Region 19 allows for U10 - U14 All-Star Teams and Tournament Teams to reward players of advanced ability and provide an opportunity to continue playing soccer during the spring while representing Culver City. This is an Open Tryout and everyone from each division that played this fall within Region 19 is invited. Depending on the number of players at the open tryout, there may be an additional tryout scheduled by invite.
**Those players selected by the A coach for Thanksgiving are not guaranteed a place on the All Star Team. The All Star Team is formed no earlier than December 1st.
Sunday Nov 6, Culver City High School
10:00am – GU14 Creek Field
10:00am - GU10 Practice Field (grass field next to weight room)
10:00am – GU12 Turf Field (Lacrosse)
12:00 noon – BU14 Creek field
12:00 noon – BU10 Practice Field (grass field next to weight room)
12:00 noon – BU12 Turf Field (Lacrosse)
What is the All-Star Team?
Every year, the Area, Section, and State put on an All-Star Tournament at which All-Star teams from the various regions compete against each other in the U10 - U14 divisions. Our All-Star Teams will represent our region in those tournaments for as long as they keep advancing. The All Star teams are chosen no earlier than December 1. The Area tournament usually takes place in January and play may continue through March for those teams that advance. After completing it's All-Star Tournament run, the team then becomes a tournament team and usually continues playing in tournaments until May or June. Potentially, this team may also play in one of the Spring Leagues that are put together by other regions or areas. The decisions of which tournaments (in addition to the All-Star Tournaments) and whether to play in a Spring League is made by the coach.
What are Tournament Teams and how are they different from the All-Star Team?
A Tournament Team is any team put together for any reason other than the Regular Season, the post season Championship Tournament or the All Star Tournament. Typically Tournament Teams start playing Thanksgiving weekend and will continue through May or June. A Tournament Team may decide to also participate in a Spring League. The team’s coach makes those decisions.
Does the Tournament season start during the Thanksgiving weekend?
Yes, it does. Teams play games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Last year, Region 19 had teams playing in tournaments in Torrance, Pasadena and Huntington Beach.
Is there an additional cost to participate in the Tournament Teams?
Yes, there is. Players on Tournament Teams will have to pay for their uniforms and the team pays the entry fee for tournaments or spring leagues as well as a referee deposit. Each tournament typically charges from $450 to $750. That means that each tournament will usually cost each player from $45 to $75. Spring Leagues generally charge around $500-$600 per team and provide a season that is similar (but shorter) than the regular season. It is typical that each team attends one tournament a month but this will be decided by the coach. Some teams will do some fundraising to defray a portion of the cost. All fundraising, however, has to be approved by the Region in advance.
Will everyone that is interested be able to participate on a tournament team?
More than likely not. We have two significant constraints in creating tournament teams. First, our field space for practicing during spring is severely limited. Second, we have a limited pool of coaches that are qualified and willing to be tournament team coaches; it is a big commitment for both the coach as well as parents. Additionally, tournament team play is much more competitive than the regular season. As such, we invite players principally based on their soccer skills, maturity, and teammate skills. At the same time, all players that are interested in participating will be considered for selection.
Would a parent’s willingness to referee at tournaments increase my player’s chance to be selected for a tournament team?
The principal selection criteria for players are skills, maturity, and teammates skills. Nevertheless, we will encourage each team to have referees on the team. Many tournaments give first priority to teams that provide a 3-person referee crew and almost all charge a refundable referee fee that can be from $200 to $300. While we have a few referees that will volunteer their time and drive out to tournaments to assist teams even if their child is not on the team, the Region does not provide referees to tournament teams. It is much easier (and cheaper) for a team to have players with parents who are certified referees. It is up to each team to make sure they have certified referees that have been approved to referee tournaments. (referees must have officiated a minimum of 5 games during the regular season in order to be a candidate to referee in tournaments)