Overview: The FCSC Recreational League provides an All-Star Program for its’ players. Open try-outs are held each season for each age division to select all-star teams. The FCSC submits the teams for entry in the Sterling Thanksgiving Tournament during the fall; and the Fairfax Father’s Day Tournament during the spring.
Final acceptance of each team into the tournament is decided by the tournament officials (not the FCSC) based on the number of entries, available fields, and volunteers. None of the FCSC teams has been denied entry into the tournaments in the past; however, the possibility does exist that a FCSC all-star team may already be practicing when word is received of denied entry into the all-star tournament. Should this unfortunate situation occur, the all-star coordinator and the affected head coach will attempt to set up a scrimmage game to end the all-star team’s season.
Philosophy: The FCSC Recreational League All-Star Program shall be considered competitive, not recreational. Teams entered into a tournament shall make an effort to win each game and advance to the championship. The FCSC advises each coach to prepare all players so they may positively participate in each game.
Playing Time: The All-Star Head Coach may allocate playing time among the players in a manner that will result in the greatest success for the team subject to the restriction that each all-star player in good standing will play in each half of each game attended. The amount of playing time in each half shall be determined at the discretion of the coach.
However, tardiness, absenteeism, or unruly behavior at practice, scrimmages and/or games shall jeopardize a player’s good standing and may reduce playing time to none at all. The coach shall inform the player and the parent/guardian prior to the tournament that the player’s good standing has been violated.
Eligibility: Any interested FCSC recreational league player (who is not a Travel team player during the current season) may try out for their age division all-star team. Interested players must register their intent to try out with their age group commissioner (or representative) on or before the second (2nd) scheduled Saturday game of the season.
Formation of Teams and Number of Players per Team: The FCSC allows the formation of all-star teams at the discretion of the Age Group Commissioners and the All Star Coordinator. The All-Star Coordinator, at the request of an age group Commissioner, may authorize the formation of a second team per age division depending on the number of interested players and qualified coaches; and subject to the availability of sufficient club funding.
The all-star head coach shall determine the number of players to be selected to his/her team. For example, the tournament rules may specify up to 14 players per U10 team, however, the all-star coach may choose to limit his/her team to 12 players.
All-Star Coach Selection and Certification/Qualification: The age group commissioner shall select his/her all-star head coach. Each all-star head coach must already possess the minimum (or higher) coaching certification per the Recreational League Policy. For example, a U10 all-star coach must already have an F-class or above coaching certificate.
Tryouts and Team Rosters: Each age group commissioner or representative shall hold all-star tryouts on or before the date specified by the Registrar or All Star Coordinator. Subsequently, team rosters (including names, birth dates, uniform sizes, and numbers) shall be submitted to the FCSC All-Star Coordinator on or before the Sunday immediately following such specified date.
Final Selection: Final selection to the all-star team is based on the player’s performance. Previous all-star players are not guaranteed a spot on the team. Each all-star head coach shall notify the players selected to his/her all-star team within two days of the final tryout.
Practices: All-Star practices shall not interfere with any recreational league games or practices.
Communication of All-Star Policy: Each age group commissioner (or appointed representative) shall inform all players and parents/guardians who attend the all-star try-outs of the FCSC all-star policy prior to the start of tryouts. Each all-star coach shall insure that all team members and their parents/guardians are aware of the FCSC all-star policy when the players are informed of their final selection to the all-star team.
Commitment: Players and parents/guardians are advised that the all-star program requires committed players and parents. Tardiness, absenteeism, or unruly behavior at practice, scrimmages and/or games shall jeopardize a player’s good standing and may reduce tournament playing time to none at all. All-star practices are typically held once a week (normally on Sundays) for 2 hours a session during the Recreational League season. Once the Recreational League season is complete, a second all-star practice session may be added (normally on Saturday). The tournament games are normally held over the Thanksgiving and Father’s Day Holiday weekends in the Northern Virginia Area.
