F.A.Q.
What is V.S.A.?
What is a District?
Why is V.S.A. unique?
What is a House League?
What is a Rover?
What is a Division?

What is V.S.A. ?
V.S.A. stands for Valley Soccer Association. V.S.A. is a district within the Saskatchewan Soccer Association (S.S.A.). S.S.A. is our governing body and the Canadian Soccer Association (C.S.A.) is S.S.A’s governing body.

What is a District ?
A district is a designated area in the province of Saskatchewan. V.S.A. is one of twenty two affiliated districts in the Saskatchewan Soccer Association (S.S.A.). There are 15 non-affiliated districts. Non affiliated means they are registered with S.S.A. for insurance purposes but are not recognized at the Annual General Meeting (A.G.M) for voting purposes. Affiliated means they are registered with S.S.A., pay insurance premiums and have the right to vote at the A.G.M.. The following 10 communities make up our district Hepburn, Waldhiem, Langham, Dalmeny, Martensville, Warman, Osler, Hague, Rosthern and Aberdeen. (top of page)

Why is V.S.A. unique?
We are unique because other districts because we offer a competitive indoor and a competitive outdoor league, commonly referred to as the "Rovers" as well as an outdoor non competitive town team league, commonly referred to as the "House League".
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What is a House League ?
Every community within the Valley Soccer Association has a Town representative, which is usually the President of their soccer association representing a particular community

Each town is responsible for their own outdoor soccer registration, securing coaches for their town teams supplying referees for their home games, supplying and maintaining equipment and providing and maintaining a soccer field (field maintenance is usually supported by local town councils, or the sport and rec officer). The registration fees that are set by your local soccer association or recreation board pay all of these expenses.

V.S.A. is the town teams governing body. Any recommendations that passes to us through S.S.A. we will pass to the Town Team Rep's either at a Town Team Representative meeting or at our Annual General meeting (A.G.M.).

Registration numbers of a particular age group will determine what aged teams a town may support. Our Mini program is for children Under 6, Under 8 and Under 10. Our youth program is for children Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18. The non-competitive House league will accommodate both male and female players on the same team. We encourage the town rep's to place friends on the same teams and we recommend that parent’s requests for a particular player be accommodated to the best of their ability. This league is learning, as well as a developmental time and a social experience. All players and coaches should have Fun, Learn, and Experience a level of Success that is based on the individual. The season usually runs from late April, beginning of May to the end of June.

Even though this is a non-competitive league there is a certain level of competitiveness. This is very apparent at our annual soccer tournament. Every May we host the Valley Cup. All age groups are represented from U6 to U18. The tournament starts on a Thursday and runs through till Sunday. By starting on a Thursday we can begin Sunday's games later on in the morning. This way we can respectfully accommodate those who attend Sunday worship services. This tournament is a non-stop family fun filled weekend of great soccer skills, competitive non-competitive soccer teams and a gathering of parents, players, coaches and referees who at the end of the weekend agree that the Valley Cup is always the highlight of the outdoor house league season. (top of page)

 

What is a Rover?
A Rover is the name given to our competitive indoor and outdoor season teams. The Rovers teams are meant to be an elite team that will represent the valley throughout their season. Every indoor and outdoor season the V.S.A. executive will hold player placements (tryouts) with the intention of placing a player in a division where the player will achieve a level of success that is complimentary to their abilities. We keep in mind that every player is an individual and will require a certain level of challenge relative to their abilities.

The Rovers teams are divided by gender. A female player may play on a male team provided that a particular team did not have enough boys to complete their team roster. However, a male is not allowed to play on a female team.

Throughout the soccer season the goal is to have fun and play at a higher level of competition with the purpose of representing the Valley at a provincial championship. When a player becomes a Rover there is an expectation that they are ambassadors for our association. A Rover should feel proud to wear the Rovers jerseys and colors; Red, Black & White. It is our hope that all players display Respect for other through dialogue & actions. (top of page)

 

What is a Division?
A division is a name given to a level of play in which a player will tryout for and be placed in according to his/her level of skills. The competitive part of our youth program will be divided into division one, division two or division three, male/female Under 12, m/f Under 14, m/f Under 16 and m/f Under 18. The number of player registrations will determine the number of teams per age group. It is entirely possible to have multiple divisions in any age and gender group.

The V.S.A. executive will hold player placements and will have independent evaluators as well as the coaches to assess individual players in a particular age group. Each player will be placed in either division one, two or three according to their skill level. The indoor season will primarily support a male/female division two and three team and occasionally a male/female division one team. The outdoor season will primarily support a male/female division two team and occasionally a male/female division one team. All Rovers teams are considered elite. The skill level of players will determine what division they participate.

Division Breakdown

Division Three (Div 3)
Rovers is considered an elite team and is geared for fun, learning and achieving success through practices and competition. The coaching staff will take these players and further instruct proper techniques of passing, shooting, ball control and rules of the game. These teams are encouraged to enter tournaments and will participate in the division 3category for the season. As the season progresses, the coach may feel that his/her or her team is ready for a greater challenge. The coach may enter his/her team in a division two tournament. Once a player is registered a div. 3 player they may, if given the opportunity, play on a div.2 or div. 1 team. At this time there are no provincial championships for division three.

Some players are quite content to stay at this level; some players throughout the season will require more of a challenge. A div.3 player can be invited to play in a div. 2 game or tournament. This opportunity has to be confirmed by the player, his/her parent and the coaches of both teams. A player may play up a division, three (3) times during the regular season schedule. On the fourth (4th) regular scheduled game that player will then become a division two- (2) player. All coaches are expected to keep track of player movement and confirm all movements with the executive's Rovers Laison. Failure to communicate with all parties concerned can result in confusion for coaches and the executive. However, if a player is invited to participate during a division two tournament, these games do not count against him/her. Only regular scheduled season games!

Division Two (Div.2)
Rovers is geared for fun and a higher level of competitive competition. Players already have some knowledge of the game and have acquired the basic skills; ball control, passing, shooting, heading as well some positional play pertaining to offense and defense. Once a player is registered a div 2 player they can not play on a div 3 team however, they may if given the opportunity play on a div. 1 team.

The coaches will work with the players to ensure that they have fun while improving their individual skills, tactics and understanding of the game.

If necessary, the coaches in this division can invite a division 3 player to participate on his/her team throughout the regular scheduled season. The maximum number an individual player can be pulled up is three (3) times. The div 2 coach must confirm his/her intentions with the player, parents and the div 3 coach. All movement of any player must be communicated to the executive's Rovers Laison. This will be tracked in order to prevent any confusion pertaining to the number of times a particular player has played up a division.

In division two (2) there are provincials. Therefore, we try to send the strongest representation possible to compete for the provincial title.

Division One (Div 1)
Rovers is geared for the hard work, team commitment and a higher level of competition. Players must have a sound understanding of tactical play very good skills and be prepared to commit emotionally, physically and mentally to their coach and their team. This is a highly competitive division for both indoor and outdoor leagues.

Division one teams may only enter division one tournaments. Once a player is registered as a division one player they are not eligible to play on div 2 or 3 teams.

It is possible that a coach may pull from the division two teams. All rules pertaining to player movement must be closely.

Exceptions
The Rovers are considered to be elite teams. Circumstances may require &Terms a higher division coach to obtain a player from a lower division team. In the event that a higher division coach requires the permanent movement of a lower division player, the executive requires a written request explaining the reason for movement and the player(s) involved.

Circumstances may vary for a roster change and will be treated on an individual basis.

Any and all requests regarding player movement or a roster change must be supported or denied at the executive level.

If a coach fails to provide a written request. Player movement or roster changes will not be recognized at an executive level therefore resulting in the possible disqualification of a team's provincial participation.

Why? Each district is allowed 2 teams to compete for playdown eligibility. The winner advancing to Provincials. Saskatoon district and the Valley's district are close enough that S.Y.S.I. allows us to play in their league. They have their own playoffs for the provincial berth and we have ours. We usually play teams from Prince Albert, North Battleford and Lloydminister. This playoff is referred to as playdowns, the first and second qualifier from this tournament will advance to provincials with all the other qualifying teams.
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It is the Valley Soccer Association's wish that as many children participate in their sport of choice. We promote the sport of soccer. We feel that any sport should be fun and provide a positive experience for our youth. Nothing beats the smile on a child's face when they are having fun.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids!! Play Safe!
Play Hard! and Have Fun!