Dual Rostering Statement

Quite some time ago, Mass Youth Soccer endorsed the idea that players could play for more than one team during a season.  The concept is called DUAL ROSTERING.  For our competitive players, dual rostering applies for all players in the U11 through U14 age groups.  Once a player is age appropriate for a U15 team, the player must then choose to play for one team and only one team (there are a very few limited exceptions to this rule).

While playing for more than one team during a season can provide the player with many wonderful experiences including playing with school or neighborhood friends and making new friends from across the Commonwealth, it does carry with it certain responsibilities.  All involved, from player to parent to the two respective coaches, must clearly understand these responsibilities and adhere to the rule of fairness for all if the system is to work and truly be a benefit for the players.  If any portion of the equation fails, then we end up with hurt feelings and disappointment.

To aid in the process of dual rostering, the presidents of all 15 leagues in Massachusetts, and the Board of Directors of Mass Youth Soccer have created and ascribe to a set of player priority guidelines which are part of the Mass Youth Soccer Association's Constitution and Bylaws. 

These guidelines are intended to provide all concerned with a clear road map to help navigate the many twists and turns the road of dual rostering process can present.   These guidelines are intended to give playing preference to certain leagues on certain days of the weeks and to facilitate the scheduling of practice times for teams with dual rostered players.

The guidelines are also designed to permit all teams to plan for and attend tournaments, knowing they will have a full complement of players.  If one coach or team tries to unduly influence the process it only ends up hurting a large number of players on another team.  Every coach should feel and believe his/her team is special and deserves special consideration.  However, when adults try to unfairly influence this balancing system, the system often breaks down.  Frequently, players are placed in the middle of an unnecessary emotional tug of war from which nothing good can come.

Players and parents have a responsibility here as well.  Implied commitments are made to both teams when a player decides to become dual rostered.  Best efforts must be made to meet those commitments and at times difficult choices must be made.  Do I go with team “A” to this out of state tournament and not go with team “B” to their tournament?  Team A's tournament may provide greater competition than the other, however, teammates on Team B are counting on the player to join them for their event.   For many younger players, this will be the first difficult choice that must be made in their playing career.  One coach and one group of players will be disappointed in many cases; however making an inappropriate decision could well prevent an entire team from participating in an event.  These are difficult choices indeed for some of our youngest players.  This is where the Mass Youth Soccer Player Priority Guidelines should be used to provide clarification and guidance. 

• Parents, this is when your counsel, wisdom, and help is needed. 
• Coaches, this is when you need to step back and allow families to make their decisions without added pressure.

Below we have appended the Mass Youth Soccer Player Priority Guidelines.  Let them be your guide in resolving the inevitable conflicts that will arise and remember that your decisions should always be based on what is best for these players, these children.

Section 342. Priority Guide for Multiple Rostered Players

These “priorities of play” are for players who are multiple rostered.  These priorities:

1. apply to all State Team players – regardless of age - rostered on any other team.
2. apply to all multiple rostered players aged U14 and younger; but,
3. do not apply to non-State Team players age U15 and above.

These priorities provide players, coaches and parents with a set of expectations for players rostered to multiple teams.  They have been developed to enable players to rise to their highest level of soccer while affording them access to all levels of play.  They developed with input from representatives of all types and levels of play within the state.  They have been developed to eliminate such questions as "Who do I play for?, Which practice should I attend?, or “What team should I play with on a tournament weekend?” These priorities are to be respected and adhered to by all of the various soccer interests that compete for a player's attention and time. 

In general terms, a player's priorities are as follows. 

1.    Major Tournaments:
        a.   Regional ODP Tournament (after Memorial Day)
        b.   State Cup
        c.   MTOC and Qualifying Games
        d.   On a major national holiday weekend:

• Memorial Day – priority to Premier (MAPLE) Teams
• Columbus Day – priority to Town Teams
• All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of scheduled conflict

2.    State Team Tryouts (except Sunday afternoons during MAPLE seasons)
3.    Regularly scheduled League games
4.    Make-up games
5.    Practices

However, there exist variations in priority based on the playing season.  So please read and understand each category and how they interrelate.

Soccer Activity Priority List:

1.         Regional ODP Tournament
2.         State Cup Tournament
3.         MTOC and Qualifying Games
4.         State Team Tryouts in summer, fall (other than on Sunday afternoons) and winter seasons only.  Try-out dates must also be established and available through the State Office at least one month in advance.
5.         All Games:
        a.   State Team – Summer only
        b.   Premier (MAPLE) Teams – all year for any games scheduled from 11:00 a.m. on Sunday until dusk
        c.   MTOC Eligible Town Teams – all year for any games scheduled from Friday afternoon to Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
        d.   State Team
        e.   Non-MTOC Town, or any fall teams other than Premier or winter teams

6.         Tournaments:
        a.   State Team – (summer only)
        b.   Premier (MAPLE) Teams – priority for Memorial Day Weekend only
        c.   Town Teams – priority for Columbus Day weekend only
        d.   All other tournaments – players are to alternate attendance in event of conflicts.

John Burrill                                                  Ted Ritchie

Executive Director, Mass Youth Soccer    President, Boston Area Youth Soccer League