CLARIFICATION REGARDING U8 FROM TSSA:

JAWS will allow true U8 players in the Academy, but only with approval of the team coach and with parental understanding that the player is not eligible to play in any TSSA sanctioned tournament.

Date:    September 14, 2006

From:   Andy Bolt, TSSA President

Subj:    TSSA Sanctioned Tournaments/U8 Players

To:       Association Presidents and Tournament Director’s

This memo is to serve as a reminder to all member associations that U8 and younger players are only allowed to play division 4 (recreational soccer) in Tennessee.  We have been seeing pattern develop over the last year where tournaments that are sanctioned by TSSA may have been allowing U8 players to guest play.  TSSA has received feedback from several members stating the possibility that these violations are taking place.  Per Policy 11 section A. number 8 and Procedure 7 from the TSSA Administrative Manual U8 Players are not allowed to play competitive soccer.

TSSA sanctioned tournaments need to abide by these policies even when dealing with teams from other state associations.  Some of the surrounding states do allow U8 competitive play, but when they travel into Tennessee they must abide by the rules and policies that govern all TSSA sanctioned events.  This also applies to USSF affiliated teams that are not registered through US Youth Soccer (Us Club Soccer, AYSO, SAY…etc.).

Member associations and tournament directors need to make sure that these violations are not happening in their tournaments.  TSSA may put sanctions on member associations that are found to be in violation of allowing U8 and younger players to participate in their tournaments.  These sanctions can include putting the association in bad standing and not approving future tournaments.  During the current seasonal year 2006-07 the youngest player that can participate in a competitive tournament would need to be born on July 31, 1998 or later.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the state office, Vice President of Competitive, Ken Underwood or myself directly.  We thank you for your support of TSSA and our programs.

Regards,

Andy Bolt

TSSA President

Questions?   Email us at:
Doug@jacksonareawidesoccer.com
John@jacksonareawidesoccer.com
Tom@jacksonareawidesoccer.com
Pope@jacksonareawidesoccer.com