April 29, 2020
Dear Members:
These are unprecedented times and MSYSA appreciates your patience and resiliency during this time. As many of you know, club try-outs for all MSYSA players typically take place in the month of June for the fall and/or spring soccer seasons. Each year, try-outs may not be held earlier than the MSYSA Official Try-Out Start Date, and the 2020 Try-Out Date was previously established as June 13, 2020.
Unfortunately, MSYSA anticipates that ongoing social distancing restrictions in the State of Michigan (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) will inhibit the ability for our affiliated clubs to offer in-person try- outs for travel soccer in the month of June. Furthermore, it would be impractical for MSYSA to move travel try-outs into July due to the anticipated summer calendar for many, along with preparations for the fall season. As such, MSYSA will not sanction, affiliate, or insure in-person try-outs this year.
Thus, MSYSA has developed a new Policy for 2020-2021 in order to redefine how travel teams may be formed in the absence of in-person try-outs.
Click here
for more information.
Players can commit, sign, and register with their
existing
club at any point on or after June 1, 2020, with the understanding that they are committing to the club for the full 2020-2021 seasonal year. Likewise, if your existing club agrees to sign/register your child with their club during this time period, they are committing to you for the full 2020-2021 seasonal year.
Given the current pause with the Spring 2020 season, MSYSA does not anticipate considerable player movement between clubs over the summer. With that in mind, MSYSA suggests players and families consider continued participation with their existing club for the next seasonal year.
Players are not required to commit to their existing club for the next seasonal year. However, players choosing to commit to their existing club (starting June 1, 2020) have the potential of working with their existing club on possible credits for lost spring programming (if any), potential discounts on future programming, and/or payment plans on future programming for the next seasonal year.
If desired, players who do not re-commit to their existing club for the 2020-2021 seasonal year (starting June 1, 2020) are free to consider alternative club options. Players not already committed to a club for the next seasonal year may make direct contact with other clubs/team officials (e.g., by phone or email). Beginning June 13, 2020, players may commit, sign, or register with a
new
club, if desired. This is only available to those who have not already committed, signed, or registered with their existing club starting June 1, 2020.
Club and team officials will inquire, so please be honest.
Commencing June 13, 2020, club and team officials may reach out to players and to other club and team officials to inquire if a player has already committed to a club or team for the 2020-2021 seasonal year. If the answer is ‘yes’, the club and/or team officials are strongly urged to discontinue dialogue with the player and other club and team officials, pursuant to MSYSA Rule 3.7.
Since in-person try-outs are not permitted, our tryout guide (printed) publication has been cancelled. However, to help players and parents make informed decisions for 2020-2021, MSYSA plans to post general information about our affiliated clubs on the MSYSA website in late May (e.g., coaching line-ups, team official credentials, website addresses, club calendars/schedules, relevant phone numbers, etc.).
With this redefined 2020 process, MSYSA’s goal is to try and normalize things for players, parents, and clubs. We are mindful of those who have expressed hesitation in attending in-person try-outs in the month of June, even if it is determined safe to return. We also know that a large number of parents want to know where their child will play soccer this fall. In addition, most clubs want to field teams, order uniforms, and start preparing for the fall 2020 season. We believe what we have outlined above presents appropriate balance.
Please continue to review our website, email communications, and social media platforms for updates. Should you have any questions, please email
stateoffice@michiganyouthsoccer.org
.
Sincerely,
Thomas Faro
Executive Director
cc.: MSYSA Board of Directors
