Ponoka Storm teams generally play Tier 4 Rural soccer within Central Alberta Soccer Association (CASA). CASA is the governing body for District 5 within the Alberta Soccer Association. Play within CASA is determined by the respective registration numbers and available teams from each member community. For the Outdoor Season, Scheduled games usually commence the first week of May and conclude by the third week of June, followed by playoffs determined by regular season seeding.
Ponoka Soccer does its best to ensure consistency in the program delivery and does its best to ensure the same nights of play are used each season per age group. The following factors affect scheduling:
Number of registrations
League Schedule as defined by Central Alberta Soccer Association (CASA), the league our teams participate in
Number of hours available for facility rental (Indoor season)
Traditionally, the following schedule & locations for play have been observed for our Outdoor Season:
Please note: these schedules exclude additional training sessions as determined by the coach.
Email communication will be sent out prior to the start (roughly 2-3 weeks) of the season with a confirmed schedule.
As soon as registration has closed, the PMSA Executive will make a determination regarding who will coach the team. As soon as this is done, you will receive communication from your coach. If you need to discuss or are concerned that you have maybe missed some communication, please email admin@ponokasoccer.ca. U11-U19 competitive teams will also use various team communication apps such as TeamSnap to communicate and post team schedules.
All Players are required to have a Player ID card. This card will be considered proof of player eligibility within CASA, for specific tournaments and Provincials. Cards will be produced by the PMSA Registrar and will include: the player's name, CASA ID number, photo, and year of birth. The cards are managed by the coach &/or team manager and will be given to head referees before matches.
U11 Boys Team Splitting
Generally, U11 Boys Outdoor registration numbers require PMSA to field TWO U11 Boys teams. This scenario requires our association to choose one of two paths depending on the direction of CASA.
Scenario 1: If CASA runs a Tier 4 only league, teams are split fairly and in accordance with CASA's policy; an evaluation session involving all of the prospective players is set for some time in April, attended by the coaches, PMSA's Director of Coach & Player Development, and at least one independent evaluator from CASA. Sessions are run at the Dome in Red Deer or on one of our local pitches in Ponoka (provided the fields are dry). Following the session, the players are graded and the teams are split as evenly as possible. Please Note: in this scenario, this is an evaluation and is NOT a tryout. There is no A Team and a B Team, but rather two balanced teams that both represent Ponoka under the same Ponoka Storm name. Due to the need to balance teams, the only special considerations made are for same family members. PMSA is not obligated to place players with particular players or coaches. In this case, our goal is creating two balanced teams.
Scenario 2: If CASA runs a Tier 4 AND a Tier 3 league, teams are split according to skill & competitiveness; an evaluation session involving all of the prospective players is set for some time in April, attended by the coaches, and PMSA's Director of Coach & Player Development. Sessions are run at the Dome in Red Deer or on one of our local pitches in Ponoka (provided the fields are dry). Following the session, the players are graded and the teams are split accordingly. Please Note: in this scenario, this is a tryout. There is a Tier 3 team (A team) and a Tier 4 team (B team). Both teams represent Ponoka under the same Ponoka Storm name, but play in separate leagues; the Tier 3 league is generally smaller and at a greater level of competitiveness, while the Tier 4 league is generally larger and a little more recreational than the Tier 3 league. PMSA is not obligated to place players with particular players or coaches. In this case, our goal is giving both groups the best possible experience while, allowing the stronger players to grow in a more competitive environment.
The decision to submit a Tier 3 team in addition to our regular Tier 4 team, will be determined by the PMSA board on a yearly basis dependent on the direction of CASA.
