Tryouts

Where are tryouts held?
All tryouts are located at Templeton Middle School in Sussex. TMS is located at N59W22490 Silver Spring Drive.

Do I just show up?
While you can register on location, we encourage all interested players to register for tryouts through the regular registration process on this web site. Registration is done by clicking on the Register button on the Registration tab. Tryout fee is $20 which includes a tryout tee shirt. Walk-ups who are new to the club must provide proof of age at the time of registration.

Which age group can I attend?
Your age on July 31st of the current year must be less than the team you are trying out for. (i.e., a player 12 years of age on July 31st of that year will try out for U13.)

What happens at tryouts?
The first day you will be assigned a distinctive number which you will wear during each tryout session. Evaluators consist of qualified people from the Pewaukee and Sussex community. All players will participate in the same activities, small-sided games and full field scrimmages. Each player will be seen by the tryout evaluators a number of times. The tryouts are conducted to be as fair and impartial to all players as possible. Selection is to be based on the performances at the tryout sessions.

How do I know the tryouts are fair?
The tryouts are organized and intentionally designed to be fair and impartial to all participants. Selection is to be based upon the performances at the tryout sessions, however, for returning players we also take into consideration the development of the player over the previous season. Some of the measures put in place to ensure fairness and equity include: 

• Decisions on team placement are made by a team of evaluators, not a single individual.  This team of evaluators is comprised of experienced and licensed soccer coaches.  Our tryouts are designed to have one evaluator for every 10-12 players trying out.
• The evaluation team meets at a separate neutral location to discuss all players who attended the tryout session and where they would be best placed. 
• The tryout session is organized so that all evaluators are able to see all of the players.
• Evaluators are required to write notes on every player that attended the tryout session.
• Player evaluations from team coaches and Player Development Director will be used as a criteria, when players are rated closely together by evaluators.   
• Current team coaches will provide feedback with regard to players as part of the tryout process for their team(s).  For players already in our program, we will take into consideration the development shown since the last tryout session.   
• Team coaches will be allowed to attend the tryout session when their team is being selected, however, they will serve as an evaluator for the tryout session and not organize or run the activities within the session.
• Oversight to the process and final decision making authority will be with the Select Program Player Development Director.

How many teams will there be?
We anticipate and it is our goal to have multiple teams at each age level for boys and girls.  The top team will be the red team, the second team will be the black team, and the third team will be the white team.  Though it is possible that at some levels we might only have enough to field one competitive team, we hope to avoid this situation through an effective program and positive communication.

Player development is our goal and thus, one of our main goals is to give each player in our program a competitive team to play on at an appropriate level of play with quality coaching and a defined methodology to ensure development.  This means that our goal is to “place” players and not “cut” players.  This will sometimes require us to utilize creative approaches towards organizing the players and teams.   

How many players will be on the team?
This is ultimately dependent upon how many players tryout and the ability level of those players at each age level.  If we have the opportunity to create full rosters we will, but the ability level of the players must reasonably match each other at the same time to ensure a competitive balance and create a positive environment within the team for all involved.  There is a minimum standard of performance associated with the select program, however, and having your child tryout does not guarantee placement into the program. 

Guidelines for roster sizes and game format are set forth for us by the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association (WYSA).  At the U11 and U12 level, players will play 8 vs 8 games with a maximum roster size of 14 players per team.  At the U13 to U18 level, players will play 11 vs 11 with a maximum roster size of 22 players per team.  The state is experimenting with a 22 player roster at the U13 and U14 level.  It is not our intention to go above 18 per team at any age levels, especially the younger U13 and U14 ages. 

Who is running the tryouts?
The administrative aspects of the tryout sessions will be organized by Chris Zuzick, Vice President-Select Soccer and the soccer aspects of the tryout sessions will be organized by Brian Staus, Director of Player Development-Select.

Who decides who makes what team?
The group of evaluators at the tryout session will form a consensus about team selection decisions.  If the group cannot come to a consensus on a player decision, Brian Staus will determine the team placement decision based upon the insights of the evaluation team and the team coach if necessary.  

What if I do not agree with my child’s placement?
We understand that tryouts can often be a stressful time period for those involved.  Team selections are final decisions and will not be changed once they are set.  We have a quality staff with much experience and trust in the expertise of our staff.  If you are unsatisfied with your child’s placement, you can request and will receive a brief explanation of your child’s placement as discussed by the evaluation team at their age level.  This will be done through email, after which further discussion on the placement will be closed. 

Players have 48 hours after the posting of teams to the Pewaukee Sussex United website to accept their position in the program.  Failure to accept a position may result in the offering of it to another individual.      

What else should I know about tryouts?
Every attempt is made for the tryout schedule to be emailed to all age appropriate players registered in PS United the season prior and posted on the club website. Registration for tryouts is located on the PS United website on the "Registration" tab. There is a $20 fee. Registration can also be completed in person if you miss the on-line registration. Please arrive 30 minutes early to allow time to sign-in, get a t-shirt with a number and warm-up before the tryout start time. Please come prepared to play soccer. That means bring a soccer ball, water, clothes, soccer shoes and required shin guards. Dress appropriately for the weather and have something warm to put on during breaks in play.

There will be two scheduled tryout sessions (additional sessions may be added depending on numbers). At the beginning of the tryout session the coach and evaluators will be introduced. The activities of the day's session will be explained and any questions, from either players or parents, will be answered at that time. For placement onto a Select program team, it is in the player's best interest to attend all scheduled sessions. Players who cannot attend any of the scheduled tryout sessions should contact Brian Staus, the Director of Player Development for the Select Soccer program at StausPewaukeeSussex@gmail.com or Chris Zuzick, the VP of Select Soccer at VPSelectPewaukeeSussex@gmail.com.  There are no alternate dates for Select tryouts.

Rules and policies relating to select tryouts are set by Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association. For information on WYSA policies for the 2013-2014 year, please click here.