daughter into the Select program.
Developmental: The 1998 and 1999 Developmental teams will accept all committed players (maximum of a 50 player pool, per gender). A direct mailing and an email announcing the opening of the registration period for the 1998 and 1999 players will be sent to all eligible WYSL players in early September. Registration will open on September 15th.
9. No Refunds:
Due to the up front cost related to securing training facilities, coaching, tournaments, uniforms etc., once a player has completed registration, no refunds will be issued, (except in the case of player injury where documentation is provided from treating physical confirming that the player is prohibiting from participation in all soccer related activities, a $30.00 processing fee will be applied)
ALL PARENTS WILL BE ASKED TO ACKNOWLEDGE, with their online signature, THAT THEY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THIS REFUND POLICY.
10. What is the commitment?
Because of the demanding practice and game schedule of the WYSL League and Select Program, a strong commitment is needed from all players and their families. Attendance and on time at all Monday evening Select practices during the spring is mandatory unless given a Permitted Absence (see section 11 below). You are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled practice time to warm-up and check in.
Attendance at all summer tournaments (when selected) is mandatory unless a player chooses to be designated a “Practice Only Player” at the tryouts, thereby excusing him or her from the tournament portion of the program (see section 18 below).
Failure to attend a summer tournament once rostered is grounds for disciplinary action, which may include suspension, removal from the program and/or barred from future Select activities. Disciplinary decisions will be made in the best judgment of the Select Committee.
11. Permitted Absence:
Monday evenings are traditionally reserved for Select Program practices. WYSL Clubs are strongly advised not to schedule team practices on Monday evenings. Monday practices are mandatory and attendance is take at each session. Select practices sessions take precedence over club and school practices. If there is a conflict with a HS game and the Monday Select practice, the player would be given a permitted absence (with prior notice and approval of Coach). Absence without notice will impact tournament rostering and players with a season long record of poor attendances subject to disqualification from tournament participation.
If a player is sick or injured, a phone call to the player’s Team Manager or designated contact is required to obtain a permitted absence from a practice or a tournament. A maximum of two permitted practice absences will be given, with prior notice.
12. Program “Conduct Contract”:
Players and parents are to be held to the highest standards of conduct both on and off the field. They will be required to sign and accept a "Select Conduct Contract" outlining appropriate behavior and commitments expected of a WYSL Select player and parent. This will include a “no poaching” commitment. As members of the WYSL Select Program, parents are encouraged to attend all events to cheer and support their children, in the appropriate manor. Disruptive and or confrontational behavior will not be tolerated.
13. Select Team Camps:
Spring Camp:
During the Westchester County’s public school spring break in April, a week long Select Team Camp will will be held from April 6- April 10th, 2009 in Armonk. The cost is $325.00 per player, and attendance is strongly recommended for all Select Program players. Allowances will be made for Select players attending private school who don’t attend the camp if their spring vacation does not coincide with this week. Select Camp notices will be emailed to all registered Select players in early January. The Camp Registration will be available online on or about January 15th. Space has been sold out for this camp each season so please register as soon as possible.
NEW Summer Camp:
During July 6-10, 2008 a week long Select Summer Camp will be held. (location to be determined) The cost is $250.00 per player, and attendance is strongly recommended for all Select players. Select Camp notices will be emailed to all Select players in November and registration will be available online on. Space will be limited to the first 150 players who register.
14. Roster Size:
Select Teams:The expected roster size for Select Teams will be approximately 28 field players plus 2 goalkeepers. We know that sounds like large intial roster but tournament availability is restricted for some players due to summer vacations and Select Teams in the District ODP age brackets will also lose up to 8 players to the ENY State ODP program.
Developmental Teams:Teams will pool up to 50 players.
15. Playing Time and Positions:
The WYSL Board and Select Committee encourage each Coach to do his/her best to give each player an opportunity to play a minimum number of minutes in every game. However, due to the highly competitive level of play at the regional tournaments, the coaching staff is under no specific minimum player “minutes per game” commitment. The playing time of each player, or play in any particular position on the field, is at the discretion of the Coach and is based upon his/her judgment of the player’s skill level, ability, practice performance, game performance, and who would best benefit the team effort in each game situation at the time of the match. No player is guaranteed to play a set minimum number of playing minutes per game, or play in any particular position on the field. (For the Developmental team players, this is not applicable.)
16. Tournament Participation:
Each Select team player will be guaranteed participation in at least one of the three regional tournaments, to be determined at the Coach’s discretion. Each Player/Parent will confirm with their Team Manager their availability for at least two of the tournament dates at the teams first spring practice session (unless the player has been designated a “Practice Only Player” at the tryouts).
17. Tournament Guest Players:
Only under hardship cases, with the approval of the Select Program Coaching Director, may a Coach appeal to the Select Committee to allow a WYSL player be added to his/hers Select team tournament roster who has not participated in the full Select process.
18. "Practice Only" Players:
Being designated a "Practice Only Player,” a player will have the opportunity of joining the program and participating in the spring Monday evening practices. These players are not required to commit to the summer tournament portion of the Select schedule. In this case, a player at the Select tryouts will inform the coaching staff that he or she has elected to try out for the "Practice Only Player" position on the team. All fees and other program requirements are exactly the same as a regular registered player.
19. Who Are The Coaches?
The coaching staff is a very talented and seasoned group of dedicated individuals. Many of the Coaches have played and/orcoached at the professional, college or high school level. They hold a wide range of coaching licenses and are dedicated to embodying the highest level of soccer standards to all who partake in the WYSL Select Program.
Here is a sample quote from the 2007 Select Program:“Our Coach did a great job with the players.He was very organized during practice, he instructed the kids in practice as well as during the game, and he was always positive and upbeat.He really boosted my child’s skill level as well as their self esteem.Overall, the Select team was a very positive experience for my child and for us as parents.”
20. Parent and Player Meeting:
Once chosen for a Select Team, each player and that player’s parent/guardian will be required to attend a mandatory “parents and player” meeting to review the program. This will be an opportunity to have any questions answered, meet the other players, and meet the Coach, Manager and Program Administrators, and have the players’ photo taken for their player pass. The date of this meeting TBD (“to be determined”).
21. Communication Channels:
Your Team Manager will serve as the liaison between the parents and the Select Program staff.
For the most timely response to any questions you may have pertaining to the SELECT PROGRAM (e.g., weather, scheduling, absences, injuries, registration inquiries, etc.) it is besthandled via email with your Team Managers.
Please contact the appropriate Team Manager as listed below:
Once teams have been formed they will also be accessible by cell phone in an emergency.
DO NOT CALL THE LEAGUE OFFICE WITH SELECT QUESTIONS THEY WILL ONLY REFER YOU TO THE ABOVE.
Player Issues:
Parents are not to approach a Coach directly on or off the field with any soccer-related player issue. This is true before, during or after a training session, scrimmages, or tournament games.Coaches have been instructed not to discuss with their team parents any soccer training or playing question or issue.
Parents are to address their player concerns first to their Team Manager. In the event the Team Manager cannot answer their question or resolve an issue, he or she should direct their concern to the appropriate Coaching Director. If the issue is still un-resloved it should be brought to the attention of the Select Program Director (Julian DiDonato).
Experience has shown that the most efficient process regarding any WYSL Select player issue.
Please to adhere to this specific channel of communications.
22. How the Program is Administered:
The Select Program is administered by the Select Program staff under the direction of the WYSL Select Committee.
The Select Committee is comprised of WYSL Board members appointed each season by the President of WYSL (Rip Fisher)
The WYSL Board of members, under the direction of the league president, approve all Program Policy.
The 2008-2009 WYSL Select Program Committe consists of:
·Select Program Chairman: Julian DiDonato
·Select Program Vice Chair: Steve Goldberg
·Select Committee: Sam Arnoff
Select Committee: Bill DiFonzo
Select Committee: Pascal Pinson
Select Program Admistration Office: Lee D’Argenio (tournaments), Angela Olcese (registration)
Select Team Manager Liaison:Tracey Hynes (Girls) Ellen DeSanctis (Boys)
Coaching Director Girls: Ernest Harmon
Coaching Direct Boys: Prad Reddy
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For more information or questions regarding the WYSL Select Program, email the league office at: aolcese@wyslsoccer.org or juliandidonato@gmail.com.
23. WYSL Select Program 2008-2009 Important Dates To Remember:
·Tryouts: Monday evenings starting in late September/October
·Call Backs/Roster Selection: November
Fall Practices Session: November - December 15th weather permitting
·Parents/Players Meeting: February (check the WYSL website during the season for the exact date)
·Spring Practices to begin: March through June
·Spring Break Camp:April Public school Spring Break
JUNE Weekday Practices TBD: Last Week of June (to prepare for first tournament date)
Summer Camp: First week of July: Four Day Mini-Camp
·Tournaments:2009 dates TBD.Tournaments in which we’re expecting to participate:
o Hackettstown, NJ: last week in June
o Clifton Park NY, or possibly Laval Montreal, Canada:2nd weekend of July
o Hudson Invitational:3rd weekend of July
Season ends at the conclusion of the Hudson Invitational Tournament
