How are teams selected?
Teams are created and developed on the premise of fairness to promote FUN over winning at all costs.  Head coaches and Assistants will have their child/children on their team.  Teams are created by an electronic team-building program and coaches are not involved in the team-building or selection process.  U5 and U6 teams are created by balancing the teams based on age and gender.  Under 7 – Under 12 age groups are balanced based on gender and Skills Assessment scores.  While team-balancing is not an exact science, we try to create evenly matched teams.  Therefore, we do not have teams with children with like skills (e.g. advanced players or beginners) all on one team because the level of competition would not make it enjoyable for the children.  Although MiniWee teams are initially built by age and gender, teams are then manually adjusted to meet all requests for children playing together.  U5 - U12 Head Coaches cannot request players (other than their own child or the child of one Assistant).   Requests from parents for a specific coach, team, or requests to switch teams due to transportation issues, scheduling conflicts or any other issues will not be honored.

When will I hear from a coach?
You should hear from your coach by the Monday prior to the first Practice Saturday or MiniWee session.  If you do not hear from a coach, you may find out your child’s team assignment and the coach’s information by visiting our website.  The Monday prior to the first Saturday Practice or MiniWee session, participants’ team assignments, team schedules and a coaches list will be published on our website.  If a parent does not wish their child’s team assignment to be published on our website, they must inform us via an email no later than 24 hours after registration.  Do not email us for coaching information, team assignments or schedules--which will be available on our website--because we have limited volunteer resources and you will not receive a reply.


When will the team practice?
This is based on the Head Coach’s personal schedule.  The Head coach sets the practice days/times for his/her team.  Since all our coaches are volunteers there is no way for WSA to know what your child’s practice schedule will be in advance so WSA cannot accommodate requests for specific practice days or times.  MiniWee teams do not have practices.   Typically U5 & U6 teams practice one day a week.  U7 – U12 teams may practice two days a week.  Coaches will instruct the children on the basic skills and rules of the game geared toward the age level and skill level that the children display so it is important that children attend their team’s practices.  As a courtesy to the coaches, please be prompt at bringing your child to practice.  Parents are expected to stay at the practices and offer to help if needed, or just watch and encourage your child along the way. If your child is enrolled in other activities/sports, we recommend you do not register them for our league if you feel there will be a conflict with practice times.  Requests to switch to another team, or refunds, due to conflicts or transportation issues, will not be honored.  Players must attend practices in order to get their guaranteed 50%  playing time in games. 

Players may only play and practice with their assigned team. There will be absolutely no requesting coaches or switching teams under any circumstances. The only players guaranteed to play together are those of the Head Coach and Assistant Coach, and siblings (who are in the same age group).  Please do not ask to be on the same team with a friend or for carpool purposes because we cannot accommodate these requests.

What if my child can’t make practices?
Players may play and practice ONLY with their assigned team—this is an insurance requirement.  Requests to switch players to another team will not be honored and coaches do not have the authority to trade/switch players, so please do not ask.  WSA and its coaches recognize the fact that players have other interests, talents, and commitments. Coaches are committed to making practice sessions as consistent and pre-scheduled as possible. This should allow enough flexibility to afford players the opportunity to pursue other interests.  However, if your child is already enrolled in other activities that may conflict with soccer practices, we recommend that you do not register your child in our league as practice schedules will be determined by the volunteer coaches based on their own personal schedules. Requests to switch to another team, or refunds, due to conflicts or transportation issues, will not be honored.

What does my child need to practice/play?

• Shin guards and soccer cleats are mandatory!  Participants will not be allowed to practice or play in a game or MiniWee session without them.  This is for the safety of the participants.
• The U5 - U12 age groups will be provided a complete uniform (two jerseys or a reversible jersey, shorts and socks).  Players are required to bring both jerseys (home/away) to EVERY game—this way if one team is short on players, teams can share players.   Players must wear the uniform issued this season and cannot wear uniforms from past seasons.  This will be strictly enforced.  Uniform sizes are final once the uniform order has been placed.  In order to keep the costs downs, WSA does not order extra uniforms so we cannot accommodate requests to change uniform sizes.
• Soccer cleats must be flat soled or having molded rubber or plastic cleats. Metal or screw-in type cleats are prohibited.
• No watches, necklaces, sunglasses, earrings or other jewelry shall be worn during practice or games.
• Bring water to every practice and game.
• Bring the appropriate size soccer ball to every practice and to warm up before games.  The approved ball sizes are:

• When medically indicated, bring inhalers, anaphylactic kits, or other meds to the fields.
• Players should arrive on time for practices and arrive at least 15 minutes before games.
  

When will the games be played?
Games will be played on Saturdays unless field space restrictions or extenuating circumstances force us to re-schedule games.  Requests to switch to another team, or refunds, due to conflicts or transportation issues, will not be honored.


When will we know the game schedule?
The game schedule will be published on our website no later than the Monday prior to the first Practice Saturday.  Each coach will receive copies of the schedules at the Coaches' Meeting for distribution to parents.   Do not email us for this information as you will not receive a reply.  Requests to switch to another team, or refunds, due to conflicts or transportation issues, will not be honored.

When will players receive a uniform?
The coach will hand out the uniforms by the first game. Uniforms are included in the registration fee and will consist of two jerseys (or a reversible jersey), one pair of shorts and socks.  Participants are required to bring both jerseys (Home/Away) to EVERY game—this way if one team is short on players, teams can share players.  The Home/Away colors will be indicated on the game schedule.  MiniWee players will receive their team jersey and ball from their coach by the first session.


How are team age groups decided?
The cut-off date for age assignment is July 31 (not the date the season or program begins). This is a Florida Youth Soccer Association, American Youth Soccer Organization and United States Youth Soccer Association mandate for ALL soccer organizations.  We must abide by age guidelines as determined by birth dates.

Can my daughter play on a girls-only team?
No, due to the size of our league, all our teams are co-ed. 

Can I switch my child to another team?
Once registered, team building is done by the Director of League Development and a player has an obligation to remain with his/her team for the season.  Players must practice and play games only with their assigned team.  Coaches do not have the authority to switch/trade players.  Players will not be allowed to switch teams because it will impact another child and may affect the team balancing.  Requests to switch to another team, or refunds, due to conflicts or transportation issues, will not be honored.

What happens if there is inclement weather?
If threatening weather arises, practices should be cancelled.  The decision to cancel practice will be up to the coach.  Parents are expected to remain with their child at practices.

The rule of thumb is that games will be played in the rain as long as there is no lightning.  Parents should bring players to the field as the decisions will be made at the field.  Coaches will call the WSA Status Line to determine if games are suspended or cancelled due to inclement weather and will inform parents.  The WSA Status Line number will not be available to parents so you must contact your child's coach to determine if games have been cancelled. 

Why are some teams practising and my child hasn't heard from a coach?
The U5 – U12 age groups will begin practices and sometimes games will begin before the MiniWee program begins.  If you have not been contacted by a coach, it could be simply that your email address or telephone number was illegible or typed incorrectly.  Team assignment and coaches’ contact information will be published on our website by the Monday prior to the first Saturday Practice or MiniWee session, so parents may contact coaches directly if they have any questions. 


Can my child bring a friend to practice?
For insurance reasons, only registered players are eligible to participate in WSA practices and games.

Why are the teams and spectators placed on opposite sides of the field?
Players and spectators are kept separate to aid the coach and referees in team management. It helps the coach to have all the players in one place. It helps the player to understand that instructions should come from the coach during the game and he/she should not have the distractions of family around.  For safety and security reasons, parents are not allowed on the coaches' side of the field.  Only those who have been approved to coach (i.e. passed the background check and selected by WSA) are allowed on the coaches' side of the field.

Why can't I stand near the net or behind the goal line during games?
This is first and foremost a safety issue. Children have been injured, not to mention goals scored or not scored, because of the distraction of people behind the goals.

What does a Team Parent do?
Team parents are the communication link between the coach and the team. They pick up the team's uniforms for the coach, hand out the newsletters and photo packets and organize the snack schedule, end of season party and coaches' appreciation.  Let your child’s coach know if you are interested in being a Team Parent.

How do I become a coach?
If you sign up to to coach, your child will be placed on your team.  You may download a copy of the Volunteer Application form from the Coaches’ Corner on our website.  ALL sections (including SSN#) must be completed  and a copy of your Driver's License must be included for Hillsborough County's Athletic department to perform a background check.   Bring the completed form with you to turn in when you register your child.  You will also need to check the "Coach" box on your child’s registration form.  Volunteer Application forms will also be available at registration.  There are no qualifications for one to volunteer to coach. We only ask that you be dedicated to the kids of WSA! It's just that easy.  If you will not be registering a child and wish to coach, please send us an email.  For the safety of the children, only authorized coaches (i.e. approved by WSA) will be allowed on the technical side of the field.  Coaches must wear the Photo-ID badge issued by WSA.
 
U5 – U12 Head Coaches will determine the weekly practice days and times for their teams based on their own personal schedules.  Equipment and curriculum guides for the age group will be provided by WSA as well as a Coach's Handbook.  The Player Development Officer (PDO) will also be available to provide one-on-one training on how to conduct a practice.

MiniWee—the commitment to be a MiniWee Assistant coach is very minimal because the Player Development Officer (PDO) will be the Head Coach and will run the first 30 minutes of the MiniWee sessions (which are held on Saturdays only).  The MiniWee Assistant Coach (one assigned per team) will assist the PDO during the first 30 minutes and will be left to run the last 15 minutes of the session after receiving guidance/instructions from the PDO.   The role of the MiniWee Assistant Coach is more administrative.  A MiniWee Assistant Coach Handbook will be provided to guide you with the tasks required. 

Can I request a team that holds practice on certain days?
No, we do not have a schedule of practices because it is dependent on the coach’s personal schedule.  As a parent, sometimes you may have to re-arrange your schedule for the season, which is about 10 weeks.  You may indicate your practice day restrictions on your child’s registration form; however, WSA does not guarantee that your child's coach will accommodate your request and a refund will not be issued if the team’s practice day/ time conflicts with your schedule.  Children cannot switch teams or practice with other teams.  Participants must attend their team’s practices in order to get their guaranteed 50% playing time in games.   If your child is involved with other activities that do not have a flexible schedule, we recommend that you do not register your child in our league as practice schedules will be determined by the volunteer coaches based on their own personal schedules.  Requests to switch to another team, or refunds, due to conflicts or transportation issues, will not be honored.