LEAGUE MANAGEMENT GUIDE - Ontario Soccer Association

Process for League EntryThe OSA has developed a generic League Application Form (Appendix 4) building on best practices currently inevidence and providing flexibility for District Association needs. Throughout the application process it is assumed thatDistrict Association, Multi-jurisdictional and Regional Leagues will know their Clubs and be aware of:• which clubs can comfortably provide teams in an age group• current field capacity and limitations• struggling teams within a division, and• the optimum number of tiers for their locale. (Example, District A may require one tier at U12 boys where District Brequires 3 tiers at the same age group)This knowledge will assist in drawing up appropriate tiers of ability and provide fluidity in player movement. Tiers:1. Should have between 6 – 8 teams (giving them the ability to play each other twice comfortably).2. If a league has more than 12 teams they should consider tiering or zoning the District (see Point 5).3. Provide maximum player movement within a Club so a Tier 1 player who may need to build confidence, berecovering from injury or be new to the Club can play within a Tier 2 or Tier 3 team of the same Club.4. Vice versa, permit a lower tiered player who is performing well to participate in Tier 1 games.5. Take into account recommended travel time for players within a league. The Development Matrix provides detailson travel times for each age group and District or Multi-jurisdictional leagues can consider an east-west or northsouthzoning to best serve the needs of the player.When applying to enter a league a Club must consider the number of competitive teams they had previously offeredat a particular age.Appendix 1 is an example of a current situation where a Club currently offers competitive teams in a District andRegional league at all of those age groups. In the new format they would identify a Tier 1 and Tier 2 team to beentered into the District League.‘We should measure success NOT by the number of kids who make it toa high level from the Club, but that it should be done on a basis of legacyand enthusiasm. The best argument for success is around numbers ofkids from all levels who want to be involved, have fun and play the game,so the best indication of success is that these kids are involved the nextyear’.Dr. Martin Toms, Senior Lecturer, School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham8