When are practice dates, time, location announced?

• For all our teams, we won’t know the exact days, times, and location of practices until closer to the start of the fall or spring season, unfortunately. Many things need to be taken into consideration when scheduling all of our teams’ practices, including the fields we have available to us (which most are managed and assigned to us by the city’s Rec. and Park department). After receiving our field allocations from the city, only then can we schedule Seals practices which are based around the coaches’ schedules (such as their other teams’ practice schedule).  After the club practice schedule is complete, Seals operations staff will update your team’s practice schedule in Byga.

When does the practice season begin and end?

• For most teams, fall practice starts the week of August 18th, 2025 and ends in early/mid December. Spring season practices start the week of Feb. 24th with practices finishing up during the week of May 12th, 2025.  Practice dates are based on field permits allocated by the city’s Rec. and Park department (SFRPD). Winter training typically starts in early December (pending field availability) and ends mid February. There is a break in the schedule for winter holidays.  After the break, training resumes during the week of Jan.6th, 2025 and ends Feb.21st, 2025.

Is there training during the winter?

• Assuming Seals can secure fields from SFRPD, Seals winter training occurs in Dec-Feb (most teams training once or twice per week) with a break during the winter holidays.  Note - training location, times and dates can change in February. The city distributes winter training field permits twice during the winter. While we try to get similar times and days it is dependent on the field draft lottery and allocations, so please understand it is likely to have a different schedule for the 2nd part of winter training.

When and where are the games?

• The games are generally on the weekends, at home and away fields. They can be scheduled anytime on Saturday and Sunday.

How are games scheduled?

NorCal Leagues: 

• They issue a tentative schedule that indicates dates the two teams can play each other. However, the managers and coaches of the two teams work together to find a time that works for the coaches. The dates can change from the originally proposed date if the teams agree. Byga automatically obtains the game schedule from GotSoccer, so you may see some of these shifts during the season.

MLS Next: 

• They issue a tentative schedule that indicates dates the two teams will play each other.  Club administrators work together to find a time that works best.  Dates can change from the originally proposed date if both clubs agree.  Byga automatically obtains the game schedule from Kitman Labs, so you may see some of these shifts during the season.  Players, at this level, should expect to play games every weekend.  Plan accordingly.

SF Youth Soccer (SFYS) Recreation (including Upper House):

• Issues the team schedule in SQWAD.  Seals upload the league’s schedule into each Seals rec team calendar into Byga. Games can be scheduled Saturday and/or Sunday.

When will I know the game schedule?

• As NorCal managers of the opposing teams work together to find available field slots and times that work for both coaches, the schedule is populated. This can take a few weeks at the beginning of each season before all games are scheduled. And even after a season begins, games can continue to shift around if both teams agree.

Will my team play in a tournament?

• NorCal teams have one tournament included. Many teams opt to participate in more than one tournament.  Teams are responsible for all fees for additional tournaments.  Tournament selections are determined by the coach.

What is the NorCal League?

• Seals participate in NorCal. The league offers several competitive levels of play (premier, gold, silver, bronze, copper). The coaches along with the Directors of Coaching decide which league and level each team should participate in to best support the development of the team.

Is my player able to guest play with other Seals teams?

• There may be an occasion when a player is asked to guest with another Seals team. The coaches of both teams must agree to the guesting opportunity. The player pass (for the appropriate league) must be presented at the game. If a player is asked to guest for a team outside of SF Seals, approval must be obtained from the Director of Coaching.

Is there player movement between teams?

• There can be player movement between teams up or down at any time. Generally, this will occur between seasons and there will have been discussions with the coach. Also, although Seals try to minimize coach changes for a team, changes are sometimes unavoidable to balance the needs of the club, the team, and the individual coach.

Do existing Seals players need to try out each year?

• Current Seals players do not need to try out each year.  However, we ask returning players to go to Try Outs and participate.

What is SQWAD?

• SFYS uses SQWAD registration system for their Recreational teams and Upper House teams. 

What is SF Youth Soccer (SFYS) League?

• This is an SF based league that offers registration for Recreational teams and Upper House (competitive) teams.  Upper House teams play their games in SF - no traveling.

If I have a school-based team that wants the Seals to coach our Recreational team, who can help me?

• The Seals would love to coach your school-based team! To start the process Contact anna@sfseals.com or zak@sfseals.com.

If you do not have an account set up there, please create a family account with your player profile and make a note of your SQWAD account email address.  You can access SQWAD via their App or via desktop here:

What is the role of the coach?

• Seals teams are coached by licensed professional soccer coaches. These individuals not only have a love for the game, but they are dedicated and enjoy working with and developing youths. Our coaches encourage players to give their best effort on and off the field.

• The coach directs the team’s practice sessions and coaches at games and tournaments. The coach makes decisions regarding team rosters, playing time and tournaments.

What is the role of the Team Manager?

• The team manager is the liaison between the coach, the club and the parents. NorCal team managers communicate with opposing teams and schedule games, and they assist coaches with game day operations (print game day match cards, player passes, etc.).

• *The team manager does NOT coach, sit on the players’ side, make decisions about rosters/playing time, or decides on tournaments.