Becker Youth Soccer Association
Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Q. What ages does this program serve?
A. 4 years through 12 years of age (through 6th grade).
Q. What nights do players play and where?
A. U6 players - Monday & Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30
U8 players - Monday & Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30
U10 players - Tuesday & Thursdays, 6:00 - 7:30
U12 girls *- Monday & Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30
U12 boys *- Tuesday & Thursdays, 6:00 - 7:30
* All U12s will play Tues July 21st & Thurs July 23rd from 6:00 - 8:30 on the first week of the season - SCSU Husky camp
All ages will play at the Becker Athletic Complex.
Q. What is the registration fee and are financial scholarships available?
A. The registration fee for 2009 will be $35. Also, parents will be expected to pay a $25 volunteer fee per child. This fee will be refunded upon completion of a volunteer activity. Financial assistance is available for those in need. For more details, e-mail the Board at beckeryouthsoccer@gmail.com
Q. Why doesn't this program compete against neighboring communities?
A. Most communities play soccer in the spring/early summer and/or in the fall, so they do not have a program running during the dates of our season. Due to a lack of field availability, Becker's soccer program must utilize green space when it is available... mid-July through late August. In the 2009 season, we are hoping to be able to schedule a couple games with neighboring communities toward the end of the season for some age groups. The Board of Directors is investigating expansion opporutunities for 2010 and beyond, when the new fields at the BAC will be available for soccer use.
Q. What will my child learn from this program?
A. Our goal is to create a healthy soccer environment that encourages skill development and team work, celebrates personal best and inspires an interest in the game of soccer. Our primary focus is to turn your children into better soccer players and great teammates.
Q. What will the activities be each evening?
A. We have a tentative plan for the season’s activities. During the first 4 sessions (2 weeks) of the season, team activities will focus exclusively on skill development. Your team will complete a series of exercises and drills designed to help them learn the fundamental skills needed to play soccer at their respective levels. During the next 5 sessions, your team will spend 30 minutes at the start of each evening doing warm up exercises and drills to prepare them for the game and continue to enhance their skill development. They will play an instructional game during the remaining time. The last evening of the season is reserved for the Jamboree. We will have games, food and prizes to celebrate the season. U10 & U12 schedules may differ slightly as they may play games against nearby towns. This may require traveling to the nearby town.
Q. What is expected of parents during the season?
A. Even if you are not a member of the coaching staff, you are expected to attend practice sessions and games to help encourage, monitor and care for your child, particularly at the younger ages. If coaches need a helping hand, please be willing to assist them with their needs. Also, feel free to bring your digital camera to catch some great action shots of the entire team. Pass those photos on to your team manager so that we can display them on your team webpage.
VOLUNTEERING
Q. I’d like to be a head coach or assistant coach, but I don’t know if I have the skills for the position. What are the requirements?
A. A coach’s primary responsibility is to create a healthy, positive and fun experience for our players. If you are good with kids, like to be active and have an interest in learning more about the sport of soccer, you’d be a great fit. If you don’t know much about soccer the BYSA will provide the support to help you be successful. You will receive a coach’s handbook filled with information about the games, rules and practice drill suggestions. We always hold a coaches’ meeting about 2 weeks prior to the season start at the Becker Community Center to pass out this information and to share the key aspects of successful coaching. Also, members of the varsity soccer teams will be on-site during the first two weeks of the season to lead drills and provide feedback to the players.
Q. What does a team manager do?
A. The primary role of a team manager is to relieve the head coach of team communication and administrative responsibilities. As a team manager you will ensure that your entire team receives communications, announcements, information and necessary forms in a timely fashion. You may be asked to send out e-mail communications to your team when necessary, update your team's webpage (don’t worry, we’ll show you how) with pictures and fun notes, and distribute / collect team forms.
Q. Why are we expected to volunteer or pay a $25 fee to opt out?
A. The BYSA (Becker Youth Soccer Association) is a non-profit organization that relies completely on volunteers to manage and run the program. Having a large base of volunteers helps to ensure that the program meets the needs of Becker soccer families and keeps the program costs low. We understand that volunteering isn’t for everyone so rather than bother those who can’t volunteer, we simply ask that you pay an extra $25 to help support those who are able to staff our needs.
Q. If I have more than 1 child in the program am I expected to volunteer for each child?
A. Yes. For example, if you have 3 children in the program, you will pay $75 in volunteer fees at the time of registration. After you sign up for and fulfill 3 volunteer activities, you will be reimbursed $75. If you sign up for and fulfill only 2 volunteer activities, you will be reimbursed $50.
Q. Is BYSA the only program to require volunteering or pay a fee?
A. No. Most Becker youth sports program have similar policies.
Q. When will my volunteer fee be returned?
A. Volunteer fees will be returned to those who fulfill the responsibilities they signed up for. Volunteer reimbursements will be distributed twice during the season. Once around mid-season for those who completed an early season volunteer activity and once at the end of the season. The Board will have a booth located at the Becker Athletic Complex Concession stand for check distribution. Dates: TBD.
Q. How do I sign up for a volunteer opportunity?
A. Either sign up on our website www.beckersoccer.org during on-line registration or sign up a Mass Registration. We will try to accomodate your first or second choice, but cannot guarantee it. If you have questions please e-mail beckeryouthsoccer@gmail.com.
Q. What do I do if I can’t make the volunteer activity that I signed up for?
A. First, either try to find another parent to switch places with you or contact your team manager and ask her/him to assist in finding a replacement for you. Have your replacement inform the coordinating Board member that he/she is filling in for you. Volunteer fees will be returned to the person who was originally signed up for the activity (you in this case). If you and your manager are unable to find a replacement, we ask that you simply forfeit your volunteer fee.
TEAMS
Q. I want my child to be on the same team as another child. Do you honor these requests?
A. We try to accomodate these requests, however, there are no guarantees. We will accommodate SIBLING REQUESTS to play on the same team.
Q. When will I know which team my child is on?
A. Team rosters should be finalized by early July. You should recieve a call from your coach prior to the season start.
SCHEDULE
Q. How do I know our team’s schedule?
A. Schedules will be finalized by early July. You will receive your schedule during the first week of practice from your team manager.
Q. How do I know where my child plays each night?
A. The team schedule will list the practice/game times as well as the field of play. (see “Team Schedule”). To locate a specific field check the “Map of Fields” provided on the website. Also, during the first week, look for volunteer greeters to help direct you to the appropriate field. Teams should be on the same fields for the first two weeks of the season.
Q. How and when will I find out if practice or a game is cancelled due to weather?
A. In order to speed communication of cancellations, the BYSA will post cancellations on the website www.beckersoccer.org and on its phone line 763-262-KICK. Cancellations will be posted / communicated by late in the afternoon of practice/game day. The coaching staff has not been asked to contact their teams regarding cancellations. It will be the parents’ responsibility to check for cancellations. As a general rule of thumb, cancellations are made only due to heavy rain or dangerous weather.
EQUIPMENT / ATTIRE
Q. What soccer attire/equipment is required for my child?
A. Your child must wear shin guards and tennis shoes, a standard BYSA reversible soccer jersey (last year’s jersey is fine), and tennis shoes. Soccer shoes are required for U12 players, but not for younger ages. Also, your child must bring a soccer ball each night. Finally, bring a water bottle filled with water. It often gets hot and your child will need plenty of water.
Q. How do I know which jersey size to order for my child?
A. See the manufacturer’s size chart below:
Youth Size Adult Size
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Youth Small =
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6-8
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Adult Small =
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standard
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Youth Medium =
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10-12
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Adult Medium =
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standard
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Youth Large =
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14-16
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Adult Large =
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standard
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Q. When will my child receive the jersey we ordered?
A. Jerseys will be available during the first week of the season. The Board of Directors and volunteers will have a station near the Becker Athletic Complex concession stand for parents to visit to pick up your correct jersey size on the first night of the season. Coaching staff will NOT be expected to distribute jerseys.
Q. I ordered the wrong jersey size for my child. Can I exchange it?
A. The BYSA purchases only the number of jerseys per size requested by parents during registration. For that reason, we are unable to exchange jerseys. If, after all jerseys have been distributed (which could be 2 weeks into the season), there are extra jerseys in inventory the BYSA Board may be willing to make an exchange. Contact your team manager to request an exchange.