Players registering for GUSA teams shall in general be rostered as follows:
Lower Division.
The registrar shall allocate teams in the lower divisions by:
(i) Determining the number of teams to be formed based upon the total number of children that have registered in that age group; and
(ii) Allocating the children by gender in order of age to sequential teams, i.e. the oldest girl to Team 1, next oldest girl to Team 2, next oldest girl to Team 3, next oldest girl Team 1, etc. The oldest boy to Team 1, next oldest boy to Team 2, next oldest boy to Team 3, next oldest boy to Team 1, etc.; and
(iii) Where necessary, reallocating players so that each team has substantially the same allocation of players of similar age, physical size, experience and ability.
(iv) Allocations will be made taking into account siblings eligible for the same age group and car pooling arrangements.
Upper Division.
Where the Club receives registration for a particular team and the number of players registering exceeds the maximum number of players reasonably required to form a team at the relevant level which shall be:
More than 18 players registering for a team that plays in a 6 v 6 format
More than 20 players registering for a team that plays in a 8 v 8 format
More than 24 players registering for a team that plays in a 11 v 11 format
The foregoing number should not be considered binding upon a coach and the Board will consider creating two teams within an age group where the maturity, experience and development of the players would support such an approach. It should be the aim of the Registrar, the Head of Upper Division and the coaches to organize teams where the number of substitutes will permit each child to enjoy a meaningful amount of playing time during each game.
In rostering two teams, the primary goal shall be to create two teams composed of players of substantially similar capability. In the event that it is necessary to split the registered players into two teams, such division shall be performed by the Registrar, the Head of Upper Division and the coach or coaches of the two teams taking into account the physical size, maturity, skill level, stamina and soccer experience of the children registered and with a view to producing two evenly equipped teams. The committee performing such division will attempt to accommodate requests based upon car pooling arrangements, ability to attend practices and to accommodate siblings within the same age group. Requests for a particular coach shall not be binding upon the Board and will only be honored where the Board considers that appropriate.
In the absence of manifest error, the coach or coaches’ decision shall be final. In the event that the Board is persuaded that there has been manifest error in the division of the teams resulting in unevenly equipped teams, the matter shall be subject to review by the Board.
In the event that there is no coach who feels sufficiently familiar with the attributes of the players or such team to perform such division, the division of the teams shall be performed at the discretion of the Board:
(i) on a blind basis by the Registrar and Head of Upper Division after taking recommendations from the parents, former coaches or other persons knowledgeable as to such players as to whether such player should be included in categories of (1) Experienced and Skillful Player (2) Somewhat Experienced and/or Somewhat Skillful Player and (3) Inexperienced Player. A blind drawing and allocation will be made in each of the 3 groupings; or
(ii) by one or more member of the Board after watching such players play in a game. In the absence of manifest error, the decision of the Board shall be final and binding upon the Board and all members of the Association.
Requests from parents to move children up to play in a higher division than their own age group will only be honored after the Head of Upper Division or Registrar has consulted with the coach of the team that would be losing that player, the coach of the team to which such player would be transferred and the parents to determine whether it is in the best interests of such player’s development to be moved up to the higher age group. Where possible, players should be encouraged to play within their own age group.
