NASSC 2024

2024 Youth Age Groups Our youth age groups are structured in accordance with U.S. Soccer guidelines.  Please pay close attention to the following for youth and adult age requirements.  Youth teams are based on USYSA 2022-2023 seasonal year.

All players must be born in the following years (or later) to be eligible for that age division:

[INSERT YOUTH AGE GROUPS]

 

* Youth players may play up in age e.g. a U8 player may participant on a U9 team.

*  Age groups may be combined at NASSC discretion.

**  COED High School - Players must be at least 14 years old by Friday, June 7, 2024 and must attend high school as a student for the 20223/2024 school year.

* All teams in a Coed division must meet minimums for females – see “Team Size” above.

Girls may participate on boys’ teams.  We do not have youth coed divisions other than our high school coed division. You may have girls/women on the roster of a team in a boys/men's division without the roster requirements applicable to coed teams.

IMPORTANT

1. It is the Manager's responsibility to ensure all players on the team are in the correct age group and otherwise eligible per event rules.  Teams entering the wrong age group are not guaranteed acceptance upon correction.
2. No exceptions will be made for over-age players.
3. Deadlines apply for making changes to age group.  See Deadlines.
4. Any team found to have players in violation of age parameters in any division will forfeit all games played, may be eliminated from the competition, and are subject to additional tournament sanctions.If age violations are noted prior to the start of competition the team may be moved to another division at tournament discretion IF room in an appropriate division is available.   No refund will be offered if tournament is unable to move the team to another division.
5. All teams, in High School divisions and below, are required to have an adult (over 25) on their team sideline during all games.  The adult must be registered with the team as either a manager and/or coach.
   • We recommend all youth teams have a minimum of TWO rostered manager/coaches over the age of 25.
   • Younger managers/coaches are allowed but must be accompanied on the player sideline by another rostered coach over the age of 25.
6. Deadlines apply for changes in age group.  See Deadlines.

2024 Adult Age Groups

College Divisions - Players must be between ages 16 to 24 on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Open Divisions** - Players must be Age 16 or older by Friday, June 7, 2024.

Over 30 Divisions - Players must be Age 30 or older on or before Friday, June 7, 2024.

Over 40 Divisions - Players must be Age 40 or older on or before Friday, June 7, 2024.

Women may participate on men's teams. 

Coed divisions must meet minimums for females – see "Rosters”

Divisions may be combined at NASSC discretion.

• Team managers must ensure all players on the team are in the correct age group and otherwise eligible per event rules.  Teams entering the wrong age group are not guaranteed acceptance upon correction.
• No exceptions will be made for under-age players on adult teams.
• Any team found to have players in violation of age parameters in any division will forfeit all games played, may be eliminated from the competition, and are subject to additional tournament sanctions.If age violations are noted prior to the start of competition the team may be moved to another division at tournament discretion IF room in an appropriate division is available.   No refund will be offered if tournament is unable to move the team to another division.
• Deadlines apply for changes in age group.  See Deadlines.

When registering, amateur teams will be asked to select a competition level based on the skill and experience of the players on the team.  We reserve the right to combine skill levels based on the number of teams entered in each division.

YOUTH TEAMS  (Under 8 - Under 18/19; Coed High School)

• Youth Recreational - Youth Recreational & Advanced players ONLY.  Teams with one or more travel players are NOT allowed.  ** See Below **
• Youth Competitive  - Average level of competition for youth teams with one or more travel players
• Youth Elite - Highest level of competition for youth teams with one or more travel players

ADULT TEAMS  (College - Over 40)

• College Recreational - Lowest level of competition (not recommended for teams with D1, D2 or D3 players)
• College Competitive - Average level of competition
• College Elite - Highest level of competition

• Coed Adult Recreational - Lowest level of competition
• Coed Adult Competitive - Average level of competition
• Coed Adult Elite - Highest level of competition

• Adult Recreational - Lowest level of competition
• Adult Competitive - Average level of competition
• Adult Elite - Highest level of competition

Deadlines apply for making changes to competition level.  See Deadlines.

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Honesty in team ranking is essential!

Teams that have competed strongly in previous NASSC competitions are encouraged to find a bigger challenge by competing in a higher level.

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** IMPORTANT - YOUTH RECREATIONAL TEAMS:

* Teams in Youth Recreational may NOT have any players who are members of a travel league (whether or not they play on a travel team) or are members of a travel team during the 2022-2023 seasonal year (for example,  teams referred to as travel lite, competitive, select, premier, or elite).  This includes but is not limited to players with ODP, ECNL, USSDA, VSLI, CCL, Travel Lite or similar leagues or programs with players normally competing above an average recreational level).   

It removes the fun from the event for the other teams when this rule is disregarded. 

Teams found to have travel players rostered prior to the start of the competition will be moved to another division at tournament discretion IF room in an appropriate division is available.   No refund will be offered if tournament is unable to move the team to another division. Violations after the start of competition will forfeit all games played and the team will be eliminated from the competition.

If you have any doubts about whether a player is a travel player contact us at info@sandsoccer.com.

Roster Size:  10 players maximum for most divisions

• NO EXCEPTIONS to roster size.
• ONLY Under 8 (U8), Under 9 (U9), and Under 10 (U10) rosters are allowed up to 12 players.
• US Open (pro)- visit US Open page for requirements
• Minimum recommended roster size is six (6); seven (7) for U8, U9, and U10.
• Teams are encouraged to roster a back-up coach
  • Youth teams must have at least one rostered non-player, over age 25, on the player sideline for the entirety of the match.
• Boys are not allowed as players on girls' rosters.  Girls are allowed as players on boys' rosters.
• Amateur players may roster on multiple teams however, schedule consideration is not given.
  • Participants must complete registration materials with every team he/she wishes to join.

Coed Rosters must include a minimum of three (3) females.  Two females must be on the field at all times.  See Tournament Rules for details.

Your team Dashboard view vs. the Official Roster - our official roster will include only those "participants" (managers, coaches, and players) who have completed registration requirements and been "Approved".

Your dashboard view shows who has been INVITED to the team and is an unofficial roster only:

• Managers must review icons for each participant carefully for indications registration materials were submitted by the manager/coach/player. Go to Manage Roster on your dashboard.
• Players, coaches, and managers who do not complete all registration requirements will not be allowed to participate nor will they be allowed on the players' sideline.
• Rosters are considered final upon the roster lock date or when the team check-in is submitted, whichever comes first.

Feature:  Player Portal is a self-serve"match-maker" resource to assist players looking for a team to join AND help teams looking for players to build their roster.  We encourage you to make use of this portal to find additional players or to offer space on your roster for beach soccer fans looking for a team.

Your Team Dashboard view vs. the official roster - our official roster will include only those "participants" (Managers, Coaches, and Players) who have completed registration requirements with a specific team.

Your dashboard reflect only an unofficial roster:

• Players, Coaches, and Managers who do not complete all registration requirements may not participate nor will they be allowed on the players' sideline.
• Rosters are considered final upon the roster lock date or when the team is checked in, whichever comes first.

All teams are guaranteed to be scheduled for three games including pool play and/or consolation games.

Teams will generally play two matches on Saturday, and 1-3 matches on Sunday based on success.

U.S. Open Men's and Women's teams play a separate Friday-Sunday schedule.  You are invited to watch professional men's and women's competitions in our stadium.

Field Size varies by division

• 25×35 yards (7’×12’ or 7'x18' goal)
• 30×40 yards ( 7’×18’ goal)

Men’s and Women’s competitive and elite divisions may be scheduled on larger goal or field sizes for all games.

All teams within the division will compete on the same size goal and field throughout the competition.

5-a-Side competition for youth U11-U19 and adult divisions

• 4 on the field, plus a goalkeeper.

Exceptions:  Under 8's, U9's, and U10's play 6-a-side.

 

See "Rosters" for roster size limits.

We encourage creativity in team names.

Team names are limited to 30 characters including spaces and punctuation.

Team names found to be inappropriate, too long, or too similar to that of another team may be changed or appended by NASSC.

Deadlines apply for making changes to team name.

No information regarding whether space is available in a division, waitlist position, or team acceptance will be given over the phone or by email.

Amateur teams, paid in full, are accepted on a first-in, first accepted basis until we reach the deadline of April 15, 2024 or division is full, whichever comes first. Teams registering later will incur late fees and may be placed on a waitlist.

Only teams who have applied AND paid all fees in full are considered. Teams not paid in full by the close of business April 15, 2024 are treated as waitlisted without guarantee of acceptance.  Waitlist teams will be considered only upon payment of all fees including a late registration fee and only if space is available at the time of payment.

If there is not a spot in the division or level you selected, we will contact you if there is an opportunity in a different division or skill level where your team would qualify.

Teams applying for the U.S. Open are not accepted upon submitting an application. Your team representative will be contacted regarding acceptance and payment following the registration deadline.

If we are not able to accept your team because divisions have been filled, your team fees will be refunded in full.

Waitlist teams may not be notified if we are unable to accept the team.

Uniforms are not required in amateur divisions.  Teams are required to wear shirts, but may generally come as they are.

We recommend clothing not have zippers, buttons, or other hardware referees may deem unsafe. One team will be loaned scrimmage vests/pinnies if needed.

Casts and braces are allowed at referee discretion only. Generally, a soft, non-metal brace or a cast which is covered with a soft material or bubble wrap is allowed.

Formal uniforms are required for teams in the U.S. Open (pro divisions).

NASSC is a “Stay-To-Play” event.  Our pre-negotiated tournament hotels will ensure that all participants are receiving the best group rates, amenities, cancellation protections and service.

Hotels listings are linked from our website, www.sandsoccer.com. Reservations can also be made and managed through an existing EventConnect account.

We require all hotel activity take place on this network, which will provide the best experience possible. EventConnect's Room Roster services ensure that your lodging is connected to the event.

Manage reservations from your Team Dashboard.

• Reservations are available for both individual bookings as well as for team blocks
• Block rooms and share the block with team members
• Manage your current reservation and room occupants
• You reserve rooms for our subsequent eventeven before team registration opens
• Consider field locations (see Fields Map on sandsoccer.com) when selecting your hotel

 

For Managers or team members looking for assistance in setting up a group block, please contact The EventConnect Event Specialist team at 1-888-723-2064 ext. 823 or by email at teamsupport@eventconnect.io.

For any assistance regarding changes to reservations or general hotel questions please contact their Customer Success Team within the system through online chat, email support@eventconnect.io, or by phone 1-888-723-2064.

Fees are collected per Team. Payment deadline is April 15, 2024

$650 – Boys and Girls U8-U19 and High School Coed; College;  Men’s, Women’s, and Adult Coed(amateur)

$1,000 - U.S. Open - U.S. Open teams visit our U.S. Open page for more information.

Late payments will incur $25 late fee in addition to team fees.  Team will be placed on a waitlist.  Waitlisted teams are not guaranteed acceptance.

Payments may be made by check, money order, or credit card and must be made in full (no partial payments).

• To pay by check, send ONE check per team. Write exact team name and division on the check and included a copy of your confirmation email..
• Checks received in our office after April 8th will not be accepted.
• Only online payments are accepted after April 8th.
• Online payments are made at registration or from the team manager's dashboard.

Refunds are offered providing the team manager requests same in writing by close of business on April 15, 2024.  See "Payment & Cancellation Policy".

Payment of team fees is due by April 15, 2024.

Payment by check may be received by April 8, 2024.  Only online debit/credit card payments accepted after April 8.

Online payments are made through the manager’s team dashboard

Late fees apply after April 15, 2024 if full payment has not been received in our office by the close of business.

 

Unpaid Teams

Teams who have not paid full fees by the April 15th deadline are treated as if in waitlist status and may not be scheduled until full team fee, including any late fees, have been paid. If divisions fill prior to team fees being paid in full, unpaid teams may be offered placement in another division, if available, but can not be guaranteed the opportunity to participate regardless of the original registration date. No refund of any fees paid to date is offered.

Team Withdrawal

Refunds are offered providing the team manager submits a withdrawal request in writing to info@sandsoccer.com by close of business April 15, 2024.  Teams withdrawing after April 15, 2024, will not receive a refund.

Violation of Tournament Policy or Failure To Adhere To NASSC’s Code of Conduct

Refunds will not be offered for any of the following:

• Any team found to have players in violation of age parameters in any division.
• Teams entered in the Youth Recreational division found to be playing with travel players.
• Teams not meeting all eligibility criteria may forfeit all games played and be eliminated from the competition.
• Teams playing while any person not on the official roster is used on the field or participating from the player sideline (including managers or coaches).
• Teams on which any Player(s), Coach(es), parent/spectator, guest of the team or Manager violates the Code of Conduct.

Teams in the above situations may also forfeit games or be removed from the competition, and additional tournament sanctions may be applied, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.

 

Tournament Cancellation

Neither the Tournament Committee, North American Sand Soccer Championships, Hampton Roads Soccer Council, EventConnect, nor the Tournament Sponsors are responsible for any expenses incurred by any team in the event the tournament is canceled in whole or part, or in the event games are discontinued or canceled, due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. No refunds will be offered.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide all matters pertaining to the tournament including decisions to reschedule or relocate any match, restructure a division, reduce the duration of match(es), or to cancel any match.

Decisions of the Tournament Committee are final.

Amateur teams may be awarded individual custom medals and a championship t-shirt for first and second place in a division.

U.S. Open teams are eligible for cash prizes.  Visit our U.S. Open page for more information.