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Charlestown Youth Soccer Association

Charlestown Youth Soccer Association

Travel Team Placement Process Explained

Welcome to Charlestown Travel Soccer! We are committed to placing every player who registers on a team. Our placement process is designed to create developmentally appropriate teams that compete against others of similar ability within the Middlesex Youth Soccer League.

1. The Core Philosophy : No Tryouts, No Cuts—Just Placement

We emphasize that this is a placement process, not a tryout. Every player who registers for Charlestown Travel Soccer will be assigned to a team. The goal is to establish team rosters of comparably skilled players so that each group can develop effectively and compete successfully within their division.

Age Grouping

Charlestown competes in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League, which groups players primarily based on grade level. Players are expected to play within their assigned age group to ensure the best peer experience.

  • Playing Up: Playing in a higher age group will be considered only in situations where the higher group team would otherwise not have enough players. These decisions are made by the coaches and the CYSA Board.

2. The Evaluation Process

We use a two-pronged evaluation system to ensure accurate placement.

A. Field Evaluations (Held in Spring)

Evaluation sessions are typically held each spring and are conducted by at least two independent, experienced individuals contracted by Charlestown Soccer. The sessions take roughly an hour.

  • Evaluation Criteria Examples: Evaluators assess a variety of skills and attributes, including:

    • Passing & Control

    • Dribbling Technique

    • Shooting Technique

    • Defending

    • Attitude

B. Coach Evaluations (Collected Each Season)

Coaches from the previous season submit evaluations for each player across specific categories:

  • Soccer Skills (Offensive and Defensive)

  • Game Play & Decision Making (Soccer Knowledge)

  • Commitment (Attendance)

  • Attitude and Coach-ability

  • Fitness

  • Plays Goalie (Yes/No)

What If I Miss Evaluations?

If you miss the field evaluation due to illness, injury, or any other reason, you please notify CYSA immediately:

Contact: info@charlestownsoccer.com

Note: The outcome of the placement session is not the only component used. However, placement will be made based upon whatever information is available.

3. Team Formation & Roster Finalization

A. Player Ranking

Once all numerical evaluation data (Field Evaluations and Coach Evaluations) are compiled, the data is processed, and a final score and ranking is computed for each player within their group with TeamGenius software.

B. Commitment as a Factor

Commitment to the program is a factor for placement on top-tier teams. If a player does not commit to attending at least one practice a week and the majority of games, they will not be placed on a top-tier team.

C. Team Formation

Placement Committees, made up of board members, utilize the rankings to establish teams of appropriate size based on league minimum/maximum roster limits.

  • Teams are formed with a top team, followed by second, third, or fourth teams, depending on total enrollment numbers by Grade.

  • The full CYSA Board ultimately reviews and finalizes all rosters.

D. Criteria for Roster Limits

We strive to ensure all players who register by the initial deadline are placed on a team. If we have too many players for the available spots, placement will be determined by the following criteria, in order:

  1. Registration deadline

  2. Returning players from the prior Fall season (for Spring registrations)

  3. Charlestown residents

  4. Non-Charlestown residents who have played in the previous year

  5. Players from outside Charlestown who have not played with Charlestown in prior seasons

4. Key Dates and Season Details

Roster Announcements

Rosters will be released as soon as decisions have been finalized:

  • Fall Season: Typically by Mid-August

  • Spring Season: Typically by Mid-February

Roster Changes

While roster changes are typically most significant for the Fall season, changes are also made in the Spring season to accommodate variations in registration numbers and to account for player growth over the course of a season.

Grades 9-12 in the Fall

Middlesex soccer does not field teams at the Grade 9-12 levels in the Fall due to conflicts with High School soccer. Teams for these age groups are fielded in the Spring if there is sufficient interest.