01. Why was the Academy Soccer League (ASL) started?
Prior to the 2008 Academy Season there were scheduling issues that placed Clubs outside of their geographical location with respect to travel distance to games. It became painfully obvious that an alternative that suited all the Academy Directors and Academy Coaches be made. The main issue is the Schedule for the U9 Academy Boys. When the scheduling body was approached requesting that it be fixed according to their By Laws, the local Clubs were met with resistance. As such, the Academy Soccer League was created.

02. Why is the ASL doing this?
We are doing it based on demand. What the ASL has always been is a League Scheduling Body. We have no desire on mandating Rules on how to run your Club. We have no desire to have By-Laws that require Legal Counsel to decipher. We have no desire to modify Federation Rules and cause confusion. We are a League Scheduling Body. That’s it, nothing more.

03. Who will the ASL be affiliated with?
The ASL is affiliated and sanctioned with US Club Soccer.

04. What are the per Team Registration Fees?
Academy Teams (U8 through U10) are $150.00 per team.
(Additional teams within the same Age Group and from the same Club will be registered at $75.00)
All other Teams (U11 and above) are $200.00 per team.

05. How do I Register with the ASL?
Registration will be made available online during the Registration Window. It is imperative that you Register each team within the Registration Window so that you will be able to play your games with the Clubs that are located in your local geographic proximity.

06. What are ASL Membership requirements?
There are no Membership Requirements. There is no need to have Members and require another Monthly Meeting, another AGM and several Coaches meetings throughout the year. You are already busy enough; why add to your Calendar and take more time away from your family, club and team?

07. Are you requiring a Bond to participate?
Absolutely not. Since there are no Members, there are no Bonds being required. We schedule league games and you run your Club. With today’s economy, it doesn’t make sense to add another Fee to your Budget when it is not needed.

08. What are the ASL Rules of the Game?
The ASL will use US Soccer Federation Guidelines.

09. How are the Age Brackets and Level of Play determined?
For the Academy Age groups they will be as follows:

The Academy Format is used as a Developmental Bridge for players who want to cross over from Recreational Ball to Competitive Ball. By having the Academy Format, it allows us to concentrate on the technical aspects of the game without the pressure of the Competitive Format. Development by definition is an evolution of progression. If our intent is to develop our student athletes to the best of our ability so that by the time they reach the Sr. Age Group they are prepared for the level of skill and competition they are going to face, we should be thinking about our Academy structure now and to how best assisting each other in accomplishing those goals.

There will be two options of play in these age brackets. The first is ‘Group Travel’ and this is defined as a Club traveling as a Group to another Club. This will allow their U8-U11 to travel as a Club and realize the benefit of all of their players in one geographical location.

The second option is the more traditional format that we are all used to. This would have Home and Away games against Clubs that are in your geographical location.

10. What about Age groups U11 through U19?
The remaining age groups U11 through U19 will be played in the same format we are used to today. There will be Premier, Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 Leagues available. We will also provide a College Premier League for those teams U16 and above who desire to have a higher level of play.

11. Why is U11 represented in both?
The U11 Age Group can be a touchy issue. Depending on your Clubs philosophy of play, we are making available a U11 Academy and a U11 Competitive category. There is interest from several Clubs that have the desire to play their U11 Age Group as either Academy or Competitive. The ASL is providing an option that allows each Club flexibility that best suits their needs.

12. Where will we play?
We will TRULY play geographically. There are more than enough teams to make travel very light at these age groups. There is no reason a team from Pinellas would need to go to Lakeland – UNLESS – it was agreed upon by the Coaches. We are still working on formatting the geographical boundaries but for comparison sake, we have the current commonly referred to Geographical locations listed [ here ].

13. When will the schedules be issued?
If everyone finalizes their Registration by the Wednesday October 15th deadline, we will have the schedules posted and available on Friday October 17th for review and modification

14. Will we be able to participate in the USA Jamboree?
No, you will not be able to participate in the USA Jamboree.

15. Are we able to participate in any Tournaments?
Yes, your team is allowed to compete in any Tournament throughout the United States that accepts US Club Soccer passes. This includes almost every local and major Tournament that you normally attend.

16. What happens if a Red Card is issued?
The process for tracking Red Cards is being finalized and will be tracked via the ASL website. Please note that Red Cards that are received in a Tournament must be served in the next immediate Tournament you play in.

17. Is there an End of the Year Jamboree?
Yes, the Academy Soccer League will be hosting an End of Year Jamboree at a site TBD. We will keep you posted as details emerge.

18. What do I do next?
REGISTER YOUR TEAM. Please take a minute to fill out your Team Registration Form. You will receive an e-mail confirming your Registration and we will contact you about your Clubs Field Availability.

19. Who do I contact with questions?
You can contact Clayton Bowman directly by sending an e-mail to cjbowman@academysl.com, sending a fax to 727-683-9747 or by calling 727-224-4427.

ACADEMY SOCCER LEAGUE, INC.  |  2009