WELCOME TO THE 2008 DIVISION I SOCCER SEASON

To provide a stronger training ground for players who want more than recreational play, we are again offering a Division 1 Program. This program is a developmental program for the premiership teams and a program for players who want to play at a higher level than recreation. For the summer of 2008, FDSA intends to field six (6) Division I teams. U12 girls, U12 boys; U14 girls; U14 boys; U16 girls and U16 boys. This year Division I try-outs will begin after the Premiership teams have been selected on Tuesday, April 28, 2008.

Based on feed-back from players, parents and coaches and with the aim of strengthening and building capacity in our Division I program, the following changes have been made to the structure of the program: 

1) This season a Division I player will not be required to participate in the Division II (recreational league), however, he/she will have the option of playing both Division I and Division II but will be required to pay and register for both programs.

2) Will participate in at least 2 provincial Jamborees. Tentative dates are as follows:

• Saturday, June 7 – Southern (Saint John)
• Saturday, June 21 – Western Region (Fredericton and surrounding area)
• Saturday, July 12 – TBA
• Saturday, July 26 – Northwestern Region (Hartland, Grand Falls)
• Saturday, August 9 – TBA

3) If a Division I team succeeds in winning the Western Region Championship, the team will be eligible to participate in the NB Division I Provincial Championships.

4) Teams will participate in an exhibition Division I tournament:

     Stratford (PEI):  July 11th - 13th

     New Minas (Nova Scotia): TBC

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS:

1.  Pre-Competitive Premiership and Division I Parents/Players Information Meeting:

Tuesday, March 18th: Fredericton Inn @ 7:00 pm (Salon A & B)

2.  Registration Deadline: Friday, April 18th: Deadline date to register for Division I

3.  Division I Try-Outs: April 28th – May 24th

4.  Regular Weekly Practices/Games (turf): Mondays: 7:00–8:30 pm for U12G; U12B and U14 G

5.  Regular Weekly Practices/Games (turf): Tuesdays: 7:00 pm–8:30 pm for U16G; U16B and U14B

6.  Regular Weekly Practices/Games (grass):  Wednesday & Thursday; times and locations TBD

7.  Division I Home Jamboree:

Saturday, June 21st: U12 (New Maryland); U14 (Oromocto); U16 (FDSA)

8.  Exhibition Division I Tournaments:

~  Stratford (PEI) Division I Invitational Tournament: July 11th – 13th (TBC)

~  New Minus (Kentville, NS) Division I Tournament: August (TBC)

~ Division I Provincial Championships:August 24th – 26th: Location TBC (must win the Western Region Division I)

SPONSORSHIP

The FDSA would like to thank:

• Jane MacTavish from MacTavish’s Source for Sports for sponsoring the U12, U14 and U16 Girls Division I teams
• Bliss Haines from Harvey Studios for sponsoring the U12, U14 and U16 Boys Division I teams
• Shawn Cotton for sponsoring the Pizza Hut Division I Home Jamborees.