Registration FAQs

Registration Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is registration so early?

I don’t know my schedule yet. We realize that registering months ahead seems early, but our schedule is dictated by the leagues we belong to. They need to know how many teams are participating from each town in order to form divisions, make schedules and print the books that include the rules, schedules and maps for the season. Many of their deadlines are early, so we need to complete our registration in time for the SYS age-group coordinators to determine the number of teams we will be submitting. We also need to order uniforms well in advance and we need to register all players and coaches with the state. So, a lot of work is done after registration to prepare for the season!

2. Can I get a refund if my child decides not to play or we move?

No refunds will be provided unless approved by the President of SYS for extraordinary reasons (i.e., injury prior to the season, move prior to the season, making high school soccer team, etc.). If it is the choice of the player or parent that was a possible foreseen situation, no refunds will be allowed (i.e., conflict with another sport or activity). If a refund is granted, it will be less administrative fees incurred by SYS.

3. I’m confused whether I register my child by their age or by their grade? What if their birthday is during the season?

SYS follows the Mass Youth Soccer guidelines for age groups, which is determined by their age on August 1st of each year. Players remain in the same age group for the entire year (fall and spring season). Although for most players, their soccer age-group corresponds to their grade placement; we realize some children are in higher or lower grades based on the community where they started school and their parent's decision when to start kindergarten. SYS has flexibility to allow a child to “play up” or “play down” with their peers in the lower age groups when they play in-town, but be aware that when they get older and start to travel, we need to conform to the MYSA regulations. Teams that participate in tournament play may not have over-age players on the roster. Please address any questions or concerns about age-group placement to the appropriate SYS Age Group Coordinator.

4. What are the “Player Evaluations” and should my child attend them?

At the end of the spring season, SYS holds Player Evaluation nights for players that will be registering for the U10 and older age groups in the following year that would like to be considered for our most competitive travel teams. The evaluation nights gives multiple coaches the opportunity to review each player’s skills in a variety of areas. This information is used along with their current coach’s end of season evaluation to select the competitive travel teams. There are no player evaluations between the fall and spring season. Players are placed on teams based on their prior evaluations and coaches end-of-season evaluation forms. Note that all U10 players and above travel in the spring season. Also note that there can be movement of players between the fall and spring. For more information on how traveling teams are selected, please refer to the Parents & Players section of the SYS website.

5. Are the teams co-ed or are boys and girls separate? I see older girl’s teams but no older boy’s teams, just mixed. Why?

In the MINIs program (U5 to U8) the players are placed on co-ed teams. Starting with the U10 age groups, we offer all girl teams and “mixed” teams. The mixed teams often have all boy rosters, but are open to girls and it is not unusual to encounter teams with girls on the roster in the mixed leagues. If a girl tries out for both a girl’s team and a mixed team and is selected for both, she must choose one team to play on.

6. Can I request that my child be with a friend or a specific coach?

SYS cannot guarantee that your child will be placed on a specific team or with a specific coach, but we do our best to accommodate reasonable requests. For the younger age groups, we encourage you to specify a friend your child will enjoy playing with, or a friend or neighbor you would like for a coach (if you volunteer to coach, your child will be placed on your team). For older players, we do our best to honor requests where children are in the same age group and at the same ability level. Note that we do our best to honor requests due to practice conflicts, but practice night information is not always available at the time that players are placed on teams. If your child ends up on a team with a conflict, please contact your age-group coordinator.

7. I would like to help, but have no coaching experience. What should I do?

We always welcome volunteers! Please volunteer to be a coach or an assistant coach. SYS can provides resources to educate new coaches, including website links and documents, as well as placing material at the library that you can use. Coaching licensing courses are also offered locally on a regular basis. If you would like to coach, but are apprehensive, please contact the SYS board and we will be happy to help. If coaching is not your thing, we can also use volunteers to help with registration, tournaments and other SYS activities. Please contact the SYS board for more information.

8. My child has been playing in an in-town league, do they need to “travel” and why?

In-town only programs are provided for U5-U8 age groups. In the fall, an in-town U10 program is also provided because the numbers allow for it. In the spring season all players U10 and above travel. We do not have enough players/teams in the spring to support an in-town program. All teams participate in the Midland Youth Soccer League (MAYS).

9. When does the season start and end? When will I hear what team my child is on?

The fall season usually starts late August/early September and the spring season usually starts in early April. The season runs for approximately 8 weeks. Your child’s coach will contact you in advance with team and schedule information. If you have questions, you can contact your age-group coordinator.

10. Does the registration fee include the uniform?

Uniforms are included in your registration fee. Travel Uniforms are provided once per year.

11. What day are games played on?

Typically, games are scheduled on Saturday’s. In some cases for the high school age players, those games are played on Sundays.

12. If my child played on a U10 in-town team in the fall, do they need to purchase a travel uniform for the spring?

Yes, all travel teams U10 and above must have the Shrewsbury Travel Uniform.

If you have any other questions, please contact a member of the SYS board.

THANK YOU for supporting Shrewsbury Youth Soccer!