What is Northshore United Club Select soccer?
What are the Program objectives?
Who manages the Program?
How long is the season and when is it played?
Where and when will the teams practice?
Where and when will the teams play?
What about other sports or family vacations?
What participation is expected of parents?
What is the difference between select and premier soccer?
What are the fees and costs for the NSC Program?
I have heard that some former premier level players don’t make NSC teams. Is this true?
How and why do you balance teams?
What happens at tryouts?
Are returning players given preference during tryouts?
My son/daughter heard another player say they were guaranteed a spot on a roster?
I wasn’t selected. Does that mean that I’m not a good soccer player?
I heard that tryouts favor the offensive player rather than the defensive player? Is this true?
I heard that a player once got moved or “traded” to the other team? Is this possible?
Questions or if you want more information
We recommend you read the Prospective Player Information Pack for more detailed information.
What is Northshore United Club Select soccer?
The Northshore United Select (NSC) Program is the select soccer program located within the United Club of the Northshore Youth Soccer Association. We are a middle ground between premier and recreational soccer, providing a cost-effective alternative for the soccer experience that balances the commitment of time and money with an opportunity to learn the skills necessary to play competitive soccer. We offer programs for boys and girls ages U13-U19 . NSC teams are formed through a tryout process.
What are the Program objectives?
- Bridge the gap between the premier select program and the United Recreational Program.
- Attract and keep quality athletes in NYSA who wish to continue playing competitive soccer, yet participate in other activities throughout the year.
- Develop soccer players so that they can compete for positions on school teams.
Who manages the Program?
The United Club sponsors the NSC Program and it is managed by a Steering Committee of coaches and other volunteers. The most current list of Steering Committee members is maintained on the NYSA website under Club...United...Administration.
How long is the season and when is it played?
The NSC soccer season is typically only six months in duration, lasting from June to December. We do not anticipate moving to a spring league for any of our age groups.
Where/when will the teams practice?
NSC teams practice twice weekly for 1.5 hours each session. Forsgren Park in Snohomish County near the Canyon Park area is considered the home base of the NSC program; however teams can practice on any appropriate field as assigned through the program.
Where and when will the teams play?
NSC select soccer is a travel league and teams can travel within western Washington for match play. Younger ages (U13-U14) typically play their matches on Saturday. Older ages (U15 and above) play their matches on Sundays. NSC teams also play up to two tournaments during the summer.
What about other sports or family vacations?
We understand that families take vacations and athletes sometimes enjoy playing multiple sports. Coaches are typically very flexible during the summer months. However, coaches will request that soccer be your first priority sport during the fall league season. The key to resolving conflict is early, and often, communication with your coaching staff.
What participation is expected of parents?
NSC is run completely by volunteers, including our coaches, and each family is expected to volunteer at either the team or program level. There are a wide variety of volunteer positions available with each team and the program.
What is the difference between select and premier soccer?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences. Premier soccer is the highest level of amateur soccer in the state. It involves playing soccer year around, paid professional coaching, 2-3 practices per week, 2-5 tournaments per year, and multi-state travel in the older age groups. Select requires less commitment than premier, both in terms of time and in money. It typically involves training half of the year, and is run by volunteer and semi-volunteer coaching.
What are the fees and costs for the NSC Program?
The fee level is higher than for the recreational program, primarily to cover the additional costs of fields for practices and games and to pay referees. For individual players, you can expect to pay $230 a season, which includes NYSA and NSC fees. In addition, there are uniforms and tournament fees which are covered by each team. Uniforms are not purchased each year. They typically will cost between $175-$225 when purchased. Teams may also collect a “team fund” that can be $100 per player or more. Team funds are used to cover the cost of tournaments, equipment and other team related expenses.
I have heard that some former premier level players don’t make NSC teams. Is this true?
There is a common misconception that every premier level player MUST be more skillful and technically competent than every club select level player. Particularly at the early ages, the biggest differentiating factor between premier and select players is level of commitment and passion for the sport rather than skill. Our tryout evaluators also look for specific skill sets to match the style of play valued by the NSC program which may or may not be identical to premier level programs. For this reason, it is not uncommon that former premier level players are not offered a roster spot on an NSC team.
How and why do you balance teams?
We balance our teams based on tryout evaluation scores only. Teams are not balanced by prior year performance or by head to head competition. We pride ourselves in our ability to develop players capable of playing competitive soccer. One aspect of player development is the ability to play the game with players more skillful than you. Balancing teams allows greater access to those players for a larger number of individuals.
What happens at tryouts?
Prospective players are assigned a numbered tryout jersey to be worn at each tryout session. Players will be identified by that unique jersey number during the course of the tryout. Tryouts typically consist of small-sided games (4v4) where NSC coaches and qualified guest evaluators rate players on skill and athletic ability demonstrated during the tryouts. Large sided games and other skill exercises may also be used.
Are returning players given preference during tryouts?
No, returning players receive no preferential treatment during tryouts. All players start with the same blank slate and selection is based on the skills that a player demonstrates during the tryout itself. All players are specifically requested to not wear any identifying clothing so as not to influence the selection process. If returning players enjoy any advantage at all, it comes from simply having more time on the ball and more training than recreational players.
My son/daughter heard another player say they were guaranteed a spot on a roster?
There are no guaranteed roster spots for any player regardless of what anyone tells you. In fact, historically each year teams can turn over 33% or more of their last year’s roster.
I wasn’t selected. Does that mean that I’m not a good soccer player?
Absolutely not. Each year we see many very good soccer players who, for one reason or another, we could not place on a NSC team. We understand that our tryout format may not suit the playing style for some players and may not highlight their key strengths. Our advice and counsel is to continue playing soccer in whatever format you can and let us see you again next year.
I heard that tryouts favor the offensive player rather than the defensive player? Is this true?
Any selection process is imperfect at best. However, the NSC program has certain ideals that it looks for when selecting players. The ability to receive a pass and make a pass within confined spaces is a skill applicable at any outfield position. We also look for players who know and understand how to move off the ball when not in possession. Positive communication to teammates is a desired trait for players as is a player’s ability to close space, shut down passing lanes and put in a solid tackle. While there are small goals set out on the tryout surface, we do not evaluate for finishing ability or scoring prowess into these goals. They exist simply to give the players a direction to move. The NSC program values these minimum skills sets and uses them as a baseline upon which to teach other offensive and defensive skills throughout the course of the season.
I heard that a player once got moved or “traded” to the other team? Is this possible?
Players can move between teams at the same age group and gender. Typically this happens when, through their development, a player moves from a development team onto one of the two balanced teams; however it can work in reverse as well. Player movement can also occur between balanced teams when it is deemed in the best interest of that player for development purposes. When this occurs, we strive to include the parent and players in the discussion though there is no guarantee that a player will return to the same team as last year regardless of their tryout evaluation ranking.
Questions or if you want more information
Contact Program Director Steve Ellis at nsc.program.steve@verizon.net
