Does my player need to attend?

• While there is no requirement  for attending on-field evaluations, these sessions are highly encouraged. The on-field evals provide an important additional view of each player. This is on top of the feedback which is collected from our Travel Coordinators, Age Directors, and of course Coaches. Team placement is done using all of the information available for each player.  

What if the player has an already scheduled game or tournament? 

• On-Field evaluations are optional and players / caregivers should make the decision which is best for them.

Is this a Registration for Fall?

• No. The sign-up for On Field Evaluations does not register the player for Fall. Registration for the Fall season typically occurs in early-June and a separate notification will be sent. 

Can my player attend a different session due to scheduling conflict?

• We cannot accept requests to attend alternate times, this is to ensure that players are evaluated within their cohort. Due to field availability there are no makeup or alternate sessions. On-Field evaluations are optional.  

My player is a goalie, should they participate? 

• Yes, goal keepers should attend. There will be a goal keeper focused evaluator at each session for our rising 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Please make sure to select when signing up and have your player mention when checking in. 

Can a parent or coach attend but stay in background/sideline for a nervous player? 

• We have seen that having parents/caregivers present at the field can actually increase pressure on some of our players. Because of this, and the limited parking at the field we ask that players are dropped off 10 minutes prior to their assigned session, and that parents/caregivers do not not stay to watch. Parents/caregivers will be asked to leave the field space to a location which is not visible to players on the field.

Who is evaluating, what are evaluators certifications? 

• Melrose Youth Soccer has contracted a local soccer organization that specializes in youth training and development. Their personnel have extensive soccer backgrounds and coaching experience. This provides us with independent and unbiased input on our players.

How will the feedback be weighted versus input from the coaches, especially when it comes to players that can’t make it to evaluations? 

• Feedback from the on-field evaluations is used in concert with the input from our Coaches, Travel Coordinators and Grade Coordinators. This feedback is helpful for leveling teams within the Travel divisions to ensure competition is meeting each player where they are at.

Do they need to wear their jerseys?

• No, we request players do not wear MYS kit, players can wear any soccer and weather appropriate clothing. Shin-guards are required to participate and must be worn. Appropriate cleats (no baseball or football cleats) are recommended.

I missed the signup window, can my child still participate?

• Your player can be registered manually on arrival at the field, please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to their Grade appropriate time-slot (eg. rising Grade 3 time-slot would be for current 2nd grade players). Also, please double-check before evals to make sure you have everything your player needs to participate. Players must bring a water bottle, appropriate soccer clothing (please do not wear MYS kit) and shin guards (soccer cleats are recommended). We will be assigning pinnies to each player on check-in.