ASC Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS ASC?
Armonk Soccer Club is the new name for Byram Hills Soccer Club, officially starting in the Fall 2024. The name of our club is changing to avoid confusion with the Byram Hills School District and their soccer teams. We will play out the Spring 2024 season using our BHSC uniform and name.
WHY ARE WE CHANGING THE NAME NOW INSTEAD OF THE FALL?
We are rolling out the name change now because tryouts and registration for our Fall 2024 teams start to take place in May & June 2024.
WHAT ELSE IS CHANGING OTHER THAN THE CLUB NAME?
Our logo and therefore uniform for Fall 2024 will change. Rest assured our great coaches, programs and board will remain the same!
ASC WYSL Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN WILL TRYOUTS BE HELD?
Tryouts and evaluations are typically in May.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO PLAY ON A WYSL TEAM?
ASC WYSL starts at the U9 division (8 years old) and continues through high school.
WHO DECIDES WHICH PLAYERS MAKE THE TEAM?
The players will be evaluated by independent professional evaluators, as well as any current coach.
HOW MANY WYSL TEAMS WILL THERE BE?
We anticipate that there will be at least 1 team for each gender in each age group from U9 through U14.
CAN MY CHILD PLAY DOWN WITH HIS/HER FRIENDS?
No, in WYSL all players must play in the correct birth year.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PLAY FOR THE TRAVEL WYSL TEAM?
The registration fee for Fall 2021/Spring 2022 is $1500. This fee includes the cost of a professional trainer (two training sessions and one game per week), 15 hours of winter training, team participation in one tournament, insurance, WYSL/US CLUB league registration, facilities and other miscellaneous club costs. Financial assistance is available for those requiring it.
WHY IS WYSL TRAVEL SO MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN AYSO PROGRAMS?
There are a number of factors at play including the two practices a week, professional coaches at all games, WSYL fees and insurance.
WHO COACHES THE KIDS?
A professional coach is assigned by the Director of Coaching to each team based on careful consideration of the team’s age, skill, and intensity, drawing from an experienced pool of highly qualified trainers. The professional coach leads the two training sessions and coaches the players at their game each week.
WILL PARENT COACHES BE INVOLVED?
The ASC Management Team will determine people to assist with the logistical management of each team. Parents are crucial to helping run each team, but their role is administrative in nature.
WHERE WILL PRACTICES BE HELD?
All practices will be held in Armonk, NY.
WHAT IS THE EXPECTED WEEKLY TIME COMMITMENT?
Players are expected to attend two 90-minute training sessions per week and a game on Sunday. Commitment is expected for both the Fall and Spring seasons and Winter training.
HOW MANY PLAYERS WILL BE ON EACH TEAM?
Each U9-U12 team will likely have between 12 – 15 players. U13 and U14 teams have between 15 - 20 players.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PLAYER DOES NOT MAKE A WYSL TEAM?
All players that do not make a ASC WYSL team will have an opportunity to play on a ASC AYSO team.
WHAT IF MY PLAYER IS TRYING OUT FOR THE WYSL TEAM SHOULD I ALSO REGISTER THEM FOR ASC AYSO?
ASC AYSO registration is open through August, so we recommend holding off on registering for ASC AYSO until you are certain that your player will be playing ASC AYSO in the fall.
WHAT DOES THE UNIFORM KIT CONSIST OF?
The complete required 6-piece uniform kit (2020 cost ~$100) includes:
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Game Day Kit: Navy jersey red or grey jersey, navy shorts, navy socks
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Training Kit: club t-shirt, black shorts
Players may also purchase an optional backpack embroidered with club logo and the player’s initials.
DO I NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW UNIFORM EACH YEAR?
For the inaugural season (2021-22), all players will be required to order a uniform kit. The following year, only U9 and new players must order a complete uniform kit at registration. U10 and older players will have the option to order either a complete uniform kit or individual components at registration .
HOW DO I ORDER NEW UNIFORM COMPONENTS MID-SEASON?
If your child has misplaced or outgrown any of his/her uniform, or if you simply need another, contact our uniform supplier Soccer & Rugby.
WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
Once a player accepts a position on a team, there are no refunds of registration fees.
WHAT IF A PLAYER DECLINES AN INVITATION TO PLAY ON A WYSL TEAM?
Following the tryout process, players have 24 hours to accept an invitation to play on a ASC WYSL team. There are no negative consequences for declining an invitation and players may try out again the following year, should they wish to do so. Players who accept a position on a team and subsequently renege on the acceptance, may not be permitted to try out or play in ASC's WYSL program in the next fall or spring seasons.
WHAT IF A PLAYER WANTS TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT CLUB FOR THE SPRING SEASON?
Once a player accepts a position on a WYSL team, that player is bound to that team for the WYSL seasonal year (defined as September 1st through August 1st). In some instances, players may be moved to another ASC WYSL Travel team for the spring season based on team needs.
WHAT IF A PLAYER DOES NOT RETURN TO PLAY FOR THE SPRING SEASON?
Players are expected to play on their ASC WYSL team for a full year (fall and spring seasons). Players who do not return for the spring season may not be permitted to try out and play for ASC WYSL in the following fall or spring seasons.
ASC AYSO Frequently Asked Questions
What is AYSO?
AYSO (ayso.org) stands for the American Youth Soccer Organization and is the largest youth soccer organization in the United States. AYSO's standard Core program is offered to children ages 4-16. It is family friendly recreational soccer play focused on the AYSO Six Philosophies:
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Everyone Plays
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Balanced Teams
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Open Registration
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Positive Coaching
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Good Sportsmanship
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Player Development
This program strictly follows AYSO's guidance around program implementation and leverages a communal model of parent volunteers to help deliver the soccer program.
Does the ASC AYSO program have a travel team option?
AYSO offers a travel program for ages U10 through U16 where games are played against neighboring towns.
What are the dates for AYSO?
In the spring, the AYSO season runs from April 10th to June 19th (no soccer on Mother’s Day or over Memorial Day Weekend). U5 and U6 play only on Saturdays, while U7+ practice on Saturdays and have games on Sundays.
When can my child start playing AYSO?
For the full Fall/Spring seasons, your child must be at least 4 years old by September 1 of the current soccer season in order to play. If your child turns 4 after September 1 but before April 1, you can register for the Spring season.
Can I coach my child?
AYSO is always looking for responsible parents to serve as coaches. However, we require our coaches to go through some training. Each coach must take the “Safe Haven” and CDC Concussion courses which provide basic information on how to be a youth sports coach and keep the players safe and healthy. In addition, each coach must take coaching courses and become “certified” for the specific age group that he/she wants to coach. The courses are offered by various AYSO Regions (including our own) around the area. We’ll keep you posted on their availability and we’ll even pay the fees associated with the courses. Volunteers that are “Safe Haven” and coaching certified are permitted to coach.
How are the kids placed on teams?
At the Kindergarten and 1st grade level, we try our best to balance the teams, but most decisions are based somewhat randomly. That being said, at the end of each spring season, the coaches rate their players. So, at U7 and above, we balance the teams based on those ratings.
Can I request that my child be placed on a team with another child?
Yes, of course. We will do our best to honor your requests, but cannot make guarantees. As mentioned previously, we need to ensure the teams are fair and balanced where possible.
Are teams reformatted in the Spring?
Efforts will be mad to retain the same teams in the spring as in the fall. However, reduced or increased roster numbers may lead to reconstituted teams in certain divisions of play.
What if my child wants to play more soccer?
Armonk Soccer Club will offer clinics during the week that AYSO players can register for. These clinics are led by professional coaches and provide a fantastic opportunity to hone and improve one’s skills. If a player desires a greater commitment and level of play, he or she can try out for one of our Westchester Travel (WYSL) teams.
Can I do anything else to help out?
Of course, you can help! We always need volunteers to assist in making our programs the best that they can be. Reach out to our board to find out more information on how you can get more involved.