Coaches
| 11.4.22

Next Steps for Spring

How to Prep Your Team for Spring Season

As we approach spring season, teams are begining to refelct on this last fall season and coverse about the future of their teams. As a coach there are many questions and cosiderations to take into account when deciding what is right for your team. 

We would like to share a conversation between coaches in one of our upperhouse divisions. They share similar concerns and considerations as many other teams in our league. 

"I'm writing because based on records this fall, our teams seem to be comparable in skill level, and I'm interested to know what plans you might have for either staying in SFYS for the spring and beyond vs. moving to NorCal's travel league?

My thoughts:

    • While I think our teams would all fare well in NorCal's league, the parents on our team are NOT interested in moving for various reasons mostly related to the 'travel' part of such a move. For example, soccer might not be the clear priority for their daughter vs. another activity on the weekend, or adding travel logistics for a second child (to one already playing in NorCal) is too difficult.
    • If our 4 teams remain in SFYS, I think we'd offer each other good competition. Another team in the league seems to be improving as well over the past two weeks, and might represent a 5th team.
    • Our team would be happy to remain in SFYS UH for the spring and likely next year as well. If you're on the fence, then perhaps this email discussion would encourage your team to stay. Alternatively, if some or all of you decide to move to NorCal Travel this spring, I'm frankly not sure what our team would do. Perhaps disband, just like teams a year ahead of us did?

Please let me know what you're thinking. I expect we need to make a decision shortly. I'd be happy to hop on a video call if that would be useful.

Cheers"

As a result of the coach reaching out to the other teams in the division, they were able to discuss what each team is looking for next season and came to the conclusion that staing in Upper House it the correct choice for their teams. That is not to say that it will be the same for every other team, but we would encourage other coaches to build the same realtionship and community between teams in the same division.This can help ensure that we can provide fun and competative play in SF for all its residents.