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Dear U12
Parent and Player,
There are two new additions to the soccer stream that could
affect you as you move to U13. Each of
these pathways involves only those players who choose to pursue a higher level
of play than Divisional Level competition and training, meaning Divisional 1-3 soccer or, in the past, Gold, Silver and Bronze level soccer. In keeping with the Canadian Soccer
Association’s and the British Columbia Soccer Association’s strategic plan to
strengthen the highest level of soccer across our province and country, players
who show elite level potential are being encouraged to participate in the
British Columbia Soccer Premier League, BCSPL or HPL , which are the same
entity. This is the highest competitive
league in BC, and WVFC’s partner club is Mountain United Football Club,
MUFC. MUFC supports players from
Burnaby, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver; however, because the BCSPL has no
boundaries, unlike most soccer clubs that have district boundaries, they have
the ability to take an unlimited number of players from anywhere within the
province. The goal of MUFC is to promote
players to the Whitecaps and Provincial programs. The WVFC Technical Department works very
closely with MUFC in putting forth the names of players who stand out in
combined areas of athleticism, skills and the commitment to the sport of soccer
in regard to training and focus. Only players
who show the most skill and potential are invited to join MUFC. Some seasons WVFC will have only one or two new players invited to play
with MUFC, and in other years the club could have as many as seven or
eight. Despite our club’s size, we have
done very well in the ability to advance players to the BCSPL.
The second soccer stream that begins at U13 is Metro Soccer. This is the highest level of
soccer at club level. Districts
within the Lower Mainland are responsible for putting forth the most
competitive teams possible, as this is the program that feeds into BCSPL. Most districts are allotted one team per age
group. The North Shore District, because
of our population and history of having very competitive Divisional teams, has
been allotted two teams in most age groups.
The North Shore District includes the Sunshine Coast Youth
Soccer Club, Whistler Youth Soccer Club, Bowen Island Football Club and
Squamish Youth Soccer Club. The top
players from those clubs are encouraged to join in with the North Shore
District players in order to create highly competitive teams, and WVFC welcomes players from other clubs to attend our Metro tryouts. Additionally, Metro teams are allowed to take
up to five out-of-district players in order to strengthen teams. It is imperative to create the most
competitive teams possible because teams that show the inability to compete in
league play are relegated and dropped from the Metro Division.
WVFC’s Technical Department assesses players throughout the
season. Watching players during
practices and at games, club coaches are able to determine a player’s ability
level. Team coaches are asked to assess
players at the winter break and then also at the end of the season, so with the
combined evaluations of team and club coaches, much is known about the skill
set and commitment level of each player.
In order to make a Metro team, interested players must attend club tryouts. At that time players
are objectively assessed by club coaches and out-of-club coaches as they are
evaluated on the field with other players. Scores are tabulated at the end of tryouts, and along with
the tryout results, the player’s season long assessments are also considered
when teams are selected. The very best
players from the entire pool of tryout participants are then placed onto a
team.
Only players who are dedicated and committed to improving
their soccer skills should try out for BCSPL or Metro teams. Also, because of the speed of the play at the
Metro level, athleticism is a major benefit to players being successful. There is
training two times per week, although some coaches required three, and games are every weekend. The cost to register for MUFC is
approximately $2,400, and the registration fee for last season's Metro program at WVFC was $850, but that price may go up this season due to overhead costs. The reason for the higher fee is increased
artificial turf field time and the implementation of professional coaches. BCSPL and Metro are not meant for all players,
and the majority of club players find high quality training and competition in
Divisional soccer.
Tryouts for MUFC’s U12 Input - Information can be found at: http://mufc.ca/tryouts/evaluations-tryouts
Tryouts for the WVFC MSL Program will begin in February for boys and girls. Please feel free to contact Betty Dodson, WVSC MSL Administrator with any questions at msl-coord@westvanfc.com. Tryout information will be posted toward the end of January.
Thank you,
Betty Dodson
WVFC MSL Administrator
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