Southern Alameda County Youth Soccer League

SACYSL is part of California Youth Soccer Association and US Club Soccer, which is comprised of nine districts in and around Northern & Central California as well as portions of Southern California.  Our league is associated with District 4.  This district is made up of fifteen other leagues.  Almost all of the leagues provide a competitive program.  The difference in most cases, is the expense of playing at a higher level of soccer.  SACYSL remains one of the more affordable leagues to offer a competitive program.  Year after year we continue to improve our program and continuously remain competitive with other leagues.  

Our competitive program is built with the mind frame to develop the player first with the basics taught at a young age and progression towards the whole player as they learn and grow with the sport of soccer.  Our desire is to have a player matue and grow, both on and off the field.

Division (1) Premier is the highest level of competitive soccer for serious players with strong technical ability, skill and most importantly the desire to play at this level. Premier teams play with other premier teams throughout the Northern California area. Teams also play in several tournaments throughout the season both in and out of state and also play in State Cup.  At the Division 1 level, playing time is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the Coach.  A high level of committment is expected from both Players and Parents alike in this division. 

Division 1 requires a significant amount of time and financial commitment.  Players selected to play at this level are expected to work hard, both during practices and on their own.  Playing against the best players in the area demands this level of commitment.  It is expected that parents are just as commited.  Practices can be from two, three or up to four times per week.  

In most cases, the regular season conclusion does not mark the end of the commitment level needed.

Competitive teams require a commitment of at least 8-9 months.  Training will usually begin in May.  During the summer months of June through the end of August, teams will apply to tournaments in the surrounding areas and in some cases, tournaments in Southern California or out of the state.  The older teams typically elect to play in tournaments throughout the California region, not just locally.  A team Coach and/or Manager will decide on which tounaments to enter.  Regular season play begins on the weekend after Labor Day and will continue through the end of October or the first week of November.  During the regular season, the last weekends in September and October are tournament weekends.  Regular games are not scheduled during these weekends.  A team will always play half of its regular season games at home and the other half in surrounding cities.  Games are played on Saturdays, Sundays and may even play during the weekday depending on scheduling.  After season play is completed, teams will begin to train for the State Cup Tournament.  Older age teams in these divisions will begin training after the high school season has been completed, usually the third weekend in February.   

Under the direction of the leagues competitive director, tryouts are held annually in order to evaluate the talent within each age group.  Upon completion of all league tryouts, a determination is made with the assistance of other qualified coaches.  Areas that are being evaluated of each player are:  players skills, tactics, technique and talent.  If a follow up tryout is needed in order to determine the strength of a team, every player will be notified by the coach on the date and time for this additional tryout.  A team will only be created after all the talent has been assessed and if only a competitive team can be formed in order play at this high level of soccer.

During tournament weekends, it is expected to commit to travel to and from a tournament.  Depending on the location of the tournament, an overnight stay may be necessary.  Teams will usually appoint a team manager, who in turn will handle all the travel arrangements and distribute information to all the team parents.  Older age teams may travel to Southern California to compete in high level tournaments and in some cases out of state tournaments.  Entry into various tournaments is decided by the coach and or team manager.  Duration of these tournaments very in length from 2, 3 or 4 days. Some tournaments may start on a Friday afternoon and run through Monday during the summer months.  For the most part, tournament games are played on Saturdays and Sundays.  Usually, teams will play four to six games, depending on how well a team competes during the tournament. 

With the high level of play in Division 1, costs are higher than that of the recreational program.  Beyond the standard cost of registration, there are additonal costs involved with the competitive program.  Higher quality uniforms, additional referee costs, field costs, competitive league paying fees and a higher level of training are all costs associated with playing competitive soccer.  Entry fees for a tournament, travel, lodging and meal expenses are in addition to registration.  Once teams are formed and approved by the Board of Directors, a budget is submitted to the league treasurer and shared with the parents.  Fundraising is usually the method used by most teams to offset these higher costs.  Sponsorships from local businesses and individuals are another means to help offset competitive costs. 

After the last tryout has been completed, all players - whether or not they are selected will be notified by telephone or email.  

Any player not selected for a competitive team will be assigned to a Division 4/recreational team.  Placement is determined and set forth in the leagues's rules and regulations. 

Should you have any questions regarding our competitive program, please contact Competitve Coaching Director, Debbie McCallion:  debbiemccallion@comcast.net.