PLAYER PROSPECTS AND EVALUATIONS
This section shall describe the
“Player Prospect” program for the
Roster Player Prospect as well as the Walk-On Player Prospect. PA United Grifos Youth Soccer system (AC Perugia USA) will no longer conduct set open Try-outs in the traditional manner for ages U-13 through U-19. The Player Prospect Program does not apply to players U12 or younger or newly formed teams. The GRIFO program is adpoting a more WORLD WIDE SYSTEM of evaluating described below. The following sections describe the Player Prospect Program in detail. Should you have any questions concerning the program please contact Director Mike Composto at:
mcomposto@acperugiausa.com or by calling toll free: (
877.30.GRIFO ).
This process allows players to settle into the soccer environment so they can play in a relaxed and fluid manner to better demonstrate their understanding of the game and their technical abilities through their individual performance. Players will also be evaluated on their level of commitment to the game as athletes and to the team.
Player Prospect Program
The Player Prospect program is designed to provide selected affiliate club players and non-affiliate individual (walk-on) players the opportunity to train and be considered for placement into the PA United Grifos Youth Soccer system.
Affiliate players may be identified by Grifo training staff and receive a Player Prospect invitation or be recommended by their current affiliate club coach. The affiliated player then completes the affiliate evaluation form, has his/her coach sign off on it, and gives it to the GRIFO coach of the team in which he/she may be interested. If the affiliated player is uncomfortable talking to their club coach, they can contact their club director who will endorse the form. All affiliate club directors are aware of the process.
Non-affiliate players can walk on or request a trail period with any GRIFO team anytime during the soccer year. The focus on the Player Prospect program is to observe players under consideration over a period of time during training and in any matches to which they may be invited to participate as guest players. The program provides players with the opportunity to work out with the current Grifo team at their age appropriate group and train in a professional environment with the Grifo Youth Sector Staff. The Player Prospect program has no predetermined time period. Prospects can be invited to attend regularly or be invited in for a limited time.
New U13 to U19 walk-on players can enter the Player Prospect Program at any time during the year. All players can be considered for acceptance onto a team at any time of the year providing an available roster spot is open. Players are not released to make room for prospect players between the months of July 1 and May 15th of each calendar year.
Beginning May 1 of every year 18 to 26 roster spots open on every team. Each player new or existing is being evaluated for the upcoming season.The program is focused on individual player evaluation, technical testing, and formalized feedback from the PA United GRIFO Youth soccer professional staff.
Cost The Player Prospects Program is subsidized by PA United GRIFOS thus eliminating training fees. The Player Prospect may be asked to contribute toward certain event fees when applicable. Walk-on player prospects may choose to purchase training kits at the regular discounted Grifo player cost. Prospect Players invited to participate as guests in matches will be loaned match kits at no cost. In some cases, Prospect Players may be requested to financially contribute towards special events to which they are invited.
Current Roster Player Prospects
Current U13 to U19 PA United Grifos officially become Roster Player Prospects on May 1st of each calendar year. Roster Player Prospects will be evaluated by no later than May 20th for consideration to be re-rostered for the next US Youth Soccer cycle year or be recommended to one of the affiliated clubs classic program. This will give ample time for current players who are not chosen to move in a different direction if he/she chooses. A US Youth Soccer cycle year runs 365 days beginning on August 1st of each year. (Dates may vary depending on season and age group)
Team Selection The Director, at his discretion, may offer a roster spot to any player during the Player Prospect program period based on the recommendation of a professional staff trainer. Each player must participate in the Player Prospect Program either during the seasonal Player Prospect period or as a walk-on Player Prospect. Affiliate players can be selected at any time from any affiliate program based on technical merit, player character, Professional Staff recommendation, or Affiliate club coach recommendation. All teams will be announced no later than June 30th of each US Youth Soccer cycle year.
ExpectationsWhen receiving an invitation to participate in the Player Prospect program all players are expected to make this program; including invitational events, training, matches, travel, and meetings a priority.
New Teams
New teams U12 (Boys/Girls) or any teams not currently in our system will hold evaluations in Mid May. These dates will be announce in April of every year. Grifo staff will put players in a match environment over a few days. Based on the level of play and number of interested players we will then form teams. If the staff feels a team can be formed all attendees will be notified. If the Grifo staff determines a team cannot be formed all will be informed so players and families can explore other options available to them.
It is important to understand that teams are not formed solely based on the number of attendees. Teams are chosen based on the developmental stage each player is currently in.
