Principle: We typically only move players mid-year for two reasons:

1. when a player is in a situation that is a problem for their development;

2. when there is a team need (# of players assigned to the team, team’s level of league play).

In other words, we wouldn’t promote and relegate two players simply because we now think a player on the 2nd team is a little better than a player on the 1st team. We’d normally make that correction at the next tryout in May, unless one of the above situations exists.

Timing: Normally in early Feb. This gives us time to evaluate during the winter and be pretty sure of what our rosters will look like in the spring. If a player decides to not come back in the spring, we often find out around Feb. 1 when they would be scheduled to make a payment.

Communication method: Coach offers the player a chance to move teams and explains the reasons for it. The player should be encouraged to discuss it with their parents and they should have the right to ask questions and to accept or refuse the move.

Once a move is confirmed, the coaches inform the teams at training, without a lot of fanfare (coach of sending team lets team know that Susie and Mary are moving to Premier. Coach of receiving team lets players know Susie and Mary are joining).

We do not follow up with a mass email to parents: although transparency is good, this can make it a bigger deal than it should be and imply that the parent is expected to share or discuss this event with the player. We can let the player inform the parent.

Justification: Decisions are made based on the overall assessment by coaches including technical, tactical, physical, and mental. We acknowledge that the process is not perfect, evaluations are subjective, and two coaches will often differ in their assessment of a player. At Cincy SC, there’s not a big difference between the Premier & Elite teams. Both have excellent, professional coaches, train 3x/week, and play in a competitive league and tournaments. We seek the best development environment for each player, and sometimes that comes on the 2nd team for a “bubble” player where there’s a greater opportunity for playing time and leadership roles. (Net, this isn’t a big deal, you’re at a great place, regardless.)

Next steps: Club needs to adjust the team list, email group, etc. We may, but often won’t, make roster and player card changes (not needed for tourneys, but official league rules regarding guest players, even if not typically enforced, may force a roster change)