2024 FALL 3rd – 8th GRADE RECREATIONAL
Eight games will be played on Saturdays starting 9/7/24 and ending 10/26/24.
Volunteer Coaches help manage games.
AGE GROUP
Grades 3rd–8th
3rd-4th grade:
Size #4 soccer ball, 7v7 fields
5th-6th grade:
Size #4 soccer ball, 9v9 fields
7th-8th grade:
Size #5 soccer ball, 11v11 fields
Teams are gender and grade level specific, i.e. 7th grade girls, 3rd grade boys.
Each team will require 1-2 parent volunteer coaches.
DATES
There will be eight games that will be played on Saturdays starting 9/7/24 and ending 10/26/24. Practices may start late-August.
Practices may begin late August.
WUFC Soccer Fest to be played September 7th
All home games will be played on local fields in West Linn and Wilsonville.
COST
3rd – 6th Grade
$219*
7th – 8th Grade
$229*
*A $40 early registration discount will automatically apply to all 3rd-8th grade divisions during the checkout process when registering before July 1st, 2024.
Coaches Needed!
Volunteer coaches make this program work!
Parents who volunteer to coach their player’s team should register with us at the same time they register their player. There is no cost to you to register as a coach. Coaches will also need to fill out online background disclosure statements, take an online concussion certification course as well as an online SafeSport training.
Wait List
After our registration deadline all players will go on a wait list. Players will be confirmed and assigned to teams if and when roster spots open. Parents will be notified when as players are placed on teams based on available spots.
Uniforms
Available at Tursi Soccer Store.
Willamette United is an official “Nike” club and as such, all players must wear WUFC Nike uniforms.
WUFC tries to limit the amount of money parents have to spend on uniforms so we try to keep the same jersey design from year to year; typically last year’s jersey will be acceptable to use for the upcoming season. If you already have a WUFC Nike uniform kit, you should not need to buy a new one.
Do not print a number or name anywhere on your jersey.
3rd-8th Grade WUFC Uniform Items:
Required Items: WUFC Navy Jersey, White Jersey, Navy Shorts, Navy Socks
Optional Items: WUFC Backpack, Warmup Top, Warmup Pant, Hooded Sweatshirt, Rain Jacket
3rd-8th Grade Gear List:
All players should have the following gear: Cleats, Shin Guards, Water Bottle, and Soccer Ball
Soccer Ball Sizes:
3rd – 6th Grade: Size 4
7th – 8th Grade: Size 5
Team Assignments
Team formation is based on the previous fall recreational season.
First and foremost, players wanting to return to their previous fall recreational team will have priority in team placement when registering before our registration deadline. We believe this is a great way to maintain team continuity and foster a sense of community among our players and volunteer coaches. Please note that previous volunteer coaches and players may not register for this upcoming season.
After returning players have been placed, we will consider coach requests and then teammate requests. We understand the importance of playing with friends and having a coach who understands a player’s strengths and weaknesses.
Next, we will consider the city the team is based in (West Linn or Wilsonville) and the school the player attends.
Finally, registration date will be considered in team placement once we have opened up the registration waitlist. We encourage families to register early to ensure their child has the best chance of being placed on their preferred team.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during the team formation process. Our goal is to create an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all of our players.
Coaches Training
Our volunteer coaches are the glue that binds the program and helps build the technical foundation for our young soccer players.
Over time, our volunteer coaches have become more versed in the game as many have played competitive soccer themselves. However, there are a fair number of coaches that never played the game and need help understanding skills and technique. Even if a coach knows the rules, most coaches need help understanding what skills are age appropriate, as well how to better communicate to our young players.
Willamette United will continue to offer coaching clinics to all our WUFC volunteer coaches. Coaches will get email communication about all coaching education programs we offer. If coaches have any questions about training, please reach out to our Director of Coaching [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
No casts of any kind may be worn during practices, warm-ups, or games. Support braces that contain metal may not be worn either.
Please check the Soccer 5 website for fall rec game schedules.
Teams can typically start practicing in late August. The start date for team practices varies from year to year based on field availability. Please contact your team’s coach for more information in regards to practice times and locations.
Please view our field maps for practice field locations (Resources > Field Maps > Select Location).
Fall rec practices are held at various parks and schools located around the West Linn and Wilsonville areas. Our volunteer rec coaches submit a practice request form to WUFC for their preferred practice time and location based on the field availability we were given by the local Parks and Rec Department or School District.
Please view our field maps for practice and home field locations (Resources > Field Maps > Select Location).
You can purchase WUFC game uniforms from Tursi’s Soccer Store. WUFC tries to limit the amount of money parents have to spend on game jerseys. WUFC tries to keep the same jersey design from year to year; typically last year’s jersey will be acceptable to use for the upcoming season.
Please visit our WUFC Uniform Page to find your player’s specific uniform requirements.
Jersey numbers AND names are not allowed on the back of WUFC rec soccer jerseys.
Please see our WUFC Policy Guide for our refund policies.
WUFC is committed to fostering an educational environment to allow referees at all levels to develop their skills. For our rec program, we use Referee Mentors to help support referees build confidence in their refereeing skills.
Where can you find Referee Mentors?
- Referee Mentors will be seen anywhere near the field. Typically they will stand on the team sideline between both teams at the half line where they help administer substitutions, assist the referee(s) with game management, and provide other support as listed in the overview provided below. Referee Mentors also walk around to the spectator’s side of the field to, observe, listen, and advocate only when necessary.
What is the Referee Mentors role?
The Referee Mentor plays many important roles in the development of referees:
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As a friend, the Mentor must be persuasive in his/her comments to the referee. The referee must trust the motives as well as the judgment of the Mentor and believe that the Mentor gives freely of time and effort.
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As an observer, the Mentor must provide sound, simple advice and assistance that leads the referee on the shortest path to success. The referee must believe in the sincerity and credibility of the assistance given.
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As a supporter, the Mentor offers encouragement in unlimited supply. In this view, the referee can do no wrong, but can always be encouraged to do better. This is unconditional support for the person, not for everything the person does.
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As an advocate, the Mentor is obligated to take the part of the referee in all encounters. No criticism or dissent can go unchecked; no party can challenge without the proactive, positive involvement of the Mentor.
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As a choreographer, the Mentor helps the new and developing referee to stage the officiating process. From the opening — arrival and inspection of the field – to closing — the post-game ceremony and bookkeeping.
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As an advisor, the Mentor provides accurate, factual information that gives the referee additional insight and understanding. The Mentor can encourage and assist the referee to move through the upgrade process.
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As a coach, the Mentor offers tactical instructions to help the referee manage his games with practical and realistic suggestions in improving his performance and enjoyment of the game.
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As a role model, the Mentor gives the developing referee a real person to emulate. The Mentor’s attitudes, values and behaviors set the example that the referee is likely to follow on the field.
Earrings and other jewelry of any kind may not be worn during practices, warm-ups, or games. This includes, but is not limited to earrings, nose rings, necklaces, barrettes, watches, and necklaces. Players should not get any new piercings after June 30th.
We try our best to have all fall rec team rosters available to parents by the middle of August.
All spectators are required to maintain a minimum of a 3 yard buffer between themselves and the game field sidelines. No player, coach, parent, spectator, or pet is allowed to sit or stand behind the field’s two end-lines (the line that runs between the two corner flags where the goal is sitting on).
For the safety of the players and pets, we ask that our families leave their dogs and other pets at home. Spectators that must bring their dog or other pet to the game are required to keep them 10 yards off the sidelines. This rule is MANDATORY and will be enforced by referees, or referee mentors, if they feel that an animals presence is a potential danger to the players. Service dogs will be allowed to sit with their owner at the 3 yard mark provided they can be placed in a position where they are BEHIND the owner giving a buffer between the animal and the field of play.
WUFC does not own or maintain any fields at this time. Local City Parks Departments and the school district maintain and rent all fields to us for use during our seasons. We would like your help to make sure all fields are in a safe playing condition for our kids. All coaches and parents can help by walking the fields prior to practices and games to make sure conditions are safe. If you’re interested in volunteering to help maintain field conditions, please contact us.
Hosting an end of the season team party is optional. Please keep any costs associated with a team party to a minimum and make them optional to your teams.
WUFC has a special promotion with Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center. If a WUFC soccer team hosts their end of season party at Bullwinkle’s and mentions that they are a WUFC soccer party, Bullwinkle’s will donate 10% of all the proceeds back to WUFC.
All Kindergarten through 2nd Grade soccer teams play in an internal WUFC soccer league, these teams will only play other WUFC soccer teams. Soccer 5 handles all game scheduling for WUFC’s K-2nd grade league.
All 3rd Grade – High School Coed teams play in the Soccer 5 Recreational Soccer League. Soccer 5 serves the communities of Aurora, Canby, Clackamas, Colton, Damascus, Estacada, Gladstone, Hubbard, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Molalla, North Clackamas, Oregon City, West Linn, Wilsonville, and Woodburn. Soccer 5 handles all game scheduling for 3rd grade – high school coed soccer teams.
The rules of the game change by grade. Please check the Soccer 5 website for the most up to date league rules by grade.
Game Format | Keeper? | Ball Size | Field Size | Referees? | Game Length | Goal Size | |
Kindergarten | 4 vs 4 | No | 3 | 20 x 30 yds | Coaches | Four 8 minute quarters | 4′ x 6′ |
1st and 2nd Grade | 4 vs 4 | No | 3 | 20-30 x 40 yds | Coaches | Four 10 minute quarters | 4′ x 6′ |
3rd and 4th Grade | 7 vs 7 | Yes | 4 | 35-45 x 55-65 yds | Paid Referees | Two 25 minute halves | 6′ x 18′ |
5th and 6th Grade | 9 vs 9 | Yes | 4 | 45-55 x 70-80 yds | Paid Referees | Two 25 minute halves | 6′ x 18′ |
7th and 8th Grade | 11 vs 11 | Yes | 5 | 55-75 x 95-120 yds | Paid Referees | Two 35 minute halves | 8′ x 24′ |
High School Coed | 11 vs 11 | Yes | 5 | 60-75 x 100-120 yds | Paid Referees | Two 40 minute halves | 8′ x 24′ |
Game schedules for the fall rec season are generally posted about five days before games are to begin. Rec games typically start the Saturday following Labor Day. Please check the Soccer 5 website for game schedules.
Rec games typically start the Saturday following Labor Day. Please check the Soccer 5 website for game schedules.