What is select soccer?

The select soccer program gives training to qualified players and assists them in progressing to play at the highest levels of play available. Both high school and college teams are mainly comprised of players who have demonstrated their ability through the select programs.

What is a select team?

A FC Shoreline Select team is comprised of up to 18 players who have been chosen in open tryouts. They are players whose skill and dedication are at a level more competitive than may be available to them through club recreational teams.

How Can You Tell You Are A Candidate For A Select Team

1. You probably want to play more soccer than some of your friends
2. You like to learn new things
3. You find you are more skilled than some of your teammates/friends
4. You enjoy the game more when you play with more competitive and skilled players

Reasons Why A FC Shoreline Select Team May Be What You Are Looking For

Coaching:
Coaches are chosen each year by the FC Shoreline Committee Members in January after receipt by the Board of the coach's application and scheduled Committee interview. These coaches are dedicated and enthusiastic about teaching individual skills, group tactics and teamwork. It is recommended that they hold minimum State Coaching Licenses and are encouraged to continue improving their coaching skills by advancing to the next license level. This elevated level of coaching provides the opportunity for the players to receive the quantity and quality of instruction needed during practice sessions that are both fun and well organized. Coaches are monitored and assessed on a regular basis and are offered help and opportunities for their continued growth in the sport.

Longer Playing Season:
The select soccer season is composed of:

1. Tryouts in March
2. Possible preparations for and play in the League Placement Tournament during the first 2 to 3 weekends of June (U14 and above only)
3. Optional preparations and play in summer tournaments
4. 14 week playing season (September-December)
5. Possible participation in State Cup tournaments played January to March. Most FC Shoreline teams elect to participate in the State Cup tournaments.

Travel:
Playing at this level provides many opportunities for players to compete with teams from across the state as well as in tournaments in other states and British Columbia. League play is normally confined to Western Washington, but there are those occasions when a team will travel to Eastern Washington (normally only at the Washington State Youth League level.)

Competition:
As a member of a FC Shoreline Select team you will be playing alongside your skilled teammates against equally capable teams from around the state. In doing so you will see your own skills and tactical ability improve with each game. As your playing ability grows, you will find increased enjoyment and enthusiasm for the game.

General Tryout Information

Which Age Group Can I Attend?
Your age on July 31st of the current year must be less than the team you are trying out for. (i.e., a player 12 years of age on July 31st of that year will try out for U13.)

Age Groupings for 2007/2008 Season:

U-11	Born on or after 8/1/96
U-12	Born 8/1/95 - 7/31/96
U-13	Born 8/1/94 - 7/31/95
U-14	Born 8/1/93 - 7/31/94
U-15	Born 8/1/92 - 7/31/93
U-16	Born 8/1/91 - 7/31/92
U-17	Born 8/1/90 - 7/31/91
U-18	Born 8/1/89 - 7/31/90
U-19	Born 8/1/88 - 7/31/89

What Happens At Tryouts?
The first day you will be assigned a distinctive jersey which you will wear during each tryout session. Evaluators consist of independent qualified people from the soccer community. All players will participate in the same drills, small-sided games and full field scrimmages. In this way each player will be seen by all the tryout judges a number of times. The tryouts are conducted to be as fair and impartial to all players as possible. Selection is to be based on the performances at the tryout sessions.

What Else Should I Know About Tryouts?
Every attempt is made for the tryout schedule to be mailed to all age appropriate players registered in SYSA the season prior. Notification is also advertised in the local newspapers. The registration form must be signed by a parent/guardian before the player can participate in any tryout. Please arrive early enough to sign-in, get a jersey assigned and warm-up before the tryout start time. Please come prepared to play soccer. That means bring clothes, soccer shoes and required shin guards. Dress appropriately for the weather and have something warm to put on during breaks in play.

There will be two (2) scheduled tryout sessions (additional sessions may be added depending on numbers). At the beginning of the tryout session the coach and evaluators will be introduced. The activities of the day's session will be explained and any questions, from either players or parents, will be answered at that time. You should attend every tryout session listed, the first session being of extreme importance. It is in the player's best interest to attend all scheduled sessions. Parents will have an opportunity to speak with FC Shoreline Committee members during tryouts.

Player and Parent Committment

FC Shoreline Select teams require a higher level of financial support and time commitment on the part of the coaches, players and parents than do recreational soccer teams. Following is a brief outline of what a parent and player can expect by participation on a select team:

1. Typically, teams begin practicing in late April/early May in preparation for pre-season summer tournaments.
2. Tournaments are held in various locations throughout the state from early May through Labor Day and a team generally participates in at least three tournaments prior to the season and one of the State Cup tournaments at the end of the season.
3. The location and number of tournaments varies with teams, depending on what the coach and parents decide. While many tournaments are local, teams typically enter at least one tournament requiring overnight travel.
4. The select soccer season runs from early September to mid-December, with the potential of participation in the Championship Cup or Commissioner's Cup tournaments extending the season to early March of the following year.
5. Season play generally involves teams from Renton to Bellingham, including some of the Olympic Peninsula, but may involve a team from anywhere in Western Washington and, on rare occasions, from Eastern Washington. Select teams are self-supporting. While some or all of the team costs can be covered by sponsors, the cost per player (in addition to the FC Shoreline league registration fee) could run approximately $500.00 to cover such things as uniforms, team equipment and tournament entry fees. Actual costs will be determined by the coach and parents at the initial team meeting.

Special Note to Players and Parents

When your son/daughter began playing soccer a few years ago, it was probably on a neighborhood recreational team where everyone had about the same ability. But everyone improves at a different pace. FC Shoreline Select program exists for the purpose of helping players develop their individual and collective abilities. It is the firm belief of all of the Hillwood & Shorelake Soccer Clubs that every player should give themselves the opportunity to test those abilities.