Commissioner (K-8): Nic Carmosino
Commissioner (Lollipop): Justin Post
Any questions or concerns, please contact Nic Carmosino: [email protected]
Team coaches and volunteers are requested at signup. Each coach and assistant coach is required to be SafeParish (formerly Virtus) trained and complete the following: Background Check, Concussion Course, Safe Sport, and sign a Code of Conduct.
The Visitation Viking Soccer Program strives to balance learning the fundamentals of soccer, having a positive experience, and winning in a Christian environment.
We participate in the WCSA league which falls under SAY Soccer which falls under US Soccer. The surrounding Catholic schools also participate under WCSA. The playing guidelines are dictated by the WCSA league guidelines. Some guidelines, and not limited to, require all players on a roster to play for half of the time they are present at a league soccer game. The Visitation Soccer program works hard to get as much meaningful playing time for their players as we can by making it a priority at all levels. Our participation as of last year exceeded 400+ children; supporting our vision to make playing time a priority for each child.
Important Dates:
Sign Ups: March through mid-May
First Practice: Beginning of August
(Coach will contact player parents a few weeks prior to first practice)
Soccer Blue/Orange Event: Has been the Friday of the week school starts. This is the opening kickoff event for all soccer families. Each team will play in a short friendly match against another team in the same age bracket.
Season Games Begin: mid-August
**Note each team may have a weekday game during the course of the season in order to get all the league games in a timely manner.
Information Regarding the program this year:
1. Uniform size given to each child is determined by the size indicated on the signup. Please be sure to sign up with child's correct uniform size.
2. Field Sizes and Number of Players on the field:
o Kickers 11 v 11 on kicker field (7/8 grade)
o Strikers 9 v 9 on Wings field with wings goals (5/6 grade)
o Wings 7 v 7 on Passer field with Passer goals (3/4 grade)
o Passers 7 v7 on Passer field with Passer goals (1/2 grade)
3. We will be using build out lines for passers and wing levels.
4. There will be NO punting on the wings and passer levels.
5. League is planning for an average of one weekday game for each team this year to allow for all games to be played in a timely manner and to qualify for the state tournament guidelines.
How can I get involved in the soccer program?
First & foremost all volunteers must complete the Archdiocese SafeParish (formerly Virtus). For questions/issues, contact the Parish office. Additionally, coaches must take a Safe Sport online course and sign a Code of Conduct. There are many ways to be involved with our soccer program. We need volunteers to help with coaching, assisting with field preparation; and helping with equipment inventory. If you are interested in coaching, please sign up on the vacsports.com website when you sign up your child to play soccer.
Can I request my son/daughter be placed on a certain team?
NO! WCSA selects the teams. The only possibility is for a coach and assistant coach to request to volunteer for the same team. This is not a guarantee – if we have more coaches sign up then teams, a selection process will take place and coaches from the prior season have preference. I would encourage families not to fret about "playing with people you know". Joining a soccer team is a great way for the kids to meet new friends and for parents to meet other parents within our parish community.
Does soccer offer try outs?
No, the level of play that we are entered into with WCSA, requires all teams to be auto generated at the WCSA level.
Where can I find information about our leagues?
Visitation teams play in the WCSA program with other area private and public schools. You can visit http://www.wcsasoccer.com/ to find out league rules, game schedules and field directions.
U.S. Soccer Changes:
The SAY National Rules & Referee Committee (SNRRC) has extended the deliberate heading restrictions to include 11-year-old players, i.e. all Striker Division (U12) teams and younger.
SAY Soccer Gold (Birth Year) and Silver (School Year) Age Matrices have been established in order to be in compliance with the U.S. Soccer directive regarding the definition of a player's age relative to the playing year. SAY's GOLD MATRIX matches the U.S. Soccer standard that has been mandated to be implemented by the Fall of 2017. Those SAY Areas wishing to stay-the-course with their existing player year definition would use the SILVER MATRIX to establish teams. The SAY GOLD and SILVER Matrices, used in conjunction with the SAY Organizational Rules, are compliant with U.S. Soccer's mandated standards. WCSA, the league Visitation participates, operates under the Gold Matrix. Visitation will create teams by grade and not birth year (birthdate restrictions could still apply). If you have questions regarding the age matrix please reach out to the Soccer Commissioner.