Competitive Travel Soccer
Registration “Intent to Play” required ahead of tryouts.
Players are expected to attend one tryout date. If they cannot make a date, or have questions, contact the club at info@bysc.org.
Q: What days do you play?
A: Teams train 1-3 times per week plus have 1-2 league games per week during the fall and summer seasons (total of 2-3 contacts per week). Weeknight sessions are typically scheduled for either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Teams will also participate in 2 weekend tournaments in May and June (teams might collectively choose to add additional tournaments at an additional cost).
Q: Can a player play competitive soccer while participating in other activities/sports?
A: We desire to be a club that both supports competitive teams and also a balanced life for kids. Scheduling may allow for multiple activities, but depending on the skill and commitment level required by certain teams, it may be difficult. Conversations with club staff prior to tryouts can help to guide that decision. Note: Policies vary from one organization to the next, so we suggest you confirm with them directly as well.
Q: Where are games played?
A: League games are split between home games in Bloomington and an away schedule in nearby communities in the Twin Cities. Tournament games are also in nearby communities with out-of-town or out-of-state tournaments being optional for teams to participate in with guidance from the club.
Q: When is the main season?
A: Our main soccer season is in the spring/summer with an April start and late June or early July finish based on a team’s schedule. Fall league play includes a few training sessions in mid to late August with games played weekends after Labor Day and concluding the first weekend in October. Fall soccer is a condensed season with one game and two practices each week once league play starts. Fall tournaments have started to pop up and would be up to the decision of the team with club guidance. Tournament fees for fall are not included in what families pay for fall soccer.
Q: Is there a uniform?
A: There is a home and away uniform for competitive teams that is required to be purchased online for each player by that player’s family. Each player is assigned a number and purchases their uniform directly on www.soccer.com.
Q: How much does it cost, what do fees cover?
A: See the chart at the bottom of this page for specific program costs and player fees. Player fees go to cover the cost of coach pay, indoor facilities, fields, referees, league registration and insurance, club administrative expense and tournaments.
Q: Are there tryouts?
A: Bloomington United has tryouts/player identification sessions in July and again in January.
Q: What competitive level will my player be placed at?
A: United uses player identification sessions to evaluate a player’s technical skill and ability. Once we have assembled a team, we will look at the collective roster of players and determine which of four Twin Cities Soccer League levels: National (highest), Regional, State or City we will place the team at. We are a community based club and therefore do our best to find a team placement for every player who is looking to play competitively. While we cannot guarantee it, we have historically been able to figure it out.
Q: How do the seasons, fees and commitments work?
A: There are two main seasons with league games (Fall, which runs about 6-8 weeks and Spring/Summer which runs about 3.5 months). Additionally, we offer two sessions of winter training that focus on skill development and scrimmages. For U12+ players, when you accept a position with a team after the tryouts, you are committed to the club for the 2023-24 Season (August 1, 2023-July 31, 2024). This simply means that if you want to leave the club and join a new club for either Fall or Spring/Summer, you will need to be released by Bloomington United. This is standard across all U12+ teams in the TCSL (Twin Cities Soccer League). This does not mean that you need to actually participate and pay for every season. For example, your child might choose to play Fall, not do winter training because they have another winter sport, and then play again in Spring/Summer. This is different than how our club has organized our fee schedule in the past.
TRYOUT STEPS, DETAILS & FAQS
- 1. INFO
- 2. SIGN UP INTENT TO PLAY
- 3. FINANCIAL AID
- 4. BRING & WEAR
- 5. CHECK-IN
- 6. PLAY
- 7. OFFERS
- 8. ACCEPT, COMMIT & PAY
- 9. ORDER UNIFORM
- 10. COMPLETE DOCUMENTS
- 11. FAQS
The main purpose of tryouts is to help us form teams with players of like soccer abilities. This allows for the most suitable player development environment – where players can have fun, be adequately challenged, and improve game day performance. It is important that every player in our program has the chance to succeed and enjoy playing soccer. Playing above or below one’s level often brings out frustration or boredom. Our goal is to find that perfect balance. Please help support the program by supporting your child – whatever team he or she is placed at.
Teams will be submitted to the Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL) based on the collective level the Bloomington United Staff thinks is appropriate.
More information for each age group is found in the “Programs by Age” tab on our website. To learn even more details about the different levels, please visit WWW.TCSLSOCCER.COM
Age Group: U9 (2015/2016), U10 (2014), U11 (2013)
- Location: Savage Dome
- Dates and Times:
-
12:05-1:00 pm
- 2015 Boys
- 2015 Girls
- 2014 Boys
1:05 – 2:00pm- 2014 Girls
- 2013 Boys
- 2013 Girls
-
- Contact admin@bysc.org if you have questions about signing up
Age Group: U12 (2012), U13 (2011), U14 (2010), U15 (2009)
- No Spring tryouts. Our Director of Coaching will reach out with team placement next steps.
Register for Intent to Play and choose the tryout date you will attend (or not).
This free registration indicates your child’s interest in playing on one of our competitive teams in the Spring/Summer season of 2024.
Completing intent to play registration is critical for the club to plan the correct number of coaches to support the number of teams we anticipate. Completion of INTENT TO PLAY does not guarantee a position with a team at Bloomington United, nor does it bind a player to the club. However, we will do our best to place as many kids as we can on each team.
In the registration process, you will choose which tryout date your player will attend. If your player cannot attend tryouts, please contact admin@bysc.org as soon as possible.
Your player will not be placed on a team unless you are registered INTENT TO PLAY.
Bloomington United (BYSC) has a limited amount of financial aid to distribute each year to players in need. It is our goal to help players achieve their dreams on the soccer field by assisting with a portion of their Player Fees when needed. In support of this policy, BYSC has developed a sliding financial aid schedule based on household income and household size using the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This schedule of discounts will be updated annually maintaining the most current poverty level table in order to determine the eligibility of discounts.
When to request financial aid
- To request financial aid for the upcoming season, the player/family must indicate intent to complete the Financial Aid Application during Intent to Play registration and before tryouts. Player/family will be notified in an email with the instructions and information to complete the Financial Aid Application.
- Failure to indicate intent to complete Financial Aid Application during Intent to Play registration will result in being ineligible to receive aid for the upcoming season.
Required to receive financial aid
- Gross income is used for eligibility purposes and proof of need is REQUIRED to receive financial aid.
- Players within BYSC must be in good standing to re-apply and all players must remain current on their payments throughout the season to continue training.
- If financial aid is awarded, players must stay current with the agreed-upon payment plan each month. Players who are behind on payments for club/player fees due to BYSC AND/OR team fees due to the team manager will not be allowed to attend training or participate in games or tournaments.
- If the player leaves BYSC, the family will forfeit all financial aid and be accountable for all fees paid in full prior to player receiving any release to be allowed to play at another club.
What Financial Aid Covers:
- Financial aid is awarded only for the current season. Recipients must reapply each year. Prior awards of financial aid do not guarantee future awards. If the financial aid recipient has a remaining balance at season’s end, they may not be considered for financial aid the following season and future seasons.
- Any financial aid awarded will be applied to Player fees owed to BYSC. It does not apply to individual team expenses, travel, events or uniforms.
If a player qualifies for financial aid
- Player/family will receive a fee adjustment applied to your payment plan during the registration process in Got Sport after team formation offers and accepts have been completed.
Provided at check-in by Bloomington United (BYSC):
Practice jersey with numbers will be provided at check-in. Player should keep this jersey as it is the same jersey used for in-season practices.
Player must wear/bring:
- Soccer shoes/cleats
- Soccer ball (inflated)
- Soccer gear appropriate for weather (no club affiliated logos/gear)
- Shin pads
- Plenty of water
- Sunscreen
- A positive and inclusive attitude
Check in to tryouts
Every player must check-in for ONLY ONE DAY of their birthyear tryout sessions.
Check in 15-30 minutes early on your chosen tryout day.
Bloomington Staff will use the INTENT TO PLAY registration to assign numbers. If you have not completed INTENT TO PLAY registration in advance, while not ideal, please bring a smart phone to complete it at tryouts.
At check in, you will receive your Bloomington United Tryout/Practice T-shirts and any information we have regarding your season.
There is NO FEE for tryouts this year, but subject to change in future years.
Play and tryout
Hydrate, eat well and get lots of sleep the night(s) before tryouts.
Bloomington United Staff will be assessing:
- Technical skills- dribbling, passing, receiving, etc.
- Tactical skills- decision-making, vision, movement off the ball, etc.
- Physical ability – speed, agility, strength, etc.
- Bloomington United values – respect, listening, team player, kind
Rosters (team formation) are typically finalized and communicated within 3 days of the 2nd tryout date.
PLAYER OFFERS:
Players will be notified via email (sent to the main contact entered in the GotSport registration) of their team placement decision as well as details about what they are committing to regarding seasons, training, and fees.
If you applied and you qualify to receive financial aid, you will receive information regarding your financial aid award with your team offer, and instructions for securing your roster spot should you accept the financial conditions of your offer.
COMMITMENT:
Players will have 48 hours of receiving the offer email to accept or decline their spot by completing their GotSport registration along with an initial or full payment. Competitive Team fees are non-refundable.
IF NOT OFFERED A PLACE ON THE ROSTER:
Bloomington United and Bloomington Athletic Association (BAA) have partnered to ensure every youth who wants to play soccer has a place to play. Players not offered a roster spot on the competitive team will have the opportunity to register for Fall soccer with BAA by August 5th.
Players/families will have 48 hours of receiving the offer email to accept or decline their spot on the team by completing their GotSport registration along with an initial or full payment.
Completing the registration binds (commits) your player to Bloomington United Soccer Club for the full competitive traveling season for their age group. Commitment requirements are set for each age group by the Twin Cities Soccer League (TSCL) and mean that a Player cannot play for another team in TCSL while committed to their current club.
For U9-U10, player will play for Bloomington United for Fall 2023 only. January 2024 will be new tryouts for the Spring/Summer 2024 season. Winter training is encouraged, but optional and a separate fee.
For U11-U14, player will play for Bloomington United both Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. Winter training is encouraged, but optional and a separate fee.
For U15+, player will tryout in July and play for Bloomington United for the Spring 2024 Season. Fall 2023 is reserved for players to play for their high school teams. Winter training is encouraged, but optional and a separate fee.
As a non-profit organization that must plan the use of resources and staff in advance, Competitive Player fees are non-refundable.
At the time of registration and commitment, families will choose how they intend to fulfill their club volunteer requirement (6 hours per family for the 2023-2024 year) or opt out for a $100 fee.
For Fall 2023, returning Bloomington United players do not need to order a new uniform kit. New players must order their uniform kit from www.soccer.com once they are assigned a number by the club.
The Uniform Kit is approximately $125.
All players will need to order a new uniform kit in Spring/Summer 2024.
Complete required forms in the Got Sport registration system to play
To be part of the Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL) and participate in tournaments, we must follow the formalized process of player verification. Players can NOT play in games if the following has not been completed in Got Sport:
1. Player headshot picture uploaded
2. Verification of age, either a birth certificate or passport copy
Player/family must download the app Gamechanger to receive team specific communication, practice and game dates.
PROGRAM
FEES
| 2023-2024 Competitive U9-U10 |
| FALL: $315 |
| WINTER TRAINING: TBD |
| SPRING/SUMMER: $545 |
| $125 Uniform Fee* |
*Uniform fee only applies to new players who don’t have the current kit. All returning players will wear the same uniform from summer season.
What Fees Include
Player Fees (each player pays)
- League player pass
- Payment processing
- Club admin (cost of running club)
- Fields/facilities fee
Team Fees (all players on team pay equal share of)
- League registration fee
- Coach pass & compensation
- Manager pass
- Tournament fees
- Referee fees
- Team equipment (cones, pinnies, etc.)
| 2023-2024 Competitive U11 and U12 |
| FALL: $335 |
| WINTER TRAINING: TBD |
| SPRING/SUMMER: $785 |
| $125 uniform fee* |
*Uniform fee only applies to new players who don’t have the current kit. All returning players will wear the same uniform from summer season.
Financial Aid and Payment Plans
Bloomington United offers payment plan options and a limited amount of financial aid each season to those families that meet program guidelines and follow the club policy. That information can be found here: Financial Aid Policy
| 2023-2024 Competitive U13+ |
| FALL: $335 |
| WINTER TRAINING: TBD |
| SPRING/SUMMER: $785 |
| $125 uniform fee* |
*Uniform fee only applies to new players who don’t have the current kit. All returning players will wear the same uniform from summer season.
