Appendix XI
The Evaluation Process For Age/Gender Groups Which Include a Premier Team
- The aims of the evaluation process are:
- Place players at a level consistent with their ability and performance.
- Keep players and parents informed about the evaluation process.
- Allow fair evaluations with the minimum amount of evaluation periods, in order to allow team formation by required dates, and to minimize expenses associated with floor time.
- Complete evaluations in a consistent manner from year to year, and from group to group, while simplifying the process for Evaluation Coordinators.
- One or more persons will chair the Evaluation Coordinator Committee each season. This Chairperson(s) would:
- Not be a member of the Player Placement or Coach Recruitment/Selection Committees.
- Ensure timely selection of Evaluation Coordinators for each age group and gender.
- Arrange a meeting of the Evaluation Coordinators, the Technical Director and the Registrar to review the evaluation process.
- Provide the Coordinators with a written explanation of the evaluation process and summary of previous evaluations by coaches, and a list of previous two season's coaches for that group (available from Registrar).
- Arrange for the Technical Coordinator (or designate) to explain the evaluation process at this meeting.
- Act as liaison between the Evaluation Coordinators and the Board.
- Accept questions and concerns from Coordinators and refer them to the Board.
- Send out thank-yous to Evaluation Coordinators and Evaluators at the end of the process.
- The player placement committee will pre-place players in groups 3, 2T, 2, 1T, and 1 prior to registration, based on the following criteria:
- For outdoor season, for all players
- 3 - played 3, and prior evaluations recommend 3.
- 2T - played 3 and prior evaluations recommend 2; or played 2 and prior evaluations recommend 3; or if no info available about player, or player is U10 registering in U12 and has not previously played for Aurora.
- 2 - played 2 and prior evaluations recommend 2.
- 1T - played 2 and prior evaluations recommend 1; or played 1 and prior evaluations recommend 2
- 1 - played 1 and prior evaluations recommend 1. Player may be moved to group 1T at registration if they are not willing to play in the Premier League.
- For indoor season, for senior players, placement criteria to be the same as for outdoor season. Player Placement Committee to ensure that groups 1T, and 2 are not so large that there is little space in Division 1 and 2 for junior players.
- For indoor season, for junior players:
- 3 - played 3 or played 2 and prior evaluations recommend 3.
- 2T - played 2 and prior evaluations recommend 2, or played 1 and prior evaluations recommend 2, or player is U10 registering in U12 and has not previously played for Aurora.
- 2 - none.
- 1T - played 1 and prior evaluations recommend 1
- For U12 junior players only, preliminary placement in Groups 3, 2T and 1T may be determined by a mass evaluation conducted outdoors. All U10 players registering in U12 and who have not previously played for Aurora shall be placed in Group 2T.
- Committee is required to exercise and use judgement for all placements. For example, if there is no prior Aurora evaluation available, but a player has previously played at a high skill level in another zone, province, etc, the committee can place that player in Group 2 or 1T.
- For outdoor season, for all players
- The specific duties of the Evaluation Coordinator are included in the explanation of the evaluation process. The general duties of the Evaluation Coordinator are as follows:
- Ensure that every player gets a fair evaluation of his/her ability and performance, within the constraints of facility availability and team draft deadlines.
- Ensure parents and players are kept informed about the evaluation process, and answer any questions regarding evaluations.
- Ensure facilities are in safe playing condition, and equipment is available and set up.
- Coordinate and organize evaluators, equipment, facilities, and players.
- The evaluation process, and further Evaluation Coordinator duties, are as follows, in chronological order
- Evaluation Coordinators Meeting:
- Reserve evaluation times as required with the Facilities Coordinator. Ensure enough evaluation times are available so that borderline players are not placed after only a single evaluation. Ensure that sufficient time is left between evaluations to allow phone calls to players as required.
- Arrange for equipment with Equipment Coordinator.
- Receive complete playing history and evaluation summaries for all potential players in their age/gender group. Evaluation Coordinator to check work of placement committee.
- Prepare tentative schedule for complete evaluation process, based on anticipated registrations. Ensure schedule allows some flexibility, especially with group 2T.
- Prepare handouts for each group (3, 2T, 2, 1T, 1), as attached, specifying each players initial evaluation time. Include a complete listing of evaluation times for all groups listed, in order that players (and parents) can forecast when subsequent evaluation times may be. Consideration should be given to not scheduling groups 1, 1T, and 2, until after 2T evaluations are complete.
- Registration nights:
- Give players a handout sheet, with their initial evaluation time listed and highlighted (example attached).
- For group 3, ensure that players understand that if they accept this placement, they will be playing Div 3, and that they have the option to be evaluated with group 2T. Players who accept Division 3 have only 24 hours to revise their decision.
- If multiple initial evaluation times are required for 2T, because of high numbers, ensure that players are randomly distributed between groups.
- Ensure every player registering is checked off the master list of potential players (provided by Registrar) as they register. Record initial evaluation time given to player, in order to generate player lists for evaluators.
- Players placed in Group 3 may choose to challenge their placement, and try out at a higher level. If so, they must be placed in Group 2T.
- Players may choose to play at a lower level than their placement, but no player placed in Group 1T or 1 may choose to play in Division 3.
- Ask every player registering in groups 2, 1T, and 1 whether they would be willing to play in the Premier Youth Soccer League, if selected to that team. If a player in group 1 is not willing to play in Premier, they must be moved to group 1T.
- Arrange to have every player who has not registered contacted, and reminded about registration, as early as possible. Late registrants are a big problem both for the Registrar, and for evaluations.
- Contact every player in groups 2, 1T, and 1, who could not respond at registration, to determine whether they would be willing to play in the Saskatchewan Premier Youth Soccer League, if selected to that team.
- If there are insufficient numbers willing to play SPYSL to form a team, immediately contact the Evaluation Chair to have the Team Formation/Player Placement Committee determine if the SPYSL team should be folded, or try to obtain additional players from other zones through the SYSI Excess Player Placement Committee. If the SPYSL team is folded, revise the initial placement of all group 1 players to group 1T. Continue the evaluation process using the evaluation procedures for Age/Gender groups without a Premier team. Contact each player interested in SPYSL to determine if they wish to try out for other zones, and bring the names of these players to the attention of the Evaluation Chair and the Registrar.
- If there are sufficient players willing to play in SPYSL, ensure that a tryout is held for these players before the SYSI Excess Player Placement Committee meeting, in order that the evaluators can determine if Aurora wants excess players from other zones to try out for our Premier team.
- Define number of teams, and preliminary placement by division, in conjunction with Player Placement Committee, for recommendation to Board.
- Initial indoor evaluations may be conducted outdoors, but all other indoor evaluations must be conducted indoors. Initial outdoor evaluations may be conducted indoors as necessitated by field conditions, but the preference is to run evaluations outdoors for the outdoor season.
- Evaluations begin with 2T, and proceed through every subsequent group to 1, with a scrimmage for group 3 after evaluations are complete. For ages with smaller registrations, groups can be combined as required in order to have reasonable numbers of players at evaluations.
- Evaluators shall be selected as follows:
- should have a sound technical knowledge of the game.
- must include the coaches, should include assistant coaches, and should include coaches from previous year, if insufficient evaluators are available, or if coaches are not familiar with players.
- should also include other technically competent people.
- must include a minimum of three evaluators at each session (preferred ratio: one evaluator for every 10 players).
- Parents shall not participate on the floor/field when their child is being evaluated unless listed as a potential coach by the Coach Selection and Recruitment Committee.
- Evaluation Coordinators to provide evaluators with evaluation sheets showing both names and numbers of players before evaluation begins.
- Evaluation Coordinators to ensure evaluators understand that evaluations must be completed without input from other evaluators, and without discussion on the floor regarding the players. All discussion of players' merits to be restricted to post-evaluation meeting.
- Evaluation Coordinator can run drills for the evaluation sessions, or arrange for someone else to run the drills. This person must not be a parent of a child participating in the evaluation, or an evaluator.
- Evaluations are to consist of:
- Individual skill testing, as part of warm-up activities (passing, trapping, shooting, dribbling, heading, speed, endurance, etc). This section of the evaluation should generally be at most 1/4 to 1/3 of the evaluation period.
- Game situations, either small sided, or full field (indoor only). Eleven a side games should be avoided - use 5 or 7 a side games.
- Evaluation Coordinator must not determine player placement only from evaluators' written evaluations. Evaluators must meet with Evaluation Coordinator immediately after each evaluation, to determine which players are to be cut or promoted. Evaluators are not able to write all of their impressions about a player on the form provided, and coaches familiar with the players are able to defend a poor evaluation player, or spot an 'evaluation all-star', and can only provide this information in a meeting. As well, this meeting provides the best forum to incorporate past coach comments and playing history into the evaluation process. Parents who are evaluators will not provide input on their own children, unless requested by Evaluation Coordinator, and should leave the meeting room while their child is being discussed. Evaluation Coordinator shall refer to and utilize playing history and previous coach evaluations to influence and validate player placement, keeping detailed information in confidence. Any decision shall be reached by a simple majority of Evaluators and Evaluation Coordinator. If players are equivalent, preference shall be given to the senior player.
- U12 junior players, who have not had previous Aurora evaluations, may have preliminary placement determined by a mass evaluation, run either outdoor (preferred) or indoor, as follows:
- Multiple fields of play set up, for 4v4 play. End result of evaluation should have strongest players on field 1, weakest players on last field.
- Players to be moved to a field approximately equivalent to their ability at the discretion of the evaluators.
- Before conclusion of evaluation, get consensus from evaluators regarding player placement in groups 1T, 2, 2T and 3.
- Evaluation Coordinator to call each player placed in group 3, to determine if the player is satisfied to play in Division 3. If not, that player should be placed in group 2T.
- Group 2T:
- At first 2T evaluations, cut obvious Division 3 players. Cut only enough players so that Div 3 roster is 2/3 complete, or less. Ensure playing history and coach comments support these cuts. Evaluation for these players is complete after one evaluation.
- 2T group will likely require multiple initial evaluation times, because of high numbers.
- At first 2T evaluations, cull obvious candidates for evaluation with group 2 players, or even to be evaluated with group 1T. This should be a very small group.
- If remaining 2T's can be accommodated at a single evaluation time, make final cuts to Div 3 at second evaluation. Review coach comments carefully during meeting with evaluators. Final cuts to Div 3 should only be made after evaluating remaining 2T's together.
- If only a small number of 2T's are remaining for second evaluation, evaluate them with Group 2.
- When making cuts to Division 3, Evaluation Coordinator must review playing history and coach comments carefully. If a player is being placed in Div 3, and this is inconsistent with his/her playing history and coach comments, further evaluation may be required. Evaluation Coordinator should contact the player or parents to determine if there is illness, or some other reason for poor performance.
- Ask all 2T's placed in Div 3 to the Div 3 scrimmage (see below).
- Group 2:
- For group 2 players, this is the coaches' only opportunity to review the players before the draft. Typically, Group 2 players may only be required to come to evaluations once.
- Ensure any players who have been promoted from Group 2T are included in a single evaluation period, in order to make final cuts to Div 3.
- Ensure that group 1T plus group 1 is sufficiently large to have competitive tryouts for both Division 1 and Premier.
- Group 1T:
- Make final cuts to Division 2. Avoid making cuts based on a single evaluation period.
- Before cutting a player who has expressed interest in playing Premier League from group 1T to 2, ensure that there are at least enough players remaining in group 1T and 1 who are willing to play Premier, to make a full roster for Premier, in conjunction with any players from other zones who may be trying out for our Premier team.
- If there are players from other zones who wish to try out for the Aurora Premier team, they should first be evaluated with group 1T.
- The Premier coach is not permitted to participate in the selections of Group 1. He/she may request that the evaluators include a particular player from Group 1T.
- Group 1 (Premier tryout roster):
- Evaluation Coordinator must provide Premier coach with a tryout roster of Final roster plus 5 players (i.e. approximately 20 players). This Premier tryout roster (i.e. Group 1) may be expanded by up to another 5 players if there are any potential Premier players who are excluded from the smaller number.
- Evaluation Coordinator to provide Premier coach with multiple tryout times to conduct final Premier tryouts.
- Premier coaches to manage complete Premier evaluation process.
- All decisions regarding Premier placement are to be by the Premier coaches, after the Evaluation Coordinator provides the final Div 1 tryout roster.
- The Evaluation Coordinator must provide written guidelines to the Premier coach regarding Premier selection criteria and procedures (see attached letter to Premier coaches).
- The Premier roster must be approved by the Player Placement Committee before the roster is considered final. Since the Evaluation Coordinator is part of this committee, he/she should ensure they have direct knowledge of the progress of the evaluations.
- Immediately after Premier selections are confirmed by Player Placement, the Evaluation Coordinator must contact each player from the final Premier tryout roster to provide results. Refer any questions relating to selection criteria to the Premier coach.
- Group 3:
- No evaluations required. Players to be asked to a post-evaluation scrimmage, in order for the coaches to review players before making draft choices.
- Late registrants are to be placed by the Registrar and Evaluation Coordinator based on information available.
- Evaluation Coordinators Meeting:
- After completion of the evaluation process, including tentative selection of the Premier roster, the Player Placement committee must approve player placement prior to draft. The player lists can be approved in stages as each division player list is completed, in order to expedite drafts and team formation.
- Evaluation Coordinator to organize draft meetings as soon as final player lists are available from Registrar (see Section 4.3 Team Formation). Ensure all coaches contact their teams immediately following the draft.
All Aurora Premier coaches
Re: Selection of the Premier team roster.
Welcome to all new and old Aurora coaches. We would like to extend our thanks for agreeing to take on the responsibility of promoting the development of the elite players in the Zone 3. Aurora has an impressive track record of producing high calibre soccer athletes, and this is due in no small part to the efforts and dedication of our coaches.
Aurora Soccer is governed by its Constitution, Bylaws, and by its Policies & Procedures Manual, which has been developed to promote the smooth and fair operation of all aspects of the Club. As Aurora has particular expectations of Division 1 coaches, this letter is to ensure that you are familiar with the Division 1 team selection process, and with the criteria which you may use to select that roster, all as outlined in the Policies & Procedures Manual. In particular, please review Section 4.1.1 Division 1, as follows:
4.1.1 Division 1
a) Division 1 teams shall be formed by selecting highly skilled players possessing the best combination of soccer skills, including ball handling, passing, trapping, shooting, and athletic ability (speed and endurance).
b) These players shall also possess superior team skills, including work ethic, commitment, and positive attitude towards peers, coaches and parents.
c) If, in the opinion of the impartial evaluators, players are of comparable calibre, then preference shall be given to the senior players.
As well, Division 1 players are required to complete a commitment form (available from the Evaluation Coordinator).
Please note that the selection of the team roster is entirely under your control, after the Evaluation Coordinator has provided you with a try-out roster of 5 to 10 players over the final roster. As well, the Player Placement Committee will review your roster, and you may be requested to provide input on the selections you have made. If the Player Placement Committee cannot agree with your roster, they may ask for further evaluations, with the involvement of other evaluators, or they may refer the issue to the Board for final approval. If you have any questions regarding the evaluation/selection process, please feel free to call the Evaluation Coordinator, or the Evaluation Chair.
In closing, we would like to thank you again for accepting this demanding responsibility, and hope that you have an enjoyable, successful season with the Aurora Soccer Club.
Sincerely
The Board of Directors of the Aurora Soccer Club.
Please note that all references to Division 1 in this letter applies to the Premier League team.
AURORA SOCCER CLUB
U14 Boys
Tiering
Youth soccer in Saskatoon is divided into three divisions in each age group - Divisions 1, 2, and 3. Generally, the highest level of skilled competition occurs in Division 1, but teams in all divisions play the same number of games. The objective of the tiering process is to ensure that players are placed on teams with others of similar skill level, who will then play games against similarly skilled opposition.
Some U14 and U16 groups will include a Premier League team in 2003. An information bulletin was included in the latest Aurora newsletter, and is on the Aurora Soccer website. For further information, please contact the evaluation coordinator.
Evaluations
Players are evaluated several times during their association with the Aurora Soccer Club. At the beginning of each season, they are asked to participate in an evaluation process. Additionally, coaches are required to provide evaluations of all the players on his/her team.
ASC utilizes each player's placement history and coach's comments and recommendations to make initial placements of players into Evaluation groups 3, 2T, 2, 1T, and 1. These tentative placements help make the evaluation process fairer by enabling evaluators to view players in action with others of similar abilities. Tentative placement does not determine final placement. A written explanation of the evaluation process is available at registration night, and is also available from the evaluation coordinator, listed below. After each evaluation session, evaluators are required to come to a consensus of placement of each player, with consideration given to playing history and previous coach evaluations. Evaluators are not allowed to provide input into the placement of their own child.
ASC has an initial evaluation time for you based on tentative placement (evaluation times may not be scheduled yet for groups 2 and 1T - if so you will be contacted by phone). You may be asked to further evaluations, or may be placed in a division based on a combination of playing history, previous coach recommendations, and evaluation results. You may be placed in a division after as little as one evaluation session, so please ensure that you are ready to play. Let the evaluation coordinator know at the evaluation if there is a valid reason for poor performance (i.e. injury, illness, etc)
All currently known evaluation times have been listed below for your information. The evaluation coordinator may be required to add or delete times, in response to the number of players registering, or may revise the player groups who are being evaluated. Drafting of teams occurs after the completion of evaluations, and the coach will contact you after completion of the draft.
If you choose not to come at your assigned evaluation time, we will have no choice but to place you in a division based on incomplete information. Please let the Evaluation Coordinator know as soon as possible if you are unable to come at the assigned time - there may be other times available, but these will be assigned on first come-first served basis.
Your initial evaluation session is on Saturday, Sept 22, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., at the Saskatoon Soccer Centre, Field 3. Ensure you arrive 15 minutes early, dressed to play soccer, and equipped with shin pads and indoor shoes. If you have any questions, please contact the Evaluation Coordinator, John Smith, at 123-4567. You will be contacted by phone if further evaluations are required.
| Evaluation times | Division / Evaluation Group |
|---|---|
| Mon Sept 10, 6-7 p.m., Nutana Collegiate | 2T |
| Tues Sept 11, 6-7 p.m., Nutana Collegiate | 2T |
| Tues Sept 18, 6-7 p.m., Soccer Centre, Field 4 | 2 |
| Thur Sept 20, 8-9 p.m., Soccer Centre, Field 4 | 1T |
| Sat Sep 22, 12-1:30 p.m., Soccer Centre, Field 3 | 1 |
| Sat Sep 22, 12-1:30 p.m., Soccer Centre, Field 4 | 3 (scrimmage) |