Montana RQT Info/Q&A Session

1. Montana RQT Info/Q&A Session

2. U.S.S.F Youth Affiliates

3. U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) Regions USYS Regions Players by Region I: 1+ million II: 629k III: 678k IV: 669k Total: 3.2+ million

4. Big & Small 5 Largest States 5 Smallest States North Dakota – 7,280 Hawaii – 5,904* Alaska – 5,389 Wyoming – 4,888 Montana – 4,840 Note: 24 states have not won a Nat’l Championship • California North – 171,267 • Massachusetts – 164,901* • New Jersey – 148,354 • California South – 144,161 • Virginia – 142,260

5. Montana at FWR History • Once every 5 years a Montana team advanced to QF or SF (10 age groups = 1 in 50) • Montana withdrew from FWR for 2 years • Cost • Results • Returning now on a team-by-team basis

6. What’s different now? • Previously there was only 1 state cup • Winner had to go to FWR - even if they didn’t want to – or face a massive fine. • Now, 2 state cups • 1 to go to FWR and Pres. Cup (RQT) • 1 for teams who do not want to go to FWR and Pres. Cup (MYSA State Cup) • State Champion: ???

7. What Does it Take to Succeed at FWR/Pres. Cup? • Depth • All 18 players need to have the following: • Skill: Extremely technical • Fast: Individually and speed of play • Vision/Chemistry: Knowing what is going to happen before it happens • Adaptability: Major tactical adjustments on the fly

8. General Info • RQT League played on Sundays • Top 4 in League play RQT Tournament • RQT Tournament is Mem. Day weekend • Winner goes to FWR in NM • 2nd Place goes to Far West Pres. Cup in CA • 3rd/4th play in MYSA State Cup

9. The RQT Process

10. MYSA League Options • RQT League (Intended Top level) • MYSA Select League (2nd level) • Classic League (3rd level)

11. What Are We Committing to? • Travel to: • RQT League • RQT • FWR/President’s Cup • National Championships/President’s Cup Nationals. • Goal: Winning a USYS Nat’l Championship or President’s Cup Nat’l Championship.

12. What Are We Really Committing To? • 2-3x weekly practice • Additional speed/agility work on own • Additional technical work on own • Additional coach and/or coaching fees • 2 games every weekend April-mid June • Including RQT and tourns, 25-30 game season • Soccer as a long-term, year-round priority • Financial Commitment

13. RQT Entry Fees • $1,500 team fee ($800-850 covered by HYSA) • Includes RQT League, RQT, Select League on non-RQT League weekends, MYSA State Cup for all teams but RQT finalists • $2,500 bond to be returned upon successful participation in RQT, RQT, and FWR/Pres. Cup if you qualify • Four-figure fine for qualifying and not going to FWR/Pres. Cup.

14. What does $4,000 buy me? • RQT League • MYSA Select League (when not paying RQT League) • RQT • MYSA State Cup for all but top 2 • $2,500 refund when complete (not sure if deposited or not)

15. Personal Expenses • About $80 additional in team fees. • Travel Expenses • Airfare • Lodging • Food • Rental Cars

16. Ways to Deal with the Expenses • Fundraising • Chaperone parents • Instead of the entire all parents traveling, the entire team divides the expenses of the coaches and a few parents to make the expenses more manageable • Each parent is responsible for a group of players

17. Will This Really Work? • Yes, if: • The kids are having fun • They get along well with each other as a group • They enjoy learning for the sake of learning • They’re free and creative thinkers • Soccer is everyone’s top priority • Coaches and parents are fully invested • Kids and parents buy into coaching philosophy and trust the coach to take the kids to the next level • Parents offer positive support

18. In Short • RQT really needs to be something that is a common goal amongst the entire age group. • Unlikely to work without the support of parents, peers, neighbors, dogs, cats, coaches, teachers, etc.

19. In short (cont’d) • Players from all over the country dedicate themselves completely for a chance to win a state championship and represent their team at Regionals. • Unfair to all, including other players from around the country, to have a group less dedicated and committed getting their shot at a regional championship.

20. Team Formation • RQT Commitment will impact team formation if the playing ability of ‘yes’ players allows for a team to be formed that HYSA feels will be able to compete at a high level within that age group. • Saying ‘No’ does not automatically exclude someone from a Premier team, but understand that it may.

21. Team Formation (cont’d) • Is there a priority in team formation: ability or RQT? • No. HYSA Coaching Committee will look at all factors and make appropriate decision. • HYSA’s responsibility to look out for the best interests of our member families.

22. Why Does HYSA Have a Say At All? • It is HYSA’s responsibility to look out for the best interest of our players and families. • FWR and Pres. Cup are extremely high levels of play. • Very discouraging for individual families looking for a higher level of play if the team were to be significantly outplayed at a higher-level tournament and may impact how families participate in the future.

23. Examples • If 12 of top 18 players say ‘yes’ and 6 say ‘no’ a team will not do RQT. • If 16 of top 18 players say ‘yes’ and 2 say ‘no’, we’ll look at the ability of the next two highly-rated players and determine if the difference in ability will significantly impact the team’s potential to compete at a high level. • If all top 18 say ‘yes’, now a team decision if they do RQT or other regional-level tournaments.

24. Player Options • Arsenal team (Helena only) • RQT Arsenal team (Helena) • RQT team from another town AND Arsenal (Helena & out of town) • Other RQT team (out of town) • Other team (out of town) • HYSA Recreational League (non-Arsenal)

25. Player Options (cont’d) • Montana ODP • Tryouts November 9-10 in Helena • Montana United • Rocky Mountain FC • High school players allowed to try out next Sunday after MHSA state tournament. • Tryouts/training next weekend in Helena

26. Questions?