FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Referee Information
  1. When does the season start?
  2. How much does it cost?
  3. When are practices and games?
  4. What do players need in terms of uniforms and equipment?
  5. Who decides if the weather is too bad to play?
  6. Who maintains the CYSA Fields?
  7. Which field is which?
  8. I’d like to volunteer. How can I help?
  9. Most of your coaches are parents with a child on a CYSA Team. What’s involved?
  10. What advice do you give Volunteer Coaches?
  11. Referees are an integral part of the game. How are they trained?
  12. How are the age groups and age limits defined?
  13. How are teams made up?

When does the season start?

August 2023: Recreational/CFC Juniors/CFC Training & Practices Begin

January 2024: Recreational /CFC Juniors/CFC Games Begin 

How much does it cost?

Under 6 (Includes ages 3, 4 and 5) and Under 8 (includes ages 6 and 7) pay approximately $145 per fall/spring soccer year.

Under 10 (ages 9 and 10) and Up pay approximately $175 per fall/spring soccer year.

Juniors Academy Program: Under 10 (ages 9 and 10) pay approximately $750 per fall/spring soccer year ($350 for half year).

Comptitive: Under 11 through 19 competitive players pay approximately $210 per fall/spring soccer year and expect to pay additional fees for professional coaching and tournament fees.

When are practices and games?

U6 and U8 players typically practice once per week in the evening. Practice times vary by team, but they typically begin sometime between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Games are typically played on Saturday mornings; but the occasional Sunday game is possible due to rainouts and/or other special situations.

U10, U12, and U14 Recreational players typically practice twice per week in the evening. Usually one game scheduled is for Saturday. 

U11 – U19 Competitive players typically practice two to three times per week in the evening. Competitve teams play multiple games on the weekend and can expect to travel for league games and/or tournaments. Some travel may require overnight stays.

What do players need in terms of uniforms and equipment?

Shin guards (covered by socks) are mandatory at all practices and games and are the player’s responsibility. Shoes with cleats from a soccer manufacturer are recommended but not required particularly for younger age groups.  Players may not wear jewelry such as bracelets, wristbands, watches, earrings or any other objects that may cause injury to the wearer or competitor. It is best if every player bring their own ball to practice.

Who decides if the weather is too bad to play?

Field closure due to excess rain and/or unsafe conditions is the responsibility of the CYSA President who will notify coaches and when reasonably possible.  Although practices and games may continue in the rain, cancellation of practice at times when the fields are not officially closed may be the responsibility of each coach.  When a game is in progress, the referee has the authority to suspend and/or cancel the game due to unsafe conditions.  Soccer games may be played in the rain if, in the opinion of the referee, playing conditions are safe.

Who maintains the CYSA Fields?

CYSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is governed by a Board of Directors. We are a club and are not associated or funded by any government organization. CYSA is not part of the Covington Recreational Department (CRD). We (all of us) are responsible for maintaining the CYSA fields.  There are no employees (public or private) to pick up the trash.  Please encourage everyone to keep the fields clean and exercise your parental right to stop vandalism you may see.  Please be aware that unsupervised non-playing siblings frequently will drift into unsafe or destructive activities away from the game.  Keep track of your family and watch out for others.  Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.  Please do not bring glass containers on to the fields.

Which field is which?

We presently utilize six fields of varying dimensions with two field areas set aside for future development.   

I’d like to volunteer. How can I help?

CYSA and the CYSA Fields are only as good as our volunteers. PLEASE be an active participant by helping in whatever way you can through TIME, TALENT or TREASURE. A leadership role in ANY area is most welcome. Anything you can do helps!  Most of our volunteers are coaches and assistant coaches and we need new ones every year. The remaining jobs are done by a very small group of volunteers. We need more people at special times of the year (registration, field set-up, tournament weekends). Much of this planning occurs at our Board meetings and interested individuals are needed every year to replace members that rotate off this group. Most of these jobs do not require experience, only a little time so please get involved!  CYSA Board of Directors:

  • League Management
  • Registrar – data entry
  • Secretary – board records
  • Team Formation
  • Field maintenance and development
  • Referee Scheduling
  • Tournament Management
  • Accounting
  • Budget
  • Competition committee
  • LSA representative at state meetings and committees
  • Media liaison

Teams:

  • Coach – sets practice schedules, plans practice activities, manages games
  • Assistant Coach – second set of hands to manage practices and games, stand in for coach
  • Team Manager – plan snack schedule for younger teams, coordinate game schedules for older teams, confirm referee assignments

Concession Stand Operations:

  • Supply shopping anytime
  • Weekend operation and rotations during tournaments

General Site & Field Maintenance:

  • Pick up team area after games and practices
  • Field set-up – before the start of the season (work day announcement)
  • Line painting – Thursday and Friday nights before Saturday game day
  • Grass mowing – farm machinery experience required
  • Weed eater – around buildings and goals, weekly, nearly year round

Most of your coaches are parents with a child on a CYSA Team. What’s involved?

CYSA and LSA policies specify that all coaches take a certification class (offered by LSA) within the first year. CYSA reimburses the cost of the coaching course for those that coach a team that same year. Upcoming classes and locations are announced on the LSA web site at www.LSA-soccer.org. Parents interested  in coaching often start as an “assistant” with another parent who has coached before. Playing experience is not required although helpful.   In recent years some competitive teams have employed a professional trainer or full time coach. For continuity of the team, parent coaches are always needed even if a professional coach is employed. Fees are typically set by each professional coach, dispersed by the team rather than CYSA, and are independent of CYSA fees.

What advice do you give Volunteer Coaches?

In addition to a Coaching Course, we recommend resources found at the following websites:

And MOST IMPORTANT – Register your Volunteer Disclosure Form at the LSA-soccer.org web site. (Find the Risk Management section on the left panel of the front page. The link to the form will be in the middle of the Risk Management page.) It will ask for name, SS#, and driver’s license number so that a background check can be done.

Referees are an integral part of the game. How are they trained?

Any person 12 years of age or older is eligible to take an LSA sponsored certification course and become a referee. Referee work can be a part time job for a student, a way to better understand the game for a player, and a healthy hobby for adults. Once trained, there are opportunities to get additional experience during the off season officiating at competitions (junior high and high school, ODP, Regional Premier events, and/or adult leagues) that can lead to promotion in the USSF’s ranking system used throughout the country. Courses are usually offered twice a year in August and January depending on demand.  Every year we introduce a new group of referees to the game.  Many of these officials will be young people.  In all cases these individuals have VOLUNTEERED to do a difficult job.  All officials are trained and licensed but, like any activity in sport, refereeing is a learned skill and mistakes are inevitable.  While their decisions may not always be agreeable to all participants and spectators, their decisions are final. No useful purpose is served by shouting disagreement or derogatory remarks.  The referee has the authority to caution or eject players, coaches, spectators and even stop the game. Abusive words, disrespect, or deliberate fouls may lead to sanctions by a referee.  Unwarranted comments and intimidation by coaches and spectators will not be allowed and reports to the Board of Directors will be taken very seriously.  Verbal and/or physical assaults on a referee, his equipment and possessions, by a player, coach or spectator can lead to suspension and possibly lifetime ban from soccer (that is enforced nationwide because of our affiliations with national groups).

How are the age groups and age limits defined?

A player has to be at least three (3) years of age at time of registration. With the exception of this youngest age group, all other Age Groups shall be comprised of youth players who have a birth date 3 or more years preceding the registration year. Playing down in age is prohibited.

Season2016 -20172017 -20182018 -20192019 -20202020 -20212021 -20222022 -20232023 -20242024 -20252025 -20262026 -20272027 -2028
Birth Year           
2020       U4U5U6U7U8
2019      U4U5U6U7U8U9
2018     U4U5U6U7U8U9U10
2017    U4U5U6U7U8U9U10U11
2016   U4U5U6U7U8U9U10U11U12
2015  U4U5U6U7U8U9U10U11U12U13
2014 U4U5U6U7U8U9U10U11U12U13U14
2013U4U5U6U7U8U9U10U11U12U13U14U15
2012U5U6U7U8U9U10U11U12U13U14U15U16
2011U6U7U8U9U10U11U12U13U14U15U16U17
2010U7U8U9U10U11U12U13U14U15U16U17U18
2009U8U9U10U11U12U13U14U15U16U17U18U19
2008U9U10U11U12U13U14U15U16U17U18U19 
2007U10U11U12U13U14U15U16U17U18U19  
2006U11U12U13U14U15U16U17U18U19   
2005U12U13U14U15U16U17U18U19    
2004U13U14U15U16U17U18U19     
2003U14U15U16U17U18U19      
2002U15U16U17U18U19       
2001U16U17U18U19        
2000U17U18U19         
1999U18U19          

Birth Year and Season Matrix
When determining the age group for a season, the year the season ends should be used for determining the birth year. Also note that the format “U followed by age” really means that age and younger. For example, U8 should be read as 8 and younger. For more age-group information please reference  U. S. Soccer ’s  Player  Development  Initiatives. 

Playing up in age is not recommended but has been allowed to accommodate special requests such as parent coaching a higher age, transportation problems, or once the player reaches 9 years of age. However, playing up more than two (2) years above age is dangerous. No player under the age of 9 can participate on a Competitive team.

How are teams made up?

Recreational teams are players (boys and girls) from two age groups. Under 6 teams are made of ages 4 & 5 , Under-8 teams are made of ages 6 & 7 , Under 10 teams are made of ages 8 & 9. Girls and boys may play on the same teams in U6 and U8 divisions but on separate teams starting in U10 and older.  Good coaching theory calls for balance of team skills to make games more competitive. U6 and U8 teams are balanced for skill and age.  Players age 10 may continue in the Recreational League as a U12 player or enter a more advanced league now called Competitive. Players on Competitive teams are selected at try-outs or by invitation. Coaches have additional training and are paid professionals. Teams practice more often than recreational teams, play more games on the weekend, travel farther distances to play games, and are eligible to play in the State Championship Tournament.

About Us

Official website of Covington Youth Soccer Association located in Covington, LA. Click for more information.

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info@covingtonsoccer.com
504-220-4043
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Covington Soccer Complex
74020 Penn Mill Road
Covington, LA 70433
USA

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