Development Soccer Program
(DSP)
Frequently Asked Questions 2008
1. Why do we need to
register early?
Soccer is the largest sport in the region- over 500,000 players and constantly growing. In the last ten years our club has grown from 600 to 2,400 players, which has resulted in real growth pains. Also, as you know the city has not had many new soccer fields especially in the former City of Ottawa . We have over $50,000 invested in portable nets, which volunteer coaches, and managers carry to parks and other grass openings. We have simply had to cap certain DSP sites since there are too many players for the facility.
2. What do I receive
with the registration fee
First, DSP has an early bird fee, which we encourage all to use since it is extremely helpful to have registrations received early so as to consolidate teams. Each player receives a new soccer ball at the first practice. There is also a team picture and individual picture included and these are taken at the first festival. The uniform kit, jerseys, shorts and socks can be purchased on the registration form.
The player only has to supply cleats, shin pads and their own water container for each practice and game. Cleats and shin pads are mandatory since this is stated in the OSA insurance policy.
3. Are there any new
fields this year?
The field changes this year are:
4. How are players
assigned to teams?
As each registration is received and entered into the database, the player is given a date received and a sequential number. Registrations must received by the DSP at the clubhouse with cheque attached in order to be processed. Players are applied to teams by their receipt date as per their site request.
Players are assigned to teams along with volunteer coaches. If a team has three Coach(s) and a manager, we fill the team to the standard of 12 for U-7, 14 for U-9 and 16 for U-11. Our standard is to have one Head Coach and two assistant coaches on each team. If a team does not have a coach, we fill the team to three (3) players less than the limit and any parent/player that wishes to coach this team will skip the cue and the parent and child will be on the team.
If a team has no coaches or a very small number of registrants, we identify this as early as possible and contact the players and try to offer alternative placements.
5. What are the
player ages for each group?
U5 players born in 2003
U7 players born in 2001& 2002
U9 players born in 1999 & 2000
U11 players born in 1998& 1997
6. Are all Site convenors and coaches assigned?
Some convenors and coaches are returning but we require many more site convenors, coaches and managers. It is important that parents volunteer for these positions.
DSP is a volunteer driven program. Last year we had over 900 players, and over 250 convenors, managers and coaches. We are looking forward to your continued strong support so please be a volunteer.
7. Once
I register, when will I hear from the club again?
Within a few weeks, you will receive an email confirmation that your registration has been received and processed. The coaches will be supplied with the player’s names the by April 25 and they will contact the players. The coaches/convenors/managers will receive the team supplies on the weekend of May 3 and 4. The season starts on May 15, which is the first day that the field permits are valid. The first Festival is June 7 and 8 and the team photo will be taken at this time.
8. Does DSP provide
refunds to players?
All requests for refunds must be in writing (email) to the VP DSP indicating the reason for such a request. Prior to April 30, full refunds will be permitted for not being able to receive your primary site choice or moving out of the district. All other requests for refunds will be charged an administration fee of $25. Prior to July 1, where a player suffers a season ending injury, a refund will be issued based on a proration of time and less an administration fee of $50. No refunds will be issued after July 1.
9. My child would
like to try-out for competitive but does not want to lose the DSP site. What
should we do?
The club recommends both the DSP program and the Competitive program for player development. The club ensures open and fair try-outs for DSP players at the U-9, U-10, U-11 and U-12 competitive levels. For a DSP player that is interested in trying out for competitive, the DSP program recommends that your child register with DSP and indicate on the registration form that you wish to be called for the competitive program. This will ensure that the player is contacted for the competitive try-outs and will also hold the DSP spot at your site until the competitive teams are selected. If you return to DSP, you have a pre-assigned spot on a team. If you are selected for competitive, your entire DSP fee will be applied to you competitive fee and you will simply have to pay the difference. Please note that the competitive try-outs start right after the March Break and you should register real early so as to be contacted in time.
10. Who referees the DSP festival games?
We use qualified and trained referees for the festivals. The purpose of this program is to train and develop young referees. Our club develops coaches, referees and players. Since most of these referees are recent graduates, the club has an absolute zero policy on abuse, ridicule or any demeaning conduct towards our referees.
11. What are the
basic duties of a team manager?
Managers' Basic Duties are:
1) Work with the coaches so as to contact all the players concerning team information. Be the conduit between the site convenor and the coaches.
2) Pick up or arrange for pick up of equipment and uniforms at the DSP club house in late April.
3) Organize a parents meeting at the first practice for the coaches and parents. One coach works with the players while the other coaches attends the meeting, which should be run by the coaches.
4) Make sure that each team member has submitted a complete health form and that the coaches must at least read and know.
5) Distribute equipment and uniforms at first practice (remember to bring pump and black marker for balls).
6) Pick up photo forms at equipment distribution. Pictures will be taken at the first festival in June. Make sure parents have completed forms and that they understand how they work
(i.e. team photo and one individual photo are "freebies" in that they are paid for by the DSP. All additional photos have to be paid by parents.) Schedule time for photo based on playing times at first festival.
7) Confirm who will be participating in each festival and let the site convenor know two weeks in advance if the team will not be able to attend
12. What are the
attendance commitments for a player?
All players should inform the team manager of their availability both for practices and festivals. For the U11 group, it is also very important to inform the manager of their availability for the interlocking schedule
13. When do practices
start?
The City of Ottawa field permits start on May 15 and we run from May 15 until the last festival which is the weekend after the September long weekend. Except for U-5, all teams run on either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday formula. There are four festivals with the June festival being the second weekend and the July, August and September festivals being the weekend after the long weekends. Each age group only plays one day at the festivals. The weekday permits start each night at 6 PM. We ask our coaches to try and start the practices between 6:00 and 6:30 though sometimes coaches availability may affect this and also limited field time such as at Brantwood forces us to have 6 PM and 7 PM shifts at this field.
14. When and where
are the festivals?
June 7-8
(Saturday U-5 & 9; Sunday U-7 & 11)
July 5-6
(Saturday U-7 & 11; Sunday U-9)
August 9-10
(Saturday U-9; Sunday U-7 & 11)
September 6-7
(Saturday U-7 & 11; Sunday U-5 & 9)
15. DSP Uniforms
DSP and REC have had the same uniforms for the last 8 years. A full uniform kit consists of a pair of black shorts and a pair of socks and a pair (two) of jerseys, one red and one white and both have the same number so that when games are played, the home team wears Red and the visiting team wears White. We encourage members to reuse and recycle these uniforms. Below is a conversion chart for the jersey sizes.
YS - same as size 6x-7
YM - same as 8-10
YL - same as 12-14
AS - same as 16-18
16. Gently used
soccer equipment
DSP collects gently used soccer equipment and provides these to needy groups. I you wish to donate, we collect these at all the DSP festivals at the information tent.
18. Will I be able to
get a Children's Fitness Tax Credit?
Your DSP registration does qualify against the $500 Children's Fitness Tax Credit. Since this credit is capped at $500, not all members will require this receipt. Therefore to reduce the administrative burden to the club, we will only be issuing these receipts upon request and hopefully the majority of these will be after the summer soccer season.