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Welcome to EBYA Spring Soccer | |
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| | | Hi EBYA Soccer Families:
Welcome to EBYA Spring Soccer! We cannot wait to get out onto the fields and play soccer!
If you are new to our program - all of the info that you need is on ourSoccer website, including pages for bothparentsandcoaches. Our soccer program is operated 100% by volunteers from within our community. Your child's experience, and the experience of hundreds of other children, is a reflection of the time and energy that volunteers provide.
Our goal is to provide the best recreational soccer experience possible. The more volunteers we have, the better we can achieve that goal - please consider a volunteer role this season. And thank you to everyone who has already volunteered!
You'll see both summaries and details for our season below. You're encouraged to read all of the information provided. Here is a high-level flow of the season, followed by details on many of the high-level items.
Pre-Season to Season Start
*From now until mid-March- team building, including ability assessments for players 2nd/3rd Grade and older
*Late March- team assignment & schedule announcements
*Last week of March- weeknight practices start and continue through the 2nd week of June
*First Saturday in April- First game day - Saturday April 1
*Every Saturdaythrough the 2nd Saturday in June - Game days
** We skip Memorial Day Weekend
Mid-Season
*Saturday Picture Days in late Aprilfor age groups 4th/5th Grade & younger
*Saturday May 20-Silent Saturday, held in partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance
End of Season
*Saturday June 10- Final Game Day
*Saturday June 24-Group Outing to the Philadelphia Union- Tickets may be purchased at a discounted group rate
What to Expect Now
Everything is ready to go with our season. Over the next few weeks, we'll be building teams. Team assignments, practice & game schedules will be announced no later than Saturday March 25. Practices start the week of March 27 with first games on Saturday April 1. *Note that many games will start 2 hours later than usual on our April 1 game day to accommodate Opening Day ceremonies for EBYA Baseball & Softball at the park.
Please look for an introductory communication from your child's division commissioner this upcoming week with high-level information and a request to fill any available volunteer roles!
Player Ability Assessments
For players in the 2nd/3rd Grade age groups and older, look for an email blast later today with the schedule for our Player Ability Assessments. Next Saturday March 4 (9am to 3pm) is the preferred assessment day for age groups: 2nd/3rd Grade and 4th/5th Grade. And Sunday March 12 (3pm to 7pm) is the preferred assessment day for age groups: Middle School & High School.
*If you cannot attend during the preferred time slots for your age group, you may attend on either date during any time slot. BUT - outside of your age group's preferred time slot, you should only expect an individual ability assessment - where preferred time slots will also include group assessments/scrimmages with coaches from your age group present.
Assessments will be held on Indoor Courts or Turf atUnited Sportsin West Bradford. Exact assessment times will be detailed in an email blast this evening, although you will also find them later in this email under the Schedule section.
Positive Coaching Alliance
This season, we are continuing to implement thePositive Coaching Alliance(PCA) program which includes meetings for all coaches. Look for weekly PCA Talking Points - such asTips for a Positive Parent/Coach Partnership- and an end-of-season recognition of coaches who best exemplify a Double-Goal Coach!
Hey Coaches!
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to coach this season. Our league would not exist without the contribution of time, talent, and energy from our volunteers!
For coaches who have not submitted a background check through EBYA previously, please see ourSafety Info pagefor instructions. All volunteer coaches must submit a background check per PA state law. We will also issue Coach ID Badges to be worn on Game Day to all coaches.
Once again we are providing aCoach Workshop presented by the Positive Coaching Alliance, mark your calendars. The workshop will be held via Zoom - please see the pre-registration info below. Please pre-register as soon as you can!
Mandatory for all coaches
Tuesday, April 18 @ 7:30pm - 9:00pm- Mandatory Positive Coaching Alliance - 1st Level Coach - Double-Goal Coach: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons -Zoom-Click here to pre-register (required)
What's Next?
Over the next few days, volunteer division commissioners will confirm volunteer coaches for each age group and begin the process of setting up teams. If age groups do not have enough volunteer coaches, our division commissioners will reach out with requests for additional volunteers. We make the job of volunteering as easy as possible - minimal paperwork, frequent and timely communication, consistent schedules, pre-made practice plans emailed out weekly, and a commitment to supporting our coaches.
Team assignment notifications will be sent out starting the weeks of March 6 (younger age groups) and March 13 (2nd/3rd Grade age groups and older).All team assignments and schedules - both practice and game schedules - will be communicated by Saturday, March 25. Practices start the week of March 27 and first games will be on Saturday, April 1.
Note that if you have multiple children signed up, team assignment notifications will be sent at different times, but all team assignments for all players will be communicated by Saturday, March 25.
And a big thank you to all of our volunteers! As previously emphasized, we are an all-volunteer league and your commitment makes our league possible.
 Again, we are all excited to get out on the fields and play soccer!
We have some useful notes below as we prepare to setup our divisions and assign players to teams. Please note that our most common questions & answers may be found in the FAQs on ourSoccer Parents page.
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Communications and Expectations
 * Get the app! We encourage all coaches and families to use theGameChangerTeam Managerapp for communication and scheduling. Team assignments and schedules will be officially published for all players by March 25, and then you will be able to see the details for your child's team
* Your child's division commissioner will send an introductory email within a few days
* Key dates are on ourSoccer Website. Over the next week, we will develop our division layouts based upon the number of players registered. With sufficient volunteers, we will be assigning players to teams during the weeks of March 6 and March 13.If volunteers are lacking, team assignments will be delayed.
* Team assignments and schedules will be announced via automatic emails from our website
* Each team will have a weeknight practice at 6PM. Games are played on Saturdays with games beginning as early as 8AM and typically no games starting later than 3:30 PM. Practice start the week of March 25. First game day is Saturday, April 1. Note that most games on Saturday April 1 will start 2 hours later than usual due to Opening Day ceremonies for Baseball & Softball at the park
* We also reserve Sundays for make-up games at the originally scheduled game time
* Look for weekly email blasts to the Soccer league on Friday afternoons with updates and info
Hey Coaches!
 * We provide practice plans viaYouthSoccer101.comto simplify your coaching experience. This season the program will also include an online video training series.
* We will offer several coaching clinics targeted to our younger divisions. Keep an eye out for the scheduling announcements
* All coaches must submit a background check. Details are on ourSafety Info page
** If you have any questions about coaching or volunteering, please email us:[email protected]
Wait Lists
* Although we've activated as many wait-listed players as possible, we do not expect to have spots open up for all of the kids on our wait list this season due to our league's limited capacity
* Movement off of the wait list typically occurs between now and the 3rd week of the season
* We encourage all wait listed kids 12 and under to participate in our EBYA Spring Baseball, Softball, and Quickball leagues
* We have also partnered with DARC to coordinate sessions of theirSoccer Shotsprogram to be hosted at Community Park this Spring
Division Formats and Tentative Game Schedule Info
 * Game times are staggered with sufficient time between games on each field to assist with parking as well as ingress and egress
Spring 2023 Division Layouts*Age Group Divisions will be combined as COED if there are insufficient registrations in either the BOYS or GIRLS divisions
Which Age Group should I sign my child up for?
In our Spring 2023 season, age groups are based upon your child's Current Grade for the 2022-2023 school year. Choose the age group for the grade your child is in this April 2023.
Division | # of Teams | Practice Nights | Practice Field | Players per Team | | 4 & 5 Year Old - PreK GIRLS | 8 | Wed/Thurs | 5-1 thru 5-5 | 7 | | Kindergarten GIRLS | 8 | Wed/Thurs | 5-1 thru 5-5 | 7 | 1st Grade Girls | 4 | Wed/Thurs | 5A/5B | 10 | 2nd/3rd Grade Girls | 8 | Wed/Thurs | 4A/4B | 11 | 4th/5th Grade Girls | 4 | Wed/Thurs | 1A/1B | 13 | 6th/7th/8th Middle School Girls | 4 | Mon-Fri | 2 | 16 | | 4 & 5 Year Old - PreK BOYS | 8 | Mon/Tues | 5-1 thru 5-5 | 7 | | Kindergarten BOYS | 6 | Mon/Tues | 5-1 thru 5-5 | 7 | | 1st Grade Boys | 6 | Mon/Tues | 5A/5B | 10 | 2nd/3rd Grade Boys | 8 | Mon/Tues | 4A/4B | 11 | 4th/5th Grade Boys | 6 | Mon/Tues | 1A/1B | 13 | 6th/7th/8th Middle School Boys | 6 | Mon-Fri | 6 | 16 | 9th thru 12th High School COED | 4 | Mon-Fri | 4 | 17 |
Below is our tentative Saturday game schedule. Prior to publishing the official schedule, please expect game times to vary by about 30-45 minutes from this tentative schedule:
Spring 2023 Saturday Game TimesDivision | Field | Times | 4 & 5 Year Old Pre-K Boys and Girls | 5-1, 5-3, 5-5 | 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:00pm | | Kindergarten Boys and Girls | 5-1, 5-3, 5-5 | 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm | | 1st Grade Girls | 5A/5B | 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:15pm | 2nd/3rd Grade Girls | 4A, 4B, 4C | 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:15pm, 1:45pm | 4th/5th Grade Girls | 1A, 1B | 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm | 6th/7th/8th Middle School Girls | 2 and 3 | 11:00am, 12:30pm | | 1st Grade Boys | 5A, 5B | 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:15pm | 2nd/3rd Grade Boys | 4A, 4B, 4C | 8:45am, 10:15am, 11:45am, 1:15pm | 4th/5th Grade Boys | 1A, 1B | 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm | 6th/7th/8th Middle School Boys | 2 and 3 | 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm | 9th thru 12th High School COED | 2 and 3 | 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm
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Spring 2023 Schedule
- Sunday, January 1 - Registration Opens
- Sunday, February 26 - Registration Closes -Some age groups may fill prior to February 26
- Monday, February 27 - Late Registration Opens with Late Fee (limited spots available)
- Saturday, March 4 - Player Evaluation Day #1 -2nd/3rd Grade & 4th/5th Grade age groups
- Location:United Sportsindoor court, specific times see below
- Must wear shin guards. Sneakers only. No cleats.
- 2nd/3rd Grade Boys - 9:00am to 10:30am
- Last names A to L - arrive at 9:00am
- Last names M to Z - arrive at 9:45am
- 2nd/3rd Grade Girls - 10:30am to 12:00pm Noon
- Last names A to L - arrive at 10:30am
- Last names M to Z - arrive at 11:15am
- 4th/5th Grade Boys - 12:00pm Noon to 1:30pm
- Last names A to M - arrive at 12:00pm Noon
- Last names N to Z - arrive at 12:45pm
- 4th/5th Grade Girls - 1:30pm to 3:00pm
- Last names A to M - arrive at 1:30pm
- Last names N to Z - arrive at 2:15pm
- Sunday, March 12 - Player Evaluation Day #2 -Middle School & High School age groups
- Location:United Sportsindoor turf/court, specific times see below
- Must wear shin guards. Bring both sneakers and cleats.
- Middle School Girls - 3:00pm to 4:00pm
- Last names A to M - arrive at 3:00pm
- Last names N to Z - arrive at 3:30pm
- Middle School Boys - 4:00pm to 5:30pm
- Last names A to M - arrive at 4:00pm
- Last names N to Z - arrive at 4:45pm
- High School COED - 5:30pm to 7:00pm
- Last names A to L - arrive at 5:30pm
- Last names N to Z - arrive at 6:15pm
- Week of March 13 - Team Drafts (coaches & commissioners will meet)
- Saturday, March 18 - Field Day - Equipment bag and field setup - 9am @ Soccer Shed (all volunteers welcome)
- TBD -DARCSoccer Shots 8-week programs for children ages 2 to 8.
- Saturday, March 25 - All families notified of team assignments, practice/game schedules published (announcements likely will be earlier, but this is the deadline)
- Click herefor Game Schedule (when published)
- Saturday, March 25 @ 10am - Uniform distribution to coaches - Pavilion next to Field 4 (when confirmed)
- Week of March 27 - Practices officially start week of March 27
- Saturday April 1 - First official game day -games will start 2 hours later than usual to accommodate baseball/softball Opening Day
- Saturday, April 8 - Second official game day
- Tuesday, April 18 @ 7:30pm - Mandatory Coach Zoom Workshop
- Saturday, April 22 - Picture Day #1
- Click hereto view the Picture Day schedule
- Click hereto view the Picture Day location at the park
- Click hereto place your order
- League Code = (when published)
- Saturday, April 29 - Picture Day #2
- Click hereto view the Picture Day location at the park
- Click hereto place your order
- League Code = (when published)
- Saturday, May 20 -Silent Saturday
- Saturday, May 27 - Optional Scrimmages (No Games on Memorial Day Weekend)
- Saturday, June 10 - Final Game Day
- Please keep the entire day available in your family calendar as we anticipate the final game day format will keep families at the park longer than usual
- Saturday, June 17 -Field Cleanup Day - 9am @ Soccer Shed (all volunteers welcome)
- Saturday, June 24 @ 7:30pm - Group Outing - Philadelphia Union vs Miami FC
- Tickets at discounted rate of $33 per person in Section 114
- First 20 families to purchase tickets may have up to 2 participants in pre-game on-the-field banner experience!
- Click hereto purchase tickets
2023 EBYA Soccer Committee
* Our division commissioners are listed below for your reference
* Members of our EBYA Soccer Committee volunteer an immeasurable amount of time and energy year-round to ensure the success of your child's soccer league. Please thank them for their hard work and dedication
Volunteer Division Commissioners
4 and 5 Year Old PreK Boys & Girls -Mike Mize
Kindergarten Boys and Girls -Mike Mize
1st Grade Boys -Allan Snider
2nd/3rd Grade Boys -Chrissy Eagles
4th/5th Grade Boys -Dave Westwood
Middle School Boys -Steve Bagent
1st Grade Girls -Allan Snider
2nd/3rd Grade Girls -Bree Burnley
4th/5th Grade Girls -Jenn Smith
Middle School Girls -Ron Kummerer
High School COED -Wendy Madanat
Member at Large-John Fernandes
Member at Large-Attie Heunis
Special Projects Chair-Jeff Seibert
Soccer Committee Chair -Mike Mize
Field Map
* All practices & games take place at East Brandywine Community Park:
440 Dilworth Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335
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Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
EBYA Soccer
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