Recreational Overview
The general purpose of the EMSSC Recreational Program is to provide a coordinated soccer program for the children of the community, regardless of where they reside. Anyone is welcome to join us at EMSSC. The program is designed for the kids to have fun with an emphasis on sportsmanship as well as on the development of skills. Coaches are volunteer coaches with the assistance of our DOC staff.
A full season consists of a total of 6 weeks of games during the Fall season and another 6 weeks of games during the Spring season. A supplemental Spring registration is used to balance teams and create additional teams for the second half of the season. Practices will typically begin 2 weeks prior to the first game. Practice times and dates are scheduled by the coach.
current - SPRING 2024 SEASON INFORMATION
Spring Season games begin April 6, 2024. The total season is about 9 weeks long.
There will be no games on April 27th due to hosting our QC Spring Shootout. Games will conclude on May 18th, wrapping up before Memorial Day.
Practices begin a couple weeks prior, weather permitting.
Rostering for the Spring season will be on February 15th - teams need to be created and uniforms need to be ordered to ensure they arrive on time!
If you registered for the Fall Season, you are already registered for the Spring and will continue on the same team. Same uniform will be used.
UPCOMING - FALL 2024 SEASON INFORMATION
Fall Season games begin September 7, 2024. The total season is about 9 weeks long.
There will be no games on September 14th due to hosting our QC Fall Shootout. Games will conclude on October 19th.
Practices begin a couple weeks prior to the first game, or when the team is assigned a coach.
Rostering for the Fall season will be on August 5th and registration will close - teams need to be created and uniforms need to be ordered to ensure they arrive on time!
When you register for the Fall Season, you will continue the season in the Spring on the same team. It is a much better deal to register during the Fall season! If gym space is available, we try to keep the kids active over the winter months. Only those that are registered in the fall get the invitation.
Why Join our Recreational program?
The Recreational Program is for those players who enjoy the spirit of the game but do not desire the more intense competition or commitment required for participation on a competitive team. Emphasis of our recreational league is on providing a fun and structured activity for the player to enjoy while learning the game. Teams are organized using the information collected at registrations. All efforts are made to accommodate special requests and to group players with kids from their schools.
A full uniform is provided that includes a jersey, shorts and socks! It's the real deal!
Costs
Fall registration includes both the fall and spring seasons at a reduced cost. The player will remain on the same team for both seasons, using the same uniform.
Parents/guardians must register all of their children under the same account and all during the fall registration in order for the following scale to apply.
1st Player - $130
2nd Player - $80
3rd Player - $50
4th+ Players - $30 each
A $20 late registration fee will apply starting on the last day of registration, until registration closes. Registration will close when rostering commences. No exceptions will be made.
Spring registration supplements the fall season. Some players are added to existing teams and new teams are created in the Spring. A uniform will be provided only to new Spring registrations. If your child played in the fall, they do not need to register in the Spring. Please see Fall Registration.
Parents/guardians must register all of their children under the same account and all during the same program (spring registration) in order for the following scale to apply. The below scale will not take into consideration any children registered in the fall.
1st Player - $100
2nd Player - $80
3rd Player - $50
4th+ Players - $30 each
A $20 late registration fee will apply starting on the last day of registration, until registration closes. Registration will close when rostering commences. No exceptions will be made.
EMSSC hopes that this payment option allows more members of our community to enjoy the beautiful game of soccer with their friends and families!
A $30 deposit is required at registration. The balance must be paid in full prior to the program start date. The program start date is 2 weeks before the first game is scheduled.
You will receive reminders if a balance is due. Please log in to your account regularly to check your balance.
Any player that did not pay the $30 deposit will be assumed to not be registered. You must hold your spot with a deposit prior to being rostered to a team.
Rules & Regulations
This is recreational soccer. The focus is for players, coaches, and referees to gain knowledge on the concepts of soccer, learn good sportsmanship, and to have fun! EMSSC will NOT tolerate any derogatory language or dissension from any participant, coach, referee, or spectator.
Park only in authorized parking areas.
The center drive going down the middle of the park is NOT for drop-off.
By city ordinance, dogs are not allowed at Jacobs Northeast Park.
Arrive 30 minutes prior to your game to ensure proper warm-up.
Spectators are not permitted to sit on the team sides of the field, nor at the ends of the fields as these are distractions to the players and coaches.
Keep in mind, referees are learning too.
Absolutely NO jewelry, except for medical alert bracelets.
Hard casts are not permitted.
Shin guards are mandatory.
Cleats are not mandatory, but are strongly recommended. Cleats with a toe spike are not permitted.
Dress for the weather. The temperatures are always more extreme at Jacobs Northeast Park.
Bring your ball, a water and a great attitude! Game days are fun!
Coaches and/or parents can decide if treats for the team should be provided. Take turns providing. The kids love treats at the end of their games!
Please communicate with your coach regarding practice location, dates and times. Trainings will vary by coach.
Always wear shin guards, even at practice...at all times!
Bring a ball if you have one. If you do not, the coaches will have a few.
Bring water. Water breaks are a must for all the littles!
Dress for the weather. The temperatures are always more extreme at Jacobs Park or any park.
| Division | Game Length | Competition Size |
Offsides | Ball Size |
Fields |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12U - 14U | (2) 25 minute halves | 11v11 | Yes | 5 | 4,5,6 |
| 10U | (4) 10 minute quarters | 7v7 | Yes | 4 | 1,3,10,11 |
| 8U | (4) 10 minute quarters | 7v7 | No | 4 | 2,7,8,9 |
| 6U | (4) 8 minute quarters | 4v4 | No | 3 | 12,13,14 |
| 4U | (4) 8 minute quarters | 4v4 | No | 3 | 12,13,14 |
Additional faq
EMSSC is a non-profit organization which relies exclusively on volunteers to operate. All parents should anticipate being asked to volunteer at least once during a season in the concession stand.
EMSSC will be using SignUp Genius to gather volunteers, rather than assigning teams as done in the past!
Your assistance is much appreciated.
EMSSC believes that all players should have a ball, shin guards and a pair or cleats. We have setup an Equipment Exchange where equipment can be donated and participants needed items can take them free of charge.
Needing Equipment?
If you are in need of cleats, shin guards or a soccer ball, stop by the garage (located next to the concession stand) on Saturdays during Rec season and take a look at the donated inventory.
Donations
Don't throw out those perfectly good items that no longer fit or are no longer needed. Drop them off at the garage on Saturday mornings during Rec season or anytime you see it open. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.
Registration typically ends about 6 weeks prior to the first games. EMSSC posts the open registration on the website, as well as sends out emails to prior participants. We make every effort to send fliers to most local schools and post on all of our social medias. In the weeks following the registration deadline we are creating the rosters, scheduling the games, ordering uniforms, meeting with the team coaches, and preparing the facilities.
Approximately 2-3 weeks before the first scheduled games the coaches are given their team rosters and should begin contacting team members. The practice locations and times are determined by the coach.
If your team does not have a coach, this process may get delayed.
Please make sure that you download the LeagueApps Play app as soon you complete a registration for all team and club communication! & keep and eye on your email.
The EMSSC Recreational program, more commonly referred to as Rec, provides the basic introduction to the sport of soccer. Rec is available to children ages 4 to 14. Rec games happen for 6 consecutive weeks, always on Saturdays, and always at Jacobs Northeast Park. There are typically 1-2 practices a week and 6 games per the fall and spring season. A weekend may be skipped if EMSSC is hosting a tournament during the season.
The EMSSC Competitive program, often referred to as travel, is a competitive program for children who have demonstrated more advanced soccer skills. Competitive participation comes at a higher involvement in both time and money. Competitive games occur Saturdays and Sundays and at many locations throughout the region. There are typically 2-3 practices a week and 6 games per spring/fall season, not including the tournaments per season. The number of tournaments vary by team.