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Valley Youth Soccer League Program and Operations
The Valley Youth Soccer League | U5 - U18 Girls & Boys
Powered by Comox Valley United Soccer Club
Fall soccer registration will open June 15, 2024! More information Valley Youth Soccer League. Spaces will be limited in some divisions, we encourage you to register early. Deadline to register Aug 10.
The Valley Youth Soccer League (VYSL) is Comox Valley United Soccer Club’s community based grassroots soccer league for participants U5 – U11 & U12 – U18. The Valley Youth Soccer League (VYSL) encompasses participants from all communities within the Regional District of Comox Valley providing year-round activity for youth ages 4-18 years.
Vision
Promote the enjoyment of, and participation in, the sport of soccer, for life.
Mission
To develop & educate (in alignment to evidence based best practice) as many individuals as we can, as best we can, for as long as we can.
VYSL Operates an Independent Fall and Spring Leagues
Fall League begins in September until the end of October – 8 weeks and Spring League beings the end of April until the end of June – 9 weeks. Participants register as individuals thru Comox Valley United Soccer Club and will be placed into divisions aligned to their birth year.
The VYSL has 4 youth league divisions (note – our Youth Division will be split into multiple (TBD) micro divisions to ensure U18 players are not versing U12 players).
Upon VYSL registration closing players will then be placed into teams to participate in the respective division. Comox Valley United Soccer Club & VYSL administrators will use bio banding to form teams. The bio banding method will be aligned with research surrounding Relative Age Effect (RAE) thus ensuring each team is balanced in respect to its Relative Age. This ensures as a league we are using the most objective means to form our individual teams in each division. During the duration of each season, each team within the league will receive:1 x VYSL Match Day and 1 x VYSL Skill Centre practice day.
VYSL runs in the Spring from early April to mid June (no session the Easter and Victoria Day Long Weekends). The deadline to register is near the end of February and spaces are limited so please register early. Once divisions fill up we can only place players on teams if space allows.
The Valley Youth Soccer League (VYSL) is Comox Valley United Soccer Club’s community based grassroots soccer league for participants U5 – U11 & U12 – U18. The Valley Youth Soccer League (VYSL) encompasses participants from all communities within the Regional District of Comox Valley providing year-round activity for youth ages 4-18 years.
CVUSC philosophy for each VYSL is focus on the child's age and developmental requirements and differs for each division. Click on the division for more information on our focus and age specific philosophy. Soccer defines players by their birth year. Under 5 means in the year you turn 5 you are an Under 5 player, U5, for the soccer season starting the pervious fall.
Skill Centre Training
U5 to U11 Players in the VYSL will train using mass practice Canada Soccer Preferred Training Model for our U5 to U11 players. PTM training players will partake in a fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate activities designed to foster a love for soccer, a love for the ball, whilst at the same time improving key motor skills.
PTM training will be at a dedicated field, on a set night and time. In addition to the Saturday game day, Micro’s through U11 Junior’s will be training weekly. All delivered in a mass practice, station style & vibrant training environment. Volunteer Coach lead delivering session plans developed by CV United’s Technical Director. Field setup will be assisted by Mentor Coaches.
Bambino's Players will have one Skill & Play Session Per Week (30 mins Skills & 30 mins Game Play) on Saturdays. U12 though U18 players will have age specific training groups.
CV United philosophy and focus for VYSL League Play and Skill Centre builds on each age group. Click on the division below for the club philosophy for your players age group. Follow the links below, access through buttons, for Registration and Season Information, Playing formats, Match Day and Skill Centre schedules and other information.
Fall soccer registration will open June 15. More information Valley Youth Soccer League. Spaces may be limited in some divisions, we encourage you to register early. Deadline to register Aug 10.
VYSL seasons are independent; members are required to register for each season they wish to play. Fall played September to November and Spring April to June
Valley Youth Soccer League is for players U5 to U18. "U" stand for "Under" and represents the age group the player will play in for one year. Age groupings are from September of the current year to August of the following year.
CVUSC's volunteers and staff plan and organize approximately 1,000 players for each season. To allow volunteers the time to carry out this process, players are required to register before a set date -- generally mid-August for the Fall league and mid-February for the Spring league.
From a general perspective the CVUSC VYSL Recreational programs are not about winning; it's about providing opportunities for children to develop as soccer players while having fun in balanced, fair competition. Our programs focus on teaching solid skills as our players progress through the age divisions, all the while engaging them with the essence of soccer -- FUN.
We have two recreational Valley Youth Soccer League seasons - September to November and April to June. Children are divided up into divisions according to age with all children playing with same-aged children. If numbers require, we will combine age groups in order to make an appropriate schedule. Games are all played on Saturdays. Fields and times are set prior to the start of the season.
The Comox Way - Development Model
The Comox Way - Development Model is our foundation on which our player development and programing is founded. The Vision, Mission and Principles guiding all our programs. The four cornerstones to improve our players technical and tactical understanding, lead a heathy lifestyle, overcome obstacles, and make new friends. Through the Valley Youth Soccer League, United Development Program and Competitive programs The Comox Way will establish a playing DNA and create a strong and clear identity.
Please navigate to the respective age groups to see more of the Development Model. For the complete model The Comox Way - Development Model
- Soccer Tots U4
Soccer Tots U4
U4 Soccer Tots VYSL focuses on Motor Skills (with the ball), Mastery over the Ball & Physical Literacy (Agility, Balance & Speed) Development in what is described as our once per week Skill & Play Program. This is a Club Lead with parent participation program with operational & organizational support from staff.
CV United’s philosophy for our Soccer Tots VYSL program is to develop an intrinsic passion for the game. Soccer Tots focuses on teaching children to have a passion for sport and exercise while having fun and making new friendships.
By playing soccer, children can learn about work ethic, commitment, and having a healthy and active lifestyle. Our Soccer Tots VYSL program gives children the opportunity to experience a group environment for the first time and build social skills by meeting new people. Soccer Tots also can create new friendships for parents and gives parents the opportunity to spend time with their children in a fun & organized environment.
Soccer Tots play in our Spring Seasons. Soccer Tots is not offered in our fall season. Players must register for the seasons. Players will have one Skill & Play Session Per Week of 45 mins on Saturdays. Soccer Tots starts one week later than the other VYSL programs.
- Bambino's U5
Bambino's U5
U5 Bambino’s VYSL focuses on Motor Skills (with the ball), Mastery over the Ball & Physical Literacy (Agility, Balance & Speed) Development in what is described as our once per week Skill & Play Program. This is a parent participation program with operational & organizational support from staff prior to the start of each season thru coach symposium & throughout the duration of the program thru skill plans to deliver each week.
CV United’s philosophy for our Bambino’s VYSL program is to develop a intrinsic passion for the game. Bambino’s focuses on teaching children to have a passion for sport and exercise while having fun and making new friendships.
By playing soccer, children can learn about work ethic, commitment, and having a healthy and active lifestyle. Our Bambino VYSL program gives children the opportunity to experience a group environment for the first time and build social skills by meeting new people. Bambino’s also can create new friendships for parents and gives parents the opportunity to spend time with theirchildren in a fun & organized environment.
Bambino’s play in both the Fall and Spring Seasons. The season are independent, separate registration required for each. Players can register for one or both of the seasons. Players will have one Skill & Play Session Per Week (30 mins Skills & 30 mins Game Play) on Saturdays.
- Micro's U6 and U7
MICRO'S U6 and U7 Girls and Boys
U6-U7 Micro’s VYSL focuses on Motor Skills (with the ball), Mastery over the Ball & Physical Literacy (Agility, Balance & Speed) Development. This is a parent participation program with operational & organizational support prior to the start of each season thru coach symposium & throughout from staff at our VYSL Skill Centre’s.
CV United’s philosophy for our Micro’s U6-U7 VYSL program builds on the U5 Bambino’s VYSL program by putting the players on more formal teams to play in our Regional District community based league against other VYSL League teams. We want this to be a fun, exciting environment that continues to build a love of the game while placing a strong emphasis on growing a love for the ball and social interactions.
Our Micro’s VYSL program gives kids the opportunity to experience a team environment for the first time and build social skills through interacting with new players.
This program will also give the budding coaches amongst our parents a chance to showcase their coaching appetite & aspirations.
Micro’s play in both the Fall and Spring Seasons. The season are independent, separate registration required for each. Players can register for one or both of the seasons. Players will have one Match Day (Saturdays) and one Skill Centre practice day per week.
- Mini's U8 & U9 + Junior's U10 & U11
MINI'S U8-U9 and JUNIORS U10-U11 Girls and Boys
U8-U9 Mini's VYSL focuses on Mastery over the Ball, Physical Literacy (Agility, Balance & Speed) Development & an introduction to Individual Tactics. This is a parent participation program with operational & organizational support prior to the start of each season thru coach symposium & throughout from staff at our VYSL Skill Centre’s.
U10-U11 Junior's VYSL focuses on Mastery over the Ball, Individual Tactics whilst introducing Group Tactics.
This is a parent participation program with operational & organizational support prior to the start of each season thru coach symposium & throughout from staff at our VYSL Skill Centre’s.
CV United’s Mini's U8-U9 & Junior's U10-U11 VYSL program builds on the foundations laid in our U6-U7 Micro’s CVL League. Players are continued to be placed on more formal teams to play in our community based 'league' against other CV League teams.
We still want this to be a fun, exciting environment that continues to build a love of the game while placing a strong emphasis on growing a love for the ball and social interactions.
Our Junior VYSL program may give some children the opportunity to experience a team environment for the first time supported by children who have already experienced being on a team, the combination of social interaction for the first timers and the experience of leadership for our returning peers makes this a vital part of child psychosocial development.
This will also continue to give the budding coaches amongst our parents a chance to showcase their coaching appetite & aspirations.
Juniors play in both the Fall and Spring Seasons. The season are independent, separate registration required for each. Players can register for one or both of the seasons. Players will have one Match Day (Saturdays) and one Skill Centre practice day per week.
Mini's U8 & U9 Boys and Girls
Junior's U10 & U11 Boys and Girls
- Youth's U12 to U18
YOUTH’S U12-U18 Girls and Boys
The Youth VYSL Program is designed to provide a fun, challenging & competitive environment for all thru a community-based grassroots league. U12 to U14 using a 6v6 small sided games format, this division builds on the structure built in our Juniors division. We still want to create a fun & accessible environment but with a competition-based edge. U15 to U18 using an 6v6 or 8v8 small sided game format. Registration numbers will determine what size of game format is used. If a sufficient number of players register teams will be created to play 8v8. U12 to U14 in our Fall season generally is co-ed, if sufficient players register the genders will be separated. Spring U12 to U14 has sufficient registration to have a separate Boys and Girls Divisions.U15 to U18 follows the same guidelines.
Our Youth VYSL program may give participants an opportunity to play with friends they may not normally play with in a friendly & social environment all within the Regional District of the Comox Valley.
Players will be placed on teams to compete in a spring-based league. For players who have aspirations to play or have traditionally played representative (select) soccer, this league will give those an organized & repetitious game-based program to maintain their skills leading into Fall & Winter (Tier 2 or Tier 3) competitive island wide competition.
Comox Valley United Soccer Club staff & coaches will use the VYSL league to evaluate & identify players. This format of evaluation will replace traditional tryouts thus giving purpose for each participant in the VYSL. This may give new families to the Comox Valley an opportunity to meet new friends thru the game of soccer as well as providing an accessible entry level to the game of soccer in the Comox Valley for all new and experienced players.
Youth’s play in both the Fall and Spring Seasons. Though with the majority of players play Select Competitive Island wide competition the Fall season may be limited to U12-U14 and could be co-ed if insufficient players register. The genders will be separated with sufficient players. The season are independent, separate registration required for each. Players can register for one or both of the seasons. Players will have one Match Day (Saturdays) and one Skill Centre practice day per week.
Youth U12 - U14
Youth U15 to U18
- Fields | Primary
The primary playing fields used are Valley View Elementary School, Highland Secondary School, Vanier Turf Field, Woodcote field or others as numbers require. Please click here to view our Field Locations & Status.
- Games | Format
Please click here for game formats, Bambino's U5 to U18
- Division Manager | Volunteers
Each age group has a Division Manager. These are the people who form the teams and act as a liaison between the coaches and the Club. They help form the Youth Executive and are responsible for making the decisions that affect our children. Any questions regarding your child's team should first be directed to your child's coach and then to your Division Manager. If appropriate, they may choose to forward your question to the Head Coach or the VP of Youth.
- Coaches | Parent Volunteers
Coaches are parent volunteers. Advanced knowledge of soccer is not required. CVUSC hosts beginner and advanced coaching clinics to assist coaches in their tasks. Coaches indicate their interest by checking the appropriate box on the registration form. Coaches are requested to assist or lead one practice during the week and a game on Saturday's.
- Meeting | Coaches & Division Manager
Once coaches and teams have been arranged, the coaches are given their team lists at a coaches meeting, usually one to two weeks prior to the start of the season. The coach will then email his or her players to inform them of a first practice session.
- Registration | Requirements
If players register after the registration deadline, they are placed on teams only if space allows. CVUSC plays two separate and distinct house seasons, fall and spring. Registration for each season is open as soon as the previous season ends. Other registration options are available - refer to the Registration page for full details.
- What to Wear | Kit
Registration includes:
- Ages Bambino's U5, Micro's U6 & U7 (U stands for "Under"): Jersey and socks to keep, registration/insurance through BC Soccer, team picture, end of season treats, medal and soccer ball
- Ages U8 - U18: Jersey to keep, referees for games, registration/insurance with BC Soccer, team picture, wind up treats.
Shin Guards and cleats are mandatory, and are not part of your registration.
- Questions | Frequently Asked
More details on our VYSL program can be found on our Parent FAQ page