ISC Gunners - Update on USSF Mandates - Wed Dec 16th, 2015
General Information:
Throughout the year our ISC Gunners Organization & Staff have been involved in discussions with the Puget Sound Premier League (PSPL) and US Club Soccer (USCS) specifically, alongside
communications with the US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), and the US Soccer Federation (USSF), regarding potential mandated rule changes to the youth soccer structure across the country.
At the USSF Board Meeting held July 5th, the USSF Board of Directors approved the Player Development Initiatives developed and proposed by the National Coaching Staff.
These two initiatives mandate 1) small-sided games at Under-12 and 2) a move from school year (Aug. 1-July 31) to calendar year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31) age groups.
USSF's schedule for the rule changes will be to adopt as best practices beginning August of 2016, and mandate as of August of 2017.
Important Links & Documents:
Specific Information to ISC Gunners:
Our ISC Gunners Organization & Staff have been exploring every update provided by all Youth Soccer Organization within the country throughout the last 6 months. Both Neil Riddle and Alex
Cunliffe (Director's of Coaching) are currently involved with both the PSPL & US Club Soccer organizations with regard State, Regional & National levels of competition, both leagues and
tournaments, and are working towards specific plans for our ISC Gunners Programming for the new year. Further specific communication is planned for January 2016 which will include details on
information nights, birth year training & competition ahead of tryouts, and tryouts for the following year through 2016-2017.
In short, ISC Gunners will:
- Implement calendar year age grouping (birth year teams) for player registration beginning with the 2016-2017 soccer year for our Premier & Select Programs - beginning with Tryouts April & May 2016.
- Support the PSPL League & Associated Events with a change to Birth Year Teams & Programming, alongside a movement to Small Sided for the U12 and below Age Groups - beginning with events in June 2016.
- Make no significant changes to our Premier and/or Select Programming throughout Winter/Spring 2016 given our current commitment to all members involved - ending through Tryouts April & May 2016.
- Evaluate all options for our in house REC & MICRO Programming before committing to any changes for these Programs & Teams given the significant role friends & family play in the experience - ahead of our Fall 2016 Start Dates.
- Reserve the right to make any and all changes as we see fit, in the best interests of our Organization, Programs, Teams, Players & Staff.
FAQ's:
- Q: Will ISC make any changes to any Premier and/or Select Programming in the current 2015-2016 Year?
- A: No - teams will remain consistent as they are right now with no plans to make any changes ahead of the Spring 2016 League Season, in the lead up to Tryouts 2016.
- Q: Will the calendar year rule (Birth Year Team Formation) be grandfathered in across Premier/Select Programs?
- A: No - all of our ISC Gunners U8-19 Premier & Select Teams will be formed by birth year, as mandated, players can continue to play up a birth year depending on their ability, players cannot play down a birth year.
- Q: Will ISC provide any Birth Year Training Ahead of Tryouts 2016?
- A: Yes - ISC is in the process of developing a schedule for our current U8-U18 Teams for Birth Year Training throughout January-April ahead of Tryouts 2016.
- Q: Will further information be provided through ISC in 2016?
- A: Yes - ISC will release another update in January 2016 regarding Birth Year Training, Information Nights for Programs/Teams & PSPL League/Tournament Updates ahead of 2016-2017.
For further information please email your team manager and/or team coach.
Thank you,
ISC Gunners
