REP SOCCER... FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Rep Soccer?
Rep soccer provides players who are more talented and dedicated to the sport with an opportunity to play at a
higher level of competition and to be challenged by opponents of the same high standard. This is also a program
requiring a strong commitment from players and parents. All Kamloops’ Rep teams play in the
Thompson-Okanagan Youth Soccer League (TOYSL).
Who plays in the Thompson-Okanagan Youth Soccer League?
Teams from the following areas play in TOYSL: Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke and Kamloops.
The teams in this region compete in league play through the months of April, May and June. This league is used to
determine who will represent the Thompson-Okanagan region in the BC Soccer Association’s provincial
championships (in the U-13 to U-18 age groups), which is offered on two levels. The TOYSL?league schedule
runs from mid-April through to the end of June.
What age groups are regarded as "Rep"?
Girls and boys from Under-13 to Under-18 are considered part of the Rep soccer program.
The KYSA?also offers a higher level experience for players in the U-12 age group, but this division is still regarded
as part of the “development stage” within the KYSA system.
What does KYSA regard as the development stage?
This is the introductory phase when players are groomed for 11-a-side soccer. Regulation 11-a-side soccer starts
at the U-13 level. The development stage refers to players in the U-11 and U-12 age groups who play 8-a-side soccer
on a smaller field. While they are not considered part of the Rep team program, they also play within TOYSL much like
the U-13 to U-18 age groups. The development stage is considered a period when the young players will get a taste of
the more competitive side of the game, where they will receive good coaching from qualified parent-volunteers. This is
also a time when the parents and players are introduced to the travel demands required to play in an inter-city league.
Is there a difference between the U-11 and U-12 Programs?
Yes! The U-11 program is for children coming out of house league soccer who want extra training and
a high level of competition. There is no evaluation/selection process at this level. Parents can simply register their
child for the program each year. KYSA conducts a winter player development program for U-11 boys and girls once a
week under the District Development Center (DDC) umbrella in the Kamloops Soccer Dome. In the spring, the U-11
program moves outside. Here, 42 boys and 42 girls participate in a ?-week program. The girls usually train on Tuesday evenings and the boys on Thursday evenings. On Sundays, both groups take part in jamborees which are played
throughout the Thompson-Okanagan region. The participants are placed on “teams” who play two games each weekend. Kamloops normally hosts at least one jamboree. The players who register for the U-11 spring development program must
also play on their regular house league team while taking part in the Spring Development Program. Jamboree teams are mixed up every week so that the players get use to playing with other youngsters in their age group.
Players wanting to play U-12 in a high performance environment must attend tryouts and be selected to play in this program.
If the talent pool is considered strong enough, and the number of players who tryout large enough, the KYSA will normally
form three boys and three girls teams to play in TOYSL. All TOYSL?league games are held on Sundays. Two KYSA U-12 teams will also play each other on Wednesday evenings, while the third team will take part in a training session that same evening. The U-12 teams will play 2 games on a Sunday against the same opposition. When KYSA selects the three teams through the tryout process, attempts are made to create three equal teams. The tiering of players doesn’t start until U-13 where KYSA may field both Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams. The U-12 age group also plays 8-a-side soccer on a smaller field.
How are Kamloops soccer players selected for KYSA?Rep teams?
Starting with the 2011 season, during the month of July, tryouts will be held for each age group from the U-12 age
group to the U-18 division, for both boys and girls. All eligible players must attend two out of the three tryout sessions
that are scheduled in order to be considered. The KYSA?accepts that there may be other activities going on at that time,
but it is necessary for all players to attend the tryouts in order to be properly and fairly evaluated.
When players arrive for their first tryout they are given a coloured, numbered pinnie. Each player must then wear
the same pinnie/number for all subsequent tryout sessions. The names of players are not used or provided to the evaluators. The first session of the tryouts usually consists of soccer specific drills. The second session is devoted to small-sided games. In the third session, the players will take part in full-sided games. KYSA-appointed evaluators are recruited to observe all
of the tryouts. All player evaluations are given to the Head Coach of KYSA following each session. The Head Coach
then records all the evaluations.
When will we know if our child has made one of the rep teams?
You will be notified by email. KYSA does not believe that it is right to inform a child in front of his or her peers or
parents at the field.
How is it determined who will represent TOYSL in BCSA?Cup Play?
There are two levels of Provincial Cup Play in BC––”A” Premier &?“B”?Challenge.
Playdowns begin for both Tier 1 (“A” Cup) and Tier 2 (“B” Cup) teams in early June. They must be concluded
by the third weekend in June. Teams participating in TOYSL must declare their intentions to compete at either
level by May 1st each year.
Any team in TOYSL can choose to enter the “A”?Cup (Tier 1) if they feel they are strong enough. This determination is
usually made in consultation between the team coaching staff and the KYSA?Head Coach. In the Tier 1 division, teams
play off against each other in a one-game knock-out format. The overall interior champion in each age group will meet
the coastal champion in a one-game final to determine Provincial Cup Winners. Provincial Cup winners in the U-14, U-16
and U-18 age groups qualify for national championships. (It should be noted that Prince George also has the right to
challenge any TOYSL teams going into the “A”?Cup.)
In the Tier 2 (“B”?Cup) division, teams are seeded for playdowns based upon where they finish in the TOYSL standings. Different playoff formats are employed to determine the TOYSL champion, depending upon the number of teams
entered in each age group. The TOYSL?champion in each age group earns a berth in the Provincial Challenge “B”?Cup
final round tournament. However, if one of the other interior regions does not have a representative in a particular
age group, oft-times TOYSL is offered a “second” entry––which is likely to be the TOYSL final runner-up.
When is the Rep Soccer Season?
Some rep team coaches are eager to start training soon after their teams have been chosen. This will depend on
each individual head coach. In 2011, there will be time to get schedule some outdoor practices until the winter weather
kicks in. Pre-Christmas practices are usually scheduled once-a-week. Starting in January, the KYSA provides each
team with practice time indoors in the Kamloops Soccer Dome. The cost for these sessions is included in the Rep player fees. However, some head coaches may book practice times on their own prior to January.
Weather permitting, TOYSL?will schedule games to begin around the second week of April. The majority of Rep team games are scheduled on weekends, but occasionally, as the need arises, a weekday game may be necessary. The rep season concludes with the playdowns in June. If any KYSA teams qualify for the Provincial Cup finals, they continue on until the second week in July.
My son/daughter plays multiple sports. Will they be penalized for missing soccer practices?
KYSA does not ask multi-sport athletes to choose one sport over another during the pre-season, off-season or post-season. However, when the TOYSL season is in full swing your son or daughter will be required to commit to their team over any
and all other sports. The athlete should talk to his or her coach and inform them about any other activities that will conflict
with training or game times in the off-season, pre-season and post-season.
Does KYSA allow players from outside the area to try out for their teams?
KYSA will allow players from outside the area to attend tryouts for any of its rep teams. If the player is successful in
making the team and they live outside the district, they will have to complete an “out of district” form that is available
from the BC Soccer Association. Each District is only allowed three “import” players per team.
My son/daughter would like to play up a year, is this allowed?
Only in certain age groups. Players in the U-16 age group and up are permitted to tryout for an older team. However, a
player must still tryout in their own age group as well as in the older age group. Players who tryout for an older age
team will only be allowed to join the older team if the evaluators feel the player will make the starting line up and not
be used as a substitute.
When do practices and games start and what commitment is expected?
Most teams will train once a week leading up to the start of the season, but some coaches may be keen enough
to have two. During the season, all teams will train at least twice a week and have one game per week. Most teams
also enter tournaments prior to and during the season, though league commitments must always come first. Rep players
are expected to be in attendance at all of these functions.
Can rep players expect to get equal playing time?
No. Players will be played according to the coach’s view of how the player has been performing in training and in games. KYSA is a competitive sports organization and rep level soccer is not considered a recreational past-time.The KYSA
encourages all coaches to treat players fairly and appreciate that no one likes to see their child sitting on the bench.
If a parent has a concern about the amount of playing time their child is allocated, it is suggested they wait at
least 24 hours after the game before discussing their concerns with the coach. Any playing time issues that
cannot be resolved between the parent and the coach should be directed to the Head Coach of KYSA.
How are problems resolved?
It is important that all parents feel comfortable communicating with the KYSA’s Head Coach without fear of reprisals.
Any dialogue between the parent and the head coach is regarded as confidential. There will be no “punishment”
directed toward any player whose parent chooses to confer with the head coach about their child’s participation in
the rep team program.
If a parent is not happy with any resolution offered by the KYSA?Head Coach on any issue, the parent has the
option of contacting the KYSA?director overseeing the rep program to discuss the matter. In the event that the
parent is still dissatisfied with the outcome, the parent should contact the President of the Association. Any and
all observations or complaints should be put in writing.
Is there a designated area where parents should watch games?
Yes. Parents must stay away from the team benches during games. If a child injured on the field of play, the team staff
will deal with the matter. If it is considered a serious injury, the parent will be invited onto the field. Parents are asked
to position themselves on the opposite side of the field from the team benches.
Is there a policy that prevents a parent from talking to the coach on game day?
Small talk is fine, but it is not appropriate for parents to discuss the team’s strategy or team selection with the
coach on game day. It is suggested that the “24-hour” rule be followed if parents wish to discuss any team issues
with the coaching staff.
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