Girls Unite is looking forward to hosting your player at Tryouts this upcoming season! Please refer to FAQs below:
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO TRYOUTS?
Come ready to play! Make sure your player has cleats, shin guards, a soccer ball, and plenty of water. SF weather can be unpredictable, so layers are always a good idea.
Since tryouts bring a lot of players together in one place, we recommend keeping bags and valuables with a parent or guardian on the sideline as it’s just easier for everyone that way!
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT TRYOUTS?
The short answer? Soccer and a good time!
Every age group runs tryouts a little differently depending on the lead coach, but players can generally expect a warmup, some small-sided activities, and plenty of game play. The majority of the time will be spent actually playing which is exactly how it should be.
A couple of things that are helpful to know going in: coaches may ask your player questions during tryouts, and that’s a good sign, they’re just getting to know them better. Coaches may also move players around to different groups throughout the session. This is intentional! We want every coach to get a good look at every player in a variety of situations, so moving around is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY TRYOUT SESSION HAS ENDED?
When the session wraps up, coaches will thank players for coming out and give a quick overview of next steps. Don’t worry: everything you need to know about what happens after tryouts is covered right here in this FAQ, so you’re already in the right place!
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I’VE MADE A TEAM?
After tryouts, all players will receive an email with their results within a few days. Players being considered for our top competitive teams may also receive a phone call directly from a coach.
To make sure you don’t miss anything, double check that the email address on your registration is current and one you check regularly, as that’s the best thing you can do on your end while you wait!
HOW WILL I KNOW WHICH TEAM I’VE MADE?
Your results email will include your placement, which will fall into one of three categories:
- A NorCal league travel team or travel player pool
- An SFYS Competitive League team or SFYS Competitive League player pool
- A recommendation for recreational-level play
It’s worth knowing that initial placements can sometimes shift after tryouts and that’s completely normal. A 90-minute tryout gives us a strong read on players, but the full picture of a player’s development often reveals itself over time. Changes can also happen as a natural ripple effect when players accept or decline their offers, which affects team composition across the board.
On the rare occasion that we identify a placement that isn’t the right fit, we’ll reach out directly to make sure your player lands where they’ll grow and thrive most. Our goal is always to put every player in the right environment for them.
HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT THE COACH FOR MY TEAM?
We put a lot of thought into how we match coaches with teams, it’s one of the things we take most seriously as a club. All of our competitive coaches are qualified, licensed, and experienced, and every single one is chosen because they share Girls Unite’s values and genuine commitment to their players.
Our coaches also don’t work in isolation. Age-group coaches collaborate closely across teams to make sure the curriculum is consistent and that every player regardless of which team they’re on is getting the same quality of development and attention.
Once placements are finalized, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your coach and learn more about their background and approach. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us at operations@girlsunite.org with any questions!
HOW DO I ACCEPT AN OFFER TO BE ON A TEAM?
All players that receive an offer to join a Girls Unite team that wish to accept MUST respond to their invitation by the deadline in the emailed invite and complete the following requirement:
- make the required non-refundable deposit by the deadline date
- Complete SFRPD requirements (submitting residency documents and player commitment form) or complete SFYS registration via Topscore
- if you would like to apply for financial aid, please visit the financial aid page for more information. We strongly suggest you apply for the financial aid as soon as you receive the offer as sometimes it takes one or two weeks to receive an answer from the financial aid committee. Meanwhile, please email us back stating that you would like to accept the offer but still waiting for the financial aid decision.
We maintain the right to offer a place to another deserving player if we have NOT received the above by the deadline date.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I ACCEPT A SPOT?
The fun part begins! Once you’ve secured your spot, here’s what to expect:
Your coach and/or our club admin will be in touch to get you set up on Byga, our team management platform, and to finalize any remaining registration details. Depending on timing, there may also be an opportunity to train with or visit your team before the 2026 season officially kicks off which a great way to start building connections before day one.
We also host team meetings before the season to walk through everything you need to know about joining your team and becoming part of the Girls Unite community. Think of it as your official welcome to the family!
In the meantime, check out the timeline section below for a full picture of what’s coming up.
TIMELINE
TIMELINE Subject to change but we’ll keep you posted along the way!
Here’s what the road ahead looks like after accepting your spot:
- May 20 — Team registration deadline
- May – June — Welcome to Byga! You’ll connect with your team, get communications from your coach, and take care of uniform ordering through our team management platform
- Late July / Early August — Practice schedules released
- Mid-August — Fall practices begin for most teams (timing follows SF Rec and Park’s schedule)
- Late August — NorCal League Season Kick Off!
- Early September — SFYS Competitive League Season Kick Off!
We know there’s a lot happening between now and the first whistle but we’ll be with you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out to operations@girlsunite.org with any questions as the season approaches!