Know the Select Player Rule! 

SYSA and its Member Clubs have adopted specific rules around the participation of “Select” and “Premier” players in Recreational Play for the U10 and older age groups.  LVR has also adopted these rules for its U7-U9 "House League." 

Although these rules have long existed in some form, adjustments are periodically made to fit the Seattle youth soccer landscape. 

SYSA is an outlier in Washington State and in the United States more broadly in permitting youth who play on select teams to also participate in recreational teams in  any capacity. While our select rules seek to make some allowance for letting youth who have chosen a highly competitive path to play with friends and neighbors who have not  chosen that path, they also create limitations on which select-level players can 
participate and how many such players can be on any one team. It should be noted that SYSA, through its Member Clubs, voted to adopt these rules. 

Past experience has shown that games involving too many select players on one side have led to poor experiences for purely recreational teams. These poor experiences are often cited amongst the primary reasons as to why recreational players choose to leave the sport. In addition, select players understandably prioritize their select club’s training and game schedules over their recreational teams. Having too many select players on one team may cause gameday roster shortages as well as issues in fairly allocating playing time amongst players.

What is a “Premier Player”?

As defined in the Rules of Competition and Administrative Regulations, a Premier Player is a select player who participates on a team that plays in the Elite Clubs National League (“ECNL”); Regional Club League (“RCL”); U.S. Club Soccer’s Super League; the Elite Academy League; and the Girls Academy League. At SYSA’s discretion, players on teams outside these leagues may be considered “Premier” based on the nature of the program, as described by the team and league in question. Considerations include where the team is in the club’s team hierarchy, whether the program includes year-round training, and other factors as determined by SYSA.

Are Premier Players allowed to play in SYSA’s Recreational Leagues?

No. At the U10 age group and above, premier players are not permitted to play in the recreational leagues under any circumstances.

What teams are typically considered “Premier” in Seattle’s Soccer Scene?

In the Seattle United system, Premier teams are the Nova, Samba, Tango, Copa, and ECNL teams. At some age groups, Seattle Celtic, Emerald City FC, and other local clubs which play in the U.S. Club Soccer system may not field a “premier” team even if it is designated as the top team at that age group. As such, SYSA’s definition relies not on the color of the team, as is typically used, but on the league the team will play in. In this case, the Super League is typically considered US Club Soccer’s “premier” option in the Seattle area.

What is a Select Player?

A Select player is a player participating on any team that uses tryouts as a basis for selection. This does not include school-based teams or leagues.

Can Select Players who are not in a “Premier” team or league participate in SYSA’s Recreational Leagues?

With some limitations, select players who are not defined as “premier” can join recreational teams. However, each team’s roster is limited to three such players. It is the Coach’s responsibility to make themselves aware of whether players on their teams play for select teams and to ensure the roster is compliant with the three-player limit. Note that penalties for non-compliance can include forfeiture of games and disqualification from the City Tournament. If a team already has three players, a new registrant can only be rostered to another team at the same or older age who has not met its select player limitation. Member Clubs often refer players they cannot accommodate to neighboring clubs who may be able to do so. In addition to team-based limits, different registration deadlines apply to select players to limit the risk of a team “stacking” select players in advance of the City Tournament. Select players must be rostered to a team by September 30 to be eligible to play in the fall league and the City Tournament.

Roles & Responsibilities

Families:

1. Know where their child plays and at what level

2. Complete registration questions honestly and accurately

3. Sign the SYSA Select/Premier attestation (included at registration)

4. Notify their coach and club registrar promptly if their child's Select or Premier status changes at any point during the season

Coaches:

1. Confirm whether they have Select or Premier players on the roster, and notify both the club and SYSA registrar if:

   • There are more than three Select players on the roster

   • There are any Premier players on the roster

   • A rostered player's status changes

2. Sign a coach conduct agreement, including attestation that they have read and understand their responsibilities regarding Select and Premier players