sunshine conference academy division

S U N S H I N E C O N F E R E N C E

ACADEMY DIVISION

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER PARTNERSHIP• Create opportunities for professional scouting at the

National League Showcase Series

• Improve U.S. domestic youth player identification and selection processes by creating a more inclusive and accessible pathway for a more diverse player pool

• Reduce pay-to-play barriers, cost and travel — along with other access challenges — for elite players

• Enhance the standards of play across all competitions

• Build a more integrated pathway to advanced opportunities for boys and girls

• Expand MLS outreach and opportunities through an expansive network of coaches and scouts

• Support MLS nationwide through player, club, & fan engagement designed to drive growth, participation and generations of new fans

ACADEMY DIVISION OVERVIEW

► The Academy Division will follow previously established academy standards, continually seek opportunities to improve, and ensure structural flexibility to evolve efficiently.

► The Academy Division play dates will enable players to participate in high school soccer and other US Youth Soccer programs (e.g. ODP, National League Showcase Series, FYSA State Cup, National Championship Series).

STRUCTURE AND STANDARDS(Standards built in collaboration with MLS)

STRUCTURE

Age Group Structure U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U19 age groups

Competition FormatAll teams play ‘home and away’ within division. There will be neutral sites used to alleviate travel time for both opponents

(This will make for a 20-game season over Sep – May).

Competition Format (1)A Regional Soccer Festival with matchups based on club league

standings

Competition Format (2) A League break for high school season (Nov. – Feb.)

Match Format (16U, 17U, 18/19U)

Two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute half time

Match Format (14U, 15U)

Two 40-minute halves with 15-minute half time

Match Format (13U)

Two 35-minute halves with 10-minute half time

Match Scheduling StandardsA specific framework should be provided by league regarding order

matches

Match Schedule StandardsA framework establishing an allowable time frame for matches to be

scheduled during a given day must be followed.

MATCH DAY STANDARDS Team rosters can include up to 18 active players for each match

30 minutes of warm-up time on the match field must be provided prior to the start a match

Host clubs are required to provide adequate hydration for visiting clubs

Host clubs are required to provide adequate seating in technical area for visiting teams

Host clubs required to secure a turf field, either as a primary or back-up, to ensure ability to host opponent in case of inclement weather.

Host clubs are required to provide certified ATC or medical personnel prior to the start of any official league match

STAFFING STANDARDS Licensing certification in 1st year

Academy Director: ‘A or B’ USSF License or accredited foreign equivalent

Head Coach: ‘D’ License or foreign equivalent

SUBSTITUTION STANDARDS Maximum of seven (7) substitutions per game with re-entry only in the second half

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Clubs are expected to hold a minimum of three (3) training sessions per week during the season.

Each team is expected to be provided at least one (1) day of rest per week during the season.

A player can only compete in one (1) FULL game per day

Teams/players play a maximum of two (2) games per weekend and never two games in one day

A ‘MLS league’ registered FT player can only play in the top league and not in Elite 2 league

A PT player can play in both MLS & Elite 2 leagues

Elite 2 league FT players can play up age groups (Subject to one game per day)

Teams are permitted to participate in other showcases/tournaments; however, league must take priority in case of any conflict.

ACADEMY DIVISION PLAY DATES

DATES U15-U19 U13-U14

August 22-23, 2020 Play Date Play Date

August 29, 2020 August 30, 2020

SAT/ACT (Sat.) Play Date (Sun.)


September 5-7, 2020 Labor Day Labor Day

September 12, 2020 September 13, 2020



September 19-20, 2020 Play Date Play Date

September 26-27, 2020 Play Date Play Date

October 3, 2020 October 4, 2020



October 10-11, 2020 Play Date Play Date

October 17-18, 2020 Play Date Play Date

October 24-25, 2020 High School Play Date

Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2020 High School Play Date

November 7-8, 2020 High School Play Date

November 14-15, 2020 High School Play Date

November 21-29, 2020 Thanksgiving Break Thanksgiving Break

December 5-6, 2020 High School Play Date

December 12-13, 2020 High School Play Date

DATES U15-U19 U13-U14

December 19, 2020 - January 3, 2021 Holiday Break Holiday Break

January 9-10, 2021 High School Play Date




February 6-7, 2021 High School Play Date

February 13-14, 2021 High School Play Date

February 20-21, 2021 Play Date Play Date

February 27-28, 2021 Play Date Play Date

March 6-7, 2021 Play Date Play Date

March 13-14, 2021 Spring Break Play Date (Sat. Only)



April 3-4, 2021 Play Date Play Date

April 10, 2021 April 11, 2021





May 1-2, 2021 Play Date Play Date

May 8, 2021 May 9, 2021



May 15-16, 2021 Soccer Festival Soccer Festival

SCHEDULING PARAMETERS ► Teams play a 20-game season, starting Aug. 22 and ending in mid-to-late May.

► Includes a high school season break for teams in the U15, U16, U17 and U18/19 age groups in the Academy Division.

► Teams in the U13 and U14 age groups can continue playing Academy Division matches during the high school season.

► Neutral sites will be used, whenever possible, to accommodate opposing teams who are not located in close geographic proximity. In those situations, efforts will be made to select centrally-located sites for the matches.

► Scheduling should work around key academic dates and holidays, whenever possible.

► Avoid double game weekends, where possible (apart from centrally located games, which will be two games per weekend).

► Centrally located games can be paired with USYS events to encourage and increase visibility.

ADMINISTRATIVE &LOGISTICAL SUPPORT US YOUTH SOCCER PROVIDES...

► Governance process and procedure documents

► Club and Team registration/Insurance

► Coach and Player registration/Insurance

► Website and software for schedule and standings

► League Schedule - FYSA to complete with club input; Displayed on USYS website

► League Standings – Displayed on USYS website

► Marketing – USYS to market league as part of National League & Conferences

ON MATCH DAY... ► Club-hosted matches – Clubs to provide ALL logistical requirements* for their home

games, including referees.

► FYSA-hosted matches (central locations) – FYSA to provide all logistical requirements* for matches, including referees.

* Logistical requirements include:

a. Certified ATC or medical personnel

b. Hydration

c. Adequate seating in team bench areas

d. Three (3) 10’x10’ tents for shading

SHOWCASE SERIES PLAY DATESOctober 23-25, 2020 Location: Greensboro, NC Age Groups: 14U Boys (along with 14U Girls) Format: Showcase

December 11-13, 2020 Location: Las Vegas, NV Age Groups: 15U through 19U Boys Format: Showcase

December 27-30, 2020 Location: Tampa, FL Age Groups: 14U through 16U Boys Format: Playoffs and Showcase

January 15-17, 2021 Location: Lakewood Ranch, FL Age Groups: 17U through 19U Boys Format: Playoffs and Showcase

March 12-14, 2021 Location: Greensboro, NC Age Groups: 15U through 19U Boys Format: Showcase

*Information is subject to change

SHOWCASE SERIES PATHWAY

# Sunshine Conference Club vs. Club format is coming in future seasons.

#

WE ARE PLAYERS, PARENTS AND VOLUNTEERS.

WE ARE COACHES, REFEREES, CLUBS AND LEAGUES.

WE ARE 55 STATE ASSOCIATIONS.

WE ARE YOUTH SOCCER.

sunshine conference academy division

Documents