Aurora Evaluation Process

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Aurora Preseason Evaluations

Season:  INDOOR 2026-2027

LOCATION: 215 Nelson Road, Saskatoon (Field 6 Unless Otherwise Noted) Outdoor fields across from the Soccer Centre Players are NOT required to attend all scheduled sessions, however it is encouraged so players have maximum opportunity to showcase their abilities. Players ARE REQUIRED to be registered with Aurora Soccer Club to attend field sessions.

U7-U9 Girls

Sun. 8/30: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Wed. 9/2: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/9: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sat 9/12: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Wed. 9/16: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Field 3)

Sat 9/19: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

U7-U9 Boys

Sun. 8/30: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Wed. 9/2: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/9: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sat 9/12: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Wed. 9/16: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Field 3)

Sat 9/19: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

U10 Girls

Sat. 8/29: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Mon. 8/31: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/2: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/9: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sat. 9/12: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 9/14: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/16: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Field 3)

Sat. 9/19: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

U10 Boys

Sat. 8/29: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 8/31: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/2: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/9: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sat. 9/12: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 9/14: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/16: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Field 3)

Sat. 9/19: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

U11 Girls

Sat. 8/29: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Mon. 8/31: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/2: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/9: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Fri. 9/11: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sat. 9/12: 11:40 PM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 9/14: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/16: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Field 3)

Sat. 9/19: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

U11 Boys

Sat. 8/29: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 8/31: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/2: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/9: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Fri. 9/11: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sat. 9/12: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 9/14: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed. 9/16: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Field 3)

Sat. 9/19: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

U13 Girls

Sat. 8/29: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Mon. 8/31: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/3: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wed 9/9: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Fri. 9/11: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sun. 9/13: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 9/14: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/17: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sun. 9/20: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

U13 Boys

Sun. 8/30: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Mon. 8/31: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Wed. 9/2: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Wed. 9/9: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Fri. 9/11: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sun. 9/13: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Mon. 9/14: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Wed. 9/16: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sun. 9/20: 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM

U15 Girls

Sat. 8/29: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Tues. 9/1: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/3: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Tues. 9/8: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/10: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sat. 9/12: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Tues. 9/15: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/17: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sat. 9/19: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

U15 Boys

Sun. 8/30: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Tues. 9/1: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Thurs. 9/3: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Tues. 9/8: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Thurs. 9/10: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sun. 9/13: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

Tues. 9/15: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Thurs. 9/17: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sun. 9/20: 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM

U17/19 Girls

Sun. 8/30: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Tues. 9/1: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/3: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Tues. 9/8: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/10: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sat. 9/12: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Tues. 9/15: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thurs. 9/17: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sat. 9/19: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

U17/19 Boys

Sun. 8/30: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Tues. 9/1: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Thurs. 9/3: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Tues. 9/8: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Thurs. 9/10: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sun. 9/13: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Tues. 9/15: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Thurs. 9/17: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sun. 9/20: 1:20 PM - 2:40 PM

GOALKEEPER SESSIONS

U11-13 Girls and Boys

Fri. 9/4: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Fri. 9/18: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

U15 - U17/19 Girls and Boys

Fri. 9/4: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Fri. 9/18 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

• Please arrive at lease 10 minutes early and be ready to start on time.
• Players are required to wear shin guards and soccer cleats.
• Players are NOT to wear wristbands, watches, jewelry or piercings of any kind.
• Please bring a water bottle.

 

Aurora Evaluation Process: 

Relaunch. Leveling Up.

Understanding Aurora's Indoor Evaluation Process

Dear Aurora Families,

As we prepare for another exciting indoor season, we want to provide a clear overview of our player evaluation process and explain why we've moved away from traditional one-day tryouts.

At Aurora Soccer Club, we believe that player evaluation should be a process—not a single event. Every child deserves multiple opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, and we believe the best decisions are made by observing players over time in a variety of training environments.

Our goal is simple: to place every player in the environment where they will develop, enjoy the game, and be appropriately challenged.

Phase 1 - New Player Evaluations

Before our club-wide evaluations begin, new players joining Aurora will attend an initial on-field evaluation session.

This allows our Technical Staff to become familiar with each player and determine the most appropriate evaluation group for them as we move into the broader club evaluation process.

The purpose of this session is not to select teams, but rather to ensure new players begin in an environment where they can best demonstrate their abilities.

Phase 2 - Club Evaluation Groups

Over the following two weeks, all Aurora players, both returning and new, will participate in our evaluation process.

Players will be placed into small evaluation groups, where they will train over several sessions while being observed by both our Technical Staff and volunteer coaches.

Unlike traditional tryouts, these are training sessions, not one-off evaluations.

We believe this provides a much more accurate picture of each player's technical ability, decision-making, game understanding, attitude, and potential.

Smaller groups also allow our coaches to spend more time observing each player and providing them with every opportunity to perform at their best.

Movement Throughout the Process

The evaluation groups are not final teams.

As players are observed over the course of several sessions, movement between groups is expected.

Some players may move into more challenging environments, while others may benefit from a different group that better supports their current stage of development.

This flexibility is intentional and allows us to continually refine placements as we gather more information.

As the evaluation period progresses, these groups will gradually evolve into the teams that will begin pre-season training together.

How Initial Groups Are Formed

For returning Aurora players, our initial evaluation groups will be informed by several factors, including:

• SkillShark evaluations collected throughout previous seasons.
• Coach feedback.
• Technical Staff observations.
• Previous playing environment and development.

This gives us a strong starting point while recognizing that every player continues to grow and improve.

Most importantly, no player is locked into a group based on previous evaluations. Every player has the opportunity to demonstrate their development during the evaluation process.

Why We've Changed Our Approach

Traditional tryouts often ask coaches to evaluate large numbers of players in a single session.

We don't believe that's the best way to understand a player's true ability.

Our evaluation model provides:

• Multiple opportunities for players to showcase their abilities.
• Smaller training groups that allow coaches to observe more effectively.
• Input from both Technical Staff and volunteer coaches.
• Ongoing player movement based on performance rather than first impressions.
• A more comprehensive understanding of each player's technical ability, tactical understanding, attitude, and potential.

Ultimately, we believe this process gives every player the best possible opportunity to be placed in the environment where they can succeed.

Building Positive Team Environments

While player development is always our primary focus, we also recognize the importance of the social side of youth sport.

Where possible, we will consider existing friendships and familiar teammates when forming teams. We know that positive relationships can contribute to confidence, enjoyment, and long-term participation in the game.

While this cannot always be guaranteed due to roster sizes, player movement, and creating appropriate developmental environments, it is certainly something we take into consideration throughout the team formation process.

Our Commitment

Every decision we make is guided by one question:

"What is the best environment for this player's development?"

Our evaluation process is designed to give every player a fair opportunity, reduce the pressure of a single tryout, and ensure that teams are formed using the most complete information possible.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting indoor season.

Sam Martin
Technical Director
Aurora Soccer Club