1. How old does a child have to be to play in the Fall 2013 season?
Children are allowed to play in the VYS Fall 2013 season if they were born on or before July 31, 2009. There are no exceptions to this rule.
2. When does the VYS season start and end?
The VYS Fall 2013 season’s first House game will be Saturday, September 14, with additional games on Sept. 21, 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2 and 9 -- weather permitting. Travel, SFL, and HSGSL leagues have different schedules than the VYS House league, and schedules can be viewed on the various leagues’ web sites.
3. My child(ren)’s coach has not contacted me yet concerning my child(ren)’s assignment to a team. What should I do?
If you haven’t been contacted by a coach and it is August 15, or later, please contact your age-division commissioner, who is listed on the VYS web site, at www.vys.org, under “VYS Contacts.” The commissioner will be able to tell you to which team your child has been assigned and the coach’s name and number. Please be sure to check your E-mail during the month of August. Most coaches make their first contact by using E-mail.
4. How do I obtain a refund from VYS?
A refund for registration fees may be obtained by e-mailing the VYS Registrar at Registrar@vys.org. A $30 processing fee will be subtracted from all refunds requested. No refunds will be given after the first game, unless there is an injury in the beginning of the season, and the child cannot play soccer. If an injury occurs, and VYS is contacted during the same season that the injury occurs, the refund will be based on how many weeks the child has played soccer. DO NOT CONTACT YOUR COACH OR COMMISSIONER FOR A REFUND.
5. I live right by a school or park field, yet my child is assigned to a field on the other side of Vienna. Why can’t my child practice/play at the field by our home?
The VYS Field Assignor assigns practice fields for over 3,500 players each season. Before the season starts, coaches submit field and practice day requests to the VYS Field Assignor. Coaches’ requests are honored as much as possible, but it is not always possible to accommodate a coach’s first choice. Your child’s coach may not have selected or have been assigned the field by your home. Also, VYS’s fields are assigned to us by Fairfax County Community and Recreational Services, and we are not assigned all of the same fields in the spring and fall; therefore, the field by your home may not have been assigned to VYS for that season.
6. What does my child need to play soccer?
Each child should bring their own soccer ball to practice. Please write their name on the soccer ball.
· U5-U8 – Size 3 ball; U9-U12 – Size 4 ball; U13 and above – Size 5 ball
· Soccer cleats are strongly recommended, but not required (No metal cleats)
· Shinguards and soccer socks that can be worn over and cover the shinguards
· Water bottle
· No jewelry can be worn
Your coach will tell you if your child needs anything else during the season.
7. How can I help VYS?
Vienna Youth Soccer is an all-volunteer organization, so please VOLUNTEER! It is a great way to meet neighbors, make new friends, and become a part of the Vienna community. Please mark at least one of the volunteer choices during online registation, and when your coach or the volunteer coordinator calls you, please say “Yes,” you will volunteer. Email the VYS Admin Admin@vys.org to volunteer. Occasionally, throughout the season, VYS may send out announcments requesting volunteer help. Click the
Volunteer tab to learn more about volunteering positions within VYS.
8. What is the time commitment for my player?
· U5 – Saturday morning or afternoon, for a one-hour developmental soccer clinic.
· U6 – U11– One practice during the week (if field space is available), and a game on Saturday.
· U12 – U19 -- Two practices during the week, and games on Saturday and/or Sunday.
· Travel – Varies for each team, but usually two practices a week, and a game during the weekend (generally on Sunday, but there can occasionally be Saturday games)
9. What is the SFL League (boys U-16/19) and the HSGHSL League (girls U-15/19)?
The SFL is the Suburban Friendship League, and was established because in most local clubs the registrations decline substantially at the older age groups, and clubs could not provide enough teams within their own leagues to compete with each other. The SFL enables clubs to provide competitive soccer games between teams from other clubs. Limited travel is involved in the Northern Virginia area.
The HSGHSL is the High School Girls House Soccer League, and was co-founded by VYS 24 years ago. When it was founded, it was the only venue for U19 girls to play house soccer. In the HSGHSL, U15 - U19 girls are combined on the same teams. They play a 10-game season with other teams in the area.
10. Does Vienna Youth Soccer provide the trophies for my child’s team?
For divisions U5 to U14, the teams are responsible for collecting fees to purchase the end-of-season trophies or other awards the parents and/or coaches decide to provide the team. For the U15 teams and above, standings are kept for division championships, tournaments may be played, and trophies are provided by the various leagues for first- and second-place teams in the SFL and HSGHSL.
11. How do I reach someone at Vienna Youth Soccer?
Go to "Contact Us" , found in the left column of the VYS homepage to find contact information for staff, commissioners and board members.
12. It’s my turn to bring snacks to the game. What are some good ideas for snacks?
Healthy halftime snacks include orange wedges, cut-up watermelon, or grapes. For the end-of-game snacks, it is nice to provide cold drinks (ie. water, minute maid juice boxes, or gatorade) and a light healthy snack (ie. fruit). Bring enough to supply all of the team members, coach(es), and possibly younger siblings, too. Please be sure the team picks up all trash afterwards, especially the cellophane straw papers that come with the juice boxes.
13. What should spectators do on the sidelines?
Be positive in supporting the players on both teams. (Yes, you can cheer for the other team when they make a good play!) Please refrain from coaching or correcting your child from the sidelines, that is the coach’s job. Also, be sure to sit at least ten feet from the sidelines. You cannot go near either of the goals. Check out the Parent Code of Conduct for more information.
14. What should I do if I think a referee makes a terrible call?
As upsetting and frustrating as it may be, the best thing to do is to try to forget about the mistake. All referees are human, so they make mistakes just like everyone else. Many of the referees are our children learning how to referee and they are doing the best they can. Parents and coaches should set a good example to the players. See Parent Code of Conduct.
