Region 69 All Star Questions & Answers
Dear Parents:
Playing in Region 69’s Post Season All Star/Tournament Program is a chance to participate in one of the best-organized and most successful such programs in the country. All Stars is not only a wonderful individual experience, but also builds lasting friendships among all families who participate. Nevertheless, through the years there has been periodic confusion about the nature and administration of the program. The purpose of this letter is to answer the most frequently asked questions about All Stars.
Q: What exactly is the All Star Program in Region 69?
A: Generally, the All Star Program provides an opportunity for skilled players to continue their AYSO soccer experience at an accelerated level by competing in tournaments against other All Star teams from neighboring communities and states. Full participation in the AYSO league season is a prerequisite for selection. Unlike an AYSO league team, however, selection to an All Star team is limited and is based on ability, attitude, and character. Despite the inherent exclusivity of All Stars, Region 69 strives to support as many All Star teams – including “B” and “C” teams – as possible based on qualified players, coaches, and other parent volunteers – particularly referees.
Specifically, the All Star Program is actually composed of two components: the AYSO All Star Tournament (Area, Section, and Tri-Section) and the “tournament season.” The first component involves one team of top players in each division who are chosen to participate in the AYSO Area tournament that begins in January. If successful, a team continues to compete at the Section tournament and, if still successful, at the Tri-Section tournament in March.
The second component, the tournament season, is more flexible and consists of a team or teams of exemplary players in each division who want to continue to train and play top-level soccer throughout the spring. These players usually include the majority of players from the AYSO All Star team plus additional qualified players. The players and families who comprise these teams make a commitment to participate in tournaments throughout California and often in other states, as well. The tournament season generally starts in December and runs through spring. Depending on team interest, the tournament season can even run into early summer.
In divisions where there are sufficient numbers of qualified players, coaches, and parent volunteers (including referees), more than one All Star team may be formed. In these instances, teams are organized by ability – “A” team, “B” team, etc. – and play against teams of similar ability in tournaments where possible. There may be occasional “loaning” of players among intra-division All Star teams as circumstances require. All Region 69 All Star teams will wear the same uniforms and have the opportunity to purchase the same bags, jackets, and accessories.
Q: Are the All Star programs in different regions the same as ours?
A: Yes and no. The Area and Section All Star tournament teams play under the same rules and regulations because the tournaments are administered by the Area and Section Directors under the jurisdiction of National AYSO. The second half of the All Star Season, the tournament season, is generally the same from region to region, but is under the individual control of each Regional Commissioner who establishes the qualifications, standards, and rules for his or her region. Other regions may refer to their teams as Select teams, Tournament teams, or All Star teams. Many regions do not hold tryouts.
Q: Is the Thanksgiving Turkey Tournament a part of the All Star Program?
A: No. AYSO Section 1 Rules prohibit us from forming All Star teams prior to December 1 (though not all regions appear to observe this). Section 10, which includes Bakersfield to the San Fernando Valley, may form All Star teams November 15. In Region 69, the Turkey Tournament is a special event which allows every league team coach to select at least one player to participate in a major soccer tournament over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Q: How are players chosen for the Turkey Tournament?
A: Depending on the size of the division, one to three players from each league team are chosen by their team coaches to participate in the Thanksgiving Tournament. The guidelines for selection, decided on by our regional commissioner, include skill level, commitment to team, behavior, and availability. Generally, the coach will select those skilled, available players (many families travel over Thanksgiving) that he or she feels best represent the team in the AYSO tradition. There are no tryouts.
Q: If my child plays in the Turkey Tournament will that improve his or her chances for making an All Star Team?
A: Not necessarily. The All Star process for choosing a team is entirely separate from the Turkey Tournament selection process. Participation in the Turkey Tournament may provide an opportunity for players to be seen by potential All Star coaches, but in no way assures selection. Conversely, not participating in the Turkey Tournament does not necessarily handicap a player’s chance of being chosen. The All Star coach for each division selects his or her team based on tryouts, personal observations during the course of the season, and input from other coaches in that division.
Q: How will I know when and where All Star tryouts are?
Check our website at http://www.ayso69.org .
Tryouts for the AYSO All Star teams are held this year in November. Every player who played in ¾ of his or her games (excluding illness, injury, or late registration) during the league season is eligible to participate.
Q: How are All Star coaches selected?
A: All Star coaches are usually, but not necessarily, regular league team coaches chosen by the Regional Commissioner with the advice of the Assistant Regional Commissioner, Regional Coach Administrator, Regional Referee Administrator, and the respective Division Commissioner. Criteria for selection include soccer knowledge, AYSO training and certification, ability to work with players and parents, and commitment to Region 69 and AYSO. All Star coach selection is an annual process with no guaranteed future positions. Candidates must apply for the position each year.
Q: I’ve heard that the rosters for the All Star team are a forgone conclusion and that tryouts are meaningless.
A: Not so. All Star coaches naturally have a good idea who the outstanding players in their division are because they watch them play every weekend during the regular season. Nevertheless, these coaches are committed to seeking out all deserving players. The coaches work painstakingly with the support of other parent volunteers to be sure that no players “fall through the cracks.” Region 69 is devoted to fairness in the All Star process. This is why tryouts are essential.
It’s important to keep in mind that while there is only one All Star Team per division for the Area P / Section 1 AYSO Tournament, “B” and “C” All Star teams may be formed for the tournament season if there are sufficient players, coaches, and parent volunteers (referees in particular) to sustain the program. The only means Region 69 has to know how many teams to organize is by looking at how many players try out in each division.
In any case, if your child wants to participate in the All Star Program, then he or she must come to tryouts.
Q: What are the criteria to be an All Star Player?
A: The candidate must have played in ¾ of his/her league games, excluding injury, illness, or late registration, and must try out in the division of his/her league team. (Players of U14 age who played in U16 during the league season may be eligible to participate in some U14 tournaments. They should attend tryouts if possible.) All Stars are the outstanding players in their division based on skill level, speed and agility, commitment to and performance on league team, sportsmanship, “team player”, performance at tryouts, and attitude. Using these criteria, the best players in each group, as determined by the respective All Star coach, are selected for the Area P / Section 1 All Star Team. However, because Region 69 is committed to fielding as many All Star teams as possible for the tournament season, our definition of All Star is more expansive. Any child dedicated to the game of soccer with the desire to continue to play after the regular season and who is willing (along with his or her parents) to make a full commitment to the Region 69 All Star Program, may be considered a viable candidate for the tournament team that does NOT participate in the AREA P / Section 1 All Star Tournament. We may not find a spot for every player, but we will try.
Q: What kind of commitment are we talking about?
A: That depends on each coach, but it usually consists of one or two practices a week after school, plus weekend commitments of from one to three tournaments a month, usually from December through June.
Typically, more players are chosen for a team than the allowable roster size for a given tournament (10 players in U10, 15 players in U12 and U14). This gives more players a chance to participate and also gives families the flexibility to “sit out” a tournament or two.
There is an initial financial charge to cover the cost of field permits, All Star uniforms and accessories, tournament fees, team supplies, as well as any other expenses the parents, players, and coaches all agree upon. There may be additional later costs if the team travels out of state to participate in tournaments. Scholarship aid is available.
Finally, it is expected that the parents of team members make a commitment to help the team and/or Region 69 in some way. There are plenty of opportunities, including assistant coach, referee (extremely necessary and in short supply currently), team manager, treasurer, helping with Fall Registration in April and May, and All Star/Tournament Team Coordinator (without this position filled, there will be NO Post season play in Region 69). The greater the degree of commitment from parents, the more successful the Post Season will be for everyone involved.