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 1-5 soccer or, in the past, Gold – 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 WVSC’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 WVSC 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 WVSC will  have only one or two 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 League Soccer.  This is the highest level of soccer at district 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.  It is very important to note that all MSL teams are district based.  Despite the fact that North Shore clubs host MSL teams, the teams do not belong to the clubs.  It is the responsibility of the participating clubs and the North Shore Youth Soccer Association to make sure that the most competitive teams are created to represent our district. 

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.  Additionally, MSL 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 league. 

WVSC’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 an MSL team, interested players must attend North Shore District 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.  At the end of the tryouts, the technical departments from each main club must determine if there are enough talented players to create one or two North Shore teams.   

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.  If it has been decided that there is enough talent for two teams then it is possible that one team will be comprised of primarily North Van players, and the other team West Van; however, there can be a mixing of the groups if those selecting the teams believe it will create for stronger teams.  There is nearly four to five times the number of players in North Vancouver compared to West Vancouver, and that can impact the team makeup for the district teams.

Only players who are dedicated and committed to improving their soccer skills should try out for BCSPL or MSL teams.  Also, because of the speed of the play at the MSL level, athleticism is a major benefit to players being successful. There is training three times per week, and games are every weekend.  The cost to register for MUFC is approximately $2,400, and the registration fee for last season's MSL program at WVSC was $790 but may go up this season due to overhead costs. The reason for the higher fees is increased artificial field time and the implementation of professional coaches.  BCSPL and MSL 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 North Shore District MSL Program will begin in February for boys and girls. Please feel free to contact Betty Dodson, WVSC MSL Administrator with any questions.

Thank you,

Betty Dodson

WVSC MSL Administrator

 WVSC will be looking for "soccer first" players who are committed and dedicated to becoming better players.  Attendance at practices and games will be expected.  School priorities are taken into consideration, but the club will expect each player and family to understand that skipping practices or games for other activities will be frowned upon.  It requires the commitment and dedication of each player to allow for the improvement and advancement of a team.  WVSC believes that every player is important and is expected to contribute to the overall success of his or her team.  There are other very competitive teams in WVSC for those who want to play soccer but are not placed onto an MSL team.  Gold and Silver levels are very competitive and require high levels of commitment and dedication from players, but not to the same degree. 

 The MSL registration fee includes two practices per week of 1.5 hours, each of which is on field D or E or at Mulgrave School.  The program also includes a number of opportunities that are not part of Divisional soccer. 

1. WVSC promotes and supports the permitting and transferring of players between  MSL teams and those teams that are at other levels from within WVSC.  It is required that a player's coach and either the Club's Technical Director or MSL Director is also informed whenever a player is invited to participate in a practice or a game with an MSL team.  In order for WVSC to provide the opportunity for as many players as possible to experience the highest levels of training and competition, it is imperative that we are respectful of each coach and player involved in any transfer.  At all times, a player's "number one" priority will be his or her own team.

2. WVSC supports the ability for an MSL coach to invite a Sea to Sky player to attend a training session with his or her team as long as the following people have been notified and approval has been granted from: The WVSC Technical Director or MSL Administrator, Club official from the Sea to Sky club, The Sea to Sky player's coach.  At no time should a player be requested to put his or her own team second to a WVSC MSL team.

3.  MSL teams are District Teams. The District Clubs include NVFC, NSGSC, Squamish, Bowen, WVSC, Whistler, Sunshine Coast and Pemberton. "Out of District" players who are tied to another District should never be approached by one of our club’s coaches and invited to attend a WVSC  practice or game.