Try-outs must be completed prior to the League registration deadline of December 15th (Any exceptions must be requested to KMS and receive written approval).
A minimum of two “open to all players” try-outs must be scheduled and facilitated for each team. Dates must be established and sent to KMS with at least two weeks’ notice. Coaches are responsible for checking the field availability prior to requesting field times with KMS.
All players attending try-outs must be registered via the Club to ensure player insurance coverage. There is no cost if they were registered under KMS the prior summer season. Players are NOT permitted to attend try-outs until the registration is complete. Coaches will be sent the registration link in August. If a player does not have a current active Ontario Soccer membership, then a small fee may apply for that player to try-out.
All try-outs must include the following:
- The appropriate number of third-party evaluators. Evaluators can only be expected to evaluate up to 10 players at any given time.
- Players must be provided with adequate time to warm up prior to the try-out and cool down after the try-out.
- Coaches must plan drills that are within the players current knowledge and ability
- Drills must focus on the key skill areas for the players age group
- Players must have the opportunity to participate in a small-sided game during the try-out
- Coaches must use a standardized try-out evaluation form provided by KMS and all evaluators must use the same standardized scoring methods.
The Coaching Staff will review the player evaluation scoresheets and determine the final roster for their team. Teams need to retain all player evaluation sheets and additional documentation for the duration of the season. The Head Coach has the final say in their team; however, all decisions must be justifiable and a record must be kept detailing the reasons why any lower scoring player was included on the team.
Third Party Evaluators:
- Cannot be a current member of the staff
- Cannot be a parent of a player on the team
- Must have prior soccer knowledge and experience
- Must have their minimum coaching qualifications and a valid VSC
- Written statements can be provided via email to KMS from existing or previous coach of the player to aid in the overall evaluation of the player.
- KMS can provide assistance in scheduling evaluation days and third-party evaluators
Fast Tracking Players
Refer to the Ontario Soccer website for the latest OSA Fast Track documents, process and approval criteria. Ontario Soccer’s District Leagues that offer Competitive soccer divisions are restricted to one birth year for all players on the team. If a player from a younger birth year is exceptional and would like to attend a KMS Competitive team’s open try-outs, they may do so.
"Fast Track” allows for a Head Coach to request a potential exceptionally skilled player to be evaluated and considered to play for the team in upcoming season. The Head coach is required to contact KMS at least 2 weeks prior to any scheduled try-out date and provide a written justification for the request. KMS will review the request and determine if there is a justified reason for the process to proceed. KMS will review all/other impacts, for example the Club’s interest to not materially impact the ability to field another Competitive team in the age group of the prospective player.
KMS requires adequate time to source an Assessor for putting the player(s) through the Fast Track process. Once provided notice, KMS will work with Coaches and other Clubs in our area to source a trained assessor to attend the team’s try outs and complete the OSA Fast Track player documentation.
Once the completed paperwork is ready for submission, the assessor should send the signed paperwork to KMS via email. KMS will submit the request for approval to the district. The district will review and if they are supportive of the request, they will engage Ontario Soccer for final approval. Teams can have a maximum of 4 fast track players on an approved district roster.
Fast Track is an annual evaluation and OSA approval process for any player younger than the birth year age classification for the team for the applicable season (as defined by the OSA Age Classification Chart).