The time has come for requesting teams for the 2009-2010. The PSAL will now be conducting a two-step application process. A Principal’s letter of interest will be the first step in the application process. The second step will consist of a follow-up interview for those schools being considered for team. The interview will give us the additional information necessary to determine whether or not a school meets our team approval criteria.

Step 1-Letter of Interest Application

Any school that would like to request teams must email a letter of interest (no longer than one page) on school letterhead from the principal to Ms. Maria Lenna.

Your letter of interest must include the following information:

· Current grades within school (Examples: 9th Grade ONLY, 9-12)

Special Note *** Varsity team requests can only be considered for schools with enrollment/ population of grades 9-11.  Junior Varsity team requests can only be consider if your school has an existing Varsity team in the sport you are requesting.

· School location and campus status (Number of schools within your building and their names)

· Student register (Number of boys and girls)

The letter of interest must also address how your school meets all of the following selection criteria for the sport(s) you are requesting:

I. Level of student interest

II. Availability of regulation facilities (practice and competition)

III. Qualified coaching staff

IV. Financial commitment to support the team(s)

If your school has dropped any teams within the last 3 years also include why and how you have made adjustments to prevent this from happening again.

Within two weeks of the application deadline, you will receive email notification as to whether or not you will continue to Step 2 (Interview).

Step 2-Interview

The interview will be approximately 30 minutes. It serves as an opportunity for applicants to present information about their school that will support the future success of the team(s) requested.

For the interview, we encourage applicants to bring any supporting documents (i.e. student interest surveys, information about existing club teams, facility information etc.)

Within two weeks of completing the interview, applicants will be notified via email as to whether they have been granted the team(s).

Important Application Notes:

If you are planning to apply for more than one sport, please address each sport you are applying for specifically in your letter of interest. If you do not explain your interest in each sport, you will only be considered as an applicant for the sport you addressed specifically in your letter of interest.

Although we encourage you to apply for any and all sports for which you are both interested in and consider yourself qualified for, we ask you to be mindful when submitting requests for multiple teams.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria summarize the characteristics shared by successful PSAL athletic programs and are the basis for all approval decisions. We strongly encourage you to keep them in mind as you complete the application process.

Level of Student Interest

• Ability to demonstrate a high level of student interest and need for the sport being requested

Availability of Regulation Facilities

• Secured regulation practice facility and competition facility to be utilized for the duration of the season

Qualified Coaching Staff

• Have NYC certified physical educators who have committed to coaching
• Have NYC certified teachers who have committed to coaching and are willing to take necessary coaching courses within the mandated time frame to serve as coach
• Have staff with appropriate AED and CPR training by Emergency Skills and First Aid training by PSAL Instructors or have scheduled classes to receive this training

Financial Commitment

• Demonstrate a commitment to supporting teams financially for the entirety of the team’s existence. Schools are responsible for providing the following for their teams:
  • Uniforms
  • Equipment
  • Transportation
  • Officials for Non-League Games
  • Security

If you have any questions feel free to call (718) 707-4200 for assistance.