In reponse to the many e-mails and phone calls I get, here are a selection of common questions and answers about the CYA Bantam Soccer program. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to e-mail me at
lightningcoach@cox.net and I’ll try to answer your question.
When can I register?
Registration for the Fall 2008 Season is underway - click
here to register.
How much does it cost?
Registration for the Fall 2008 season is $90 (sign up early to avoid the late fee of $20).
When does the season start and end?
The Fall 2008 season will start on September 13 and run through November 8 (with no game on Columbus Day weekend). U7 practices start the week prior to the first game (U5 and U6 players do not have mid-week practices).
Where and when are the games played?
We will finalize the field locations in the middle of the month preceeding the start of the season, but all games are played in the Chantilly area, typically at local Middle and Elementary schools (e.g. Rocky Run MS or Lees Corner ES). All games are on Saturdays, but the game times will vary from week to week (typically the first game kicks-off at about 9am and the final game is over before 5pm).
What equipment do I need to buy?
CYA provides each player with a team jersey, shorts and pair of soccer socks. You will need to provide appropriate footwear (soccer cleats, or just sneakers are fine) and, most importantly, shin guards (which must be worn at all games and practices - no exceptions!). You should also consider purchasing your player a size 3 soccer ball.
How old does my child have to be?
Players must be 4 years old before August 1 2008 to register for the Bantam soccer program. Players born before Aug 1 2001 must register for the CYA Soccer Program not Bantam Soccer.
My daughter has a late birthday, can she be on the same team as her friends?
Players born in August and September have the option to ’play up’ in the next older age group so that they can be placed on the same team as their school mates. If you want to do that be sure to check the ’request to play up’ option when you register. If you forgot to do that when you registered e-mail me and I will correct your registration. Note you cannot elect to ’play down’ in a younger age group except in exceptional circumstances. Also not that the play-up option is NOT available to players entering U5 for the first time (i.e. not yet 4 years old on Aug 1 2008).
For players born in August and September 2001 wishing to play up in U-8 this Fall, you should register for the CYA Soccer program not Bantam Soccer.
Why was my son not placed on the same team as his friends as we requested?
We make every attempt to accommodate requests for team assignments however it is simply not always possible - in particular if you sign up after the coordinators start putting the teams together your request is unlikely to be met. If you have a specific request to be with friends or a particular coach, please add it to the ’special requests’ section of the registration form when you register your player.
Why do we have a different coach this season?
At the start of each season the coordinators are encouraged to redistribute the players returning from previous seasons. This is done to give the players the opportunity to experience different coaching styles and to allow them to play with new teammates and make new friends.
Where do I get shin-guards and how does my daughter wear them?
All the local area sports stores sell shin-guards in sizes that will fit players from the youngest ages up. Remember that everyone will be trying to buy new equipment for the start of the season so shop early!
Shin-guards MUST be worn under your player’s socks, not on top (where they can come loose and become a tripping hazard for themselves and other players).
Why can’t my daughter play with her ear-rings in?
FIFA mandates that no jewelry of any kind be worn by players. Necklaces can be grabbed and cause injuries, rings can get caught on uniforms or scratch faces, ear-ring posts can be pushed into heads if struck by a ball EVEN when covered by tape.
Your player’s safety is our utmost priority and these rules will be strictly enforced by CYA coaches - players wearing ear-rings must remove them before playing or practicing. This includes starter ear-rings - wait until after soccer season before getting your daughter’s (or son’s) ears pierced!
Why have I not heard from my daughter’s coach yet?
The age group coordinators start putting the teams together after the late registration period starts and typically the rosters are released to the coaches approximately 2 weeks before the season starts (this Fall that means on or about August 23). You should start to hear from the coach that week - please do not e-mail/call before then as we will be unable to tell you who your child’s coach is until the rosters are finalized.
You can determine the name of the coach your daughter has been assigned to by logging into the registration system using your personal information and clicking on the team name (if there is one) beside her name, but note that this is subject to change any time before the rosters are released to the coaches, and don’t worry of there’s no team name there yet - it simply means that the coordinator has not finished building his/her teams.
I volunteered to be Team Mom for the team - where do I purchase trophies?
CYA Bantam Soccer provides each player with a participation award (usually a trophy) at the end of each season so there is no need for each team mom to organize their own trophies.
More to follow ...
