Recreational Playing League
The basic CYSA Recreational Playing League is classified as a Division 4 playing league within CYSA. This league is comprised of teams that normally play within the boundaries of the league. There is another part of the recreational program, Division 3, which is often termed as ‘Upper House’. For the Division 3 teams, they typically travel to other cities to play. This recreational program is considered as the prelude for playing in Division 1 play, the CYSA competitive program.
The emphasis for the recreational playing leagues is for fun and ensuring that players get ample opportunity to have field playing time. Some leagues have policies which state that a player must play at least fifty percent (50%) of each game. This policy is totally league driven and league dependent.
If you want to have some fun, and enjoy watching players have fun, watch the entry level age group games (U5, U6, etc.). For a new coach, with no experience, this is a great place to start your soccer career. There are minimum expectations, with the greatest emphasis on the players having fun on the field. As a coach progresses through the age groups they are expected to take coaching license classes, which gives the knowledge needed to pass onto players. The lower age groups generally require at least an ‘F’ license. Check with your league for their coach license policy and classes offered.
With a coach license in hand, the next item that you will need to learn about are the league rules regarding age group play, CYSA Modified Rules for U10 play, and the FIFA Laws of the Game. Check with your league for information on these items.
Volunteers are always needed by leagues to coach teams. This is a worth while undertaking, especially when you see the faces of ‘your’ team, as they enjoy their soccer playing experience.
The Founders’ Cup Experience
Founders' Cup - A great event for recreational (Division 4) teams U10 and older!
District VIII - Founders' Cup Experience
The CYSA Founders’ Cup tournament is a CYSA tournament solely for division 4 players. This tournament is a yearly tournament, bringing together teams from all over northern California to play. There are two divisions of the tournament.
One division hosts age groups U10-U14 players. This division starts play in mid December, with the tournament concluding prior to the end of December. The second division of the tournament hosts U15-U19 players. This group starts play in late February, and concludes around the beginning of March. U12-14 Applications for Founders’ Cup are typically due in to the CYSA office at the very beginning of November. Applications for U15-U19 teams are due into the CYSA office by the very beginning of January. These dates are listed on the CYSA site.
Over the past years, the Founders’ Cup games have primarily been held at the Morgan Hill Sports Complex, in Morgan Hill, California. Morgan Hill is just south of San Jose. The format of the tournament is purely recreational and is designed to be a place for recreational teams to experience tournament play. There are no ‘qualifications’ for a team to play at Founders’ Cup. It is as simple as a team deciding that they want to go, and they apply. For teams desiring to enter Founders’ Cup, it is a simple process. You pay the entry fee for that year, and file your team paperwork with CYSA. A team is eligible for playing in Founders’ Cup for having just participated in the Fall playing season. Teams go to the tournament as a team, with all members of the team being eligible to go to Founders’ Cup. All teams that apply are accepted, no team is turned away. Please note, you must communicate your attentions to attend Founders’ Cup with your league registrar. Your paperwork will be processed by your registrar and the District registrar.
The Morgan Hill Sports Complex is a large site, composed of eleven regulation soccer fields, plus two stadium complex areas, with covered seating. The complex has a very large parking lot, with plenty of parking for all. There is a charge of $5 to park at the complex. Dogs are not allowed at the complex. There is also a snack bar on the complex site, for your eating pleasure. The main site for Founders’ Cup information is the CYSA main site:
