GNSC Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Gold Nugget Youth Soccer Club managed?

GNSC is a volunteer operation. Parents and community members volunteer their time to fulfill the various positions and needs of the Club including acting as a member of the Board, the decision-making body of the Club. The Board conducts monthly meetings to discuss all areas and responsibilities within the Club.

What is the age requirement for players?

Please refer to the age chart listed below. The player must be 5 by August 1st of the current season. If the player turns 18 on or before August 1st of the current season, he/she is eligible to play.

Age Requirements

Club policy for the U6 age-group:  All players that are 5 years of age by August 1st are automatically eligible for U6 play.  4 year-old players are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Those players are encouraged to register, but should be aware that they may be asked to wait an additional season.

What is the duration of the soccer season?
The official season begins in the Fall and ends in Mid-November.

When are games and practices held?

Practices schedules are established by the coach of each individual team and usually begin in the month of August. Practice schedules may vary from team to team but usually take place one to three times per week. Games are established by the Club and are usually played on Saturdays.

Where can I purchase uniforms?

TBD

Why must a new picture be submitted every season at registration?

The photos are used to make "player passes," which the referees check prior to the start of each game to verify that the player belongs on that particular team.

What if I do not have an official copy of my child's birth certificate?

GNSC will only accept an official birth record. You will need to contact the office of the county recorder within the county your child was born to obtain an official copy of your child's birth certificate.

On what team will my child play?

After season sign ups are concluded in April, players are placed within the following age and gender (if applicable) categories:

• Under-6
• U-8
• U-10
• U-12
• U-14
• U-16
• U-19

An effort is made to group players by their school of attendance to increase the likelihood they will play with someone they know.

Returning players may return to their prior year teams, unless for some reason, the team loses its coach. In that case, the players will be kept together and placed on another team with a new coach.

Returning players who have the desire to return to their previous team, may submit their request on the registration form by simply listing the name of the coach they wish to play for.

When will I be notified about my child's team and coach?

Team assignments are conducted in July. Team lists will be distributed to coaches at their first meeting (in early August). It is the responsibility of each coach to contact their team members at their earliest possible convenience.

What is the difference between Recreation and Select level soccer?

Most soccer players in the GNSC play at Recreation level. The U-10 to U-19 Select Level is designed for players who are searching for a more competitive-style of play and challenge. Players who possess the skills necessary to compete at the Select level, can attend Select Level tryouts. These are the teams you may see on local fields in July and August. Select Soccer teams need to begin their practice schedules earlier than recreation-level players in order to become better prepared for tournaments that take place in late Summer.

Who may tryout for Select soccer?
All players may tryout for teams in age groups that we have coaches to support.

What should I bring to tryouts?
Bring a soccer ball, and water bottle. Players must wear safe, appropriate attire and equipment, including shin guards and cleats. Do not wear select or competition uniforms from prior years.

Do parents need to attend tryouts?
A parent or legal guardian must accompany the player to sign the necessary consent and medical authorization as required by CYSA.

How do I know if I made the team?
Participants will be notified with a phone call from the coach within a few days after the last scheduled tryout date if the participant did or did not make the team.

What if my Player gets more than one offer?
If your Player receives more than one offer, you will decide which offer to accept. However, please accept or decline quickly. Coaches need to notify all tryout participants within a couple days after the last tryout.

How much does the season cost?
Costs vary by team and division of play. Costs include club registration, uniforms, tournaments, and other costs. Scholarships are available. Many teams offer fundraising options that can offset or eliminate personal costs. Depending on how much fundraising your team does, and how many tournaments your coach wants to play in, your cost could be anywhere in the range of $0-$300 per player. Please speak to the coach of your Player's team for more information. We welcome your questions and are available to help you.

How many games are played?
There are usually 10-11 league games between September and mid November. Tournaments start in August. Except for U10 (see next question), most select teams go to a seeding tournament at the end of July, 3-5 tournaments between August and December, and finally the District VI Cup tournament in December. Since tournaments are typically 3 games, most select teams play 20-30 games per season.

What about the U10 age group?
The U10 select team can play in jamborees, but not tournaments. U10 teams cannot travel outside the Sacramento area to play in overnight jamborees. U10 teams may only play in a maximum of 20 games per season. Since there are approximately 10-11 league games, and most jamborees have 3 games, this means a U10 team will probably at most go to 3 jamborees, one of which will probably Soccer Fest in December. Standings are not kept for U10 teams.

When does practice begin?
Most Select teams practice 2- 3 times a week for 1.5 - 2 hours and begin in early June.

How far does the team travel?
Many of the tournaments are in the Sacramento Metropolitan area. Away tournaments (out of Sacramento area) are typically within a few hours drive of Placerville. The team can travel to anywhere within CYSA District VI, which includes the following twelve counties: Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Solano (except cities of Benicia, Vallejo), Sutter, Yuba, Yolo. (See CYSA District VI map).

Can parents help?
Parent participation is highly encouraged and welcomed on any team within the Select Program. Typical team support positions are Asst. Coaches, Transportation Coordinator, Video Camera person, etc.

Can I play on both a Select and Recreation team?
No. CYSA rules do not allow for that.

Questions about select?
Contact us at select@sierraGoldSoccer.org

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