FAQ: Saskatoon Alliance and Changes to SYSI

1. When will the changes be in place?
2. What age groups are eligible to train with the Alliance academy?
3. So what does Academy League and City League look like?
4. What's happened to Premier, Division 2 and Division 3 in the SYSI leagues?
5. Will there still be specific indoor divisions in the older ages for the City League (ie) Div 1, 2 or 3 or are all players in a club just mixed up and put on teams to play regardless of skill?
6. Can a player register or take part in both the city league and the academy league?
7. How often will the Alliance academy train or play?
8. Will my zone registration fees go towards supporting the Alliance academy
9. How many players will be selected in each Alliance academy age group?
10. Who will handle registration of Alliance Academy?
11. Do Alliance academy teams play in the SYSI leagues?
12. Can U9 players tryout or be asked to play in the U11 Alliance practice? or can U11 Alliance play up in U13?
13. Can a player play in an outside academy and Alliance? Can a player only play in an outside Academy and not for a Zone and play for Alliance?
14. So where exactly does PSL fit in during the summer season?
15. If players do not make it onto the Alliance citywide PSL teams can they join another SSA Member Organization’s PSL team?
16. Why is Alliance forming only two super teams in age/gender group?
17. Who will coach in the Alliance academy?
18. Are there tryouts or will player just be asked? How is the selection process made and by who?
19. How will you ensure fairness from all Zones regards to the player selection for the Alliance academy or citywide Alliance PSL teams?
20. Why are the zones and SYSI teaming up on the Alliance academy and making changes to the league?
21. The zones have all come together to work on the Alliance academy?

1. When will the changes be in place?  

• The Alliance academy is set to launch this spring and summer with modified sessions, and then with a full slate for the 2021-22 winter season.  Academy training will be scheduled specifically around, and to accommodate, zone training and competition. The changes to the SYSI zone structure will be implemented for the 2021-22 winter season. To be clear: registration for the 2021 spring season is based on the current familiar structure. 

2. What age groups are eligible to train with the Alliance academy? 

• It starts in U11 for girls and boys and runs up to U19. 

3. So what does Academy League and City League look like? 

• The Academy League requires a higher commitment level from those who treat soccer as a primary sport or activity. There are no tryouts for the City League. The intention is to provide a more relaxed option with lower demand. There will still be standings and finals in U13 and up for both leagues. 

4. What's happened to Premier, Division 2 and Division 3 in the SYSI leagues?   

• The Academy League will feature two tiers — 'A' Division and 'B' Division — for those wanting to train and compete in a development-based environment with intense competition. The City League will provide a lower commitment option for players who wish to simply play a game a week with the option of zone practice(s).  

5. Will there still be specific indoor divisions in the older ages for the City League (ie) Div 1, 2 or 3 or are all players in a club just mixed up and put on teams to play regardless of skill? 

• There are no specified division in the city league and teams may be comprised of varying skill levels. 

6. Can a player register or take part in both the city league and the academy league?

• No, there would be conflicts with scheduling and it would create a higher instance of higher skilled players playing in a lower level.

7. How often will the Alliance academy train or play?  

• During the indoor season, there will be one session per week for those selected to the Alliance academy. Those players will also play in weekly games and train weekly with their zone team as well as the zone academy. In the outdoor season, selected U11 players will train once per week with the Alliance academy to complement their playing and training with their club team. Selected U13 players will train once per week with the Alliance academy to complement their playing and training on their zone's Provincial Soccer League (PSL) team. Selected U15 and U17 will train and play multiple times per week with and on their Saskatoon Alliance PSL team, which will feature players from across all five zones. 

8. Will my zone registration fees go towards supporting the Alliance academy? 

• No. The Alliance will be financially independent and self-sustaining. There will be separate registration fees for those who try out and are selected for the Alliance academy. Scholarships and funding will be available for Alliance academy programming for those who otherwise might not be able to participate. 

 9. How many players will be selected in each Alliance academy age group?  

• The target for girls and boys in each Alliance academy age group is 40. 

10. Who will handle registration of Alliance Academy?

• SYSI will handle registration for U11-U19 Academy programming as well as U15 & U17 PSL team tryouts and registration

11. Do Alliance academy teams play in the SYSI leagues?  

• No, players who are training with the Alliance academy also participate with their respective zone teams for league, there are no academy teams which play in the leagues. Team formation for SYSI league play will remain the domain of Aurora, Eastside, Hollandia, Lakewood and SUSC. 

12. Can U9 players tryout or be asked to play in the U11 Alliance practice? Or can U11 Alliance play up in U13?  

• In the best interest of a player’s development, underage players are not eligible for an Alliance tryout without a recommendation from their Zone Technical Director who is eminently qualified to advise on this matter. Zones are following the CSA’s guidelines for providing additional development through their skills centres for players ages 7 to 12.

13. Can a player play in an outside academy and Alliance? Can a player only play in an outside Academy and not for a Zone and play for Alliance?  

• To be eligible or selected for the Alliance academy you must also be partaking in the SYSI Academy league with your Zone. It is expected that a player’s full commitment and priority is to the Alliance and their Zone commitments. This would include one weekly league game, Zone team practice, Zone academy session, and Alliance training session amounting to a minimum but not limited to four days a week.

14. So where exactly does PSL fit in during the summer season?  

• At U11, there is no PSL. In U13, each zone may form and enter its own PSL squad. At U15 and U17, the Saskatoon Alliance's PSL teams will be made up of players from all five zones. Those who aren't selected to Saskatoon Alliance's city-wide PSL teams will compete on zone formed teams in the SYSI City or Academy leagues. 

15. If players do not make it onto the Alliance citywide PSL teams can they join another SSA Member Organization’s PSL team?

• If in between season, the player would need to follow the SSA’s player movement policy and obtain a release form their Member Organization stating good standing.

16. Why is Alliance forming only two super teams in age/gender group?

• Citywide teams are only formed for the outdoor season for participation in the u15-u17 Provincial Soccer League. The SYSI Academy League will consist of teams formed under the current zone boundaries with participation of Zone teams.

17. Who will coach in the Alliance academy?  

• Each age group and/or gender will be led by a zone's technical director. Coaching alongside the TD on each team will be coaches from the zones. A technical lead will be put in place to oversee and manage the entire program. 

18. Are there tryouts or will players just be asked? How is the selection process made and by who?  

• The sorting process for the Alliance academy takes place at the Zone level whilst taking part in the SYSI Academy league. Zone in-house academies are also available, and they are fundamental to the success of providing developmental opportunities for all players.

19. How will you ensure fairness from all Zones regards to the player selection for the Alliance academy or citywide Alliance PSL teams?  

• The Alliance Committee which is comprised of all five Zone TD’s and an SYSI Liaison as well as the head coaches will select the players to ensure fairness.

20. Why are the zones and SYSI teaming up on the Alliance academy and making changes to the league?   

• This new pathway will let athletes stay with their zone for their entire youth playing days, all while offering options that fit each player. For some, that means academy training combined with zone practices and games. For others, it's a lower commitment option with one game a week and the option of a weekly practice thrown in. 

21. The zones have all come together to work on the Alliance academy?

• Indeed. Aurora, Eastside, Hollandia, Lakewood and SUSC, along with SYSI, spent months planning side-by-side and were in unanimous support of the Alliance academy and changes to SYSI league format. Collectively, they are excited to be embarking on this new, historic path.