2011 Time-line: U9 - U10: NorCal State Championship(s) Cup(s)
Posted March 1st, 2011
The younger NorCal State Cup(s) have been carefully designed for motivated players (families) who either already love soccer or are playing to see if that love will develop. It is expected that the players will greatly improve during the Cup(s) from registration as early as March 1st through November.
Almost every team that enters the NorCal Cup(s) is comprised of many players who love soccer. Some teams are now reporting that all of their players love our wonderful sport.
NorCal asks that only teams with most players who are serious about being involved on a “soccer learning team” enter this event. This is not an ideal event for players - and families - who are not committed soccer players. If players and families are anxious for their soccer season to end - that might indicate they should not be entered in a tournament that for many teams begins in the Spring and ends a few weeks before winter.
In 2010, 7 teams did not finish the Younger Cup(s)event - over 99% did play all scheduled 7 to 9 games. Teams finishing all of their games is important for the other teams because each team that drops affects the experience of at least one other team. Several teams did not have a Championship game because another team had not planned for injuries, illness or players leaving.
Under 9 - Under 10 NorCal State Cup(s) Tournament Director
Time line: 2011 Under 9 & Under 10 NorCal State Cup(s) Championship(s)
Girls and Boys: One Championship Division for every 8 teams that enter
About March 1, 2011
·Registration opens with all teams guaranteed at least 7 games (First round of 3 games - home and away; Second Round of 3 games at Central Site, and Championship Quarter-final game at that same site)
·First 3 games mostly regional – home and away; but some teams might have to travel a longer distance in order to balance the seedings between Regions. Please plan to have one away game with the worst possible travel scenario - for most teams Fresno/Visalia. The chances are you will play much closer to home. However, statistically, we know that at least a few teams will have that unlucky schedule.
·Very Important: The Regional games offer some scheduling flexibility for the teams. However, the week-ends of November 5th & 6th (Girls 2nd round) and 12th & 13th (Girls and Boys 2nd Round: and/or 2nd Round Girls: emergency rain week-end); November 19th & 20th (Semi and Finals) ; and December 11th & 12th (emergency rain week-end) must be kept open for possible NorCal State Cup(s) play.
·Without rain, at least half of the teams will play on Saturday, November 19th and in case of a rain cancellation – all teams might play. Furthermore, in case of a double rain cancellation half of the teams would play on December 10th.
·This is now, for many teams, the most important Under 9 and Under 10 tournament of the year! Please do not overbook your team schedule and create unnecessary conflicts for your own and other teams.
· The NorCal model(s) for player development is, and has been, the much more successful 40 year experience of the European Clubs and leagues. The young players in Europe will play about 40 - 50 games spread over a period of 9 - 10 months with Holidays. If playing 30 - 40 games during a 5 - 6 month period of time helped develop highly skilled older players - that would most likely be the current practice in Europe.
· For some time, the Europeans have been discussing the benefits of "Street Soccer". It is highly recommended that young NorCal players be encouraged to play at school and with friends - away from their soccer teams. It is now widely accepted that "street soccer" is to success in soccer player development - as "reading for pleasure" is to success in school academics.
· NorCal strongly recommends that Clubs think ahead and create Cup(s) "player pools" - up to 26 players for each team. Players are allowed to be on two different Cup(s) rosters for two different age divisions as long as both teams are within the same Club.
This means that a younger player can be "brought up" to an older team if that would be beneficial to the player or the team.
· This practice has worked all over the world to the benefit of player development. Player pools can be a great way to introduce a player(s) to a team or Club. They can be recruited as a player who might or might not play in a Cup(s) game, but would be eligible if both available and needed.
Friday, April 15th:
·Coaches/Managers can begin helping with the seeding. Seeding Committee begins preliminary work.
· It is helpful to the Seeding Committee if newer and younger teams play in at least one Play Day.
Sunday, May 15th, 11:59pm, PST:
·Registration closes. Applications for alternates accepted until further notice. Please immediately send in (pay) registration fee.
Every eligible team that enters by this date will be guaranteed a place in the tournament.
·In 2010, over 100 teams that entered after the deadline were accepted into the tournament. However teams entering after May 15th will not be guaranteed a place in the tournament.
· Seeding Committee begins final work
Tuesday, May 17th:
·Last day to submit seedings proposals before preliminary seedings. The Seeding Committee relies on the rankings submitted by the Club Coaching Directors, team coaches and managers.
Tuesday, May 24th::
·Registration fee - $650.00 (Red, White or Blue) - sent and postmarked on or before Tuesday, May 24th to Norcal Premier, PO
Box 22026, Sacramento, CA 95822; or re-enter the team application page and pay by credit card.
Tuesday, May 24th:
·First - preliminary - seedings posted on-line for review and comments. It is very important that all teams have a person(s)
watching the seedings as the teams move up and down.
By Tuesday, May 31st:
·Coaches/Managers comment on preliminary seedings. Please send comments to rankings@norcalpremier.com
Thursday, June 2nd. Changed from June 7th:
·Last day to drop without penalty – immediate refund
·Very Important: Teams dropping after this date will not receive a refund and the Club and team will face possible NorCal sanctions. Please do not enter the team unless your Club has the process in place to field and manage a team from the beginning of the competition until the possible end in December.
If your team is controlled by an entity that can "order" you to play another game/event or suffer sanctions, please clear the Central Site dates with that person(s). The dates in which all U9 and U10 teams might play at a Central Site are listed below:
Saturday and Sunday, November 5th & 6th (All Girls teams).
Saturday and Sunday, November 12th and 13th (All Girls and Boys teams)
Half of the teams entered will play on November 19th and the winning teams will play on November 20th.
In case of rain delays - All or some of the teams might play on Saturday and Sunday, December 10th and 11th.
Tuesday, June 14th:
·Revised seedings posted for review and comment - changes will still be made!
Tuesday, June 21st:
·Final seedings posted for review by coaches and managers - still accepting changes!
Tuesday, June 28th:
·Final seedings posted – no further changes except by request of the Club Coaching Directors.
By Friday, July 1st:
· All teams (Clubs) must have sent their request for the "no home games option" to
