In response to the many e-mails and phone calls, here are common questions and answers about the CYA Soccer program. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, send a note to the appropriate coordinator located on the "contacts" list.
How do I find out about field closings?
The best way to find out if a field is closed is to contact your coach or Team parent. Your team should have an email/phone tree in place to make sure everyone gets the information about closings as quickly as possible. Additional ways to find out if fields are closed: The CYA Field Hotline (703) 830-1272 or the Fairfax County field hotline (703) 324-5264.
When Fairfax County closes fields, CYA Soccer must cancel practices and games. Fields are closed because of inclement weather or sometimes, even on sunny days, when the fields are saturated due to prior rain. CYA has no control over County field closings.
On weekdays, cancellation notices are left on the Club hotline by 4:00pm. On weekends, notices are left on the Club hotline by 8:00am or as soon as we get notice of fields closings.
For Away games, check with your coach and managers.
How much does CYA Soccer cost?
Registration for the Spring 2008 season - $90 for Bantams & $120 for all others. ($20 late fee beginning March 10th for the Spring season). This fee includes a $10 "field development" fee imposed by the CYA Board of Directors to assist in funding field projects such as artificial turf field development in the Sully District. All rectangular field users will pay this $10 per player surcharge.
Where and when are the games played?
All bantam and junior games are played in the Chantilly area, typically at local Middle and Elementary schools (e.g. Rocky Run MS or Lees Corner ES). We also play on Stringfellow, Poplar Tree Park, Barnsfield and EDS Fields. Most house league games are on Saturdays, but the game times will vary from week to week (typically first game kicks-off about 8:30 am and the final game is over before 5pm). For Senior players, games are not only at home, but also around the Northern Virginia area up to an hour away.
What equipment do I need to buy?
All CYA Soccer Players are given a complete uniform (Jersey, Shorts and Socks). Your child MUST wear shin guards and have appropriate footwear (cleats are recomended).
What size ball should I buy?
U5 – U8 Size 3, U9 – U12 Size 4 and U13 and up Size 5.
Where do I get shin-guards and how does my child wear them?
Local 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).
My child has a late birthday, can he be on the same team as his 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, you can go back into the system and amend your registration information. Note you cannot elect to ’play down’ in a younger age group.
For players born in August and September 1998 wishing to play up in U-8 this Fall, you should register for the Junior Soccer program not Bantam Soccer - there is a different registration fee for Junior Soccer (to cover the additional cost of referees).
Why was my child not placed on the same team as his friends as we requested?
CYA tries 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.
At the start of each season, the coordinators are encouraged to redistribute the players returning from previous seasons. This gives the players the opportunity to experience different coaching styles and to allow them to play with new teammates and make new friends.
To the greatest extent possible, teams are formed geographically around the residence of volunteer coaches, taking into account players’ neighborhoods and school boundaries, but there should be no expectation that players will be with the same coach or team in consecutive seasons.
Can my child play with earrings?
No jewelry of any kind will be worn by players. Necklaces can be grabbed and cause injuries, rings can get caught on uniforms or scratch faces, earring 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 earrings must remove them for games or practice. This includes starter earrings.
Can my child wear eyeglasses, a cast, or jewelry while playing and practicing soccer?
Glasses for corrective vision may be worn provided they are properly secured. Casts shall NOT be allowed in the Bantam and Junior programs but are in the Senior program provided that these are wrapped in a plastic bubble protector or other similar type of covering that offers protection, and under the condition that the player shall not use the cast in any manner that would endanger the safety of the players on the field. The Referee permits medical bracelets or jewelry of a clearly religious nature provided they are not deemed dangerous or pose any danger to the players on the field. If approved, these items shall be taped down. Clear tape provides the most visibility for medical bracelets. All other jewelry is not allowed.
Why have I not heard from my child’s coach yet? And who is he/she?
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 (Fall season starts in early September and Spring season starts in early April). 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 your child’s coach 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 teams.
How are the age groups setup?
Age groups are based upon the child’s birth date and Virginia Youth Soccer Association age guidelines. The major groupings are Bantams (ages 5-7), Junior (8-10) and Senior divisions (11 -19).
What is Travel Soccer?
Travel Soccer is a more competitive level of play. If you are interested in learning more about Travel Soccer, please contact the CYA Director of Travel Soccer whom you will find on the CYA Soccer Contact’s list. Travel soccer starts at U9.
How do I communicate with the CYA Soccer Board Chairman regarding a behavior issue for a Coach, Player, Ref or Parent?
Contact the CYA Soccer Board Chairman at the contact data on the web ASAP. CYA has a zero-tolerance policy for unsportsmanlike conduct.
When are practice times and how many days per week?
Bantam U5 only practice & play on Saturdays. U6 & U7 practice once a week; and all others practice twice a week. Due to the number of kids we have in the program, we typically start practices at 4:30 and end at dark. Your child’s practice session will fall in that time frame during the week. The coach determines the day, time and location within the constraints of what is available.
Does my child need experience to play?
No experience is necessary in our recreational program.
Are the coaches professional coaches?
Our recreational coaches are usually parent volunteers. Each coach is encouraged to complete a free coaches’ licensing program prior to coaching. This training provides them with the tools they need to develop and coach the players on the team. CYA Soccer has a professional soccer company under contract to provide professional assistance and training to both coaches and players as well as the Soccer Board. If you are interested in coaching, contact the board director for the desired age group.
Who referees the games?
Trained and certified referees referee all of our U8 and up age groups. Coaches/Parent volunteers facilitate the games for the U5-U7 age groups.
Are scholarships available?
Scholarships are available to those that qualify. Complete the Scholarship Request form and mail to CYA, P.O. Box 220242, Chantilly, VA 20151 or email to soccer@chantillyyouth.org.
Can I get a refund?
Requests for refunds must be made in writing and received prior to the first game. After league play has begun, no refunds will be granted. Complete the Refund Request Form and mail to the address listed on the form, or email to soccer@chantillyyouth.org. CYA Soccer will refund the registration fee minus a $35.50 processing fee. Refunds are issued by check only and take a few weeks to process.
What is the Suburban Friendship League?
The Suburban Friendship League (SFL) is a recreational soccer league that includes teams from throughout the Northern Virginia area and DC and Maryland. The SFL season is 8 games and an end-of-season tournament, weather permitting.
What are the sizes of the fields?
Field sizes vary by age group. The U.S. Youth Soccer Association recommends the following: For U5/6/7: 20x30 yds.; U8/9: 30x50 yds.; U10 50x70 yds.; U11-U19: play 100x50 up to 120x80 yds.
How many players are on the team?
Number of players ranges from 4 v 4 at the U8 level to 11 v 11 at the U12 and above program. Team sizes are designed to insure that all of our house league players play at least half of every game.
How do I get information about coaching license courses?
For the D & E licenses and the Youth Coaching Modules contact VYSA at www.vysa.com. For A, B, & C licenses and National Youth Licenses, please contact US Soccer at www.us-soccer.com or 312.808.1300 and ask for the Coaching Department.
How do I get information about becoming a referee?
Contact the CYA Director of Referee’s whom you can find on the CYA Soccer Contacts List on our website.
How does my child get extra training.
Keep and eye on the CYA Webpage for additional events that your children can participate in.
How can I help? We are glad you asked!
The success of the program depends on our volunteers. CYA is loaded with folks who graciously provide many hours to the community by coaching, coordinating, working on fields and the list goes on. With all that there is to do, we always need additional help so please get involved today! Let’s all work to insure that our children have a safe and positive experience in CYA Soccer. For more information on volunteering, contact the soccer program at soccer@chantillyyouth.org.
