Funfest Tournament and Tournament Teams

The Manalapan Soccer Club provides players in the U7-U14 divisions the opportunity to play on a Tournament team in the spring and/or fall season. The Tournament teams play in three to four tournaments held at various locations throughout New Jersey, including our own Funfest Tournament, which is the week before Halloween.   All recreation level soccer players registered for the spring or fall season will be eligible to try-out for their division’s tournament team. Information regarding try-outs will be communicated to all players and will be posted on the club website.

Since 1999, the Manalapan Soccer Club has proudly hosted the Manalapan Funfest, a one day tournament for recreation level players.  The Funfest is run entirely by volunteers of the MSC and the families of tournament team players.  A minimum commitment of two hours per child per family of volunteer time will be required of all families in an effort to ensure the success of the tournament.  Proceeds from the Funfest are used to subsidize costs of the tournament team season (i.e. registration fees for other tournaments).  

Team selection process  

Try-outs for the U8-U14 divisions will be run by the Manalapan Soccer Club.  UK Elite Trainers, or impartial MCS coaches/Board Members will conduct try-outs for the U7 division.  Representatives of the Manalapan Soccer Club will not be involved in the ratings process; however will be on the field to supervise the try-out process.  Following the try-outs, players will be selected to tournament teams based on ratings and the ability to fulfill the tournament team requirements (see below). The number of tournament teams in each division will be dependent on the number of eligible players and coaches.  All players will be notified of results within one week of try-outs.

Tournament Team Coach Selection Process

Any coach interested in coaching a tournament team must submit a letter of intent to the Director of the Funfest (posted on website) or a Manalapan Soccer Club Board member by the posted deadline. Coaches must have successfully completed the Rutgers Safety Course and have a minimum of an F License to be eligible to coach a tournament team.  Tournament team coaches are required to continue coaching their current recreation or travel team during the tournament season.  All coaches are selected by the Manalapan Soccer Club Board of Directors.

 Tournament Team Requirements  

1.      Attendance of tournament team practices (typically 2 per week).

2.      Continued participation in your current recreational team practices and games. Tournaments do not conflict with recreation games.

3.      Participation in 3 tournaments, including the Funfest (October 20)  

4.    A registration fee of $50.00 per child (subject to change).  Fees cover cost of tournaments (stated above) and 2 Tournament shirts for each player.

5.    A journal ad to be placed in our Funfest journal, by each player/family in the amount of either $20.00 for a quarter page ad, $25.00 for a half page ad or $40.00 for a full page ad will be required.  Fees are subject to change.

6.    A minimum of 2 hours of volunteer time per player per family on the day prior to, during or after the Manalapan Funfest Tournament.

7.    A copy of your child’s birth certificate and a notarized medical release form.  Both are required in order for a child to be eligible to play.  (Copies of the Medical Release form ave available in the Club Forms section of the website.)

For more information about the Funfest and Tournament Team Program please contact our Tournament Director Elaine Shuster at elayne@walnutpark.com or (212) 239-6545 x3187.