2024-2025 TRYOUT registration IS open

DATE: JUNE 08, 2024

PORTAGE SOCCER COMPLEX, 4422 BISHOP AVENUE, PORTAGE, MI 49002

Tryout Details and Policies

Tryouts for PSC teams are held to identify players who have the aptitude to play soccer at a variety of competitive levels. The PSC director of coaching will be responsible for establishing the criteria to be evaluated at tryouts.  Prior to tryouts, the director of coaching will hold a mandatory meeting for all coaches to review the criteria to be evaluated at tryouts.  The criteria will include but not be limited to: a series of skills tests wherein players are evaluated on their soccer skills (i.e. pass, dribble, shoot, and ball control) and tactical exercises (small-sided games).  Goalkeepers are evaluated by different skill criteria than field players.

Tryout results will be strictly confidential.

All players are required to try out for their appropriate team based on BIRTH YEAR and GENDER. 

Parents are not allowed on the soccer fields during tryouts unless they are officially assisting in recording tryout data.  Parents may not record data for teams their own child participates in.

 

TRYING OUT FOR AN ADVANCED AGE DIVISION OR DIFFERENT GENDER

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All Players are required to try out with their AGE and GENDER appropriate team.  As in the past, based on player ability and team need, a player may request to try out for an older age group or different gender (girls to boys only).  However, “playing up” or “playing with another gender” is a RARE exception and will be considered by PSC DOCs on an individual basis.  DOCs will consult with affected coaches and consider the player’s development as the club’s first priority.

Players who wish to try out for an older age group or different gender must:

  • Request approval from the DOCs prior to tryouts.

  • Players must register for their age/gender appropriate team.

  • Players are advised to attend tryouts for the age-appropriate age group in case they aren’t selected for the advanced age team or different gender. The DOCs will advise players ahead of time if they will be allowed to attend a different age or gender group.


NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

In MANY cases the team will be announced immediately following the tryout. In ALL cases players will be notified of the result of their tryout no later than  9:00pm on tryout day.

When a player for a Select or Elite team is offered a position, they will be asked to accept or decline the position by email no later than 24 hours following notification of the tryout result.  

When a player for a Premier is offered a position, they will be asked to accept or decline the position on the same day. 

Selected players and their families are expected to attend the PSC Annual Club-Wide Meeting in the latter part of June (date/time and location will be announced no later than June 1 of each year).

Club fees for each player will be due at this meeting.  Families unable to attend will be responsible for completing their PSC registration and paying the player fees through their PSC team manager or coach prior to the late-June meeting.

Players who try out and will be attending high school for the succeeding fall will be notified of the result of his/her tryout following annual tryouts.

 

PSC COMMITMENT

The Fall Season typically runs from mid- or late-August to the end of October. The Spring Season typically runs from mid April to mid- or late-June. Teams typically practice twice a week. Teams typically play an average of eight (8) regular league games each season on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Half of the games are played away and home games are played at the Portage Soccer Complex. Teams also usually play two or three tournaments per year, which may include Memorial Day, Labor Day, and/or Halloween. All teams are also required to play in two tournaments hosted by PSC.

PSC offers a variety of off season soccer activities ranging from comprehensive playing and training programs to lower commitment indoor soccer league participation. These activities vary by team and playing level and are strictly voluntary. The club is conscious of burn out and repetitive action injury and encourages its members to enjoy other extracurricular activities and different sports in the off season. By committing to play on a PSC team, the player's family is committing to pay the required fees and volunteer eight to ten hours per year (i.e. concession stand, tournament, spring and fall clean up at the complex, and many other opportunities).

 

CODE OF ETHICS

PSC sponsors youth soccer activity with the goal of providing our children an opportunity to develop into well-rounded athletes and productive, respected members of society through team play, sportsmanship, top competition, and hard work. Our mission is to provide them the opportunity to play soccer at the highest level commensurate with their individual ability, potential, and interest. An emphasis on fair play and respect for all participants is a primary element of our club’s mission. To better achieve this mission, we provide the following Code of Ethics for all PSC players, parents, spectators, volunteers and coaches.

 

SELECTION OF COACHES

The PSC Director of Coaches is responsible for the selection of coaches, subject to approval of the PSC Board of Directors. Coach selections for the PSC will be based on demonstrated soccer coaching ability, experience, licensing and the ability to instruct. Coaches are required to have the appropriate license for the age group and level that they will be coaching. For the U-9 to U-12 age groups this shall be a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) class E license, its equivalent or above. For the U-13 and above age groups this shall be a USSF class D license, its equivalent or above. Coaches without a license are allowed one year (fall and spring seasons) to obtain a license.

 

FORMATION OF TEAMS

PSC offers boys and girls, ages seven to nineteen the opportunity to train and play for our academy program and competitive teams. The Academy Program allows boys and girls ages seven and eight to train and experience game play in Jamborees.

Typically at the younger ages (non-academy ages) teams may be formed to balance the development of player skills. The makeup of these teams will be determined by the Soccer Club to maximize development of all youth selected for all teams. When more than one team is formed in a particular age group, players will be divided into two or even three teams. The "A" teams will be formed with those who are better prepared to compete physically, mentally and in terms of skill development. The "B and or C" teams shall be formed out of the remaining players and shall be a developmental team. If there are insufficient players at some ages, age groups may be combined to form a team. Placement of those teams will be governed by WMYSA rules.

Any appeals to the team formation process must be submitted to the entire PSC board in writing. 

 

PORTAGE SOCCER CLUB FEES

The fees for PSC players are determined annually by the Board and are posted on the Club Fees Payment Page.

The preceding policy was modified and approved at the May 1, 2022 PSC Board of Directors meeting.