 WASA HandbookTable of Contents
Team Structure
Registration
Fees
Season Schedules
Game Day Responsibilities
Uniforms
Tournaments
Directory
Forms
West Alabama Soccer AssociationWest Alabama Soccer Association (WASA) offers soccer opportunities to Tuscaloosa youth. WASA is a nonprofit, volunteer run association that organizes soccer teams to play in the Mid-State Soccer League, which serves Birmingham and the surrounding area. Mid-State Soccer League is under the umbrella of the Alabama Youth Soccer Association and adheres to the regulations established by the US Youth Soccer Association.
A WASA meeting is held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 at the Holy Spirit High School library.
Team StructureTeams are organized according to age, gender and skill level. Age is determined by player age as of August 1. Skill level is designated as recreational teams of varying skill, premier teams, or classic teams. Teams can be boys, girls, or co-ed.
Teams are designated as U (under) and the age, level, and gender. (For example, U12 premier boys; or U16 rec. B girls.) Based on age as of August 1, teams would be formed as follows for the Fall, 2000 season:
| U10...Born between Aug. 1, 1990 and July 31, 1991 | U15...Born between Aug. 1, 1985 and July 31, 1986 | | U11...Born between Aug. 1, 1989 and July 31, 1990 | U16...Born between Aug. 1, 1984 and July 31, 1984 | | U12...Born between Aug. 1, 1988 and July 31, 1989 | U17...Born between Aug. 1, 1983 and July 31, 1984 | | U13...Born between Aug. 1, 1987 and July 31, 1988 | U18...Born between Aug. 1, 1982 and July 31, 1983 | | U14...Born between Aug. 1, 1986 and July 31, 1987 | U19...Born between Aug. 1, 1981 and July 31, 1982 |
Rec. teams are graded A-E, with A being the most skilled and experienced teams. Players are placed on rec. teams based on evaluations beginning at U13 and up.
Premier and classic teams often are single age (U10, U11, U12, etc.) and are the most competitive teams in the association. Players must qualify for placement on these teams through evaluation.
The maximum number of players allowed on a U10 team is 14. The teams play 8 a side. To ensure adequate playing time, 12 players per team is recommended.
Teams U12 and U14 have a maximum roster of 18 players, with 15 recommended to ensure playing time. These teams play 11 a side.
U16 to U19 teams can have a maximum of 18 players, and often have 16 to 18 players on a team.
Teams typically have a coach, a team manger/president, treasurer, and an assistant coach. Communication with players and parents is important and is often handled through team meetings.
The treasurer manages finances through a team checking account. It is important to keep receipts and a record of expenses. The team should be prepared to account to parents for how money is spent.
RegistrationRegistration is an important process and must be completed properly. Registration involves (1) obtaining information from individual players (2) completion of the registration packet for the registrar (3) payment of fees (4) getting the necessary game documents back when registration is complete and (5) miscellaneous procedures related to adding, dropping, transferring, or guesting a player. (See Forms)
- Step 1: Information to obtain from each player includes:
- Player registration form. The team keeps this form and gives a copy to the registrar.
- A certified copy of each player's birth certificate. If the player is not a US citizen, a copy of the passport showing date of birth will suffice. (It is advisable that the team also keep a copy of birth certificates. They are sometimes necessary for tournaments.)
- Copy of the Code of Conduct for coaches and players. Both parents and players must sign the player form. Note: The birth certificate and code of conduct only has to be turned into the registrar once, so this applies only to new players. If the player has ever played on another WASA team, the birth certificate and code of conduct will be on file.
- Coach's form (Employment/Volunteer Disclosure Statement) must be turned into the registrar for all new coaches and every other year for returning coaches.
- Steps 2 and 3: Registration Packet and Fees
- A team registration packet is available through WASA prior to each season and will be handed out by the registrar.
- The team coach or manager completes the registration forms and submits them to the WASA registrar with a check, made payable to WASA, for fees. (See Fees) The WASA registrar registers players through AYSA and teams through Mid-State.
- IT IS IMPORTANT TO MEET REGISTRATION DEADLINES.
- The forms that must be submitted to the registrar are (see Forms):
- Roster, check original at the top of the form, the player's name must be as it appears on the birth certificate. If the player has played for WASA before and has not moved or changed phone numbers, name and date of birth are all that is necessary.
- Club affiliation form, put team name at the top of the form and then complete bottom part only
- Team placement questionnaire
- Certified birth certificates and code of conduct form for all new players
- Employment/Volunteer Disclosure Statement and code of conduct for all new coaches and every other year on returning coaches..
- Additional forms that might be necessary include:
- alberghi soggiorno Porto countryTeam Byes (for dates the team does not want Mid-State to schedule games, such as spring break or a mid-season tournament, etc. There will be a form in the registration packet for purchasing Byes.)
- An additional roster for players added or dropped after the registration date
- Step 4: Game Documents
- When the registration process is complete, the registrar will return an official roster (showing Mid-State and WASA Registrar's stamp of approval), game schedule, and player and coach ID cards to the team. The official roster and IDs must be taken to all games.
- Players and coaches must sign their ID cards. A small picture must be glued in the designated spot on the back of the card. Cards should be laminated or placed in a protective covering, as should the roster. (It is helpful to buy a disposable camera and take ID pictures at a team meeting or early practice. Remember, the picture should be small. The IDs are good from September through the spring season, so do not loose them.)
- Step 5: Dropping, Adding, Transferring, and Guesting
- To drop a player from the team roster, complete a roster with the names of player(s) to be dropped and check drop at the top of the form. Turn the form into the registrar. The dropped player(s)'s name should be marked of the original roster.
- To add a player complete the roster with the name of the player(s) to be added and check add at the top of the roster. Turn this form into the registrar with fees and a birth certificate and code of conduct if the player is new to WASA. IDs will need to be made. When the roster has been approved, it will be stamped and returned to the coach. It must be kept with the original roster and taken to all games.
- To transfer a player complete the roster with the name of the player to be transferred and check transfer at the top of the roster. Turn this form into the registrar with any fees that are due. The registrar will return the approved roster to the coach. It must be kept with the original roster and taken to all games. There is an additional transfer form (see Forms) to be used for classic players.
- A guest player can join a team for a tournament with the permission of the tournament director and the guest's coach. A guest player release form (see Forms) must be completed. The coaches and registrars for both teams must sign the form. The registrar who the guest player is playing for will submit the form to AYSA. AYSA will approve form and return a copy to both teams. The form should be shown by the guest team at tournament check-in along with ID or birth certificate.
FeesFees are collected by the team and paid directly to WASA at the time registration forms are submitted to the registrar. Make checks payable to WASA.| AYSA | $10.00 per player, $5.00 per head coach, per year. | | WASA | $20.00 per player, per season. Secondary players must pay this fee to each team to play on both rosters. | | Mid-State | $5.00 per player, per season (including classic players). | | Team Fee | Per season, based on age and level as listed on Club Affiliation Form (see Forms) |
To purchace a bye: | 1st | $10.00 | | 2nd | $25.00 | | 3rd | $50.00 |
NOTE: The total for two byes is $35.00, and the total for three is $85.00.
Additional ID cards are $1.00 each (lost cards or secondary cards)
Most teams add a miscellaneous fee for expenses such as balls, cones, copying costs, etc.
Note: Fees are subject to change by AYSA, Mid-State, and WASA.
Season SchedulesThere a two seasons, fall and spring, within a registration year. The year runs from September 1 through August 31. Fall season runs roughly from mid-September through early November. Spring season begins in mid-March and runs through mid-May. It is approximately an 8 game season. Other than Easter weekend and Challenge Cup weekends, games are scheduled on consecutive Saturdays during the season.
If a team does not want to play a particular weekend due to a mid-season tournament, spring break, etc., the team must purchase a Bye. (See Fees and Forms.) Up to 3 Byes can be purchased. When a Bye is purchased, the team will be given a "must schedule" on the day designated for that game. The home team for that date must arrange a time to play the "must schedule" game. The home coach should call the visiting coach to select the date, time, and field for the game. Deadlines to schedule these games are set by Mid-State. If the deadline is not met, the home team will forfeit the game. Check the registration packet for the must schedule deadline.
Note: The home team is the first team listed on the game day schedule.
Season schedules are available at the Mid-State coaches meeting that is scheduled about a week before the season begins. When the registrar returns the approved roster and ID cards, the packet will include the date, time, and location in Birmingham of this meeting. The meeting is mandatory.
Keep in mind that some games are played throughout the Greater Birmingham area, so travel is sometimes necessary.
Game Day ResponsibilitiesOn game day, it is important to remember that for teams which play 11 a side, a minimum of 7 players must be present to begin play. For teams which play 8 a side, a minimum of 6 players must be present.
On game day, the coach must present the official roster, player, and coach IDs to the referee. The referee will keep the cards during the game. Be sure to get them back from the referee at the end of the game.
The home team furnishes the game ball.
Note: Each player and coach pass/ID must be signed and a picture attached to the back. Player passes are usually laminated or put in a baseball card protector. Rosters are usually laminated or put in a page protector.
It is the winning team's responsibility to phone in the final score to Mid-State for Mid-State standings. The telephone number and contact person for each age and division will be provided at the top of the game day schedule handed out at the Mid-State coaches meeting before the start of the season, and it is also listed in the weekly newsletter, The Striker. If the game is a tie, both teams report the score.
UniformsTeam uniforms with numbered jerseys are required. Two jerseys (alternate colors), shorts, socks, shin guards, and cleats make up the uniform. WASA has adopted a club uniform. The uniforms are available through Super Sports, 503 E. Hargrove Rd., 758-9555 (ask for Jack). You must order the following uniform:
Union Jack Inferno Jersey, #116-3, royal/white Sizes: Youth S,M,L, or Adult S,M,L,XL
Union Jack Spartak Shorts, #229-4, royal/white Sizes: Y S,M,L, or Adult S,M,L,XL
White T-shirt with WASA Falcon log on the front left
White socks
If opposing teams have the same color jersey, the home team must change. Remember the home team is the first team listed on the schedule, so you can be home for an out of town game. Players need to bring both jerseys to each game.
Players are not allowed to wear football or baseball cleats. Soccer cleats do not have the toe cleat found on baseball and football shoes. Referees will check cleats at the beginning of each game. Screw-in cleats can be worn with the approval of the referee. No cleats can be missing.
Shinguards are required for play and must be worn under the socks.
Biker shorts can be worn under team shorts. They should be the same color as the team shorts.
No jewelry, tied bandannas, headbands, beads or barrettes can be worn. Soft pony tail holders and cloth headbands can be used to keep hair out of the player's face.
Goal keepers can wear a soft billed cap to keep the sun out of their eyes. Gloves are optional. The keeper must wear a shirt that is different from the shirts worn by both teams during the match. The keeper jersey is provided by the player or his/her team.
TournamentsTournament registration requires separate paper work that is obtained from the organization sponsoring the tournament.
WASA sponsors the Summer Sizzler tournament at the beginning of each fall season. All WASA teams are expected to contribute volunteer time to help plan and staff the tournament.
Each fall and spring Mid-State sponsors the Challenge Cup in Birmingham. Dates will be scheduled through the Mid-State office. The date of the Challenge Cup is posted in the registration packet.
Other tournaments take place throughout the region each season. Check web pages, organization offices, and AYSA for listings. (See Directory) The tournament registration packet will have the application form, fees, and list of required documents for each specific tournament. Tournament information also may be provided at the WASA monthly meetings.
Notarized medical forms (see Forms) for each player, an official team roster, approved application, IDs and sometimes birth certificates are required for tournament participation. Be sure to take the necessary documents. The WASA registrar is a Notary Republic and will notarize club documents free of charge.
Keep in mind that entry fees can be high, and over night travel is sometimes required. Consider these issues before committing the team to play.
Travel forms for out-of-state tournaments can be obtained through the club president (Greg Tyler) or registrar (Donna Holmes). They must be submitted to AYSA 30 days before the tournament with a $10.00 fee. The team roster and copy of the completed tournament application form should be sent with the travel form. For forms submitted after 30 days, the fee is $30.00.
FormsNote: Most forms are available in the registration packet that is given to each team before the season begins. Forms can also be obtained from the registrar or WASA president.
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