Q: When can my child begin playing recreational soccer?
A: Players must be 3 years old and potty trained as of August 1st to participate in the fall league or April 1st for the spring league.
Q: What age groups do you have?
A: We currently have recreation soccer for children aged 3 to U15. The age groupings are based on the Date of Birth and typically span 2-3 years depending on the registration numbers. As of Fall 2017, the groupings will be based on Birth Year instead of school year per the US Soccer mandate.
Q: Is Recreation soccer co-ed?
A: Yes, each team will have both boys and girls evenly distributed.
Q: What is the fee for recreation soccer?
A: The recreation soccer fee is based on the division your child is being registered for as well as whether you are registering early or late. (Discounts for multiple child families). The registration fee includes a fall or spring season, and a uniform shirt. You will need to purchase shin guards (required) and cleats (recommended).
Q: Can my child be on the same team as a friend?
A: Possibly. Friends that want to play together must list the name during the registration process and not be a late registration. Consistent with our mission statement, our goal is to have fun, teach the participants the game of soccer and to establish teams that are roughly equal in skill level. Fulfilling requests is secondary to establishing balanced leagues. Although requests are taken into consideration, the program has no obligation to fulfill any particular request and makes no promise in that regard. Of course, a parent who coaches will have their own child on the team, and siblings who qualify to play in the same age group will be placed together (unless specifically requested otherwise).
Q: Can I request a coach?
A: Yes, but requests are not guaranteed. You must list the coach in the specified field on the registration form. The number of players on rosters is limited and cannot be exceeded.
Q: What if my child is not placed on the team requested?
A: League coordinators and coaches organize teams using the information you provide -- taking into consideration team size and age group guidelines. Every effort will be made to accommodate coach and friend requests you have listed at the time of the registration, but requests cannot be guaranteed. The league will not make changes to rosters once teams are finalized.
Q: When do practices begin? When are games scheduled?
A: Generally practices begin in early September for fall soccer and mid-April for spring soccer. Fall season games are scheduled on Saturdays in September and October. Spring season games are scheduled on Saturdays in late April, May, and June.
Q: When and where are practices held?
A: Coaches are assigned days and times for practices and will notify players of practice schedules based on their availability. If your child cannot attend practices during their teams' scheduled practices, they can practice with another team and return to the assigned team to play on Saturdays. Practices will occur at either Wheatsworth Fields in Hardyston or Hamburg Field. Typically U6 & U8 divisions practice once a week while all older age groups practice up to two times a week. Practices are anywhere between 5-7pm on Monday - Friday dependant on the volunteer coach availability.
Q: When will I be contacted by my coach?
A: You will be contacted by your coach in late August for fall soccer or Early April for spring soccer.
Q: Can I register late?
A: Yes, but coach and friend requests will not be honored. There is also a late fee assessed for registrations submitted after the deadline. If there is no room in the division you are registering in you will be placed on a waiting list pending a roster spot opening. Registrations will be closed once the final insurance roster has been submitted. Once early registrations are closed, the number of teams are determined and we only accept new players as long as there are remaining roster spots. Some divisions do fill up and go to a wait list.
Q: What if my child changes his mind about playing after we register, if we move prior to the season starting, or if we otherwise withdraw after registering?
A: Because running the Recreation League involves planning, including commitments for shirt, insurance, and equipment orders prior to the season, the rec league has no obligation to grant refunds. No refunds will be made after the Recreation games have started.
Q: Are there opportunities for parents to volunteer?
A: Yes. Wallkill Valley Recreation Soccer is an all volunteer run organization and the program cannot be maintained without parent volunteers. In addition to coaches and assistant coaches, the program routinely requires league, referee, and sponsor coordinators, and others willing to lend assistance. Prior soccer experience is not required. Participating as a youth sports volunteer is a valuable and rewarding endeavor. Contact the league director for additional information. Please indicate an interest in volunteering on your child’s registration form or contact the league at
[email protected].
Q: Do you need sponsors?
A: Yes. We always need sponsors. Sponsors offset the costs of running the club and help keep our registration fees low. Contact us at
[email protected] to request information.
Q: What happens if I charge back/dispute my credit card from Blue Sombrero?
A: Blue Sombrero is our payment processor and is what the charge on your card for registrations will show. A chargeback incurs a cost to the league of $35 plus administrative fees, which will be added as a balance to your account.