STYSA ELITE TRYOUT PROCESS AND FAQs FOR 2025-2026 SEASON
Date Posted: March 31, 2025
TRYOUT PROCESS
All South Tangi Youth Soccer Association (STYSA) tryouts will be held at Chappapeela Sports Park (CSP) in Hammond, LA.
Ages 11U-13U Tryouts (2015-2013)
Tryout Period Begins: April 14, 2025
Tryout Period Ends: Noon on Friday, May 2, 2025
Invitation Period Begins: Noon on Friday, May 2, 2025
Ages 14U-19U Tryouts (2012-2007)
Tryout Period Begins: May 26, 2025
Tryout Period Ends: Noon on Friday, June 6, 2025
Invitation Period Begins: Noon on Friday, June 6, 2025
All players must pre-register online in advance. The Pre-Tryout Registration link is below.
Click here to register for Tryouts **** STYSA ELITE Pre-Tryout Registration 2025-2026
Pre-Tryout Registration link is open NOW.
*** THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE REGISTRATIONS TAKEN ***
LSA Policy 300.2 governs when member clubs may conduct tryouts for Classic teams. Any team assigning players on the basis of talent by the use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting or any like process shall be considered a Classic team. Clubs are prohibited from advertising and/or conducting tryouts in order to form teams in age groups 10U and younger.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tryouts are governed by LSA Policy. For detailed information regarding the Tryout Process, please visit their website.
Continue to check our website (stysa-la.com) for new information and any updates
STYSA ELITE TEAM FORMATION
OVERVIEW
The goal of the STYSA ELITE Team Formation process is to create an environment that advances individual player development within an assigned team.
Competitive soccer allows players to develop individual and team skills necessary to play at the player's highest potential level. STYSA believes that individual and team development work best when players participate on teams with other players at similar ability and commitment levels.
Higher competitive level requires demonstrated higher commitment. Commitment includes, but is not limited to:
- Timely acceptance of the invitation
- Participation in all team events including training, team practices, team meetings, scrimmages, games and tournaments
- Timely payment of club and team fees
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
STYSA has put together a basic tryout guide that each parent should follow throughout the tryout process, as well as what to bring, and “Frequently Asked Questions” below.
- Check dates / times / locations of the appropriate age group.
- Register for the tryouts ONLINE and IN ADVANCE. There will be no on-site registration.
- Please make sure all data is included in registration form. STYSA will communicate information via email with all participants.
- Arrive early: at least 20-25 minutes prior to start time to check in.
What is the STYSA - FC Bayern Exclusive Partnership about?
STYSA has a direct and exclusive North American Partnership with FC Bayern Munich, and incorporates their player development methodology, along with Coaching Education, while providing many other opportunities for our STYSA players.
What to bring
- Soccer apparel, i.e. soccer jersey, shorts and socks
- Cleats
- Ball – be sure it is fully inflated
- Shin Guards
- Plenty of water
Tryout Apparel Note
Players should not wear current team or club-affiliated clothing or uniforms during the tryouts. This includes ELITE practice or team jerseys. They may be asked to remove such items during the tryouts.
Weather
In the event of inclement weather, updates will be communicated via email to players registered for tryouts if any changes to the schedule are made. Updates will also be posted on STYSA website.
MOST COMMON FAQs
What happens if my child is out of town and cannot attend tryouts?
All players who are unable to attend should adhere to the following protocol:
A. Pre-Register for Tryouts.
B. E-mail [email protected] with player’s name, date of birth and current team or playing level.
Missing tryouts is not ideal, but our staff does try our best to accommodate those players who miss tryouts. Missing tryouts makes it difficult to assure the best placement for a competitive team, so please do your best to try and attend. STYSA strongly encourages players to attend at least one of the tryout dates.
C. Supplemental tryouts are held at the discretion of the coaches and depend on how well they fill their rosters. Players should contact STYSA and express interest in any roster spaces available at your age group.
Following this protocol does not guarantee a position on a specific team rather it alerts the Director of Coaching that even though your child was not at tryouts, he/she is still interested in playing for STYSA. Players will be placed on a team based on their ability level. No player is guaranteed a roster spot on a team.
When will I know if my child has made a team?
Each player/parent will be contacted on the Day of Invitation as set by LSA. Invitation Period begins on dates and times as indicated above. Dates are provided by LSA and Clubs cannot make announcements until that date. An email will be sent with a request to accept or decline the invitation. Players must accept and pay the registration fees before placement is finalized.
How do I accept my team placement and what is required to register?
The 2025-2026 Season Registration will open after tryouts have been completed and you have received an invitation. Parents/Guardians will have 48 hours to respond to the invitation and to register with the Club to reserve a team roster spot for your child by using the STYSA registration link provided. Please note that after 48 hours STYSA reserves the right to offer the roster spot to another player. If you delay registration, the spot may no longer be available.
Is my child guaranteed a spot on a team?
STYSA wants to provide a place for all players to enjoy the beautiful game and to develop their skills. We hope that we can provide a place for all players to play and/or train. However, player placement is dependent on the total number of players available for an age group and the qualities of each individual player. If we cannot offer your player a roster spot, we will contact you with alternative playing options.
Who will be coaching the team and what league do they play in?
This is updated every year and coaches are assigned after teams are formed. While some Clubs may provide coaches names for specific teams in advance of their tryouts, that option is up to each Club. However, many Clubs who post coaching assignments in advance, later move the coaches to other teams, after the players are already registered. This creates a problem for parents who think they are going to have a certain coach for the upcoming season, only to find out later that coaching assignments have been changed. STYSA has always provided and will continue to provide qualified licensed coaches for their teams. The reasons for selecting our coaches after teams are formed is that some teams may not form, or there may be changes required. In most cases, coaches return to the same teams to maintain continuity in player and team development. However, STYSA prefers NOT to assign coaches until after teams are formed. STYSA teams may play in a Competitive League according to their level. STYSA normally plays in the Louisiana Classic Soccer League (LCSL) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
***OFFICIAL COACH PLACEMENT WITHIN THE AGE GROUP - COACH WILL BE ANNOUNCED AFTER TEAMS ARE FORMED. COACHING ASSIGNMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON TEAM AND AGE GROUPS NEEDS***
How much does it cost if my child makes a team?
STYSA offers some of the most affordable fees in the State for a competitive program (this can be verified by comparing our fees with any soccer club in Louisiana). If your child makes the team, you will be sent an invitation that outlines the registration fees for the year and what they include. The competitive program fees include training (Fall and Spring), practice and game fields, player registrations, league registrations, tournament registrations, insurance, administrative costs, league and cup fees, etc. Player uniform cost is extra and not included in fees.
Why do I need to pay an initial fee when accepting my player’s spot on a team?
In order to accept your player’s roster spot on a team, STYSA requires a partial payment for the upcoming seasonal year. Historically, “verbal commitments” after tryouts did not always result in paid registrations, so many teams were left with short rosters. Under this system, teams will have their rosters confirmed and in place much earlier. This also makes planning for events such as tournaments and league play much easier for the club, coaches and managers.
My child is interested in the STYSA ELITE Program but our family cannot afford to pay the fees, is there a scholarship fund?
Yes. STYSA has a scholarship fund but the resources are limited. They are awarded strictly based on financial need and not on player’s ability. Once you have made a team, please email the STYSA Office at [email protected] to apply for a scholarship with the Club. Applications are handled on a strictly confidential basis.
How does the uniform process work and do we have to pay for a new one each year?
STYSA uses a 2-year cycle for uniforms due to the uniform styles only being offered for a limited period of time. The 2025-2026 season will be the first year of the 2-year cycle. Uniform details will be provided after the teams have formed.
How do I know what age my child should be playing at?
Teams are built by players birth year - please register for your birth year.
Can my child play up on an older team?
A player can request to play-up but first will need to try out for their age-appropriate age group. If the STYSA Coaches and the STYSA Director of Coaching feel that it is in the best interest of the development of your child to play-up, then the Club will be in touch to see if there is interest in playing-up within the Club. A STYSA player who has been playing-up already can request to try out for same team he/she played during current year.
STYSA is very strict on play-up policy. Most people look at just the soccer ability, but STYSA considers the soccer ability, as well as the physical, maturity, social, and mental skills. The play-up policy from LSA is very strict, especially for 11U placement. In addition, as per US Soccer, the age groups (birth year vs school year) could be changing in 2026-2027, and this may also factor into any consideration for petitions.
STYSA ELITE PLAY-UP PROCESS:
The STYSA Executive Team reserves the right to make final decisions regarding final approval of all play-up requests.
In order to qualify for a skill-based play-up within STYSA, players must accomplish the following:
- Be capable of being a starting player on the ELITE team of the older birth year age group
- Score in the top percentile of their current birth year age group
- Some age groups may be combined to form an older team by using protocol above
- Apply for play-up-petition (through STYSA) with LSA and obtain approval from LSA prior to September 1st
Sometimes, teams are combined (by joining 2 age groups) in order to form a team, in a similar manner as some Recreational teams are formed (9U-10U, 11U-12U, etc.).
Playing-up for players 10U and younger is governed by LSA Policy 300.2.9 et.seq. The philosophy behind this Policy is to avoid subjecting players in masse into a results-oriented soccer environment before they have had the chance to develop both physically and cognitively.
Playing-up for players 11U and older is governed by LSA Policy 302.6 and is defined as a player playing on a team at a higher age group than his or her own birth year. Players 13U and younger shall not play up more than a single age group and players 14U and older may play up 2 age groups.
Chart for 2025-2026 Tryouts:
Please see the chart below for the 2025-2026 tryouts:
Birth Year | 2025-2026 Age Group |
2007 | 19U |
2008 | 18U |
2009 | 17U |
2010 | 16U |
2011 | 15U |
2012 | 14U |
2013 | 13U |
2014 | 12U |
2015 | 11U |
2016 | 10U – cannot try out or play-up as 11U (LSA Policy)
(Clubs may petition LSA under exceptional circumstances) |
How far do teams travel?
Normally, the more competitive the team, the farther it will travel. Most games will be within an hour drive from Hammond. However, LCSL games and PSL games can be held at farther locations, as determined by the leagues.
My child plays baseball/does cheer in the Spring can he/she still play on a competitive soccer team?
Many children playing Club soccer also have other commitments - especially in the Spring. In the Fall, we expect players to prioritize Club soccer over other commitments, but in the Spring the expectation may not be as high in some cases. The teams with larger rosters can better absorb missing a few players. Teams with smaller rosters cannot afford to miss any players. STYSA will form teams with enough players to have a manageable roster at each age group. STYSA will avoid forming teams with minimum-size rosters.
It will be up to each family to manage Spring conflicts keeping in mind that the more practices and games each child attends, the stronger both the players and the team will become. You may want to discuss your child's other commitments or potential conflicts with the Club team coach and manager once you are assigned to a team.
For any other questions not addressed here, please email [email protected]
Thanks for your interest in joining our STYSA ELITE Family !!!