Q. How did MidWay Play come about?
A. After several years of participating, myself and my wife noticed that our daughters were progressing beyond the recreational soccer level. We decided to tryout for competitive. Both were offered a spot but when we looked at the price and commitment we just couldn’t justify it. We’re selfish parents and our kids have other interests asides from soccer. We were stuck in that in-between void, with nowhere to go. Discussion with parents in a similar position made it all too clear that we were not alone. These parents were yearning for something higher level, more organized, and with more of a development plan than recreational soccer, yet were completely scared off the massive commitment and cost of competitive soccer. With this realization ‘MidWay Play’ was born.

Q. Is the MidWay Play North County Youth Soccer League (NCYSL) a true competitive level soccer league?
A. Yes and no. In terms of standard, we believe that the league will align with the lower league levels of competitive youth soccer (~ Flight 3 equivalent). In terms of traveling and financial obligation, the league will be a departure from competitive soccer with only local games (~ 20 miles max travel) and overall cost per season being dramatically less than that of competitive youth soccer.

Q. How do you select players? Can anyone join or will there be tryouts?
A. To be a competitive level league there must be a selection process. During our FREE MidWay Play Summer Soccer camps in July, we will assess player level and suitabiliy and offer team spots based on these camps. Any players that miss the camps due to vacation can either come to our Call Back Camp (end of July) or arrange practices with their respective age group team, should there still be spots available on that particular team.

Q. If I played for MidWay Play last season could I be cut from the team if better players show up to the Summer Soccer camps for the upcoming season?
A. No. We do not cut players. Once you have secured your spot on one of our teams, that spot is yours until you decide to leave. Only misbehavior or non-payment of registration/coaches fees can result in a player being asked to leave their respective team.

Q. Does Midway Play offer equal playing time?
A. Yes, in as much as it is possible. All coaches are instructed that play time is to be evenly split among all players. We advocate for certain apps that can help the coach with this process – keeping on top of substitutions can take away from the coaches ability to actually coach the game. Regardless, every player should play at least one half (in total duration) or more per game.

Q. Do your coaches have coaching licenses and are there any parent coaches?
A. We do not require our coaches to have any coaching licenses but only that they be live-scanned to help create the safest environment for our players. We do require our coaches to have previously played at or be playing the game to a high level. Most importantly, our coaches know soccer inside out and are committed to our philosophy and curriculum. As long as they meet these requirements, we have no rule against parent coaches – unless impartiality becomes an issue.

Q. What is your sideline behavior policy?
A. Honestly, we prefer quiet sidelines. Come, relax and enjoy the game. Absolutely no shouting instructions to players, shouting at refs or other general obnoxiousness. Players will be asked to leave the club if a parent has been consistently displaying poor sideline behavior.

Q. What is your player behavior policy?
A. At Midway Play, we not only want to help create great soccer players, we also want to encourage our players to become decent human beings – to be respectful, show empathy and display excellent sportsmanship. Absolutely no bullying will be tolerated in any of our teams and will result in the offending parties being asked to leave.

Q. What is your Social Media policy?
A. We have a somewhat negative view on social media and its negative effect on our children. Cities participating in the Midway Play NCYSL will be represented through the main MidWay Play social media channels; @midwayplay @ncysl. Separate MidWay Play city, team, coach, player accounts are prohibited and will be asked to be removed and then reported if not removed. Likewise, no use of MidWay Play branding is permitted on any social media accounts, asides from the official account(s).

Q. Do you do any Community Outreach?
A. Every year, during our Spring Tournament season, MidWay Play will pick a worthy local charitable cause and fundraise for that particular cause. We will encourage all players and families to participate and promote the importance of “giving back”.

Q. Can MidWay Play be used as a stepping stone?
A. The great thing about MidWay Play is we know what we are and who we serve. Should a current player progress to a level beyond what we can offer, we are more than happy for that player to move on to a competitive club that can provide that higher level of play for them. In fact, we encourage it.

Q. What is your greatest weakness?
A. One weakness I've been working on is my ability to provide constructive criticism. To improve, I've been writing down my feedback before I approach my colleagues to help plan my answer.

Expansion & Fees (cheap)

Q. How did MidWay Play come about?
A. After several years of participating, myself and my wife noticed that our daughters were progressing beyond the recreational soccer level. We decided to tryout for competitive. Both were offered a spot but when we looked at the price and commitment we just couldn’t justify it. We’re selfish parents and our kids have other interests asides from soccer. We were stuck in that in-between void, with nowhere to go. Discussion with parents in a similar position made it all too clear that we were not alone. These parents were yearning for something higher level, more organized, and with more of a development plan than recreational soccer, yet were completely scared off the massive commitment and cost of competitive soccer. With this realization ‘MidWay Play’ was born.

Q. Is the MidWay Play North County Youth Soccer League (NCYSL) a true competitive level soccer league?
A. Yes and no. In terms of standard, we believe that the league will align with the lower league levels of competitive youth soccer (~ Flight 3 equivalent). In terms of traveling and financial obligation, the league will be a departure from competitive soccer with only local games (~ 20 miles max travel) and overall cost per season being dramatically less than that of competitive youth soccer.

Q. How do you select players? Can anyone join or will there be tryouts?
A. To be a competitive level league there must be a selection process. During our FREE MidWay Play Summer Soccer camps in July, we will assess player level and suitabiliy and offer team spots based on these camps. Any players that miss the camps due to vacation can either come to our Call Back Camp (end of July) or arrange practices with their respective age group team, should there still be spots available on that particular team.

Q. If I played for MidWay Play last season could I be cut from the team if better players show up to the Summer Soccer camps for the upcoming season?
A. No. We do not cut players. Once you have secured your spot on one of our teams, that spot is yours until you decide to leave. Only misbehavior or non-payment of registration/coaches fees can result in a player being asked to leave their respective team.

Q. Does Midway Play offer equal playing time?
A. Yes, in as much as it is possible. All coaches are instructed that play time is to be evenly split among all players. We advocate for certain apps that can help the coach with this process – keeping on top of substitutions can take away from the coaches ability to actually coach the game. Regardless, every player should play at least one half (in total duration) or more per game.

Q. Do your coaches have coaching licenses and are there any parent coaches?
A. We do not require our coaches to have any coaching licenses but only that they be live-scanned to help create the safest environment for our players. We do require our coaches to have previously played at or be playing the game to a high level. Most importantly, our coaches know soccer inside out and are committed to our philosophy and curriculum. As long as they meet these requirements, we have no rule against parent coaches – unless impartiality becomes an issue.

Q. What is your sideline behavior policy?
A. Honestly, we prefer quiet sidelines. Come, relax and enjoy the game. Absolutely no shouting instructions to players, shouting at refs or other general obnoxiousness. Players will be asked to leave the club if a parent has been consistently displaying poor sideline behavior.

Q. What is your player behavior policy?
A. At Midway Play, we not only want to help create great soccer players, we also want to encourage our players to become decent human beings – to be respectful, show empathy and display excellent sportsmanship. Absolutely no bullying will be tolerated in any of our teams and will result in the offending parties being asked to leave.

Q. What is your Social Media policy?
A. We have a somewhat negative view on social media and its negative effect on our children. Cities participating in the Midway Play NCYSL will be represented through the main MidWay Play social media channels; @midwayplay @ncysl. Separate MidWay Play city, team, coach, player accounts are prohibited and will be asked to be removed and then reported if not removed. Likewise, no use of MidWay Play branding is permitted on any social media accounts, asides from the official account(s).

Q. Do you do any Community Outreach?
A. Every year, during our Spring Tournament season, MidWay Play will pick a worthy local charitable cause and fundraise for that particular cause. We will encourage all players and families to participate and promote the importance of “giving back”.

Q. Can MidWay Play be used as a stepping stone?
A. The great thing about MidWay Play is we know what we are and who we serve. Should a current player progress to a level beyond what we can offer, we are more than happy for that player to move on to a competitive club that can provide that higher level of play for them. In fact, we encourage it.

Q. What is your greatest weakness?
A. One weakness I've been working on is my ability to provide constructive criticism. To improve, I've been writing down my feedback before I approach my colleagues to help plan my answer.

Expansion & Fees (cheap)