SVSC will be hosting competitive assessments and tryouts for the 2025/26 Blazers competitive season at the SVSC Fields in Cornwall for boys and girls at the age groups from U8 to U17.  All players must pre-register using the online registration.

For competitive assessments U8 (2018) to U13 (2013) there is a $25 fee per player that covers attendance to 3 sessions.

For competitive tryouts U14 (2012) to U17 (2009) this is a $40 fee per players that covers attendance to 3 sessions.

Competitive assessments (U8 to U13) and tryouts (U14 to U17) will be held on the following days at the SVSC Fields:

• Saturday October 4th 2025
• Sunday October 5th 2025
• Saturday October 18th 2025

Canada Soccer has recently updated the Grassroots Standards, and as a club we are making adjustments to ensure our programs are fully aligned. These changes are designed to enhance the player experience, focusing on age-appropriate development, more touches on the ball, and creating the best possible environment for learning and enjoyment.

For the 2025 season, families may notice updates to game formats, field sizes, team structures, and how players are grouped. These changes follow the national standards and are being implemented across the country to ensure that all young players have a consistent, high-quality development pathway.

We appreciate your support as we adapt our programs to reflect these standards and continue building the best soccer environment for our players. More details will be shared with each age group prior to the start of the season.

All players registering for the Blazers program from U8 to U13 will take part in competitive assessments. These sessions allow our technical team to evaluate players fairly and place them into the age group’s player pool. From the pool, players are then placed onto teams that match their current stage of development, ensuring they are challenged at the right level while still enjoying the game.

Assessments focus on technical skills, decision-making, physical literacy, and overall attitude/effort. Multiple sessions are used so every player has a fair chance to demonstrate their abilities. Our goal is to support each player’s growth and love for soccer through a transparent and player-first process.

Players registering in the U14 to U17 age groups will participate in formal tryouts for the Blazers program. At these levels, teams are formed based on performance, commitment, and positional needs to ensure players are placed where they can best contribute and continue their development.

Tryouts include technical and tactical exercises, small-sided games, and full match play. Evaluations are completed by multiple coaches to ensure fairness and transparency. Players selected will be notified following the tryout process, and all participants will receive guidance on the most appropriate pathway moving forward.

TRY-OUT FORMAT  

• All players who wish to be considered for a team must first fill out the online pre-registration.  

• Each try-out session will evaluate the players’ individual skills (eg. dribbling, passing, shooting, etc), then assess these skills under pressure against opposition.  

• The other portion of the try-out session will consist of a game situation to assess players’ soccer sense, and knowledge of team tactics and positional play.  

• The Club will assign assessor(s) for each team throughout the tryout process. More than one assessor may be assigned per team depending on the number of attendees.  

PLAYER SELECTIONS  

• After the third fall try-out session, with approval from the program Director, the coach may decide to prolong the try-out process, either outdoors or indoors, in order to make more accurate assessments in fielding a team.  
• The coach will communicate both the selection and release of players by means of emails or phone calls.  If parents have questions regarding selections or releases, they may also contact the coach via email or phone.  Parents are respectfully asked to allow 24 hours after team selections are made before contacting the coach for feedback.  

TRY-OUT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA  

The following assessment criteria are used to evaluate players and make selections for Seaway Valley Blazers competitive soccer teams:  

• Individual Technical Ability

• Physical Ability

• On-field Awareness / Vision

• Coachability / Receptiveness to instruction

• Fulfillment of team / program commitments 

• Other intangibles (leadership, drive, heart, focus)  

 *NOTE:  While some of the above qualities may be exhibited during the fall try-out sessions, a coach may also take into consideration their demonstration or lack thereof during the preceding season when assessing a returning player.  

U8 (2018) to U13 (2013) Competitive Assessments:

U14 (2012) to U17 (2009) Competitive Tryouts:

• New to Soccer?
• What's my U-Age?
• Field Locations
• Financial Assistance
• Program Overview