NSA TRAVEL COACHING GUIDE

There are 3 organizations governing the Neptune Soccer Association Travel program:

NJYS:    New Jersey Youth Soccer – division of US Youth Soccer; overall governing body
MOSA:  Monmouth Ocean Soccer Assn – a league within NJYS
NSA:     Neptune Soccer Association - a club within the MOSA league

There are several things that a new coach must do ASAP to begin coaching an NSA Travel Team and be ready for the fall start:

1.  Obtain a NJYS State License

If you do not already have a NJYS State License to be a travel soccer coach, you MUST complete the course to be “carded”. This is a 3-hour virtual and 3-hour in-person course.

You will be subject to a background check by NJYS.

More information and course registrations can be found at  https://www.njyouthsoccer.com/coaching-courses/.

To be licensed in time for the fall season, complete the course by Aug 15.

Note:  When registered, forward the fee receipt to nsackreq@gmail.com with your name, team name/age, and your email, and you will be reimbursed for the fee by NSA.

2.  Initiate Team Uniform Orders

Your players will order their NSA uniforms at SoccerPost in Eatontown. It can take up to 8 weeks so this needs to be initiated quickly.

SoccerPost will send a form that you will use for each player’s jersey # and player/parent contact information. You will send it back to SoccerPost and they will email all the parents to purchase uniforms.

Contact John at Soccer Post by email at johncorrales@soccerpost.com or call 732-935-0990.

To have uniforms in time for the fall season, be sure all orders are placed by June 30.

NSA coach Melissa Edwards is our liaison with Soccer Post.  Contact her via Teamsnap if you need guidance.

3.  Sign Up for TeamSnap

This is the team management/communication platform between you and the NSA, and you and your parents. This is mandatory.

Download the TeamSnap app at https://www.teamsnap.com/mobile. You can also access TeamSnap on your desktop.

You will be sent an invite via email to access your NSA team.

• Complete your profile.
• Add each player to your team Roster. This will allow you to send emails, alerts, and schedules to parents and also receive the same from the NSA.
• Send parents invites via the app.

Do this as early as possible, as this is the primary communication platform and gives you access to all NSA contacts.

4.  Communicate with Parents

Reach out to parents as soon as possible so they will be prepared!

They will need to:

• Order uniforms by June 30. Advise them they will be notified via email by SoccerPost with ordering information.  Player will need 2 jerseys (white and red), shorts, and socks.
• Download the TeamSnap app at https://www.teamsnap.com/mobile using the invite emailed by the coach.
• Register their player. Instructions will be sent when registration is open.  Fee is $135 for each season (fall, spring.) Coach may collect extra fees for tournaments, etc.

NEXT STEPS:

The NJYS "year" runs from Aug 1 - Jul 31. The period of Aug 1-30 is extremely busy getting teams and players registered.  The coach's responsibilities are relatively quick and simple - they just need to get done as early as possible.

• Register your team with MOSA.  See Annual Team Registration.
• Register as a Coach with NSA.  See Annual Coach Registration.
• Share player registration information with parents/players.  See Semi-Annual Player Registration & Fees.

A season consists of Fall and Spring periods. Teams play 5 home games and 5 away games each fall and spring.

Games are typically played on Sundays, with make-ups and pre-plays on weekday evenings.

Fall Dates

Fall game period runs from early September through late November. Coaches should be scheduling practices beginning in August.

Jul 1 - Aug 15   Team registration (dates may vary per MOSA)
Aug 1-31           Player/coach registration

Spring Dates

Spring game period runs from late March-early April through late June.

Coaches and teams registered in the fall do NOT have to register again before the spring period.

Players who played in fall need to pay the spring balance at SoccerConnect, but do NOT need to re-register.  Only new players brought on after fall will need to complete the registration process and then pay for spring.

Game Schedules

Game schedules will be announced two weeks prior to the start of the season.  See "Game Scheduling, Pre-Plays, and Cancellations" for more details.

Team Practice

Practice schedules will be decided by coaches and coordinated with other teams to ensure field availability.

Tryouts

The NSA holds tryouts for U08-U14 teams in May to start in the following season.

Older teams can arrange their own group tryouts if desired.

Coaches can add players at any time during the year. Players new to NSA will have to register as all others do in the fall.

Do NSA players have to reside in Neptune, NJ?

No. We accept players from surrounding towns.

Age Groups

Per USYS rules, all players are eligible for a team based on birth year.

Rules allow for players to play “up” up to two years – younger players can play on teams older than them by one or two years.

Players CANNOT play “down” – older players cannot play on younger teams.

What does U08-U19 mean?

“U08” stands for “Under 8 (years old)” as of the year of the season end.  A team will move up to the next “U” each year:  For example,

In the 2024-2025 season, 

U11 players are born in 2014.  11 + 14 = 25.

U12 players are born in 2013.  12 + 13 = 25.

The following season, 2014 players will be U12.

NSA<> Team and Team <> Parent Communications
www.TeamSnap.com

Annual Team Registrations and Season Fees
Printing Weekly Match Cards
Go to GotSport

Annual Coach Registrations
Semi-Annual Player Registrations and fees
Go to SportsConnect

All coaches must register their team with MOSA annually on the GotSport.com platform.

If the team is playing in Fall, it must be registered by early-August.  If the team is not playing until Spring (usually high-school-aged teams) it must be registered by January.

The registration is good for the Fall/Spring year. Fall teams do not need to register again in the Spring.

See team signup/link instructions below.

MOSA uses the registrations to group teams within an age group into "flights" (Premier, Nat 1, Nat 2, Nat 3, etc.) and then clubs can begin scheduling.

Teams cannot be registered after the deadline.

How do I register my team?

1. Create and/or sign in to your GotSport.com account here:  https://system.gotsport.com/
2. Follow the link provided by the NSA MOSA rep to register your team and pay the $150 fee.  The team Debit Card or a personal card can be used.
3. Forward the confirmation to nsackreq@gmail.com for reimbursement.

Click here for a MOSA Team Registration Tutorial.

Is there a charge for team registrations?

Yes.  As of 2024-25 season, teams are charged $150 when registering with MOSA.  However, the NSA pays for team registrations.

Coaches should use their team Debit Cards to pay the registration fee, then email the receipt to the NSA Treasurer at nsackreq@gmail.com.

If personal cards are used, forward the receipt to nsackreq@gmail.com.  Funds can be withdrawn using the team Debit Card.

The NSA will replace the registration fees in the team account.

Every coach, new or existing, needs to register prior to the team's starting season (fall or spring) at SoccerConnect.

If you played in Fall, you do not need to re-register in Spring.

This registration allows you to be carded by NJYS for the current year.

Go to the Annual Travel Coach Registration Guide

You will need to upload:

1. NJ State License
2. Current photo, passport-style
3. Current SafeSport certificate
   This must be renewed annually at www.safesport.org.  Use code YC3E-6P5G-YYIL-CS2M.
4. Completed Concussion Course certificate
   The Concussion Education requirement is satisfied by completing the CDC Heads Up! course or the NFHS Head Injury Awareness course. Click here to learn more.
   

All are required.  It will allow you to register without all of these at SoccerConnect, but when the record is passed through to NJYS, it will not allow the NSA MOSA Rep to card you for the year.

If you did not upload these documents when registering, please email them to NSA MOSA rep kevin_ohear@yahoo.com.

All players must be registered prior to the fall and spring periods at Soccer Connect.

ABOUT NSA TRAVEL PLAYER REGISTRATION

Every NSA travel player, new or existing, needs to register prior to the team's starting season for the year (fall or spring) at SoccerConnect. This will allow them to be "carded" to the NSA team for NJYS games for the upcoming year.  This NJYS Card is required for all MOSA play.

Players will only register ONCE per year. Most teams play in fall and spring; these players will register prior to the fall season.  Players on teams that only play in the spring will register prior to the spring season.

Players who are new to the team in spring will register prior to the spring season.

NEW PLAYERS COMING FROM ANOTHER NJYS TEAM

Players who are/were recently carded to another NJYS team need to go through the transfer process.  See "Transfers, Releases & Poaching" section.

ANNUAL NSA TRAVEL PLAYER FEES

As of 2025-26, the NSA charges players $135* per each fall and spring season.

Players who play in fall AND spring will pay $135* during fall registration and then pay your $135* balance prior to the spring season. These players do NOT need to re-register in the spring; they are carded for the full year.

Players who only play fall OR spring will pay $135* during registration.

NOTE that coaches may charge additional team fees to cover trainers, tournaments, equipment and team building.  These are collected separately and outside of the NSA registration/balance payment processes.

* Subject to change in future years.

DOCUMENT UPLOADS NEEDED FOR REGISTRATION

1. Current headshot photo suitable for NJYS card  (square, face only - like passport)
2. Birth certificate
3. Medical insurance information
4. SafeSport certification for players 18+.
   This online course covers safety and appropriate behavior in regards to youth sports players. Players 18+ are required to complete the course and include the certificate in their registrations. Take the SafeSport course here.

All are required and will be reviewed by NJYS for approval.  The NSA MOSA representative will NOT be able to card a player without documents accepted by NJYS.

How do parents register their players?

Go to the NSA Sports Connect player registration portal here.

For current players (those who played for NSA the prior year):

• Log in using your past email/pwd.  Use the FORGOT option if necessary.
• If this is the first registration for this fall/spring year:
  -  Be sure to choose the correct division and team. Consult your coach if needed.
  -  Your child's birth certificate and photo (update if not current) will be in place. Your medical insurance will need to be updated.
  -  Complete the registration and submit payment.
• If your child played in the fall and you are paying your spring balance:
  -  SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE until you see "Pay Open Balance".
  -  Submit the payment as directed.
  -  You do NOT need to re-register your player.  If you are prompted to, it is because you chose a team instead of "Pay Open Balance."

For players NEW to NSA:

• If this is the first registration for this fall/spring year:
  -  Create a new account and enter you and your player's information.
  -  Be sure to choose the correct division and team to register. Consult your coach if needed.
  -  Upload the player's birth certificate, current photo and medical insurance.
  -  Complete the registration and submit payment.
• If your child played in the fall and you are paying your spring balance:
  -  Log in using your past email/pwd.  Use the FORGOT option if necessary.
  -  SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE until you see "Pay Open Balance".
  -  Submit the payment as directed.
  -  You do NOT need to re-register your player.  If you are prompted to, it is because you chose a team instead of "Pay Open Balance."

Questions?

Parents should direct all questions to the coach who will manage parent-NSA communication.

This report shows all players who have registered *and been assigned* to your team.  Good to check in Fall for following up on registrations.  Remember registrations cover Fall and Spring - so aside from new Spring players this will not change after Fall.  To check who has PAID for Spring, look at the Player Balances Report (same Reports section.)

Log in to SportsConnect here https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=890072.  This is the same place you go to register yourself and your player.

On MOBILE:

1. Click on the Hamburger menu then Reports:
   
2. Click on the left arrow button to bring up the menu:
   
3. Click on Standard Reports > Roster > Team Roster Report
   
4. Select the Program Year, Division, and your Team, and View Report:
   

On DESKTOP:

1. Select Reports from top-right:
   
2. Click on Standard Reports > Roster > Team Roster Report
   

During pre-season, coaches should regularly check the registration report to ensure their players sign up.

Go to the NSA Sports Connect player registration portal here.

(These instructions are for Desktop; phone reports not great.)

1.  Select Reports from top menu.
   If you don't see Reports, contact Treasurer at nsackreq@gmail.com to have the permissions added to your account.
2. Select Saved Reports > Registration Master Report from side menu.
   
3. Report will display.  It includes all registrations; sort by Division Name by clicking on column heading. Scroll to yours to see who has registered.
   

Coaches play an important role in the success of their teams and the NSA as a whole through parent communication and participation. A fun, well-run team needs supportive and positive parents. The NSA needs help from all sides to keep the program going.  Coaches are the "go-between" parents and the NSA, handling any direct communications in both directions.

It's recommended that coaches hold parent meetings once or twice per season to share information about any additional fees, plans for fundraising, plans for tournaments, and to reiterate parent shack and tournament requirements.  In addition, it's important to establish conduct rules and be sure the parents understand ramifications of improper conduct regarding players, refs, and other spectators.

TeamSnap

TeamSnap is the NSA communication platform.  During onboarding encourage parents to download and sign up.  Make use of the TeamSnap calendar and alerts functionality to update parents on practice schedules, game schedules/addresses and updates, uniform colors, fundraising plans and more. You will be provided with access during onboarding.

Shack Duty

Every team must cover "Shack Duty" one weekend per fall and spring season.  The coaches and parents must help line the fields the Thursday before the weekend and operate the Shack during the Saturday morning recreation games and the Sunday travel games.  "Shifts" are usually 1.5 to 2 hours, with the number of helpers dependent on number of games and weather.

At least ONE team coach must be present for the full duration of shack operations on the team weekend. Team coaches are responsible for the field shutdown each day, collecting flags, closing bathrooms, etc.

NO ONE UNDER 16 is allowed inside the Shack.

Tournament Duty

All parents must help with one 2-3hr shift during the duration of the annual tournament in June with on-field support. More information will be provided in the period leaning up to the tournament.  Note that a team coach MUST COVER for any no-show parent's shift.

At least one coach from each team must be present at the tournament for the full Saturday and Sunday schedules.

Sideline Conduct

Sadly, spectator conduct has become serious problem across all youth sports.  To that end, NSA parents are required to complete a Soccer Parenting course that reviews appropriate conduct in order to register their players.

Remind your parents that participation as a player or parent for a Neptune Soccer Travel or Recreation team, parents and players alike agree to follow the Code of Conduct.

In addition, NJYS has begun implementing significant penalties for sideline behavior and repeated offenses, including but not limited to:

• Offender removal from property
• Offender banning from games for one or more games
• Yellow and red carding of team coaches for parent behavior
• Removal of all spectators for team games

It is imperative that coaches communicate with parents regularly about conduct.  If they see or are told by a referee that there is sideline issue, the coach should address it immediately. If ongoing issues are noted, they should be addressed off-field.  If necessary, the NSA Player Review Board can help to intervene.

Team growth isn't only regular practice and games.  Practice is important for team and strategy building.  Trainers focus on skills and will also help guide coaches on positioning and plays.  Tournaments are not only fun, but opportunities to build your team comradery and confidence.

Having the tools is necessary too. The NSA supports teams each year with an equipment allowance.

Trainers

There are a number of trainers who work with NSA teams during the fall/spring season.  Usually coaches work with a single trainer to allow them to build a relationship with the players.  They normally charge in the area of $100 per 1 hour session, and have 6-8 sessions per season.

For first year teams, regardless of age, the NSA will pay up to $800 each fall/spring season for team trainers. We will provide lists of names or if you have a preferred, qualified trainer they can be engaged once approved.  You can ask other coaches for recommendations; trainers have different styles.  Trainers must be licensed, insured, and have passed a background check.

The NSA also pays for trainers for all U08-U10 teams with the same guidelines.

After U10 for existing teams, the team will fund trainers from additional fees collected from parents.  Those plans should be included when determining the additional charges (beyond the standard per-season NSA registration fee) for each player.

Off-Season Training

Coaches often sign up for programs during the winter break, like indoor sessions at GoodSports.  It's great to keep the team going in preparation for spring.  Any fees for those are covered by team fees collected.

Tournaments

There are many opportunities for tournaments throughout the year at all age levels. Speaking specifically to MOSA events here (EDP has their own), some popular tournaments are Freehold Frightfest (U08-12), Ocean, Hershey and Wall.  There is also the annual MOSA Curci Cup - you'll hear more about this specifically through the club.

A complete list of tournaments can be found here at the MOSA site.  Talk to other coaches about good fits for your age level.

Tournament fees (usually $600-$900 depending on age) are covered by team fees collected.

Purchases

Every team is allotted $100 for equipment purchases for the year (fall + spring).  Allowed purchases are balls, pop-up goals, training tools (cones, pinneys, etc.), benches, tents, etc. If you are not sure if it's allowed, send an email to Treasurer at nsackreq@gmail.com prior to purchase to confirm. Use the team card to make the purchase and send the receipt to nsackreq@gmail.com.  If your personal card is used, the amount will be transferred to your team account and you can withdraw it.