What is SASA?

What is the mission or vision of SASA?

Within SASA, why is there a Community stream and an Impact stream? Why is there a difference?

At what age does the Impact program start?

When are Impact tryouts for summer season? Winter season? Why is there a fee attached for trying out?

Does the Community program subsidize the Impact program?

Why do Community teams play so little, if at all, on Riel fields?

Why are there paid employees at SASA? If so, how many? Why?

What is the breakdown of my registration fees?

What is the procedure for checking whether my game is rained out or not?

What equipment do I need to play soccer?

Am I allowed to wear jewelry (earrings, etc) when playing soccer?

Are hijabs or medical alert jewelry allowed to be worn during soccer games?

My son/daughter is playing community soccer. Can I pick the coach I want him/her to play for?

Generally, what are the start/finish dates for outdoor community? Outdoor Impact? Indoor community? Indoor Impact?

Generally, when is registration for outdoor season? Indoor season?

Should my son/daughter receive equal playing time on a Community team?

Should my son/daughter receive equal playing time on an Impact team? If not, what factors influence my son/daughter’s playing time?

I want to coach my son/daughter. How do I sign up? What support will I receive from SASA as a coach?

I want to manage the team my son/daughter is on. How do I sign up? What support will I receive as a manager from SASA?

As a manager, how do I set up a bank account for my team?

What qualifications do I need to coach an Impact team? What support do I receive from SASA to further my coaching development?

What are the duties of the SASA Head Coach?

What is Developmental Soccer and short-sided play?

What is futsal? Who plays futsal in St. Albert?

I live outside of St. Albert. Can I play on an Impact or Community team?

What is a mini soccer festival? Do you need volunteers? How do I sign up?

Does my team have to get approval from SASA to play in a soccer tournament in Edmonton? In Alberta? In Canada? Outside Canada?

Can my team put a sponsor logo on a community or Impact jersey? Community or Impact training suit?

What is the difference between EMSA and EIYSA?

Do I need a player card to play in community? In Impact? If so, where do I get one?

If I need to get ahold of EIYSA or EMSA, can I contact them directly or do I need to go through SASA?

If no referee comes to our game, what should the teams do?

I want to book field time at Servus Place. Should I book directly with Servus or with SASA?

When is the Annual General Meeting?

If I have feedback, a compliment or a complaint, who should I contact at SASA?

Do I, as a parent, get any financial relief if I have multiple kids playing soccer?

Money is very tight, but my kids want to play soccer. Are there any subsidies available to me?

Besides team coaches and managers, are there any other voluntary positions at SASA on a temporary or ongoing basis? Who do I contact to sign up for such positions?

Are there skill development programs available for my son/daughter who wants to improve his/her game?

I want to become a referee. How do I get involved? What training do I have to take? How much does a referee get paid?

SASA is the St. Albert Soccer Association, the organization authorized and accredited by the Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) and the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) to run soccer programs in St. Albert.

At SASA, fun, physical and mental achievement, sportsmanship and recreation are promoted through the sport of soccer.

Depending on age and level of play, our teams play in the St. Albert League, the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association League (EMSA), the Edmonton Inter-district Youth Association League (EIYSA) and the Edmonton & District Soccer Association (EDSA).

What is the mission or vision of SASA?

SASA Mission Statement -- To provide a full range of quality soccer programs for all levels.

SASA Vision Statement -- To be recognized as the premier soccer association in the country and to have our program recognized as providing the most enjoyable soccer program in Alberta and Canada.  We will invest in the quality of our children's experience by creating a soccer environment which enhances fun and improves participation, allowing children to play within age appropriate learning environments, with competent coaches, more game time and lots of ball contact. We shall be the soccer association after which other associations are modeled.

Within SASA, why is there a Community stream and an Impact stream? Why is there a difference?

Community league soccer is for those players who want a smaller time commitment and less expensive program that still provides a great level of exercise and fun through the sport of soccer.

Our mandate in this area is to ensure all players registering in a timely fashion are provided with the opportunity to play on a team, no matter what their skill level or experience.

Our Impact program offers a club level of soccer for the elite athlete in Tier I, Tier II and Tier III. The Impact program is not only concerned with developing the teams but also with developing the athletes so they can pursue provincial and national opportunities.

The Impact level of soccer requires a minimum time commitment of 3-4 times per week and can be as much as 3 times the cost of community soccer, depending on the teams ambitions for travel.

A benefit of having both a Community and Impact stream:

Once you register at SASA, you have a spot – if you try out for the Impact level but are not successful, you are provided a spot on one of our community teams.  (Please note: in U18 we do not always have a community level team).

At what age does the Impact program start?

Impact starts at U12 – under 12, with a U10 Development Program offered in years prior.

When are Impact tryouts for summer season? Winter season? Why is there a fee attached for trying out?

Impact teams run for a calendar year, which includes one indoor season and one outdoor season.

The fall tryout (in August 2008) is to establish a core group of players that will form the cohort group for the entire season (indoor and outdoor).

The spring tryout (usually in March) is an opportunity for coaches to make minor changes to the team or to fill vacant spots. This allows players who are new to St Albert, or community players who have worked hard to develop to the next level, an opportunity to apply for the program.

The tryout fee covers the cost of using the facilities; at the U10 level, the fee also covers the cost of hiring professional coaches to evaluate the players

Does the Community program subsidize the Impact program?

No, the Community program does NOT subsidize the Impact program.

Everyone, Community and Impact players, pay a basic registration fee for the age group they are in.

Players who wish to tryout for the Impact level, pay an additional try-out fee.

If successful, Impact players then pay additional fees to cover the cost of playing on Riel fields and to cover the costs for the leagues that they play in. This averages around $350 per player above their basic SASA registration fee.

They also pay a $50 surcharge for the mentor and coaching staff, and $5 per player to contribute to the cost of establishing Senior Impact team spots in the Adult League.

Why do Community teams play so little, if at all, on Riel fields?

It’s a given fact – everyone wants to play on the Riel fields – from U4 to U18 to adult, from community to development to rep; boys and girls, ladies to men, classics to masters.

There are over 3,500 registered players at SASA. To allow every registered player to have every game at Riel means running a minimum of 5-7 games per day per field. If this were done, the fields would soon be completely ruined.

Thus, user fees apply to Riel fields, just as there are user fees for City of St. Albert fields.

Community teams use the Riel fields for the season soccer celebrations (Minifests and Festival of Soccer tournament). The fee paid by Community players to use the Riel fields is nominal and is built in to their registration fee.

Impact teams use the Riel fields more because they pay more (see previous question). Even then, not all of their games are held on the Riel fields.

Fields 1-4 are considered SASA’s top fields. Field 1 is considered SASA’s premier field and no practices are permitted on this field, unless it is for an international event.

Why are there paid employees at SASA? If so, how many? Why?

SASA was compelled to hire staff during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, when the number of players increased astoundingly, while the number of volunteers shrank.

As of the spring 2008, at SASA, there are two permanent staff, an Executive Director and a Head Coach; and two seasonal staff to help with the busy times of getting teams, coaches, schedules and programs organized for each indoor and outdoor season; and contract staff is occasionally hired as needed, to help with tournaments.

Executive Director – oversees the daily operations of the Clubhouse, public liaison to the Board of Directors

Head Coach – coach, player and program development, technical guidance and issues

What is the breakdown of my registration fees?

The SASA Registration fee is paid by everyone and covers the following costs:

-       Jersey – which the player can keep

-       Equipment – that is shared by the teams and returned to SASA at the end of the season (poles, flags, nets)

-       Minifests, Festival of Soccer Tournaments – use of the Riel fields, trophies or medals, picnic meal for the players, activity rentals (jumpy houses, dunk tank)

-       Registration costs – advertising, printing of forms and information pamphlets, electronic payment systems, volunteer recognition (food and refreshments)

-       Office/Clubhouse costs – telephone, fax, internet, webpage, postage,

-       Staff – hiring of staff to coordinate registration, create teams and team schedules, oversee the day-to-day running of the Association

-       ASA/CSA fees – compulsory fees are levied by the Alberta Soccer Association and the Canadian Soccer Association for membership and insurance

-       Coaching – coaches receive a coach’s shirt, coaching packages (program information, access to online coaching resources, booklets with specific skills and practice sessions), coaching courses if interested, coaches’ rebate

-       Referee and/or A/R fees for U10 Developmental, Community U12 – U18 programs, and Impact home games not covered by EMSA or EIYSA.

Additional fees are levied to the Impact teams. These include:

-       league fees (fees paid to EIYSA or EMSA to be able to play in those leagues)

-       Riel field fees

-       Sr. Impact surcharge

-       Mentor Coaching surcharge

What is the procedure for checking whether my game is rained out or not?

For Riel fields, call 458-8973, dial 1

For City of St. Albert fields, call 459-1568

For City of Edmonton fields, call 496-4999, press 1 or,

 www.edmonton.ca > Attractions & Recreation > Stadiums & Sports fields > Sports Fields Weather Closures

For Sherwood Park fields, call 467-5800, ext 3314

What equipment do I need to play soccer?

According to the laws of the game, a player must wear shin guards – that’s all. However a good pair of cleats is recommended.

All equipment must be safe and is at the referee’s discretion, but the only equipment that is really required are shin guards.

Am I allowed to wear jewelry (earrings, etc) when playing soccer?

No. FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association – the world governing body for soccer) and the CSA are clear in this area. A player cannot wear something that can hurt themselves or anyone else on the field, i.e. jewelry.

Are hijabs or medical alert jewelry allowed to be worn during soccer games?

Medical-Alert jewelry or clothing required by players religion may be worn only if the referee deems it safe and does not give the player an unfair advantage.

Medical-Alert jewelry can normally be made safe by wrapping it with tape, with the necessary information showing.

My son/daughter is playing community soccer. Can I pick the coach I want him/her to play for?

Volunteer coaches will always have their child on the team.

Otherwise, teams are formed by a team formation policy:

Team Formation Policy: 

“While recognizing that children like to play with their friends, please understand we have a mandate to provide a community program conducive to accepting players with all levels of experience and skill. This presents huge challenges, but also provides the best rewards – keeping kids active in sports!

In all the methods we have tried, the only consistently successful format for forming community teams is the one that re-sets the teams every season using geographic areas and adjoining neighbourhoods.

This policy allows players from the same ‘neck of the woods’ to get to know each other by way of one or two local teams from that area, while still providing SASA with the flexibility it needs to meet our mandate of providing a program for all, placing new players of various skill levels with careful attention to try and keep parity among the teams.”

“Requests and Team Formation:

-       Pairing requests limited to 1 mutual pairing of players and must appear on both player registrations. Request must be made at the time of registration and cannot be added to or changed later

-       Players may not request coaches.

-       Sibling will be kept together, if requested and within age guidelines

-       Team formation will be done by geographic area, whenever possible, and will be reset each season

-       ALL REQUESTS MUST BE IN WRITING AND AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION ONLY”

Generally, what are the start/finish dates for outdoor community? Outdoor Impact? Indoor community? Indoor Impact?

Generally, the start/finish dates are:

Community League:

Outdoor season – May/June – provincials into July

Indoor season – towards end of Oct to end of Feb – Inter-Cities finals and/or Provincials in March

Impact:

Impact runs a full calendar year, although there are 3 weeks in April and the month of September, where teams may not have games but will still be training.

Indoor season – games start in October and run through to end of Feb, – Inter-Cities finals and/or Provincials in March

Outdoor season – games begin in May and run through August, Provincials at the end of August or into early Sept

Generally, when is registration for outdoor season? Indoor season?

Registration is always earlier than expected.

For the outdoor season, look for registration in late Jan/Feb – the season starts in May.

For the indoor season, look for registration in August/early September – the season starts in October.

Should my son/daughter receive equal playing time on a Community team?

Generally, yes. Community Coaches are expected to give players equal playing time each game, within reason.

Should my son/daughter receive equal playing time on an Impact team? If not, what factors influence my son/daughter’s playing time?

Generally playing time on an Impact team is at the coach’s discretion. It is hoped that over the course of the season that each player will receive fair game time, which may not be equal in each game but a fair amount of time over the season given the player’s skills, fitness and commitment.

Sometimes tournament or competition rules restrict a coach’s ability to substitute players. For example, in provincial competitions leading to a national competition, teams are only allowed 5 substitutions.

I want to coach my son/daughter. How do I sign up? What support will I receive from SASA as a coach?

To volunteer as a coach, you can sign up at your child’s registration OR contact the SASA office. We would love to have you.

SASA Coaches receive a coaching package, which includes manuals created by our Head Coach, and they have access to online coaching resources, funded by SASA (Byte-Size Coaching).

In addition SASA provides sponsorships for Coaches to take NCCP Community Licensing courses. And for those Coaches with a little less time, our Head Coach also holds shorter seminars and in-services at Riel.

SASA values our Coaches and our Program Director also provides pre-season training and meetings covering management issues for the teams.

I want to manage the team my son/daughter is on. How do I sign up? What support will I receive as a manager from SASA?

Indicate your interest to your child’s coach.

SASA values our Coaches and Managers time. We are in the process of developing a Manager’s Manual to assist our teams.

As a manager, how do I set up a bank account for my team?

To set up a team bank account, you and another volunteer from the team go to a bank, request to set up an account for a non-profit team. If you need a letter of support to verify your request, call the SASA office.

What qualifications do I need to coach an Impact team? What support do I receive from SASA to further my coaching development?

Generally SASA tries to appoint licensed coaches – B license or higher, when possible.

There is an application and interview process for Impact coaches.

The criteria considered for Impact coaches is:  level of experience as a player and coach, and knowledge of the game, current coaching certification, professional and volunteer experience, references and coaching evaluations.

Impact coaches are evaluated each season and are expected to prepare a professional growth plan that is presented to the SASA Head Coach.

What are the duties of the SASA Head Coach?

The duties of the SASA Head Coach are player, coach and program development; mentorship of coaches; guiding the technical direction of the association; implementing the directives of the CSA and ASA.

What is Developmental Soccer and short-sided play?

Why do U4 & U6 play 3v3 with no keepers;

Why does U8 play 4v4 with sweeper/keepers;

Why does U10 play 7v7;

Why does U12 play 8v8, and 11v11?

Player Development – the goal of player development is to provide a safe, supportive, challenging and enjoyable environment that encourages each player to have fun and reach his/her potential in the game of soccer.

These goals are achieved through the creation, and use, of the ‘Head Start’ programs, which use smaller size fields and a smaller number of players on the field. The idea is to give each child the opportunity to have more touch on the ball.

The small-sided games that we are incorporating have been used and proven successful internationally, in soccer rich countries, for years.

What is futsal? Who plays futsal in St. Albert?

Futsal is a version of indoor boardless soccer, using a heavier ball. It was established in South America in 1939 and has been used as training game for elite programs.

Futsal is only available on a trial basis in the Edmonton area and at this point has not taken off as a separate league program.

I live outside of St. Albert. Can I play on an Impact or Community team?

Yes, if there is no program in your area or if your child obtains a Player Release from your home district.

What is a mini soccer festival? Do you need volunteers? How do I sign up?

SASA hosts two events as a season celebration in the Community program – the Minifest for U4-U8, and the Festival of Soccer for U10-U18. These events are held at the Riel Soccer facility over weekends in June.

Volunteers are essential to making these events a success. To volunteer, contact your team’s coach, or the program director, or the executive director.

Does my team have to get approval from SASA to play in a soccer tournament in Edmonton? In Alberta? In Canada? Outside Canada?

In order to play in Edmonton or Alberta, generally all that is required is your team’s ASA or League registration form.

In order to play in tournaments outside Alberta, teams are required to complete the ASA “Approval for Travel to Sanctioned Tournaments Outside Alberta” form.

(link to form)

For teams traveling outside Canada, a similar process must be completed with the Canadian Soccer Association.

All applications require a signature from the District Association (SASA).

Can my team put a sponsor logo on a community or Impact jersey? Community or Impact training suit?

For the Community program, SASA seeks out sponsorships and the logos of those sponsors may appear on your child’s jersey.

If a community team finds their own sponsor, adding logos to apparel must be approved by the SASA office, only to avoid conflict with other sponsors.

For the Impact program, the jerseys are the property of SASA, and therefore no advertising is permitted on them.

For other Impact team apparel, as it is purchased by, and is the property of the players, advertising is permitted on the equipment or apparel with approval from the Impact Director.

For Impact teams wishing to put the Impact logo other team apparel or equipment, permission must be received from the Equipment Director.

What is the difference between EMSA and EIYSA?

EMSA – is the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association

EIYSA – is the Edmonton Inter-District Youth Soccer Association

Each association provides a range of competitive opportunities at various skill levels.

Do I need a player card to play in community? In Impact? If so, where do I get one?

Player cards are not required for the St. Albert Community leagues.

However, if your child’s community team plays in an Edmonton league, then player cards are required. This generally happens for the indoor season or at the older age groups for outdoor.

For players in the Impact program, player cards are required for both EIYSA and EMSA league play.

If I need to get ahold of EIYSA or EMSA, can I contact them directly or do I need to go through SASA?

Contact with EIYSA or EMSA must go through either the Impact Director or the Executive Director.

NOTE: if you or someone on your team, attempt to contact EIYSA directly, EIYSA may fine your team.

If no referee comes to our game, what should the teams do?

If your game has no referee, and there is a volunteer from the sidelines who is willing to ref the game, provided both teams/coaches agree, that person may ref the game. The volunteer who refs the game, should sign the ref sheet, and clearly indicate his/her name and contact information.

Alternatively, if the teams/coaches do not agree to the person offering to ref the game, then the teams default to rain out procedures.

I want to book field time at Servus Place. Should I book directly with Servus or with SASA?

Check with SASA first, limited times may be available, however as Servus Place has a 14-day cancellation policy, and SASA would not want to incur charges for times not used, many requests may have to be referred directly to Servus Place.

When is the Annual General Meeting?

The Annual General Meeting is held in the late fall – typically early November.

This is when all members (i.e. registered players or parents of registered players) are invited out to attend a SASA meeting, to review the financials and elect volunteers to the vacant positions on the Board of Directors. Notices are put in the local newspapers at least two weeks in advance.

If I have feedback, a compliment or a complaint, who should I contact at SASA?

Generally all feedback should go to the Executive Director, who will direct the comment or concern to the appropriate staff or Board member.

Alternatively, you could contact the Board member responsible for the area of your concern, through the SASA office.

Do I, as a parent, get any financial relief if I have multiple kids playing soccer?

There is a family rate for families with 3 or more registered players. The family rate applies only to the SASA registration fees.

Money is very tight, but my kids want to play soccer. Are there any subsidies available to me?

Yes.

Besides team coaches and managers, are there any other voluntary positions at SASA on a temporary or ongoing basis? Who do I contact to sign up for such positions?

SASA is a volunteer run organization and there are many ways to help, beyond coaching or being a team manager. You can volunteer for many of the positions below, by calling the Executive Director.

Clubhouse office work – phoning, prepare Coach/Team/Tournament packages

Registration – provide information at the program tables, cash tables, data entry

Equipment – assist in organizing team equipment and/or during pickup of equipment

Minifest Volunteer – assist at registration or activity stations during the Minifests

Minifest Coordinators – organize the minifest and the volunteers for a particular age group

Program Coordinators – be the liaison between the teams/coaches and the clubhouse

Board Members – guide and direct the programs, policies and procedures of the association

Note: board members are elected to vacant positions at the Annual General Meeting held in the fall.

Are there skill development programs available for my son/daughter who wants to improve his/her game?

During the outdoor season there are skill session “Skillies” and goalkeeper skill sessions held at Riel.

In the summer there are community level soccer camps and training camps for the elite players as well. These camps are held at Riel and provided by the SASA Development Centre.

Outside of SASA, there are numerous academy training opportunities, such as the Green & Gold run by the University of Alberta.

I want to become a referee. How do I get involved? What training do I have to take? How much does a referee get paid?

You can become a referee by taking an ASA Referee Certification course. Typically one is held at SASA in the spring but other courses are also available in Edmonton.

Once certified, it is important to submit your name to the SASA office, as we have no other way of knowing that you have taken the course.

SASA Referees may apply to have half of their course fee back, after refereeing 10 SASA games.

Please note - There is also an annual ASA Referee License Renewal fee covering your liability and accident insurance, as well as referee development overall in Alberta.

Referee pay varies depending on the level of game and is very competitive with Edmonton and area rates.