Player Assessment FAQ

PLAYER ASSESSMENTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do we have assessments?
The purpose of assessments is for the club to determine the most appropriate
playing level of each athlete for the upcoming season. In doing so, to form
teams of players with as similar playing abilities as possible.
Assessments are not individualized performance assessments of technical
proficiency. Rather they represent an attempt to rank individual players relative
to the players around them for the purpose of team formation pertaining to
the upcoming season only.
Who should attend?
Any SFFC player aged U12-U18 who would like to play at the VIPL or Gold level
must attend the assessments to try out for the VIPL/Gold teams. Any players
who do not attend VIPL/Gold assessments will automatically be placed on a
Silver team. If there are sufficient players at any given age level to form both a
Silver and a Bronze team, players who wish to play Silver must attend an
assessment after which players will be placed on the appropriate team.
Why are they so early in the year?
Lower Island Soccer Association (LISA) asks for skeleton team rosters for VIPL
teams to be submitted by May 15th. As such, we feel it is best to do as much
team formation as early as possible.
Revised March 25, 2015
How does the process work?
Overseen by the Technical Committee, players are selected for teams based on
their previous Coaches’ assessment, the Technical Director’s assessment and
their performance at player assessments. Meetings will be held following the
assessments where the Technical Director and the Technical Committee will
review the numbers and makeup of each age group and level.
Why not just have the coaches from last year pick the teams?
There are a few reasons why this is not the best practice. There are always new
candidates for coaching positions to be looked at as well as a review process for
the previous Coach’s season.
Additionally, in some cases there are fewer teams at the next age bracket or
tiering that must be taken into consideration. Coaches are key role models for
our kids so the Technical Committee aims to ensure we are recommending the
best possible candidate.
How many players make the VIPL and Gold team?
For age groups that field 11 players, 14 players will initially be named to the
team. This will fulfill LISA and allow us to add players prior to the final roster
being submitted in October. Following that, the final number of players on a
given roster is dependent on the number of players in said age group.
The club is committed to the on-going player movement policy whereby players
are able to practice and play up.
When will the team be announced?
The goal is to name teams as soon as the minimum numbers have been
identified. That said, this will depend on a number of factors such as total
cohort enrollment (e.g. all U14 boys). As noted above, the club will endeavour
to name a minimum number of players to each team.
Revised March 25, 2015
When will the coaches be announced?
Coaches will be announced after the coaching interview, review and selection
process is complete. The ideal situation would be to name coaches and teams
at the same time. Exceptions may occur where coaches have not been able to
be identified or where team numbers are not able to form a team.
How will I find out what team my child is on?
The Technical Committee will post team selection lists on the website when
they have been formed.
For ages U12-U15, assigned player codes will be used.
For ages U16-U18, player names will be posted.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Contact the Technical Committee if you have questions.
Will we still have the “bubble”?
The Technical Committee has attempted to do away with the “bubble”
situation. Given the impact it has on players as well as the “Player
Development” policy, come September, players who do not make the higher
team’s final roster will have the opportunity to practice and play with the
higher level team.
My child was the best player as assessments, why aren’t they on the highest
level team?
Final player assessments take in account a number of factors including last
year’s performance, coaching evaluation, Technical Director review and the
neutral assessor’s evaluation. The intent is to ensure players are given the
opportunity to play at appropriate levels but also giving them the opportunity
to practice and play with the higher level teams if their skill level deems
suitable.
Revised March 25, 2015
Will there be an opportunity to “play up” to a higher level?
Yes. The club’s “Player Development” policy ensures that players who are
deemed ready, will be given the opportunity to practice once a week with the
higher level team, and based on a rotational basis, play games with the higher
level team.
Why don’t we have non-parent coaches?
This is an option should appropriate coaches not be identified. As SFFC is a
volunteer club, powered by volunteers, our first choice is a club member in
good standing – typically parent coaches are the first to volunteer at early ages.
The club puts significant resources into training and developing coaches who
understand and teach the current club philosophy and players traditionally
have been exposed to the coach for a number of years having a sense of
familiarity with them. The club also sees coaches as more than simply coaches,
but good role models, so a history with the club ensures we have better
knowledge of that individual than a non-parent coach.
Revised March 25, 2015