All you ever wanted to know about joining the Rebellion.
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How do I try out for the York United Rebellion ?
The simplest way to do this is to contact myself, John Crossley, head coach of the team. I can be reached at 905.830.0066 or via email Coach John. Typically the team is formed for the summer during the fall and spring tryouts. Attending the the fall tryouts certainly is an advantage as I will have had more time to evaluate the current skill level of the player and determine how coachable they are but new families move into the area and circumstances change. The clubs policy is one that states anyone who wishes to tryout should be given the opportunity. New players would have to earn the right to replace an existing player and couldn't just be "as good" as one. Clearly existing player have a history with the team and there are less "unknowns". For 2007 the team will likely carry 16 players.
The Rep game is much faster and much more physically demanding than a house league game. In house league all players play equal time regardless of ability. Under a Rep program, not all players will play equal time in games. Some players often play for the whole game while others play much less. If you have any concern about this, please discuss it with the coach prior to committing to playing on the team. Even if you are not a starter, you will benefit greatly from the many hours of practice, the concentrated coaching and the high level of competition.
All coaches forms bonds with the players and parents so releasing them is the toughest thing but it is still a necessary evil one accepts with the rest of the job, players have to know that they do need to continue to work hard to improve their game and even then someone may still just out hustle them. New players need to really shine so there is no doubt in anyone's mind that they have won the spot. Except for extreme cases, such as poor attendance, poor attitude, or being a disruptive influence a player would not be released during the regular season to make room for another although the team is allowed to roster up to 18 players.
During the current season.
If you are looking to change teams then I can hopefully arrange to see a game that your daughter is playing in if the schedule permits and have them come out to a few practices. There are cut off's dates for player transfers during the season so this may just be a time to begin planning for the next season.
NSC All Star / House League Players
These players can be carded as call up's which would allow them to play in games if I felt there was an opportunity to access a player in a game situation. If, after review, I don't feel that your daughter can currently make the team but shows potential I would recommend them to the All-star Coaches. All All-star players goal should be to make it to the rep level.
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Why the York United 1994 Girls vs. another soccer club?
First of all the Newmarket Soccer Club (NSC) is now one of the largest clubs in Ontario with over 5000 active players. Very recently the club's board approved a brand new developmental system that will offer a great deal of support and training to both coaches and players from the grass roots up.
- A systematic, club wide training model to ensure uniform skill development and expectations
- Focus on development of more players thru an expanded All Star program to feed the Rep program
- An elite training program for each Rep teams top players (5 players per each team
- A scholarship program
- Increased coaching mentorship
- Showcase teams playing for scouts of American universities
- Focused and targeted training and support by senior coaching staff to help take teams over the top.
The NSC is aiming to be the soccer centre for developing quality soccer athletes.
Specifically why the 1994 York United squads? The age group has 2 teams, the Lasers and the Rebellion. The Lasers are currently ranked 2nd in the province, the Rebellion feeds players to the Lasers and other top ranked teams. We focus on player development and, although the aim is to win, less on winning "today". What do I mean by that? Well we focus on technical development and having players do some thing with the ball rather than the direct approach of kick and run forward. In the beginning our methods are prone to a player making more mistakes but as they move up the skill pyramid they will become a much better player and team than the one that in the past was just kicking the ball and running widely down the field which does work at the younger ages.
In 2006 the Rebellion added weekly training by a National A Licensed coach to supplement the team training, we will look to do this again in 2007.
BALL MASTERY - Exercises where each player
works alone with a ball at repetitions using both feet.
RECEIVING & PASSING - Exercises to improve a player's first
touch, so important at all levels, and to encourage and teach accurate and
creative passing.
MOVES (1 V 1) - Exercises and games that teach game - winning
individual moves that can create space against the most packed of defenses.
SPEED - Exercises and games that improve acceleration, running
with and without the ball and change of pace.
FINISHING - Exercises and games that teach technique and
encourage instinctive play.
GROUP ATTACK - Exercises and games that improve small - group
combination play with emphasis on fast break attack.
The Pyramid Approach combined with the our philosophy of graduated
pressure allows players to quickly gain confidence and progress through the
interconnected levels of the game.
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How much does it cost and do we need to travel ?
Registration fee's for Rep are about $400 for the season. We do look to raise money for various causes such as team training, equipment and tournaments. Last year we raised money through parent contributions and corporate sponsors and a couple of other fundraising efforts. Because we use highly qualified professional coaches as part of the program, each month family is required to pay $40-$50/ea to cover these costs and the ongoing costs training and facility costs.
The players are equipped with two Jersey's, socks, equipment bags, warm up suits. Annually we get hoodies or practice T's or something else or everything else that would be considered useful or just plain "cool".
In 2006 we attended 4 tournaments between May and September and had a 2 day weekend boot camp which we're planning on doing twice in 2007.
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Teams Expectations of Players
To be a York United player you must
- Wear your uniform proudly as you earned your place on the team
- Work Hard and be focused
- Commit to a higher physical fitness level as the 2nd half of the game is often when games are decided
- Leave everything on the field and know that you did your best regardless of the outcome
- Practice is school, Games are tests. If you fool around during class you won't do well on the test
- How you practice is how you will play
- Games are not decided until after the last whistle. Players are
expected to play their hardest until the final whistle
- When the score is not going our way, your heart and effort will be the measure of the team’s success
- Respect your fellow team members
- Respect the referees decisions
- Respect the other team
- Challenge yourself and your teammates to improve
- Expect the best from them and give them your best
- Try to leave the pitch a little cleaner than we found it
- Fitness. Speed and Endurance is key to playing soccer well. Players must maintain a high cardio rate and be able to meet fitness qualifications for timed endurance (5km) and sprinting.
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What about family holidays?
Rep soccer is a spring and summer commitment. The team will only do well if it practices and plays as one on a consistent basis. If you plan on being away for any more than 2 weeks vacation then the Rebellion is not likely the team for your daughter. During August there are league cup games and important games that will determine the teams placement next season. Players will be expected to be available for these games.
The Rebellion practice 2 nights a week and play one league game. In August a knockout league cup tournament also begins which will add additional games sporadically.
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What can you tell me about the coaches?
John Crossley, Head Coach.
- 4th Year coaching rep
- Level 3 Coaching Certificate
- Coaching mentor for the Newmarket Soccer Club House league program
- Active player in both Summer and Winter Soccer
- Self Employed
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Parent Involvement?
All this soccer takes a lot of planning. Last year we had a team manager, Charlie Craig, and another coaching assistant. This coming year we'll be looking for parents to get involved with tournament organizing, fundraising and the other various tasks that completed as a group can be completed easily and quickly.
In the end we have had a great time and played lots of soccer (about 50 games in all last year when you add up all the league and tournament play). Its not just fun for the players but also for the parents too.