The NorCal Board of Directors would like to thank all club representatives who attended last week's online RAC meetings. Recognizing we do not have all the answers, yet we still need to make decisions, your opinions and advice have been extremely valuable.
There seems to be a consensus that one size does not fit all, that flexibility is necessary, (balanced against providing an even playing field for all clubs) and finally, that time may bring more clarity as to when children can safely return to the soccer field. Our aim is to provide clubs some stability while recognizing the inherent right of a parent and player to choose where they play during the upcoming season.
Based on feedback from the RAC meetings and the recent extension of shelter-in-place mandates for much of the Bay Area, the NorCal Board has instituted the following changes to NorCal's Tryout Window, effective immediately:
The Tryout Window has been postponed. New tentative dates for the 2020 Tryout Window are June 6 - June 26 (these dates may be subject to further revision as conditions change). The NorCal Board of Directors will confirm or adjust the revised Tryout Window (or a window for open player movement) by no later than May 29. This decision will be based on updated guidance from the State of California, public health authorities, US Soccer, US Club Soccer, and feedback from member clubs.
From now until the Tryout Window opens, existing NorCal rules regarding tryouts and recruiting still apply to all clubs:
- NorCal clubs may not hold open tryouts (open to players from other NorCal clubs), in any format until the Tryout Window opens
- Adult members of NorCal clubs may not initiate contact, for recruiting purposes, with any player registered in another NorCal club
- Contact, for recruiting purposes, with a player registered in another NorCal club requires that the player be released, or written permission from the player's DOC (Clubs are permitted to send generic information on tryouts to players who have contacted them)
- Clubs are permitted to request commitments from their current members and may register any players who are not currently registered with another NorCal club, at any time.
NorCal will host a follow-up webinar for anyone with questions on the tryout window - the registration link is below. You are welcome to join us and ask the Executive Committee any questions you may have.
Friday, May 1 @ 10am
Thank you for your patience and support as we work through this challenging and uncertain situation together.