shaker youth soccer association
Fall/Spring
Overview
Our Competitive Travel League is focused on providing players (ages 6 to 14) with our highest level of training. Teams are placed in brackets with same-level abilities. The Travel League includes Fall (late August through October) and Spring (early April through early June) outdoor seasons with optional, but highly recommended, indoor sessions during winter months.
Tryouts: Players are evaluated for proper team placement, and tryouts are required. Email admin@shakeryouthsoccer.org for details. If you would like to schedule an off-season tryout, click here!
Coaching: From U8 to U15, teams will have a paid professional coach along with a volunteer coach.
Practices: 2 weekly practices plus an additional skill session practice are included.
Games: Our teams will play against surrounding NEO community programs in weekly games. Travel time to regional games is typically less than an hour, and games are often on Sundays with some Saturday and weekday games as needed.
Tournaments: We encourage our teams to play in a tournament in both the fall and the spring.
Travel time is typically less than an hour for regional travel games.
The majority of travel games are played on Sundays; however, Saturday and weeknight games are also possible.
Fees are paid online by credit card.
All accounts must be in good standing to be eligible for league play. Player passes will be held until accounts are paid in full, or a payment plan is in place.
Refunds are only given on a pro-rata basis in the case of season ending injury or family relocation.
Late Fees assessed by our leagues will be passed on to players registering after league deadlines.
Fall Season
- Week of August 4, 2025: Pre-season Camp
- Week of August 11, 2025: Team Practices start
- August 17, 2025: Ohio Travel Soccer League Games start
- October 26, 2025: Last day of the fall season
Spring Season
- Starts Early April 2026 - Ends Early June
Tournaments
(typically one per season)
- Fall 2025 - Ohio Travel Cup - Lodi Soccer Complex
- Spring 2026 - Westlake Invitational
- Additional tournament fees may be necessary, typically do not exceed $50 per player per tournament
Optional Indoor Season
- Winter Session 1: Early November-late December
- Winter Session 2: early January-early March
- Sessions are approximately 8 weeks long and include:
- One (1) 60-minute weekly team practice
- One (1) 60-minute weekly age-group practice
- A weekend game against other NEO communities.
Indoor registration and fees will be posted in September.
VIRTUE
We have created a standard of excellence that must be upheld by coaches and players at all times.
Competitive Team Fees
| Category | U8–U10 | U11–U12 | U13–U15 | High School Aged Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program (Fall/Spring) | 2 practices per week + weekend game + skills session as third practice is encouraged | 2 practices per week + weekend game + skills session as third practice is encouraged | 2 practices per week + weekend game + skills session as third practice | Winter: 1 practice/week (Nov–Mar) + League game (Jan–Mar); Spring: 2 practices/week + League game |
| Friday Footskills / Goalkeeper Training | Friday Footskills sessions every week; Weekly GoalKeeper Training | Friday Footskills sessions every week; Weekly GoalKeeper Training | Friday Footskills sessions every week; Weekly GoalKeeper Training | Friday Footskills sessions every week; Weekly GoalKeeper Training |
| Registration Fee | $550 | $685 | $710 | varies per season |
| Uniform Kit | approx $125 | approx $125 | approx $125 | approx $50 |
| Tournaments* | Fall Tournament fees included in your registration, Spring Tournament fees divided evenly among participants | Fall Tournament fees included in your registration, Spring Tournament fees divided evenly among participants | Fall Tournament fees included in your registration, Spring Tournament fees divided evenly among participants | Fall Tournament fees included in your registration, Spring Tournament fees divided evenly among participants |
| Indoor Season (2 sessions) | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| New This Year | Second Age group practice focusing on technical and tactical skills. | Second Age group practice focusing on technical and tactical skills. | Second Age group practice focusing on technical and tactical skills. | Second Age group practice focusing on technical and tactical skills. |
| Indoor Program | $280 / $470 both sessions | $280 / $470 both sessions | $350 / $625 |
REGISTRATION
Email admin@shakeryouthsoccer.org for registration details.
- Tryouts are required before registering for a team.
- Tryouts occur once a year at the end of May or early June.
- If you would like to schedule an off-season tryout, click here!
SYSA Financial Aid
Part of the SYSA mission is to teach the game of soccer as a component of developing well-rounded individuals, to develop youths to the best of their ability and to foster a lifelong enjoyment of the game. We understand that for some youths, the expense of soccer can stand in the way of them reaping these benefits. As such, we offer a need-based financial aid program to help with registration fees. Each year, SYSA budgets a set amount for the financial aid program. Annual awards are based on the budgeted amount and the number of players qualifying for financial aid. The program does not cover uniforms, tournaments, travel, lodging, apparel or miscellaneous expenses, which can be substantial.
The financial aid program is a need-based program that is awarded to families based upon their income. SYSA uses participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), youths of families who qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher Program sponsored by the US Department of HUD (Section 8) and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the guide for financial aid eligibility. The financial aid committee may consider extenuating circumstances for players who do not qualify for one of the aforementioned government program. Last, in addition to financial aid, SYSA offers payment plans to help spread the registration fees over time.
Guidelines:
- Financial need must be demonstrated for consideration. Economic hardship will be the only factor in awarding financial aid. No one will be disqualified from consideration because of sex, race, color, creed or religious beliefs.
- While we try to address as much of the need as possible, financial aid amounts will be based on the number of players demonstrating need, the extent of that need and the year’s financial aid budget.
- The financial aid budget is reviewed yearly and awards granted continuously throughout the year with a target of 90% of the awards granted during fall registration, and 10% granted during winter registration.
- Awards cover registration fees only (uniforms, tournaments, travel, lodging, apparel or miscellaneous expenses are not covered).
- You must submit the Financial Aid Application in its entirety to be considered. The responsible party requesting Financial Aid must complete the application.
- Financial Aid awards are granted as a percentage of registration fees and the recipient is responsible for payment of all remaining fees in accordance with SYSA payment and play eligibility guidelines.
FAQ
- SYSA programs, practices, and games may proceed in light or passing rain.
- Events may be cancelled in the event of heavy rain and/or thunder.
- The City of Shaker Heights may close fields due to wet or unsafe conditions.
- Thunder or lightning:
- SYSA will also close fields in the event of heavy rain, thunder, or lightning until coaches decide conditions are safe.
- If you hear thunder, players must shelter for 30 minutes before proceeding with play.
- SYSA coaches will ultimately make the call on whether to play or not on the field.
- Games Delays:
- SYSA coaches may postpone games up to 30 minutes if they believe the storm is likely to pass.
- Shelter in cars or under roofs during game delays.
- Cancellations:
- If an event or game gets cancelled due to weather, SYSA will make efforts to reschedule when possible.
- Rained-out practices will NOT be rescheduled due to limited field availability; however, coaches may make alternate arrangements.
- Players that miss practice due to weather are encouraged to attend Free Friday Footskills instead.
- Refunds: While we will make every effort to schedule make-up games and events, SYSA is not liable for weather conditions and cannot issue refunds due to administrative and staffing costs.
- Full policy: You may read SYSA's Inclement Weather Policy here.
How do I order a uniform?
Please order through Soccer.com.
Do I have to order a new uniform if my player has one already?
Competitive Teams:
Yes—players on competitive teams must purchase a uniform. However, uniforms can be reused from year to year as long as SYSA is in the same uniform cycle. If your player already has the current SYSA uniform, you do not need to purchase a new one.
Recreation League:
No purchase is necessary. SYSA provides uniforms for all Rec players. If your child registered for both fall and spring seasons in the fall, they should continue using the same uniform in the spring.
Our Competitive Travel Program is 100% professionally coached with volunteer assistance. Each of our professional coaches undergoes reference and background checks and on field evaluation before their hire. SYSA also offers multiple pre-season and mid-season continuing education sessions for coaches on the SYSA core curriculum.
We create the fall practice schedule in the spring and adjust it based on team formation in June and City field assignments in mid-summer. Our leagues provide game schedules to us in Mid-August. We will update you on both as soon as the pieces are in place.
As players register, you will see them on your team when you login to LeagueApps.
We have nearly 200 volunteer positions to fill every year! Review our job listings and descriptions.
Contact admin@shakeryouthsoccer.org if you are interested in volunteering for SYSA.