As the mini season of the EA Sports BC Sports Premier League (Premier League) comes to an end, South Fraser FC (the Club) is providing answers to some of the questions we’ve been getting from you regarding the end of the mini season and next season.  These answers reflect recent decisions by the Premier League’s Board of Governors and the Club.

Questions about the end of the Mini Season

Will all players be released at the end of the mini-season?

No – as we discussed in the pre-season Parent meeting,  it is our intention to roll our players over to the next season.  Unfortunately this does not mean that all of our players will be retained.   Prior to releasing any players, our Team Coaches are required to go through an evaluation process and discuss their determinations with each released player.

When will the release date be?

The Premier League Clubs have agreed that the Clubs have up to December 15, 2011 to release players.  By that date each team must have a minimum roster of 14 players signed.

For those players released, will the Club be helping them find spots at either other Premier League or MSL Clubs?

Where possible the Club will help players find spots at either other Premier League or MSL Clubs.  This will be done on a player by player basis and performed on a best efforts basis.  Please contact the Club’s Technical Directors for assistance in this area.

Will the Club be adding players to rosters?

The Premier League rules allow up to 18 players to be signed for U13 to U16 teams and up to 20 players for U17 and U18 teams.  We anticipate adding players to most of our teams.

Can a Premier League player transfer to a Metro team for the off-season?

A player that is signed onto the roster of a Premier League team is not permitted to play in the Metro Selects League.

Will the Club be holding mass player evaluation camps?

The Club will not be holding mass player evaluation camps for those players in the existing U13 to U18 age groups. Instead, potential players will be evaluated through scouting and a subsequent invitation to attend selected team training sessions.

If I know a player that is interested in joining a South Fraser FC team, what should they do?

We are providing an Interested Players List on our web site.  Players who are interested in playing for a South Fraser team can complete the form online, and the information will be directed to the appropriate team coaches. Team coaches can then choose who to scout and/or invite to sessions for evaluation.

If however, a player from another Premier LeagueC lub approaches our Club through this or any other medium, we will inform them that we will not to be communicating with them until the end of the mini season.

What should I do if I am approached by a representative of another Premier League Club about my daughter or son playing for their Premier League team next season?

All Clubs in the Premier League have agreed they will not contact players currently signed by Premier League Clubs until the end of the mini-season (ie November 15^th).  If you are approached by a representative from another Premier League team or Club prior to the end of the mini season, please inform Mark McQueen or Greg Berry.

At the end of the mini season what should I do if I want to leave South Fraser and join another team?

The Premier League Clubs have agreed that the first step in this process would be for you to contact the Club’s Technical Directors.   Each of the Clubs would like to know your reasons for leaving for their Club.  The Club will then assist you with your relocation.

Questions about next year

When will the Premier League start next year?

The plans for the Premier League have the first Premier League games starting the last weekend of February.  There will be 14 Premier League games prior to the end of June.  Games are scheduled to be played through Spring Break.

The current plan is for the top four teams from the League standings at each age group to compete in the “Premier Cup”, the winner of which will be declared the Provincial Champion and represent British Columbia at the National Championships (for those age groups competing in the National Championships).

For the period of September to November 2012 each team will play an additional seven games.

Are South Fraser teams going to train from the end of the mini-season until the start of pre-season training in February?

Yes – the Club has arranged for teams to have their Friday training times and space allocation continue (as a minimum).  We are currently working to arrange additional training time throughout the week.  We hope to finalize these plans by November 15^th.

Note that the off season period from Nov 15 to late January 2012 is identified in the league’s periodization plan as a period of reduced soccer activity, so we anticipate teams training once or twice per week, instead of the usual three times per week.

Are teams training over the Christmas Holidays?

Teams will have a 3-4 week break over the Christmas holidays, but the actual dates may vary by team.

Other questions

Will the Substitution Policy of the League be changed at the end of the mini season?

The Premier League Clubs have agreed to discuss a number of issues that have come up regarding the operations of the Premier League at the end of the mini-season.  The League’s substitution policy is one of the issues that has been already been put on the discussion Agenda.

What are the plans for the U18 Boys and U17/U18 Girls age groups?

The U18 Boys will complete their season at the end of June 2012.  Their fees will be pro-rated to account for the shorter season.

There are discussions going on between the Premier League Clubs about the U17/U18 Girls for the September to November 2012 period.  These discussions will continue up to the next Premier League Board meeting in late November.

Will players have to re-register for the season starting in February?

Yes players will have to re-register for the regular season.  This registration will be done when a player commits to South Fraser for next year.  A non-refundable deposit (approx $200) will be expected at this time.

Will players who have already played for South Fraser be expected to purchase new kit for the regular season?

Only new players who have not paid for South Fraser kit will be required to purchase kit.  Players may purchase additional kit through the Club’s on-line store.

What will the fees be for next year?

We are currently in the process of evaluating the fee structure and payment plan for next season.   We anticipate the fees to be in the range of approximately $1,300 for the entire season.

What players are eligible to be invited to the National Training Centre?

A player who is scouted and evaluated and it is determined they meet the required standard may be added the CSA NTC Program at any time and could come from a number of areas of play. That player would be advised if they wish to continue their development they need to be participating at the appropriate level of program from that date forward. That would be the EA Sports BCSPL moving forward in BC.

What’s going on with the incoming U13 (2000 born) age group?

This age group will start as U13’s each year in September.  They will continue as U13’s until the end of the following November.  (September 2012 intake will continue as U13’s until November 2013).  Evaluation sessions will be held for this age group (with times and dates to be determined).