Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQ Categories:
Seasons
Registration and Age Groups
Drops and Refunds
Games and Practices
Team Placement, Teammates and Coaches
Equipment, Uniforms and Jewelry
Travel Soccer
Other

 

SEASONS

When is the Fall season? 
The Fall season runs from early September through mid-November.  Check the WYSA website in August for specific dates.

When is the Spring season?
The Spring season starts early April and ends mid-June.  Check the WYSA website in March for specific dates.
 

Is there a Winter season?
WYSA does not offer a winter league however there are programs available at many indoor facilities including Teamworks (Acton) and Tyngsboro Sports Center. Many of these facilities allow you to register as a "free agent" or to register a team.  If you are looking for a Westford team we invite you to post a notice on the WYSA  Bulletin Board.


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REGISTRATION AND AGE GROUPS

How do I register?
You may register on-line with a credit card.  See the "Register" tab for more information.

How do I know what program to register my child for?
Players are placed on teams by a combination of grade and age.  See the "Age Group Eligibility" page on the "Register" tab to determine which age group your player is in. 

When do I register for Travel?
Because of league requirements registration for the Fall travel program will start in mid-May and close mid-June.  Spring travel registration will start in early October and end mid-November.  Watch the WYSA website and "Registration Deadlines" on the "Register" tab for specific dates. 

This season just started.  Why do I have to register my travel player for next season already?
WYSA's travel teams participate in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League (MYSL).  MYSL requires preliminary teams to be submitted approximately 3 months prior to the start of the season.  The number of teams and preliminary rosters submitted to MYSL are based on the registration numbers as of the registration deadline.

When do I register for the In-Town Program?
Fall registration opens in mid-May and runs through mid-August.  Spring registration opens in early October and runs through mid-March.  Watch the WYSA website and "Registration Deadlines" on the "Register" tab for specific dates. 

When do I register for the Fall HS Age Program?
Fall registration opens in mid-May and runs through mid-August.  See Travel registration for the Spring program.  Watch the WYSA website and "Registration Deadlines" on the "Register" tab for specific dates. 

Can I register late?
Late registrations are accepted however a late fee applies and late registrants will only be placed on a team if there is an available spot.  Players who cannot be placed on a team will receive a full refund.


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DROPS AND REFUNDS

I registered my child but he/she will not be playing.  What do I do?
Please notify WYSA that your child will not be playing by completing the "Drop Notification and/or Refund Request" Form which can be found in the "Drops & Refunds" section under the "Register" tab.

If my child does not play can I receive a refund?
Requests for refunds must be received by August 1st for the Fall season and March 1st for the Spring season.  Please see the full Refund policy in the "Drops & Refunds" section under the "Register" tab. 

My child made a school sports team or school play.  Can I get a refund?
WYSA is not affiliated with the Westford Middle Schools and High School sports programs.  We encourage players who make their school teams to also play with WYSA.  Refunds must be requested by August 1st for the Fall season and March 1st for the Spring season.  Please see the full Refund policy in the "Drops & Refunds" section under the "Register" tab.


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GAMES AND PRACTICES

When are games and how long are they?
Games are held on the weekends and range in length depending on the age group.  See "Age Group Descriptions" under the "Programs" tab for specific information.  Make-up games are typically on weekdays.

Will my games always be at the same time?
No.  Game times vary but are typically in the morning or early afternoon.  

When are practices and how long are they?
Practices are held in the evenings Monday through Friday.  Practices start at 5:00 or later and range from 60 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the age group and the season (availability of daylight). 

Can I request specific practice nights?
Unfortunately we are unable to take requests for players to be on a team with specific teammates, coaches or practice nights.

When will I know when my child will have practice?
Your child's coach will contact you at the start of the season with their contact information, practice times (once these have been finalized) and game schedules (once they are available).  Specific dates will be posted on the WYSA website approximately a month before the start of the season. 


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TEAM PLACEMENT, TEAMMATES AND COACHES

My player really liked his coach from last season.  Can he be on his team again?
Can my player be on a team with his best friend?
I would like to car pool with another parent.  Can our players be on the same team?
Unfortunately WYSA is unable to honor special requests for players to be on teams with specific coaches,  teammates or practice nights.  The logistics involved in creating balanced in-town teams prohibits any special requests.

My travel player really liked his coach from last season.  Can he be on his team again?
Can my travel player be on a team with his best friend?
I would like to car pool with another parent.  Can our in-town players be on the same team?
Travel teams are placed on teams based on the results of the Spring Skill Assessment and the prior coach's evaluation.  Travel teams are then placed into divisions so they are competing with teams of similar skill levels.  Because there may be only one or two teams per division WYSA cannot honor requests for players to be on teams with specific coaches or teammates.


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EQUIPMENT, UNIFORMS AND JEWELRY

My child is playing soccer for the first time.  Do I need to buy anything?
Your player will need a soccer ball, shin guards, soccer socks, and water for all games and practices.  Soccer cleats are recommended but players may wear sneakers.  In-town players will purchase a reversible jersey.  Travel players must have a travel uniform.  For specific information please see "Equipment" and/or "Travel Uniforms" on the "Programs" tab.

My child just got their ears pierced.  Is this a problem?
Players must remove all jewelry including earrings for practices and games.  Taping over the earring is not permitted.  Earrings may catch on other players and rip the ear or a ball or another player striking the ear may push the post into the player's neck.  If your child is asking to have their ears pierced please try to wait until the end of the season.

My child wears a medical alert.  Does this need to be removed before the game? 
Players are permitted to wear medical alerts and religious items but they must be taped down and are subject to approval by the referee. 

Can my son/daughter play with a cast? 
Players may not wear hard casts even if they are padded. 


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TRAVEL SOCCER

How much travel is involved in travel soccer? 
For Grade 3/4, Grade 5/6 and Grade 7/8 approximately half of the games will be home games in Westford.  The other half of the games will be in the Middlesex area which includes towns like Chelmsford, Burlington, Woburn and Somerville.  Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12  games are played in MYSL towns however they are venue based which means that the game may be played in a town other than the home team's town. 

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OTHER

I couldn't find the answer to my question.  How can I get more information?
League Contacts are listed on the WYSA website.  For specific questions regarding your player contact the age director for their age group.  For questions regarding registration or the website contact the registrar. 


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