Welcome to

TEWKSBURY YOUTH SOCCER 

"Shooting for Excellence"

Tewksbury Youth Soccer League is dedicated to providing each participant the opportunity to play soccer in a safe environment, become more knowledgeable about the game, gain self confidence, while fostering team and individual development, sportsmanship, fair play and good health.

Frasca Fields Soccer Complex, 295 North Street, Tewksbury, MA

TYSL ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES-MAY 2020

Dear TYSL Members:

Much has transpired since TYSL announced its decision, in late April,  to suspend operations for the 2020 Spring season.  Please see organizational updates below:

MYSL Cancels 2020 Travel Soccer Season

On May 5th, as anticipated, the Middlesex Youth Soccer League (MYSL) officially announced the cancellation of its 2020 Spring schedule following a vote at its May Board meeting.  In much the same way TYSL had announced back in April, this provides closure and enables focus on gearing up for the 2020 Fall season.

2020 Spring Season Player Registration Refunds

As mentioned in the TYSL communication in April, the TYSL BOD made the decision to grant a full refund of all 2020 Spring Travel and In-Town player registration fees.  The initial plan was to have refunds applied to the initial form of payment.  Unfortunately, the merchant credit card processor who services TYSL's registration system became overwhelmed by the volume of refund transactions from its many clients.  In response, they suspended electronic refund transactions and instructed their clients to process manual refund checks.  As a result, the refund process has been slower than was hoped for when it was announced due to the time required to order, process and mail 500+ manual checks.  We are pleased to announce, however, that those checks have been processed and will be mailed this week.  We thank you for your patience.  Some members have inquired about their refund being applied to future season registration fees.  This alternative would avoid the lengthy refund process.  However, the TYSL registration and financial systems are on different software platforms that do not interface.  Forwarding credits would therefore create another manual process more likely to create errors than issuing refunds which are easier to track.  TYSL has been informed by Challenger Sports that it is currently offering credits but not refunds for its Tiny Tykes programs.  TYSL has been in contact with Challenger Sports and will update members on any changes to this policy.  In the meantime, we encourage all those registered with Tiny Tykes to speak with your Challenger Sports contact in order to understand the credit options available to you.

2020 Fall Season Registration Opens this Weekend

And just like that...we're getting ready for 2020 Fall season.  Registration opens this weekend.  Travel Programs (Grades 3/4-10U, 5/6-12U, 7/8-14U) Early Registration Period runs 5/15-6/15 and closes on 6/30.  In-Town (Grades 6U K, 1/2 8U) Early Registration Period runs 5/15-7/15 and closes on 7/31.

2020-21 Travel Program Player Evaluations (Tryouts)

There are still numerous questions and challenges ahead as it pertains to definitively hosting Player Evaluation sessions.  However, for planning purposes, the sessions are currently being scheduled for the 2nd and 3rd weeks of July (7/13-7/15 and 7/21-7/23).  There will be much more to come on this topic as the dates near.  

2020-21 Travel Coach Applications

Applications may be found on the TYSL website.  TYSL appreciates that these are uncertain times, but all prospective coaches are encouraged to submit an application now.  

2020 TYSL Scholarship Program

The Scholarship program Application will close on Sunday (5/17).  TYSL plans to announce the recipients the week of 6/15. 

Here's to brighter days...filled with soccer...ahead!

LETTER FROM THE TYSL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To all of our TYSL families, we sincerely hope this letter finds you healthy and coping well during these difficult times.  From adversity comes strength. As such, we firmly believe that our community will emerge stronger for what we have endured together.  Through the challenges that lie ahead, please stay strong and stay positive as there are brighter days to come.

Today, we bring unwelcome but not unanticipated news regarding the 2020 Spring soccer season.  Taking into thoughtful consideration, 1) MA Governor Charlie Baker's school closure announcement that extends through June, 2) current mass gathering restrictions, 3) social distancing advisories, 4) town athletic field closures and 5) in consultation with Middlesex Youth Soccer League (MYSL) and other peer organizations;  the TYSL Board of Directors, on 4/21/20, voted to suspend all TYSL on-field program operations for the duration of the 2020 Spring season.  This includes Travel, In-Town, Tiny Tykes, clinics and summer camps.  As cited by Gov. Baker, the absence of authoritative guidance to safely return students to schools and its follow-on impact will, no doubt, be heavily weighed by the leadership of local leagues (including MYSL) as they make upcoming decisions relative to spring season schedule cancellations. 

This outcome is disappointing to all of us who hoped to soon be enjoying the spring air and smell of fresh cut grass on match day.  Given the current state of the pandemic, suspension proved inevitable in order to ensure the safety and well-being of our players, coaches and supporters.  We anticipate MYSL will follow suit in the very near future. However, TYSL chose to act now in order to affect the immediate refunding of spring registration fees to our members, freeze discretionary spending/cancel service contracts and seek refund/recovery of TYSL-paid fees/dues. Perhaps, most importantly, this decision provides a degree of closure and allows us to turn our collective attention to the 2020 Fall season.

Here's to brighter days ahead.

Sincerely,

TYSL Board of Directors

The TYSL Board of Directors will be meeting on the following days:

2019-20 BOD MEETING SCHEDULE

*All TYSL Members are welcome to attend.