2023 FALL 3rd – 8th GRADE RECREATIONAL

Eight games will be played on Saturdays starting 9/9/23 and ending 10/28/23.

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

League games are played on Saturdays, beginning 9/9/23 through 10/28/23.

Practices may begin mid-August.

WUFC Kick-Off Jamboree to be played 8/26

All home games will be played on local fields in West Linn and Wilsonville.

COST

3rd – 6th Grade
$209*

7th – 8th Grade
$219*

*A $40 early registration discount will automatically apply to all 3rd-8th grade divisions during the checkout process when registering before July 1st, 2023.

Willamette United FC is using a new registration platform for all our soccer programs. Parents will need to create a PlayMetrics account before they can register their player.

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.

Click here for more information.

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. Credit charges will not be processed until the player is confirmed and assigned to a team.

Uniforms

Available after August 1st at Tursi Soccer Store. Tursis offers our members a 15% discount off all items other than the WUFC team uniforms.

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

Recreational soccer team assignments are probably the least pleasant part of the season for our staff. It’s a challenge to assign nearly 2,000 kids to 170+ teams. Even though we try, we cannot possibly make everyone happy. To help you better understand our process we have “briefly” summarized the team assignment process:

For 1st-8th graders, rosters from the previous season act as a template. Players are reassigned to the same roster unless we are asked not to do so. Late registrants are only added to those rosters as space allows; just because a player was on a certain team last year doesn’t guarantee that same placement if the registration is late. New Club members are assigned to teams based on space, the school attended and if possible, teammate requests.

We first start by grouping players by grade, gender and the public school that they either attend, or in the case of players who attend private schools, whatever public school they live nearest to. Smaller teams mean we’ll need more coaches!

K – 2nd grade teams will play 4 v 4 games.
3rd & 4th grade teams will play 7 v 7 games (fall) or 7 v 7 games (spring).
5th & 6th grade teams will play 9 v 9 games (fall) or 7 v 7 games (spring).
7th & 8th grade teams will play 11 v 11 games (fall) or 7 v 7 games (spring).

Our goal is to assure adequate playing time (in recreational soccer, each player WILL play at least 50% of each game, unless there is a disciplinary issue) as well as provide for adequate substitutions in the event missing players.

Once game schedules are done, usually 1 week prior to the first game day, chances of getting on a team decrease.

During the registration process we do allow for parents to “request” players or coaches. Parent coaches always have their child on their team. We want to stress that although you may have requested a teammate or coach, we will NOT guarantee to accommodate your request.

We allow a parent to coach their own child, so long as they are the same age as the rest of the team. We also allow each team to have one assistant coach, and that parent may also have their child on the team. Teams are limited to ONLY two registered coaches. Other parents may help as long as one of the registered and approved coaches is present.

Recreation coaches are all volunteers that dedicate significant amounts of time to the team. Each year we welcome our coaches back. If they volunteer again and we are not aware of any significant issues with the team, they are given the first option to again coach that team.

We do not allow coaches to pick their team or to add a new player to their team simply because they request a child. Any new kids are assigned based upon the process that was explained above.

Willamette United will field as many teams as possible, as long as there are enough parent volunteers to coach them.

We understand that this process is not perfect. We also understand that 10-20 of our 1,200+ families will be upset that their requests are not accommodated. To these families we appreciate their frustration and apologize that we are not able to accommodate your request. If this occurs, we will gladly refund your registration fees if a refund is requested by August 1st of each year. We will keep a small service fee to cover our online registration and credit/debit card processing fees.

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 free to all club coaches. Coaches will get email communication about all coaching education programs we offer.

Member Assistance Program

The club has limited funds available for financial aid for families. If you need to apply for assistance, please complete a Member Assistance Program (MAP). Click on the button below to access our Recreational MAP form.