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The Edina Soccer Association is excited to announce that we will be piloting an optional program, ESA Challenge, for the 4th Grade Girls age group this upcoming summer season.
Last August, the ESA Board of Directors conducted a league wide survey to better understand your desires for the league. The number one request was to add an option that provides increased instruction without the financial and time commitment associated with traveling soccer. The new ESA Challenge option addresses this need.
ESA Challenge will integrate within the existing ESA league and allow for:
Players in the pilot age group (4th Grade Girls) will receive additional information prior to registration. If the ESA Challenge pilot is successful, the ESA Board expects to expand the program for the 2013 season.
Thanks to the feedback of the 648 respondents, even more improvements are coming soon for Edina Soccer Association players. Until then, we look forward to seeing you at the fields this summer!
ESA Challenge coordinator
Why have a separate program within ESA?
Why is the pilot for fourth grade girls only?
How is ESA Challenge different?
Is there additional cost?
How many ESA Challenge teams will be formed?
Will there be tryouts for the ESA Challenge positions?
What is the team formation process?
When will you know how many ESA Challenge teams are formed?
Will players compete for playing time?
When are games played?
Will the games be any different?
When are practices held?
My child’s coach in past years held practices. Will this still happen now that there’s ESA Challenge?
How will play-offs be held?
What other soccer options are there for children in Edina?
Why have a separate program within ESA?
Survey feedback indicated interest in a program with more instruction and competition without the cost and time commitment of the traveling league. As a result, the ESA Board approved a pilot program that will launch this Spring for the fourth grade girls’ age group.
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Why is the pilot for fourth grade girls only?
While there was interest from all levels, this is the age where the teams become more competitive. Additionally, there was an exceptional willingness to try the concept among many players, coaches and parents in this group.
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How is ESA Challenge different?
ESA Challenge builds upon the same ESA program by adding eight weekly team practices during the season and a local end-of-year tournament. The team practices will be led by the coach and a paid, certified instructor. The weekly practice goals are to improve individual player skills and to teach team play and strategy. ESA Challenge teams will participate in a year-end tournament to provide one additional, competitive soccer experience for the players. This tournament will be in the Twin Cities area and will include teams from outside of Edina.
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Is there additional cost?
Yes. There is an additional cost for the program primarily to cover instructors and tournament fees. The total cost of the ESA Challenge pilot program for the Spring season is $175. The fee also covers the uniform, field space, referees and playoff trophies.
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How many ESA Challenge teams will be formed?
We will field anywhere from two to six ESA Challenge teams, depending upon the level of interest.
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Will there be tryouts for the ESA Challenge positions?
No. Selection for the ESA Challenge program will be determined through registration. To participate in the pilot, we recommend you sign up early. The maximum number of players we can accept for the pilot is 72.
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What is the team formation process?
The team formation process is consistent with the ESA policy. We align teams with children of the same grade/age, and will accommodate one mutual play-with request (e.g. Sally requests to play with Sue and Sue also requests to play with Sally). Beyond the age and mutual play-with request, we will try our best to group other players by school and meet any other needs; however, please note that this is not guaranteed. Please also note that because there are two programs this year within ESA, both players in a mutual play-with request must be signed up for the same program.
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When will you know how many ESA Challenge teams are formed?
We complete team formation after registration closes in March. The number of players signing up for ESA Challenge will drive the number of teams. We must have a minimum of 20 registered players to implement the pilot program.
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Will players compete for playing time?
No. Consistent with the ESA mission, each player will play for at least 50% of the game. Our goal is to provide equal soccer playing time to each player in the program and to enable each player the chance to play various positions. However, should a player consistently miss the team practice, they may not have the opportunity to start a game or play their preferred position.
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When are games played?
Games are played at the same time as the standard ESA Spring program on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
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Will the games be any different?
No. The ESA Challenge teams will play the same format as the traditional ESA games. During the first part of the season, ESA Challenge teams will play standard ESA teams. During the latter part of the season, the ESA Challenge teams will exclusively play one another.
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When are practices held?
Practices for ESA Challenge are scheduled for late afternoon/early evening on Fridays. Exact times will be provided once teams are formed and the schedule is complete.
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My child’s coach in past years held practices. Will this still happen now that there’s ESA Challenge?
In the standard ESA program, practices are encouraged, but optional, and are held at the discretion and availability of the coach and players. There should be no change to the standard ESA playing experience.
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How will play-offs be held?
ESA Challenge teams will be separated from the standard ESA teams for the playoffs. Playoffs will be held in a round-robin format, with the teams with the best records advancing to the championship game.
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What other soccer options are there for children in Edina?
With the advent of the ESA Challenge pilot, three unique options exist for soccer in Edina, each with distinct goals.
1) The standard ESA program, also referred to as a house or rec league, is the largest in Edina and follows a mission provide soccer play opportunities to the youth of Edina. This program, focused on social aspects of the game of soccer, has instruction sessions at the beginning of the season, followed by ten games and a playoff.
2) The ESA Challenge program is considered a recreational-plus league, which adds regular practices with certified instructors and the opportunity to participate in a tournament.
3) Finally, the Edina Soccer Club provides a traveling soccer program for those players who seek the most competitive soccer experience. Participation in this league is through a tryout process and features paid, certified coaches, and games with teams from outside of Edina.
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