Evaluation & Placement Process

Ready to Join a GAC Team?

Guildford Athletic Club welcomes both new and returning players to be part of our inclusive and competitive soccer community. Whether you’re looking to grow within your current level or take the next step, we’re here to help place you where you’ll thrive.

Our staff coaches observe and evaluate players year-round through training sessions and games. In addition, we hold a dedicated Evaluation Week from June 9–16 to assess players who are:


• New to GAC

• Interested in playing at a higher level

• Returning and missed previous evaluations


📅 Times and dates are subject to change — view the full schedule here


Our Select Teams provide a structured, supportive environment focused on development, competition, and fun at every level:

• U9/U10 Development Stream - Weekly High Performance Academy, staff-led and volunteer-led sessions, plus competitive games.

• U11/U12 Division 1 - Weekly High Performance Academy training, combined with staff and volunteer-led sessions and competitive league play.

• U13–U17 Division 1 - 2–3 training sessions per week led by a GAC Staff Coach, including video analysis and tactical development.

• U18 Metro - 2 weekly staff-led training sessions, video review, and university pathway preparation to support the next stage of player development.

Need Help or Have Questions?

Reach out to our team, we're happy to guide you through the process:

Tom Lowndes, Director of Coaching 📧 doc@guildfordac.com

Ryan Donald, Director of Player Development 📧 assistant.td@guildfordac.com


Evaluation & Team Placement

How placements work at Guildford Athletic Club

Our goal is to place every player in the right environment for development and enjoyment. This page stays up-to-date year-round by using season-neutral language and linking to live pages for any exact dates or locations.

1
Attend evaluations — Run in late August/early September for Fall and late February/early March for Spring. Exact dates are posted on the Schedules page.
2
Coach & staff review — Technical/tactical, effort, coachability, and positional needs are considered. Multiple sessions and prior coach input may be used for a holistic view.
3
Team formation — Balanced rosters prioritize player development, league requirements, and friend/coach requests (not guaranteed).
4
Placement emails — Communications typically go out within two weeks of the final evaluation. Please add registrar@guildfordac.com to your contacts.
5
Season kickoff — Practices begin the week before league play. See Schedules for start windows.

What we evaluate

• Technical: first touch, passing, dribbling, striking
• Tactical: positioning, decision making, game understanding
• Physical: speed, agility, endurance (age-appropriate)
• Social/Mental: coachability, effort, teamwork, resilience

HolisticAge-appropriatePlayer-first

Age groups & levels

Players are placed within their birth-year age group (U5–U18) and an appropriate environment (house, development, metro) based on readiness.

U5–U18House & Metro

Goalkeepers

GK-interested players may receive additional observation. Keeper training is offered seasonally; see Schedules.

Optional GKExtra support
Playing Up / Playing Down
Requests to play up are considered for exceptional readiness and roster needs; safety and long-term development lead decisions. Playing down follows governing-body rules and requires documented approval where applicable.
Coach / Friend Requests
We do our best to accommodate coach/friend requests at the house level but cannot guarantee them, especially when balancing rosters and development needs.
Missed Evaluations
If you cannot attend, register as normal and notify registrar@guildfordac.com. Players are assessed via prior coach input and early-season observations; mid-season moves are rare and based on space.
Communication Timeline
Placement emails generally arrive within two weeks of the final evaluation window. Check your spam folder and ensure your email is correct in your registration profile.
Commitment & Attendance
Consistent attendance supports player and team development. Please notify your coach of any absences. Excessive absences may affect playing time and placement in future seasons.
Season Start & Schedules
Practices typically begin the week prior to league play. Visit the Schedules page for live timing and holiday breaks.

Timeless by design: This page uses season-neutral language. For exact dates and locations, always refer to live pages: Registration, Schedules, and Field Maps.

Evaluation/Team Placement for Current and New Players


At GAC, player evaluations happen year-round . Our staff coaches regularly observe and assess players during training sessions and games to support appropriate placement for each player’s development.



Evaluations: June 9–16

In addition to ongoing evaluations, we will hold a formal evaluation period from June 9–16

for:


Players new to GACCurrent players requesting consideration for a different levelAny players who were unavailable during earlier assessments


📌

Times and dates are subject to change — check the schedule here and visit the website daily for updates.


✅ Sign-Up Required


All players wishing to be evaluated during this period must complete the form below:


🔗

2025 Player Evaluation Form

(for both new and returning players)


❓ Questions?


Please contact:


Tom Lowndes, Director of Coaching – 📧 doc@guildfordac.comRyan Donald, Player Development – 📧 ryan.donald@guildfordac.com

Guildford Athletic Club acknowledges with respect that the land on which we play, learn, and grow is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), SEMYOME (Semiahmoo), and Kwantlen First Nations, and other Coast Salish Peoples.

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