HPSA player/parent → Team Manager → Coach → DOC → HPSA Leadership team

Per the HPSA Parent contract: “I will first work with the team manager, then my player’s team coach, then the DOC, and then finally the HPSA Leadership team to see how my player can make a bigger impact on their team, or to discuss any further topic at hand. Any inquiries that did not follow this chain will be ignored until the correct procedure is followed.”

• When players get to play for the Varsity squad at HPHS, while playing 11v11, the roster may consist of up to 22 people. At the U15-U19 competitive club level, teams may have up to 22 players. At the collegiate level, teams consist of 23 players and 18 players can travel for away games. A large roster, and beyond that, a full maxed-out roster, is the industry norm. Seeking to carry fuller rosters is not something HPSA has sought out for any other motive outside of meeting the industry norm.
• Why do teams in this sport prefer to carry a larger roster? There are 11 positions for 11v11. By carrying 22 players, in theory, you have your 1^st & 2^nd string. In practice, of course, clubs and teams can identify utility players that are able to play at either the 1^st or 2^nd string of any or a few of those 11 different positions.
• How will my player receive playing time at 7v7 if there are 12 players on a roster? Your player will need to work hard to stand out, which is something you should be able to relate to and understand as an adult. If there are 7 spots on the field and 5 spots on the bench, your player’s thought process should be “what can I do to earn playing time within one of those 7 spots?” instead of “why does the club choose to make things harder by adding more competition?” HPSA’s goal is to build athletes with strong skills off and on the field—this can only happen by putting in the work. As a parent, you can have conversations with your player on their development and encourage them to ask their coach what they need to be working on in their own time to earn more playing time on the field. Again: playing time is a privilege that is earned, and coaches do not absentmindedly provide it. More on this is found here.
• When coaches carry a fuller roster, without the added stress of team parents voicing their concerns of the number of players on the roster, they are better able to provide incentives and set expectations for team players, complete with consequences for not meeting those expectations. For example: If you’re playing 7v7, and there are 2 subs, it’s difficult to discipline players that are not regularly showing up to practice simply because you need their body on the field. That’s not the player development HPSA strives to provide their players. However, if you’re playing 7v7 and there are 5 subs, our expectation would be that 12 players are at practice competing for their playing time. As a direct result, practices become more intense and productive, players get better, and overall team progress is made. Without these factors present, it makes it more difficult to achieve our club & team goals.
• Developmental players: HPSA does not have “developmental teams”, our mission is to support the school district and to have one highly competitive team per grade per gender. When necessary, particularly on younger and newer teams, we will carry a few new developmental players. These players understand they may not see much game time until they develop and catch up to our existing players. This does put us in a position to have known players, that we have developed, so we are not dependent on finding players from other clubs as we go to larger and larger roster sizes from 8 to 22 players, when we go from playing 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 etc. We will also have enough subs in case of player illness or conflicts.

You are responsible for knowing your game schedule & practice schedule, completing required player paperwork in a timely manner, and respecting the policies as laid out in the HPSA Parent & HPSA Player contracts.

Bringing your player to practices and games. If you personally cannot bring your child to the game, please coordinate carpooling plans with your team manager; it is likely that another team parent can bring your player to the game.

Please help HPSA set a positive example to the other parents, players and game officials. 

• Please do cheer players from either team.
• Please stay in the parent “areas” and never walk on the fields at games or practice.
• Please do not coach the coach, referees, players, or other parents.
• Always comply with any instructions from the referees or field officials, right or wrong. HPSA will request a meeting with the leagues if necessary.

The leagues do not tolerate parent misconduct. They will throw out the coach or stop the game. .

A “ZERO TOLERANCE” POLICY FOR SIDELINE MISCONDUCT WILL BE ENFORCED FOR THESE GAMES. THIS INCLUDES INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE, RACIAL SLURS, OR VERBAL ABUSE TOWARD REFEREES, PLAYERS, AND GAMES OFFICIALS ON AND OFF THE PLAYING FIELD

• Our policies on guest players (either playing with guest players, or HPSA playing as guest players)

To avoid disruption and drama amongst teams, our policy is that HPSA players do not train or play with other club teams until June open practice begins per our fact sheet posted with NTSSA. The NTSSA leagues have found this to be so disruptive that they require a  player wishing to participate at another club event to execute a Guest Player Release Form signed by the current coach, parent, and receiving coach. “Players who guest play or practice with another team prior to June of the current year are subject to sanctions by NTSSA. Failure to comply shall result in sanctions against the offending party (coach, assistant coach, manager, parent, or other team representative), which could include suspension from all soccer activities for a period of time to be determined by the NTSSA Competitive Committee.”

Please be aware that coaches view a guest practice or play request by one of their players as a sign they need to find their replacement. For questions specifically regarding this, please see page 8 of  NTSA Competitive Player Rules or contactdacosta@hpsocceracademy.com  AND admin@hpsocceracademy.com)

Players unhappy with their playing time should contact their coach directly for coaching feedback and suggestions on player improvement.

• Developmental players: HPSA does not have “developmental teams”, our mission is to support the school district and to have one highly competitive team per grade per gender. When necessary, particularly on younger and newer teams, we will carry a few new developmental players. These players understand they may not see much game time until they develop and catch up to our existing players. This does put us in a position to have known players, that we have developed, so we are not dependent on finding players from other clubs as we go to larger and larger roster sizes from 8 to 22 players, when we go from playing 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 etc. We will also have enough subs in case of player illness or conflicts.

Per the HPSA Player Contract:

1. a)Players must understand that all HPSA team events are mandatory. Players with excessive absences will not be provided with an equal amount of playing time as the players that regularly attend training sessions;
2. b)Players will defer to my coach for all roster, training, and playing time decisions;
3. c)Players will play with a “team-first” mentality.

• Please do not coach the coach, players, referees or other parents at games or practice.

As laid out in your HPSA Parent contract, please respect the coach’s decision. We pay doctors to give us medical advice and instruction. At HPSA, we pay coaches to give players their soccer advice and instructions. Please let the professionals do their job and follow the chain of communication as needed.

Uniform pricing can be found here. ALL player numbers are assigned by HPSA and are ordered through NJS.

All uniforms jerseys must be tucked into shorts at games. Please bring both jerseys to each game, not all opposing teams have home and visitor’s jersey.

Players are required to wear shin guards that are age appropriate and must be completely covered by the player’s socks.

 Each team must wear matching uniforms: jerseys, shorts, and socks which must be the same color as all players on the same team.

 Each player must have a clearly discernable permanent number on the back of their jersey (including alternate jerseys), which will correspond to their name on the Game Roster.

The goalkeeper’s jersey will be distinct from both teams and the referee.

Goalkeeper’s jersey does not require a number.

Referees will change in case of color conflict with teams or goalkeepers.

HPSA has no control over the leagues game schedules. Team schedules are in the app; and are also posted under the Teams &  Schedules tab above. Our site links directly to the leagues  sites. Game schedules are subject to change without notice, please check each week prior to the game. Game schedule weather related updates are normally posted by the league by 7:00 AM game day, and HPSA will notify you with any changes unless lightning etc. interferes with their servers. You should always check the links  just in case.

Please view the active tournament calendar tab here for tourney policies.

Tournaments will be announced at least one month in advance. Please keep tournament weekends completely open and reserved for soccer only. Game schedules will not come out until the week of the event.  Game day procedures are sent to team managers once confirmed by tournaments, typically within the week of the event.

Players are expected to attend all games and fulfill their commitment to their team. Tournaments are taxing on players with the number of games and energy used to compete— therefore, the whole team is needed there all weekend! Also, keep in mind tournaments are a great opportunity to get lots of game time.

Players at the academy level (U10 & younger) are not permitted to play up, unless the HPSA Leadership Team & Team Coach specifically call on a player to do so. Playing up is defined as playing with the team one-two years older than your player’s current age.

Using a 12G playing up with the 11G team as an example…The reason for this policy is, once the 11G team ages into the U11 select/competitive level, the 12G player will be a year younger and identified by North Texas Soccer Association as a U10 academy player. Academy players at any age are not permitted to play up at the select/competitive level. If the club makes the mistake of keeping the academy player up with the competitive team, removing the 12G from the 11G team roster at that point will be disruptive to the team, which is why we have the policy to keep players age-pure, starting with our youngest teams.

HSPA players are permitted to get outside INDIVIDUAL training. They are not permitted to train with other teams without our permission. The more touches on the ball, the better your player will get! While we know our 2-3 practices a week are sufficient, for those wanting extra training, we have preferred coaches to send you to, starting with our HPSA team coaches.

Private skills tutorials are paid separately and are not included in team player fees and are paid directly to your coach.  While HPSA Coaches are permitted to privately train their own team players, privates do not guarantee playing time or  your continued selection to be on the team. Parents agree to release, discharge and/or otherwise indemnify the HPSA Scots, its affiliated organizations and sponsors, their employees, associated personnel and volunteers as a result of the Player’s participation in the Programs and/or being transported to or from the same

• All HPSA App information can be found here.