PARENT INFORMATION HANDBOOK – 2010 The Westfield Youth Soccer Association, (WYSA), was organized in 1981 to provide the youth of Westfield and surrounding communities the opportunity to learn and play the game of soccer, and to foster good sportsmanship and conduct among all participants, coaches, and spectators. The theme of the program has always been simple: INSTRUCTION and FUN! Sometimes, in the spirit of competition, there is a tendency to place more emphasis on winning. Those that organized the WYSA in its early years never had this in mind. Children who are planning to participate in soccer are expected to attend weekly practices and games. Please do not over extend your child by committing him/her in too many other activities. WYSA has been a model program for other communities to follow. Its ability to instill qualities such as self-esteem, confidence and good character in its players has always been a key to its success. Placing too much emphasis on winning jeopardizes the entire program's effectiveness. As the fall season approaches, the WYSA executive board encourages everyone to support the original goals of the organization. By doing so, everyone connected with the program will truly become winners! LATE REGISTRATION Please go to the Late Registration Page to fill out the Late Registration form. Print a copy of that form and mail a check for $60.000 and a copy of your child’s birth certificate if they didn’t play last year to WYSA. Refunds will be given for medical reasons or a player becoming a member of another soccer team if WYSA is notified before June 30, 2010. LOCATIONS Games are played at Westfield South Middle School, Westfield High School, and Stanley Park. PLEASE SEE PARKING MAP FOR PARKING AT STANLEY PARK. The JIM MOCCIO INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISION – Ages 6-8 The 6 and 7-8 year old divisions are instructional and recreational in nature. It is non-competitive. Scores and standings will not be kept. All games are played Saturday morning weather permitting. The 7-8 year old division allows for a slightly more competitive game, while not losing focus of the basic instructional aspects of the sport. However team standings will not be kept. Games will be played on Saturday (and Sunday if needed). For all instructional divisions - Your child will not be notified of his/her team placement in this division until the last week in August. PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISIONS Limited to: 6 year olds - Saturday mornings only 7 - 8 year olds - Pre-season - 2 or 3 per week, during season - 2 per week THE SEASON BEGINS: SEPTEMBER 11, 2010 THE SEASON ENDS: OCTOBER 24, 2009 (Unless cancellations occur) PRACTICES FOR 9-10, 11-12, AND 13-16 YEAR OLD PLAYERS It is WYSA policy that preseason sessions be limited to three (3) per week with a maximum of two (2) hours per session. Once the season begins, sessions are limited to two (2) per week, Monday through Friday with a maximum of two (2) hours per session. Saturday and Sunday are for games only. A session is defined as any practice, game or meeting. LENGTH OF GAMES 7-8 Division 10 minute quarters 9-10 Division 10 minute quarters 11-12 Division 12 minute quarters 13-16 Division 25 minute halves (Running Time) CANCELLATIONS Games canceled due to weather or for other reasons will be announced on our Web Site EQUIPMENT Complete uniforms must be worn. Complete is defined as shirts, shorts, socks, footwear, and shin guards. Shin guards must be completely covered at all times for the safety of all players. Acceptable footwear includes sneakers, turf shoes, or rubber cleats. No metal spikes are allowed. No jewelry, including earrings may be worn. No string bracelets are allowed. Medical alert tags are an exception and must be taped to the body. MOUTH GUARDS ARE RECOMMENDED BUT NOT MANDATORY. RULE VARIATIONS High School Federation Rules are used with WYSA amendments. No slide tackling No metal spikes Shin guards are mandatory in all divisions All players in Boys and Girls 9-10 and 11-12 divisions must play for one quarter each, on at least two (2) lines in every game. A line is defined as: 1. Fullback/goalie 2. Halfback 3. Forward A coach must try to divide the player’s time evenly between lines. Any exception must be brought up to the Division Coordinator and/or the opposing coach prior to each game. In all divisions, players must play a minimum of one half of each and every game they are eligible to play in. If a player does not play the minimum, the first infraction will result in disciplinary action to be determined by the Board. USE AND CARE OF FIELDS Coaches and all other personnel are advised that the use of the fields are a privilege and therefore proper care should be adhered to at all times. Everyone is reminded: NO LITTER IS TO BE LEFT BEHIND NO GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED ON FIELDS NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NO PARKING IN UNDESIGNATED AREAS NO WALKING OFF DESIGNATED WALKWAYS NO SMOKING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS NO DOGS ON WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS NO DOGS WITHIN FIVE (5) YARDS OF THE SOCCER FIELD DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASE IF NEAR A SOCCER FIELD LOST AND FOUND At Stanley Park - check at the guardhouse. All other locations, call your Coordinator. COACHES CLINIC There will be a Coaches Clinic in August. Coaches will be notified by a postcard sent by their Coordinator. After the clinic, coaches will begin contacting their players. W.Y.S.A. INSURANCE The W.Y.S.A. insurance program is designed to afford protection to all participants at the most economical cost to the local Association. It can be used to supplement other insurance carried under a family policy or provided by the parent's employer. If there is no other coverage, W.Y.S.A. insurance, which is purchased by the Association, not the parent, takes over and provides benefits for all covered injury treatment costs up to the maximum stated benefits. There is a deductible amount. Please see the Coordinator for further information. Please bring to the attention of your child’s/children’s coach any medical history such as asthma, adverse reaction to bee stings or any other condition. PARENTS COMMENTS The Executive Board of W.Y.S.A. would like to hear your comments, questions or concerns about the program. Please provide all information as it pertains to your situation and email to the WYSA website. The Public Relations Coordinator will forward you message to the proper coordinator. Your concerns will be addressed and you will be notified as to any action that might be warranted. AWARDS The W.Y.S.A. will provide winning teams with trophies and present them at the final game to the winning team. Neither the W.Y.S.A. nor the sponsors have any obligation to provide additional awards. The members of the W.Y.S.A. Executive Board would like to thank all the 2009 volunteer coaches and those of you who will help coach this season. We realize coaching is not easy and very time consuming. However, we do feel the benefits to our children far outweigh the sacrifices made.

PARENT INFORMATION HANDBOOK – 2010

The Westfield Youth Soccer Association, (WYSA), was organized in 1981 to provide the youth of Westfield and surrounding communities the opportunity to learn and play the game of soccer, and to foster good sportsmanship and conduct among all participants, coaches, and spectators. The theme of the program has always been simple: INSTRUCTION and FUN! Sometimes, in the spirit of competition, there is a tendency to place more emphasis on winning. Those that organized the WYSA in its early years never had this in mind.

Children who are planning to participate in soccer are expected to attend weekly practices and games. Please do not over extend your child by committing him/her in too many other activities. WYSA has been a model program for other communities to follow. Its ability to instill qualities such as self-esteem, confidence and good character in its players has always been a key to its success. Placing too much emphasis on winning jeopardizes the entire program's effectiveness.

As the fall season approaches, the WYSA executive board encourages everyone to support the original goals of the organization. By doing so, everyone connected with the program will truly become winners!

LATE REGISTRATION

Please go to the Late Registration Page to fill out the Late Registration form. Print a copy of that form and mail a check for $60.000 and a copy of your child’s birth certificate if they didn’t play last year to WYSA. Refunds will be given for medical reasons or a player becoming a member of another soccer team if WYSA is notified before June 30, 2010.

LOCATIONS

Games are played at Westfield South Middle School, Westfield High School, and Stanley Park. PLEASE SEE PARKING MAP FOR PARKING AT STANLEY PARK.

The JIM MOCCIO INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISION – Ages 6-8

The 6 and 7-8 year old divisions are instructional and recreational in nature. It is non-competitive. Scores and standings will not be kept. All games are played Saturday morning weather permitting.

The 7-8 year old division allows for a slightly more competitive game, while not losing focus of the basic instructional aspects of the sport. However team standings will not be kept. Games will be played on Saturday (and Sunday if needed).

For all instructional divisions - Your child will not be notified of his/her team placement in this division until the last week in August.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISIONS

Limited to:

6 year olds - Saturday mornings only

7 - 8 year olds - Pre-season - 2 or 3 per week, during season - 2 per week

THE SEASON BEGINS: SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

THE SEASON ENDS: OCTOBER 24, 2009 (Unless cancellations occur)

PRACTICES FOR 9-10, 11-12, AND 13-16 YEAR OLD PLAYERS

It is WYSA policy that preseason sessions be limited to three (3) per week with a maximum of two (2) hours per session. Once the season begins, sessions are limited to two (2) per week, Monday through Friday with a maximum of two (2) hours per session. Saturday and Sunday are for games only. A session is defined as any practice, game or meeting.

LENGTH OF GAMES

7-8 Division10 minute quarters

9-10 Division 10 minute quarters

11-12 Division12 minute quarters

13-16 Division25 minute halves (Running Time)

CANCELLATIONS

Games canceled due to weather or for other reasons will be announced on our Web Site

EQUIPMENT

Complete uniforms must be worn. Complete is defined as shirts, shorts, socks, footwear, and shin guards. Shin guards must be completely covered at all times for the safety of all players. Acceptable footwear includes sneakers, turf shoes, or rubber cleats. No metal spikes are allowed. No jewelry, including earrings may be worn. No string bracelets are allowed. Medical alert tags are an exception and must be taped to the body. MOUTH GUARDS ARE RECOMMENDED BUT NOT MANDATORY.

RULE VARIATIONS

High School Federation Rules are used with WYSA amendments.

No slide tackling

No metal spikes

Shin guards are mandatory in all divisions

All players in Boys and Girls 9-10 and 11-12 divisions must play for one quarter each, on at least two (2) lines in every game. A line is defined as:

1. Fullback/goalie

2. Halfback

3. Forward

A coach must try to divide the player’s time evenly between lines. Any exception must be brought up to the Division Coordinator and/or the opposing coach prior to each game.

In all divisions, players must play a minimum of one half of each and every game they are eligible to play in. If a player does not play the minimum, the first infraction will result in disciplinary action to be determined by the Board.

USE AND CARE OF FIELDS

Coaches and all other personnel are advised that the use of the fields are a privilege and therefore proper care should be adhered to at all times. Everyone is reminded:

NO LITTER IS TO BE LEFT BEHIND

NO GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED ON FIELDS

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

NO PARKING IN UNDESIGNATED AREAS

NO WALKING OFF DESIGNATED WALKWAYS

NO SMOKING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

NO DOGS ON WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS

NO DOGS WITHIN FIVE (5) YARDS OF THE SOCCER FIELD

DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASE IF NEAR A SOCCER FIELD

LOST AND FOUND

At Stanley Park - check at the guardhouse. All other locations, call your Coordinator.

COACHES CLINIC

There will be a Coaches Clinic in August. Coaches will be notified by a postcard sent by their Coordinator. After the clinic, coaches will begin contacting their players.

W.Y.S.A. INSURANCE

The W.Y.S.A. insurance program is designed to afford protection to all participants at the most economical cost to the local Association. It can be used to supplement other insurance carried under a family policy or provided by the parent's employer. If there is no other coverage, W.Y.S.A. insurance, which is purchased by the Association, not the parent, takes over and provides benefits for all covered injury treatment costs up to the maximum stated benefits. There is a deductible amount. Please see the Coordinator for further information. Please bring to the attention of your child’s/children’s coach any medical history such as asthma, adverse reaction to bee stings or any other condition.

PARENTS COMMENTS

The Executive Board of W.Y.S.A. would like to hear your comments, questions or concerns about the program. Please provide all information as it pertains to your situation and email to the WYSA website. The Public Relations Coordinator will forward you message to the proper coordinator. Your concerns will be addressed and you will be notified as to any action that might be warranted.

AWARDS

The W.Y.S.A. will provide winning teams with trophies and present them at the final game to the winning team. Neither the W.Y.S.A. nor the sponsors have any obligation to provide additional awards.

The members of the W.Y.S.A. Executive Board would like to thank all the 2009 volunteer coaches and those of you who will help coach this season. We realize coaching is not easy and very time consuming. However, we do feel the benefits to our children far outweigh the sacrifices made.

This page was last updated on April 13, 2010