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Madison Area Youth Soccer Association

About Club Tryouts

2024 General Tryout Policy

This information is provided to help families who are looking for opportunities for players to play at a competitive level. Tryouts are guided by rules set by WYSA, and may be offered by clubs for the purpose of creating competitive teams: Classic level,  State League, and National League.

Dates and policies are designed to address issues of fairness and opportunities for players, as well as clubs.  MAYSA adheres to all WYSA policies regarding tryouts.

Please review the full policy for details including offer and acceptance requirements in document below.

PERIOD OF OPEN PROMOTION

The Period of Open Promotion is limited to the two weeks before the WYSA tryout window. Open Promotion is defined as direct contact with the parent/guardian of a WYSA player, initiated by club staff or an agent of the club with intent to promote the club. An agent of the club is anyone acting in apparent authority representing a club or team. An agent may include, but is not limited to a coach, manager, club board member, parent, or other staff person. Clubs are responsible for the compliance of any individual acting on their behalf. Youth athletes are not considered agents of the club. Solicitation of unaffiliated players to join a WYSA club is not restricted

Activities not permitted during the Period of Open Promotion:

  •  Direct contact with a player (phone calls, text messages, emails, other electronic, written or in person communication).
  • Unauthorized player participation in a team training session or evaluation prior to the tryout window (see WYSA Poaching Policy for authorization requirements).
  • Discussions regarding reduced fee structure for the club being promoted unless consistent with club policy.  (A club may explain to a candidate that scholarships are available, but they must qualify per club policy.  A club cannot guarantee a player a discount of the uniform cost, reduced registration fee, etc. if the player joins the club.) 
  • Any offer may be made (verbal or written) prior to the Uniform Offer dates/times outlined below.

TRYOUT DATES AND NOTIFICATION TO PLAYERS

Players are not required to attend a tryout to receive an offer. Offers/notification to players must be in writing (email or web posting is sufficient), and according to the Uniform Offer dates listed below. (Early offers are the exceptions). Extending an offer to players not currently registered with your club prior to the Uniform Offer dates below is not permitted and will result in sanctions.

A legitimate offer must be in writing and include:

  • Date and time of offer
  • Name of club representative making the offer, and
  • Team for which team the offer is being made

Clubs may extend offers to an age group pool in the 11U and 12U age groups only. All offers to players 13U and above must be for a specific team.

Should a club be required to change their original offer, they must extend a new written offer communicating the change and obtain acceptance from the player. A change in offer cancel’s the player’s obligation to the club unless  the change is accepted by the player.

RESPONSE FROM PLAYERS

Acceptance must be in writing (email or written letter is sufficient). If registration with your club constitutes acceptance of an offer, there must be a written statement communicating that in the offer or on the registration form. Players may respond immediately to offers, but are not required to .  Offers extended on or after the Universal Offer Date are valid for at least 24 hours during which time the player is guaranteed a spot on the team specified. A club or team may extend the length of time an offer is valid at their discretion. The club representative contacting the player should remind them that an immediate response is not necessary and how much time a player has to respond (at least 24 hours).

A player is considered committed to a club and team when:

  1. Written acceptance occurs AND  
  2. A parent/guardian submits the player registration 

The tryout registration is not considered the player registration. Refund policies are at the sole discretion of the club. Players who commit to a team and then wants to change to another team in the same registration year will be considered a transfer and such transfer is subject to Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association Competitive Player Transfer Policy.

About 'Early Offers' to Players Currently in Club

Beginning May 17, Clubs may extend offers to players on their teams in the current year (2023-2024) for a spot on a specific team in 2024-2025 season.  The expiration of an early offer cannot be before 12:00 noon on Thursday, the day before the “First Date of Offers” for its respective age group. 

The offer for a specific team obligates the club to register the player on the team listed in the offer if the offer is accepted. Players may respond immediately to offers but are not required to. 

Early offers must be in writing and include:
1. Date and time of offer
2. Name of club representative making the offer, and
3. Team for which the offer is being made
4. The following statement:

Clubs may extend early offers to current seasonal year players for a spot on a specific team in the next seasonal year. The offer for a specific team obligates the club to register the player on the team listed in the offer if the offer is accepted. Players may respond immediately to offers but are not required to. By accepting an early offer, you understand that you are committing to a position on “Team” and obligated to “Name of Soccer Club” for the entire upcoming seasonal year and that you may not attend a tryout with another club. Players who commit to a team and wish to move to another club in the same seasonal year will be considered a player transfer, subject to the WYSA Competitive Player Transfer Policy.

Open Promotion Period Dates

  • Period of Open Promotion is May 17th - 31st, 2024
  • Note: Once a player is registered with a club, they are essentially 'off limits' and the period of open promotion ends for that player.

Tryout Window and First Offer Dates

Age Group & Gender For Teams/Clubs Hosting Tryouts, Tryout Window First Date of Offers
11U - 15U, Girls and Boys May 31 to June 21, 2024 June 14, 2024 at Noon (12pm)
16U - 19U, Girls and Boys May 31 to June 21, 2024 June 21, 2024 at Noon (12pm)

Extending an offer to players not currently registered with your club prior to the corresponding first offer date and time listed above is not permitted and will result in sanctions.

2024-2025 Club Specific Tryout Information

Below are web-links to soccer clubs in MAYSA. Clubs are responsible for updating websites with information about their tryouts and their competitive programs by March 15, 2024. This information should include the following:

  • League in which the team is expected to participate
  • Projected costs of joining the team
  • What travel and events can be expected
  • Training locations
  • Commitment expected of the player

Tryouts are not required, and not all clubs will host tryouts. Please contact the soccer club for more information about their competitive programs.

MAYSA District Soccer Clubs