Tournaments should be selected based upon the criteria of whether the particular tournament is suitable to the level of play of the particular team, and whether it fosters a legitimate purpose. Certain Club-wide guidelines apply to the Tournament selection process:
1. Tournaments should be selected that foster the goals of Team and player development, Team bonding, developing the whole person (the players), etc. The cost of tournaments and travel should always be considered in selecting Tournaments.
2. In general, all in-State tournaments will be approved.
3. Teams playing at the U-13 age and younger should not travel extended distances to tournaments. There are numerous tournaments in the State of Washington that are suitable to this age group. Therefore, absent exigent circumstances, teams at U-13 and younger shall not travel out of State. This shall not prohibit teams from traveling to Regional championships. Nor shall teams be prohibited from travel to Portland, Oregon and its immediate environs, or Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia, or their environs.
4. Teams playing at U-14 and above are of an age where travel out of State may be appropriate depending upon their level of play. Rarely will out of State travel be appropriate for District teams, for example. Tournaments at these age groups are of merit in beginning the process of exposure of players to college coaches. In the early years (U-14 and U-15), they are of merit in acclimating players to the rigors of such tournaments, even though they will receive little attention from college coaches at such age.
5. Teams playing at U-14, and at an appropriate competition level, will generally be permitted to travel to one (1) out of State tournament a year (not including Regional or National Cup play).
6. Teams playing at U-15, and at an appropriate competition level, will generally be permitted to travel to two (2) out of State tournaments a year.
7. Teams playing at U-16 and above, and at an appropriate competition level, will generally be permitted to travel to three (3) out of State tournaments a year.
