2023 ASSESSMENTS PROCESS: U8-U18
In following Canada Soccer’s directive, there will be no on-field assessments/try outs for all age groups. As in previous years, players will be assessed between October and March, which is the most important evaluation period for players. This assessment period is an opportunity for players to demonstrate their skills and abilities and achieve a spot on a Development Team for the following season.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Development Program
The Development Program is our more competitive soccer level and requires a higher level of commitment and skill level than our Club/Recreational program. This program runs from U8 to U18. The number of development teams formed each year and age group may vary based on the pool of players and their skill level.
The purpose of a development team is to provide an opportunity for qualified players to compete at a higher level of competition with players that are like-minded. Playing at any development level will involve a greater commitment of time, travel, and additional costs by the player. Players are also highly recommended to participate in a core conditioning or related skills session once a week in addition to NDFC training sessions.
Training Group
The Development Program also includes a Training Group, which are players that have been identified for possible future placement on a Development Team but are not yet ready to make that next step. These players would be placed on a Club/Recreational Team and have their training sessions and games with their team with an additional session as part of our Academy Program. The Training Group is subject to the pool of players and their skill level at each age group.
Club/Recreational Program
The Club/Recreational Program does not require players to be assessed for team placement. Once players are registered for this program, players will be placed on teams and notified in early September if not sooner.
PROCESS
The assessment process is a combination of:
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Past Season assessments by Technical Staff
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Past Season assessments by Team Coaches
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Ongoing non-permanent player movement by players training/or playing a game with the next level team
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Technical Staff Coaches discussions/meetings with Team Coaches during the season
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Depending on the age group, an extra training session(s) may be required to assess players.
The selection process will be weighed as follows:
Step 1: Returning Interest Player Form
Development and Club/Recreational level players currently registered for the Fall/Winter Season 2022/2023 who are interested in playing in the Development Program for the following season must complete the Returning Interest Player Form in February. We ask that players complete the form to confirm which level they would like to play (i.e., Div. 1 or 2).
At times, we do get players who do not want to play up a division or continue playing in the Development Program, so we must receive this information. We will also be asking if players would like to be considered as a Player or Goal Keeper or both.
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Returning interest player form – to be sent to members in early February 2023.
Step 2: Out of Club Players
For any out of club players interested in being considered for a Development Team for Fall/Winter 2023.2024, they must email registrar@northdeltafc.com before February 15, 2022, and a registration link will be provided.
Step 3: Player Selection
In April/May, the Development & Club/Recreational level Coaches will have a player selection meeting with the Technical Staff to select players for Development Teams. The Technical staff will have the final approval on the selection of players to ensure that selections are accurate. The club is confident that the ongoing assessment of players throughout the season by our Team Coaches and Technical Staff can properly place like-minded players at their appropriate skill level, while ensuring a fair and transparent process.
Step 4: Email Invites/Regrets
Once players are selected for Development Teams, email invites will go out simultaneously to all players in Division 1 and 2 for each age group.
Once players receive an invite email for a Development Team, they will need to accept the position on the team within 7 days (unless otherwise noted) and complete registration and payment. If players do not accept the position within 7 day,, the Club will be forced to move on to another player down the list. The development registration fee is non-refundable
Players who have not been selected for a Development Team will receive a regret email at the same time that invite emails are sent out along with information on registering for the Club/recreational program. In some instances, players may get an opportunity to be invited to a Development Team at a later time if selected players decline their spot on the team.
PROGRAM COMPARISON
The chart below provide a comparison of a Club/Recreational Team, the Training Group and the Development Team.
If you have any questions about our Assessment Process, please email our Technical Director, Brendan Teeling at techdirector@northdeltafc.com.