2023 FALL K-2 RECREATIONAL
Eight games will be played on Saturdays starting 9/9/23 and ending 10/28/23.
Volunteer Coaches help manage games.
AGE GROUP
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade
K-2nd grade:
Size #3 soccer ball, 4v4 fields
Teams are gender and grade level specific, i.e. 1st grade girls, 2nd grade boys.
Each team will require 1-2 parent volunteer coaches.
DATES
League games are played on Saturdays, beginning 9/9 through 10/28.
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
Kindergarten
$149
1st – 2nd Grade
$189*
*A $40 early registration discount will automatically apply to all Kindergarten-2nd grade divisions during the checkout process when registering before July 1st, 2023.
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.
K-2nd Grade WUFC Uniform Items:
Required Items: WUFC Navy Jersey, Navy Shorts, Navy Socks
Optional Items: WUFC Backpack, Warmup Top, Warmup Pant, Hooded Sweatshirt, Rain Jacket
K-2nd Grade Gear List:
All players should have the following gear: Cleats, Shin Guards, Soccer Ball (Size 3), Water Bottle
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.