LASA Travel Soccer Parent Handbook

GENERAL INFORMATION

Louisa Area Soccer Association (LASA) Structure

LASA is a non-profit, 501.c.3 run by a Board of Directors who oversee the association’s budget, administration, fundraising, and player fees. The LASA travel program is run by group of dedicated volunteer coaches, team managers, referees, and commissioners.  LASA is a member of Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) and U.S. Club Soccer.

Mission

The LASA travel program is for players (and families) who want to participate in a more competitive, region-wide league. Players have a greater level of commitment and are expected to be motivated to compete at a higher level. The LASA travel program strives to develop creative, confident players that will go on to be competent leaders both on and off the field.

Team Formation

LASA Travel teams are formed in the U11 through U18 age groups for both boys and girls when possible.  Team creation is based on the quantity and quality of interested candidates and coaches in each age group.  Teams are formed at the discretion of the LASA coaches and Travel Commissioner.  If there are not enough players to form all-boys or all-girls teams, co-ed teams will be formed and they will play in the boys leagues.

The travel year has two periods: the Fall season (August-November) and Spring season (March-June). U11 through U13 age groups are required to commit to both seasons. The U14 and above age groups will only play in the Fall to avoid conflicts with the High School season. Age groupings follow birth year and the US Club Soccer age matrix.

Annual tryouts will be held in May prior to the following Fall season.  All players are required to attend the tryout sessions for their age group.  Team availability is only guaranteed at the annual tryouts, however, supplemental tryouts may be held during other times of the year and will be announced on the LASA website.  During tryouts, players will be evaluated by LASA coaches, and selection is based on player ability.  Performance, attendance, and attitude from previous seasons will also be considered.  Team selection decisions are final.  Players who are not selected are encouraged to continue participating in the Recreational program.

Registration

If selected for a travel team, you must register for the program in order to accept your position.  An initial deposit of $100 is required during registration, submitted through your Demosphere account.  Please submit payment promptly to ensure your position on the team.

Those players that do not register for their selected team by the registration deadline are in danger of forfeiting their position on the team.  Replacement or alternate selections may be contacted to fill your position at that time.

A recent photograph and copy of a birth certificate are required for registration. Players are also required to fill out a U.S. Club Soccer R002 Medical Release Form. Players and parents will also be required to sign LASA’s Code of Conduct.

Fees

We aim to make this an affordable experience for Louisa County Youth, with a focus on the essentials and an entirely volunteer-run organization. Yearly dues include league fees (VPSL), most tournament fees (individual travel/hotel is not included), player registration and insurance (U.S. Club Soccer), field rental and maintenance (LCPRT), referee pay (LASA), and equipment.

Parents agree that upon initial acceptance to a position on the team, a deposit of $100 is required at registration.  The remaining balance will be due upon the selected date during registration (either paid in full or broken up into two payments).

Uniforms are purchased separately by new players, or when worn or outgrown, and include two full kits (jerseys, shorts, and socks). Players are responsible for all uniform pieces- if anything is lost or damaged it must be replaced at the cost of the player. Uniform styles are on a 2-year cycle.

Parents recognize that the players and coaches commitment to LASA Travel and to each other is for the soccer year, which are Fall and Spring seasons (with the exception of U14 and above which may only play in the Fall season).  Refunds are not issued to players who leave during the year.  Only in extreme circumstances (such as injury or a move) will refunds be considered, and must be made to the Board of Directors.

Fundraisers

Additional costs may be required for the purchase of equipment (benches, tents, etc.) and for those teams wishing to participate in tournaments or indoor leagues during the off season. In lieu of collecting additional fees, fundraising activities may be held throughout the year.  All team fundraising activities must be recorded on the LASA Fundraising Form and be approved in advance by the LASA Travel Commissioner.

Training Sessions

Practices are typically 2 days per week, and last approximately 1.5-2 hours long. Practice location and times are determined by the coaches for each team. Practices will typically start in August for the Fall season, and in March for the Spring season.  Winter training is not mandatory, however, some coaches may offer winter training sessions, clinics, or opportunities to participate in regional indoor leagues.

LASA follows the US Soccer Guidelines, Player Development Initiatives & Structure to ensure we are practicing the most up to date and current methods for player and team development. The travel program has adopted a philosophy and methodology that is focused on developing creative, confident players. Through fast-paced and intensive practice sessions focused on skill building and small-sided games, players will learn to master the most crucial aspects of the game while maximizing efficiency of training. Healthy competition during practice sessions will motivate players to give 100% effort. Coaches will encourage players to create space and opportunity on the field, and reward effort over results both in practice sessions and in games. We strive to build an environment that allows players to build a love of the game that motivates them to play.

VPSL West League and Games

LASA travel teams play in the Western Division of the Virginia Premier Soccer League (VPSL), with opponents in the West Central and Southwest Virginia area.  The schedule consists of 8-10 league games, held on Saturdays or Sundays, each season. The VPSL League tries to create a situation where a team does not need to travel more than 3 hours to an opposing team’s facility (most games are between 1-2 hours away). Additional friendlies may also be arranged during the season.

Tournaments

Tournaments are part of the travel soccer experience. Travel teams will participate in at least one local tournament per season (Fall and Spring), the cost of which is covered by the fees. If a team wishes to participate in additional tournaments, they will be responsible for raising the funds to do so. LASA travel players will be expected to provide their own means of transportation and sleeping accommodations if necessary.

Coaches

All LASA coaches are volunteers. Head coaches will have earned a minimum of the USYS Grassroots Certification, with at least one season of coaching experience at the appropriate age level. Each team will be assigned one head coach and one assistant coach/manager per team by the LASA Board of directors.

All adult volunteers will complete a background check and yearly Safesport training as required by U.S. Club Soccer and USYS. They will also be held accountable with a Coaches Code of Conduct set forth at the beginning of the year.

POLICIES

Safety

Coaches are not to have personal communications directly with players through email or text message regarding anything other than soccer.  It is LASA policy to always have two adults present during practices, games, or travel, if your child is with someone other than a parent.

LASA adheres to the VSA Concussion Management Policy.  LASA follows the no heading rule at ages U11 and below.

It will be at the referee’s discretion to determine what is dangerous at the start of each game and before players enter the field. All players must wear shin guards. Children will not be permitted to play if they are wearing anything dangerous to themselves or to other players.  This includes jewelry, casts (without appropriate padding), or joint supports and braces with exposed metal or hard plastic.

Inclement Weather

Practice and games may be canceled or delayed if lightning is detected nearby.  It is LASA’s policy to wait 30 minutes after the detection of lightning, after which coaches and referees will determine if it is necessary to delay or cancel. If fields are closed due to wet conditions, coaches and players must comply. Field status is updated by 8am on game days.

In situations where the temperature is determined to be extreme in either heat or cold, play may be suspended, or additional breaks warranted.

Playing Time

LASA believes that player development is our first priority, and will not be compromised by the need to win a game. Our coaches will strive to allow equal playing time in each game, and create a healthy competitive atmosphere during practice sessions to motivate young players. If a player is not receiving playing time due to disciplinary action, the coach will communicate this with the player.

Communication

Coaches and team managers will have an open dialogue with players and parents/guardians. All practice and game information will be communicated clearly through the Demosphere App and group emails. If a player has a question about practices, player development, or training, we encourage players to ask their coach directly.

Player Expectations

All players are expected to be at all practice, games, and team events. If for any reason you are not able to be at a team event, you MUST notify the coach and team manager at least 24 hours before the event. In the case of unexcused absences, a player may see a reduction in playing time when their practice time is less than that of their teammates.

LASA is committed to providing players a fun, positive, and secure environment in which to learn and enjoy the game of soccer. We do not tolerate bullying at any practice, game, or other LASA sanctioned events. We will promote a TELLING atmosphere. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is taking place is expected to report the incident. Players and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

Parent Expectations

We wish to remind parents of your role in making your child's participation in soccer a fun and rewarding experience. As a parent, you play a special role in the development of your son or daughter, and his or her teammates. Your encouragement and good example will do more to ensure good sportsmanship and self-discipline than any other influence.

Discipline

All players and parents will be expected to sign a LASA Code of Conduct. Disciplinary action will be taken if this code of conduct is broken. The first offense is a verbal warning, the second offense will include a meeting with the player and their parent/guardian, and the third offense may involve the player being removed from the team. A player may not attend practice and home games if suspended or expelled from school property.

LASA has a zero-tolerance policy for referee abuse and will adhere to the new USYS guidelines for penalizing both non-physical (insults, harassment, aggressive language) and physical offenses.  Depending on the severity of the offense, penalties for referee abuse may be game-based or time-based suspensions.  US Soccer Policy can be found here: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/oyf3dba6/production/2e5c0d1a6efba6244230e5f42670be43018dd00e.pdf .

Concerns, Complaints, or Grievances

If the parents/legal guardians of a travel player have a concern about another player or the parent/legal guardian of another player, this concern should be brought to the attention of the head coach or team manager for resolution.

If the parents/legal guardians of a travel player have a concern about the behavior of any adult volunteer on the travel team, this concern should be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors via the grievance procedure outlined below. A grievance or complaint must be written and include the following:

a. The name, and title if known, of the individual against whom the grievance or complaint is raised;

b. A brief summary of the conduct, attitude or statements observed upon which redress is sought;

c. A brief factual statement of the circumstances under which the alleged misconduct occurred or the statements etc. were made;

d. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers, if known, of any eyewitnesses to the incident;

e. The name, address, and telephone number of the person filing the grievance or complaint.

All written grievances or complaints which contain the aforementioned information will be investigated by a LASA grievance committee and the LASA Board of Directors.

Parents or legal guardians may request for their player to not have a specific coach if there is a conflict. The request to not have a specific coach, along with a description of the conflict and previous attempts to reach reconciliation, must be made in writing to the Board of Directors no later than June 1.

The coach in question must be informed of the parents’ request, provided a copy of the request, and will be allowed to provide a written statement to the Board of Directors validating or disputing the description of the conflict. A decision whether to grant the parents’ request will be made by Board of Directors. If granted, a request to not have a specific coach does not guarantee an invitation to play on any other travel team. If granted, the request not to have a specific coach shall remain in effect while the coach and the player participate in League activities.

Appeals Process

The following is the appeals process for LASA travel soccer. Please address your concerns to the appropriate level and only bring the matter to the attention of a higher level if you are not satisfied with the response (or lack of response) you receive.

Head Coach

LASA Travel Commissioner

LASA Board of Directors

Adjudication Committee of VYSA

CONTACT INFO

For further information or any questions about the travel program, please reach out to our travel commissioner at travel@lasasoccer.org.