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The Aptos Soccer Club offers the
opportunity for players seeking more of a challenge than that
offered by recreational soccer by playing at the Competitive Level
in the California Youth Soccer
Association (CYSA). Club teams at this level are usually placed
in the Copper, Bronze, or Silver brackets of the Coast District of the Cal
Soccer League, and are administered under the banner of the Santa Cruz County Youth Soccer League
(SCCYSL). The Aptos Competitive Soccer teams, called the Aptos Tide,
typically play for more than the fall season. Practice usually
begins in July, and many teams play indoor soccer in the winter,
and/or CYSA
Spring league. Coaching emphasis is on player and team
development, and players are selected for the fall season by tryout
in spring. If selected for a team, a player who chooses to play
commits to that team until the next soccer year begins, Aug. 1 of
the following year.
Travel for league play
is minimal to moderate. In a 10-game season five of the games are
played in Aptos and five away. Of the five road games 2-3 usually
are against opponents within the county
Santa
Cruz,
Scotts
Valley, Mid-County, etc),
and the remaining take place in adjacent counties
Santa
Clara,
San
Benito, or
Monterey. Tournament play is
decided by each team, but the most popular ones are held in the SF
Bay Area in the fall, and most teams play in one to three per year.
Tournaments can be memorable events, and often are the highlight of
the season for the players.
Costs beyond league
registration include uniforms, professional training, tournaments,
bonding activities/parties, equipment and misc., and range from $100 to $300 per year, depending on the team and year (uniforms are
only purchased every three years). Sponsors and fundraising efforts
can help reduce the cost to families.
Advanced Soccer teams
can stay together for many years, developing a team sense and
camaraderie that can be very rewarding for the players and families
involved. Commitment to playing on a Tide team does not mean giving
up all other athletic activity. We encourage players to participate
in other sports and scholastic soccer. Coaches are encouraged to
accommodate player schedules as much as possible to ensure the
development of well-rounded athletes. The coaches are also strong
adherents to the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance,
which seeks to develop the entire player by teaching not just the
fundamentals of the sport, but good sportsmanship, respect for the
game, the opposition, the referees, the team, and themselves. Our
aim is not just to develop great soccer players, but to develop
great citizens through personal growth and
teamwork.
If your child exhibits
a skill or desire that is not satisfied by playing at the
recreational level, then consider trying out for one of the Aptos
Tide teams. GO
TIDE!!
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