West Chester United Soccer Club conducts open travel league tryouts for all players who have the desire to train and compete at the club’s highest level. There is no geographic limitation or requirement. (Players may reside outside the West Chester area and may have played with other clubs in previous years.) While players who were rostered on a second or third team the previous season are permitted to remain on the lower level team the following year if they so desire, it is the club’s presumption that most players will attend tryouts with the intent to make the first team in their respective age group. It is also assumed that players and their parents recognize the commitment demanded by first team travel league participation, and that players and parents are willing to invest the necessary time and travel in order to be successful.

Tryout registration forms will be available at the WCUSC web site (www.wcusc.org). Upon arrival at the first tryout all players must pay a $10 fee, which covers the cost of the tryout T-shirt (which is to be worn at all tryout sessions) and the time given by the staff trainers for player evaluation.

Each age group will have two tryouts, one each in consecutive weeks, with a third date reserved as a rain date or optional third tryout. Specific tryout times and dates are posted on the WCUSC web site (www.wcusc.org). In each tryout players are taken through an organized session designed to reveal competence in a variety of individual skills as well as small group and team performance. The primary evaluator in each session is that particular age group’s first team staff coach. The first team coach will be supported by other staff coaches at a desired player-to-coach ratio of 10:1. Players are strongly encouraged to attend both tryouts, as the second tryout builds off the first and it provides more opportunity to be seen by the evaluators. At minimum, one tryout must be attended and if a player can only attend one tryout date, the club must be notified prior to the missed tryout.

Although players are evaluated in such areas as quality of first touch, physical speed, technical speed, tactical awareness, fitness, individual and group defending and attacking, and more, these evaluations are in the end a guideline. Past performance, commitment to team and player development and other factors may become considerations if it serves the best interests of the player or team. For example, a player who has otherwise proven to be top-caliber will likely not suffer extreme consequences from an unusually poor tryout. The same approach works the other way, however, when considering the player who has talent but offers little or no commitment to soccer development, team training or team aspirations. It is important to understand that no talent supercedes the player (or player’s parent) who has proven to be a disruptive force, one who consciously or not impedes the progress of team or player development. Where the potential for a counterproductive situation exists, the Director of Boys/Girls Travel, Head Staff Coach, Executive Director, Staff Coach and (for second or third teams) head coach can make a collective decision based on what is in the best interests of the team. Evaluators will therefore consider all possible factors when making final decisions on each player.

After each age group’s final tryout, the first team should be selected and players are generally contacted within two days. Ideally, players will be prepared to commit at this time if offered an invitation. Any player who does not commit to an invitation must decide to accept or refuse the invitation within 48 hours. These are essentially one-year commitments, and players are expected to honor the requirements of playing for a particular team until the following year’s tryouts. To remain with the team from one year to the next, players must successfully participate in tryouts each year. Once the first team in an age group is determined, the second and third teams will be selected – the second team is formed the same way as the first, followed by the third. The number of travel teams in any age group is largely determined by the number of qualified players attending tryouts. If, for example, the number of qualified players dictates a fourth team in an age group, the club will carry a fourth team. It is the club’s wish to have all teams and players in an age group set within a two week after the final tryout. In addition, all players – even those not placed on a team – will be notified by the completion of the tryout process.

Players should bring a ball, shin guards, cleats and drinking water to each tryout. The tryout T-shirt will be numbered for player identity, and a group photo will be taken to further ensure that players are accurately identified. Again, players should recognize that each tryout is a new opportunity to make the appropriate team, and the club is committed to making every effort to determine the correct place for each player. Remember, too, that renewed opportunity carries a renewed commitment to honor the requirements for playing on any particular team. To this extent tryouts should not be entered into lightly. Players should come to tryouts having thoroughly examined how such a commitment will affect their lives in the coming year.

Below are some frequently asked questions:

1. Are tryouts open to players outside of the West Chester area? Yes, WCUSC tryouts are open to all players regardless of residency.

2. Have the first team staff coach or second/third team parent coaches pre-selected their teams? No, the tryout process described earlier ensures that all players are evaluated independently. As a club, WCUSC values our coaches, especially our parent coaches for their time, expertise and commitment to the kids. The coaches are an important part of the process, but the coaches do not pre-select the team.

3. Who participate in the player selection process? After the tryouts are completed, a small committee, which includes the club’s Executive Director (Damon Nolan), Head Staff Coach (Lee Martin), age group appointed Staff Coach, and the Boys ( John Carroll / Gary Bevilacqua ) or Girls ( Rick Martin ) Travel Director, determines the first team selections. After the first team roster is initially established, the best qualified parent, assistant coach is determined and consulted on the selections before the calls are made. After the first team, the best qualified parent coach is selected and added to the committee to select the second team and the same process is followed for the third team, etc…

4. My child can only make one tryout. Will they still be considered? Yes, WCUSC suggest players make the maximum number of tryouts possible. The more exposure to the evaluators the more accurately the score will reflect the players level. However, if a player only can make one tryout their scores are still entered and the player will still be considered. The club must be notified prior as soon as possible if a player must miss a tryout session.

5. What if my child is injured? If your child is injured, the Director of Boys/Girls Travel or the Program Director should be information of the situation. If the player is a current player with the WCUSC past participation will be used in the evaluation. The injured players coach from the previous year(s) should provide the Director of Boys/Girls Travel or the Executive Director a letter describing the player in detail.

6. What if my child is sick? As a parent you need to make the decision whether your child is healthy enough to participate in tryouts. Either way you should make the Director of Boys/Girls travel or the Executive Director know.

7. Can my child tryout to play in the age group above? The club’s policy is that players should play age appropriate. The club has exercised some flexibility on this issue when a situation warrants. If you chose to play up, you need to make the Director of Boys/Girls travel or the Executive Director know prior to tryouts & player should still attend one of the age appropriate tryout session, along with the age above tryouts.

8. What if my child does not want to play on the team they were selected for? If a player has been selected to play on a team, but request to be placed on a lower team, the club will honor the request.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Damon Nolan, WCUSC Executive Director, at dnolan@wcusc.org or by calling our office (610-399-5277).