Divisional (2012-2014)

VAFC U10 Players (2014 born) moving to U11

The purpose of this note is to provide information to parents of players who are currently in the U10 age group and moving to the U11 in the next season.

Up until last season the U11 players were placed on balanced teams at the House level, which provides a community-based approach that allows players to develop. At and after U11, players move to a tiered approach; teams are based on ability, so players at a similar level of development, skill and commitment play together. Not all players develop at the same rate, so our boys’ and girls’ programs offer different levels of play.

On both of the boys’ and girls’ sides we have Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3.
Divisions 1 and 2 play in the BCCSL (British Columbia Coastal Soccer League) and Division 3 teams in VYSA (Vancouver Youth Soccer Association)

How are players evaluated to be placed on teams?
At house U8 – U10 we aim to balance all teams, but moving into U11, players are further evaluated and tiered into levels of play for Division 1, 2 and 3.

Alliance VAFC and TSS Rovers
For the 2024/25 season all of the U11 Div. 1 teams will be run by TSS Rovers. Teams will be known as VAFC Rovers and will have professional coaching staff for all practices and games. There will be three programming periods, spring / fall/ winter.

Teams will practice 3 times per week. Twice per week in Vancouver (outside) and once per week in the TSS indoor facility in Richmond.

The aim will be to have 3 teams within Division1 for both the boys and girls. All teams will have reduced squad numbers to allow further development opportunities for other Divisional Players to be called up for games and practices.

Note: There is a higher registration cost attached to this program. Details to follow / link.

In previous years we have formed teams going into U11 based on 3 aspects of player evaluation: 

1. Team coach’s individual player evaluation (Fall and winter season)
2. VAFC Head coach player evaluation (in comparison to all at the age group).
3. End of season on field player evaluations. (All players attend together)

For next season 2024/25 and for spring league team programming there will be no end of season on field player evaluation, and all individual player divisional level of play and team formation will be based on the following: 

1. Team coach’s individual player evaluation
2. VAFC Head coach individual player evaluation (in comparison to all at the age group).
3. Joint player evaluation review between Team Head Coach and VAFC Head Coach.
4. Joint player evaluation review between TSS Rovers and VAFC Technical staff for all Div. 1 offers.

Proof of Age ID.
Once a player enters the U11 age group, the Club is required to provide the District with a proof of age identification. All U11 players will be contacted in the future with options for submitting their proof of age. The District accepts copies of Canadian Passports or Canadian birth certificates; copies must be provided and will be held by the Club Coordinator for insurance registration with VYSA. If your child does not have a Canadian Birth Certificate or Canadian Driving License a photocopy of their Permanent Resident Card must be provided (Both front and back). These will be asked for later in the registration process.

How are new players evaluated?
If a player is new to VAFC, they will be invited to attend one open evaluation session during the first week in March. Players will then be placed on teams for their evaluated skill set. New players are asked to register before they can be considered for evaluations.

How are Teams formed?
The Club’s (VAFC) Head Coach, assisted by the Teams coaches, form teams based on player ability as demonstrated during coaches’ evaluations and performance both during games and practices throughout the season. These teams will contain players from all of the Club’s in-house leagues, as well as those who have joined from outside the Club.

What if my child wants to play a specific position?
At this age we encourage children to rotate on the field and gain experience learning the game and understand all positions. We do not evaluate a specific position. We will not be holding Goalkeeper evaluations at this age group. Goalkeeper recommendations will come from the Team coaches as this allows us to ensure balanced teams and ensure that one particular team doesn’t get too many players with a strong Goalkeeping skill set. That said at this age group we encourage our coaches to rotate the Goalkeepers in the outfield to further develop their overall skill set and ability.

What if my child does not make a Div. 1 team?
The purpose of the Team and VAFC Head Coach evaluation is to try to ensure that the player continues to enjoy playing soccer with their peers at the level that is most appropriate for them. The goal is to find the right team for each player; one that challenges them, further develops their overall skill and game play, as well as maintaining a sense of fun and enjoyment. As a club, we encourage and support all levels of play. All players develop at different rates, and one who is a division 3 player at U11 can very well grow into being a division 1 player at U13.

What day of the week are divisional games played?
Starting at U11, girls play on Sundays and boys continue to play on Saturdays. The level of play (Division 1, Division 2 or Division 3) will determine which league your child’s team will play in, and how much travel is involved.

When do divisional teams practice?
Teams practice mainly on turf, grass and occasionally on gravel; coaches will have some input on practice day and time. This is always a difficult topic as with the rest of Vancouver, there is never enough turf time to take care of everyone’s requirements. This coming season an attempt will be made to have all teams of the same age practice at the same time. The team’s coach will let you know when and where the team’s practices are, however for the U11 age groups practices will likely be 5pm – 6pm.

Unfortunately practice allocations cannot be confirmed until August as this is when we receive our allocation of fields from the Parks Board.

How often do divisional teams practice?
Division 1 teams will practice three times per week. Divisional 2 and 3 Teams are offered two practices a week; however, depending on the coaches’ availability, a team might only practice once a week. Some players are not able to attend two practices a week which is fine in the Division 2 and Division 3 teams; but Division 1 players are asked to attend all practices.

What if my child does not want to accept the division of play offered?
If a player has a concern with the division of play offered, please let us know. Sometimes we may offer a child a position higher than they want to play; if you let us know we will place them into a lower level.

If a player believes they should be offered a higher division of play, they should respond to the offer in writing to the Head Coach, who will review at the earliest convenience. Spots on all divisional teams are left open for player movement if the movement will assist in the overall development of the player. When will players know which team they are on and the level of play?

When will players know what divisional of play they will be offered?
All U11 Division of Play offers will be emailed to all present U10 registered players on or before March 5 2024, and all players will have 72 hours to respond to the initial offer.

When will my child know what team they are on, and who the coach is?
We cannot provide a date or time other than as soon as a team is finalized, we will let you know. A lot of detail goes into the team formation. First we have to receive all the responses back from the offers sent out and then look at the number we have. Once the players are finalized, we look at assigning the coaching staff based on availability and the team’s skill sets. Only when a team is finalized can we confirm with the player and this will usually be done via the Coach when they introduce themselves.

Can my child choose to be with a friend?
Unfortunately, we cannot take friend requests at this age group. We do, however, do our best to try and group players together geographically and based on previous teams if the players are of the same level and it ensures teams are balanced.

Where are Divisional games played?
U11 and U12 teams play 8-aside games on half of a full-sized field. Currently, our club’s home games are played at Trillium Park, Memorial South Park and Douglas Park. Teams will typically alternate home and away games, although not always.

Questions or Concerns.
Please contact George Mrsic (Operations Manager) with any inquiry about the process. This can be very confusing for some parents and players about the process. I might be able to help you with this. Thanks!

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