1 P a g e Information Document 2017 Table of Contents Intro and Mission... 2 Explanation of Festival Format, Age Group Pairings, and Divisions... 3 Academy Division (U9-U12)...4 Recreational Cup Division (U8-U12)...5 Registration Fees, Division Prices, and Registration Link... 6 Extra Benefits and Opportunities... 7 Frequently Asked Questions... 8 We are excited to once again bring you the Alabama Soccer Festival during the SEC Women s Tournament in Orange Beach. This year, the Target United Cup will be the main event on Saturday and Sunday. The Target United Cup is a recreational festival that is supported by US Youth Soccer. The Alabama Soccer Festival will take place on Friday evening with player and coaching clinics put on my ASA. I want to take the time to a HUGE THANK YOU to Bob Baumhower and his team at Aloha Hospitality for creating this event and being the caretakers since its inception a few years ago. Bob has been a tremendous supporter of soccer and instrumental in keeping this festival alive and providing fan support for the SEC Women s Soccer Tournament. Please see below for all pertinent information and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the event! Emma Greenwood, ASA Zone 1 Director Target United Cup Director emma@alsoccer.org
2 P a g e ALABAMA SOCCER FESTIVAL 6U-12U Soccer Educational Event November 3 rd, Orange Beach, AL Friday night will feature an opportunity for all Target United Cup Participants to participate in a players clinic, parent education/interaction, and coaching education opportunities. This Friday night event is in honor of Bob Baumhower and his dedication to supporting the ASF over the years. Players and parents may also have the opportunity to meet some of the SEC women s players and coaches. (hosted by Alabama Soccer Association) Our mission is to grow the sport of soccer within the State of Alabama while displaying good sportsmanship within a professional, positive, fun environment. It is also our mission to support the SEC Women's Soccer Tournament in Orange Beach at the Orange Beach SportsPlex. About Alabama Soccer Association As the Alabama affiliate of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer, the Alabama Soccer Association (ASA) is a non-profit and educational organization whose mission is to foster the physical, mental, and emotional growth of players of all ages, by creating and increasing opportunities for wholesome participation. ASA has a current membership of over 25,000 registered players statewide, youth and adult, and approximately 2,000 active coaches, referees, and administrators.
3 P a g e Target United Cup Target is joining the world of soccer, taking part in the sport s inclusivity and family-friendliness via engagement in local youth and national professional play. Target United Cup is a series of youth soccer festivals/ tournaments across 21 markets in partnership with US Youth Soccer, reaching +18,000 players in addition to their family and friends. Target will host the Target United Cup Village, a unique and engaging oasis among fields of play where families can enjoy some fun while they cheer on their children and where players can take a break between games. Activities include: emcees driving engagement and hosting legend appearances on the Celebration Stage, the Family Patio where guests and players can grab a snack, a Soccer Playground featuring an oversized billiards table played with soccer balls, the Relax and Recharge Lounge offering a place to take a seat while also staying up-to-date on tournament play. Guests will also create fun memories with various integrated photo experiences throughout the footprint. The Target United Cup with take place on Saturday November 4 th and Sunday November 5 th. Each team will be guaranteed 3 games. There are no playoffs or championships. This is a FESTIVAL format. Explanation of a Festival Format A festival format differs from a tournament format in many ways in that festival format is focused on each player, parent, and coach enjoying a good soccer experience were more of an emphasis is placed on development rather than on winning. Too many times in youth sports we overvalue winning and expect young players to behave as adults and professionals. We must stop doing this if we are ever going to battle the fact that 75% of kids are quitting sports by the age of 13 and today s generation of kids are the first in the U.S. to have a shorter life expectancy than their adults. We are not saying that winning is not important- we strive to do our best every time that we step onto the field, however, we will not have win at all costs mentality. Therefore, there are no playoffs or championship games and we hope that players are able to compete and learn at the same time while having fun. Here are the ways that a festival is different: First, a festival allows for teams to know exactly how many games they are to play and who their opponents would be in advance of the event. o Teams do not have to worry about potential additional games in playoffs. Scores will not be posted because scores would not determine who got a trophy. Second, in the festival format coaches have more incentive to play all players equally, experiment with line-ups, and have more time to observe (long-term gain) rather than coach to win (short-term). o Players will realize that not every error is necessarily life and death and the opportunity to be creative and take chances is encouraged.
4 P a g e o Parents should enjoy the games a little bit more because the pressure to win, which already exists in leagues and tournaments, is off and consequently the pressure on the referees is less and the whole demeanor of the sideline should improve. Third, in a festival format, the idea is to match teams with similar ability levels. This way there are still high degrees of competition. In fact the degree of competition might improve. o Instead of schedules being devised to ensure the host clubs team gets to the final, and its strongest potential opponent is scheduled away from it until then, now schedules can put teams of like quality together immediately. o Rather than a good team having three walkover type results and then one meaningful final game there is more to be gained playing three competitive games to close scores and leaving the event having learned more about the team s competitive ability. Winning and losing can still matter, but that does not have to be because the winner gets a trophy. Rather the results matter in terms of what the team, its players and coaches and parents learned about each player s and the team s soccer ability. Target United Cup Age Group Pairings- Rationale for 2 year age cohort The athletes in the 5-12 year old range are considered Zone 1 soccer players (also known as the golden age of learning right before the growth spurt). All children develop at different rates and development is not always linear. By combining these two age groups together, player development should be enhanced through creating a larger player pool to account for a wide range of ability levels. I.e. early bloomers or more advanced 9U players may sometimes find a good fit with other 10U players and vice versa. Target United Cup Divisions The plan is to provide appropriate match-ups based on ability level and not just chronological age. There will be three divisions at the ASF: The Academy Division for 9U-10U and 11U-12U (see page 5 for more information) a. Teams will be recommended by their Youth Academy Director/Club DOC in two tiers: i. More Competitive ii. Competitive The third division is the Recreational Division for 9U-10U and 11U-12U for teams that do not currently play in a sanctioned US Youth Soccer State League or the ASA Academy. *Exceptions can be made to join the Academy Division by the Festival Director. Any questions about team placement, please contact Emma Greenwood at emma@alsoccer.org or 205-991- 9779. Our goal is to find the most appropriate match-ups so that players can focus on the process instead of the outcome. Players should compete to do their best (be competitive), but should also enjoy it and have fun. We have to help curb the epidemic of 75% of players dropping out of sport at the age of 13.
5 P a g e ACADEMY DIVISION of Target United Cup ASA Youth Academy Mission: To promote player development over team development in a child centered environment. Why: The purpose is to increase enjoyment and retention Objectives: 1. Focus on the technical development of each player 2. Reduce the emphasis on players and coaches to earn results What is an Academy? An Academy Program focuses on the complete development of each player. A properly organized Academy provides an educational environment for boys and girls to learn through playing; the main emphasis is of enjoying the process of technical development and gradual tactical understanding. The main goal of the ASA Youth Academy is to promote player development over team development in a child centered environment. This should help provide a program structure that meets the needs of all clubs and associations in Alabama. We feel that clubs must be empowered to provide a variety of programming options for their players including recreational and competitive play and that the Academy Program provides both the flexibility and structure to create a special program for boys and girls 11U and under. By using the ASA Youth Academy s standards, best practice recommendations and guidelines, which are included in the ASA Youth Academy Manual, member associations and clubs can foster programs of all sizes and shapes that can grow and flourish. Academy Standards: Youth Academy Director must possess the National Youth License (or National Youth Course Certificate), the club must submit a curriculum for player development, the club must host 2 parent interactions per season, and must keep a proper training to match ratio of at least 2 trainings for every 1 match. While the current ASA Youth Academy is only for 9U-11U, we will include the 12U format. Therefore, any teams currently participating in the 12U ASA State Leagues are encouraged to participate in the Academy format. Auburn Thunder Birmingham United Soccer Association Briarwood Capital City Streaks Club Independent Homewood Soccer Club Hoover Soccer Club Hueytown Youth Soccer Club Huntsville Futbol Club NorthStar Soccer Club Opelika Crush Soccer Club Schoals Soccer Club Smiths United Futbol Club Trussville United Soccer Club Tuscaloosa United Vestavia Hills Soccer Club Current ASA Clubs that are participating in the Youth Academy are listed to the left. Clubs from outside of the ASA Youth Academy can apply to participate but must be approved by the Festival Director before being accepted. Clubs from out of state that participate in a similar format may still apply, but must be approved by the Festival Director before being accepted and do not receive the ASA Discount for members.
6 P a g e *ASA Members receive a discounted registration fee. Teams/players that are not registered with Alabama Soccer Association/US Youth Soccer will pay an additional fee to register so that they can participate. REGISTRATION FEES ASA Youth Academy Member Teams*: U9-10 $350 (7V7) U11-U12 $400 (9V9)** Non-ASA Youth Academy Member Teams: U9-10 $450 (7V7) U11-U12 $500 (9V9) *ASA Members receive a discounted registration fee. Teams/players that are not registered with Alabama Soccer Association do not receive the Member Discount. ** While the current Youth Academy is only for 9U-11U, the 12U age groups will participate in this similar festival format. Registration Deadline- OCTOBER 20, 2017 Payment is due in full at application. Teams not accepted will be refunded the entire amount. Credit cards or e-checks only. Registration LINK, CLICK HERE Registration is completed in the GotSoccer registration system. If you do not have a current GotSoccer team account, you can create one to get registered. If my application is accepted I acknowledge that my payment will be deposited upon acceptance and if payment is refused, my application may be revoked, and I acknowledge that: 1) My team (players, coaches, and parents) understand that this is a festival format where results are NOT posted and there is no CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT 2) Once accepted no refunds are allowed. Every effort will be made to play all games in case of inclement weather. 3) My application must be reviewed by the festival director before my team is accepted. 4) Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance 5) Games may be shortened to accommodate a delayed schedule.
7 P a g e EXTRA BENEFITS SEC Women s Tournament As previously mentioned, part of the mission is to support the SEC Women s Tournament. Therefore, players/parents that participate will receive tickets/entrance to the Alabams Soccer Festival Festivities on Friday evening and the championship match on Sunday afternoon. This is a great opportunity for our players to watch high-level soccer and be part of a great atmosphere. Player Clinic There will be a free player clinic for all registered players as part of the ASF on Friday evening with ASA Zone 1 Director and Emma Greenwood and the ASA Elite Player Development Staff. The clinic will be open to all 9U-12U players and will take place on Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. Coaching Clinic/Coach s Game As a repeat from last year, there will be a small coaching clinic held on Friday evening as part of the Player Clinic. Coaches will be able to interact with the ASA staff and ask questions about the training environment. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a game for all coaches, managers, parents, and referees that would like to participate. Our goal is to model the correct behavior for our younger players and let them have some role models that they can identify and aspire to become when they grow older. Awards Player Character Awards Upon check-in, each team s coach will be given three Character Awards, which are meant to recognize an outstanding player from the opposing team that exhibits the core values of the mission of the ASF: sportsmanship, positivity, and having fun! Target United Cup Player Hydration stations Player Welcome Bags Tide Wash Agents service Target United Cup Village experience-target will host the Target United Cup Village, a unique and engaging oasis among fields of play where families can enjoy some fun while they cheer on their children and where players can take a break between games. Activities include: emcees driving engagement and hosting legend appearances on the Celebration Stage, the Family Patio where guests and players can grab a snack, a Soccer Playground featuring an oversized billiards table played with soccer balls, the Relax and Recharge Lounge offering a place to take a seat while also staying up-to-date on tournament play. Guests will also create fun memories with various integrated photo experiences throughout the footprint.
8 P a g e Target United Cup FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Will scores or standing be kept? A: No, this event is a festival format. Q: How many games does our team get? Are there championships? A: Each team will get a minimum of 3 games. There are no playoffs or championships. Q: Where will the matches be played? A: All matches this year will take place at the Orange Beach SportsPlex at 4385 William Silvers Parkway. Q: Will the kids be able to watch the SEC soccer teams play? A: Yes, each player will be given free admission to Sunday s afternoon game. Q: We have a rec team, can we still play? A: Yes, there is a Division for Recreational Teams, however, teams may be moved in between brackets to find the best possible match-up. Q: Is your event sanctioned? A: Yes, both the Target United Cup is are sanctioned through Alabama Soccer Association through US Youth Soccer. Q: What documents to I need to check my team in? A: You will need proof of a US Youth Soccer State Roster and Player ID Cards (laminated with signature), and Contact Information/Lodging Form and Permission to Travel Form (if your team is out of state). While not needed for check-in, it is the responsibility for each team manager/coach to obtain a signed copy of the Medical Release for each player, Player Release form, Guest Player form (if you have guest players), Q: What are the rules? A: Rules will follow the standard US Soccer Modified laws of the game as described in the US Soccer Player Development Initiatives. This includes the build-out line for 10U. Q: Will all the games be on Saturday? A: No, we will plan to have two games on Saturday and one on Sunday morning prior to the SEC Championship Game. Teams traveling from far away can request a late game on Saturday and an early game on Sunday. Any questions? Please contact Emma Greenwood at emma@alsoccer.org or 205-991-9779