General Information:
In-Town
All players from age 3 to Grade 2 are considered "In-Town" and do not travel to practices or games. All In-Town practices and games are held in the field in front of the primary school.
U4-U6 will have 1 hour of play time which will be split between practice time and game time at the discretion of the coaches.
Grade 1-2 teams will have one weeknight practice per week, which is scheduled by the volunteer coaches for each team, and games are held on Saturday
All In-Town players will receive a team shirt included in the registration fee. Your child will need shin guards, proper size ball, and sneakers/cleats. See the FAQs for more information regarding requirements.
Children under age 4 will be in "U4", under 5 "U5", under 6 "U6". There may be seasons where two of these age groups are combined depending on the number of players. Placement is at the discretion of the In-Town Director. All children must turn 3 by the start of the season in order to register.
*Please note for Spring Season: If your child is 3 and has a birthday Sep. 1 or later (similar to school year cut off dates), you will need to contact the Registrar for assistance with your registration at the following email: [email protected]
Travel
All players Grade 3 and higher are considered “Travel” players and have 2 weeknight practices each week which are scheduled by the volunteer coaches and the Fields Director, plus a game on the weekend which could fall on Saturday or Sunday depending on the schedule. The schedule is set by the Nashoba league, of which we are a part, and you can find the schedule and locations of away games at the following website www.nvysl.org *Please note that schedules are subject to change especially if there is a canceled game. Home field is currently the Lunenburg High School field. All Travel players are required to purchase an approved LYSA uniform which is not included in the registration fee. All Travel players must either reside in Lunenburg, or be school choice in Lunenburg -any questions please contact [email protected]
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions!
1. When does the season begin and how long will it run?
The fall season begins the first weekend in September (depending on timing of Labor Day). The spring season begins the 2nd weekend in April (depending on weather/field conditions). Both seasons run for 8 weeks.
2. How much does it cost?
Fees are set as follows:
In-Town U4-U6 $90
In-Town Grade 1-2 $100
Travel (Grade 3 to high school) $155
Registrations received before the early bird discount expiration date will receive a $25 discount. The early bird discount deadline is subject to change season to season. Announcements for deadlines will be made in email blasts and in our Facebook group and other social media accounts.
There is a $3 fee per transaction (not per player).
3. When are games?
In-Town (ages 3 through 2nd grade) play at TBD times on Saturdays.
Travel (Grade 3+) schedules vary by season and are scheduled by Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League - for travel game schedules visit: www.nvysl.org
4. Where are the games held?
All In-Town games are played in front of the Lunenburg Primary School (LPS). Travel game locations vary and are published on the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer website: www.nvysl.org
5. When are practices?
U4-U6 teams do not practice during the week. The practice is wrapped into the one hour play time on Saturday mornings. Grade 1-2 teams have a 1 hour practice during the week (TBD by coaches). Travel teams have two practices per week (TBD by coaches working with Field Director).
6. What equipment does my child need?
In-Town: your child will need to have shin pads, a size 3 ball and a water bottle at every practice and game. Cleats are recommended but not required for U4-U6. Cleats are required for Grade 1-2. All cleats need to be plastic and not have any cleats/spikes on the toe (unlike some baseball or football cleats). LYSA provides team shirts for every player. *Long hair should be secured only with non-metallic hair elastics. Jewelry (including studs) is NOT allowed while on the soccer field. All jewelry must be removed before play begins.
Travel: Cleats and shin guards are required for all Travel players. All cleats need to be plastic and not have any cleats/spikes on the toe (unlike some baseball or football cleats). Players should bring a size 4 ball for those in grades 3/4 and 5/6 or a size 5 ball for grades 7/8 and HS, and water bottle to every practice and game. Travel uniforms must be purchased and are not included in the registration fee: https://achallenge.com/clubs/lunenburg-soccer-association/ If your travel player is NEW and does not have a number assigned yet- please leave blank. The uniform company will assign your player a number.
*Long hair should be secured only with non-metallic hair elastics. Jewelry (including studs) is NOT allowed while on the soccer field. All jewelry must be removed before play begins.
7. I haven't heard from my player(s) coach yet. When will I find out what team my child is on?
The In-Town Director will do his best to organize players and coaches as quickly as possible. You should receive an email from your team’s coach 1-2 weeks before the beginning of the season. Announcements will be made via email blast and in our Facebook group with the status as we get closer to the start of the season.
There are a few factors that tend to delay rosters. Late registrations that come in closer to the start of the season will delay placement and team communication. In addition, LYSA Coaches are volunteers and as such, many join us at different times during the period before the start of the season. There are times when we do not have enough coaches for all of our teams and this can also delay communication. If by two days prior to the start of the season you have not heard from your coach and you have logged into your account to confirm your registration and contact info, please contact [email protected] to have us verify your registration information and send you information for your team assignment.
8. I have registered late or heard Travel teams are full. How do I know if my child has made it on a team?
We try to place every child who wants to play, on to a team. If your child’s division happens to be completely full and a wait-list is not an option, we will contact you about other local town teams if it pertains to your player’s age group. If your child does not get placed onto a team with LYSA, your registration fee will be refunded in full. If your child is age 3 to Grade 2, and you have already registered, you should receive an email from your coach a week or 2 prior to the start of the season (see #6) or if you registered very late, you will receive an email as soon as arrangements can be made.
9. When I log in, it says there are no available divisions for my child. What does this mean?
If your child turned 3 on or after Sep. 1 (similar to school year cut off), the system will not see an available division for your child because it is set to recognize players who turn 3 by Sep.1. You will need to email the Registrar for assistance with a manual registration. If your child’s division is full, and you don’t see the option for a waitlist, you will need to email the Registrar to find out if there might be flexibility or availably to be added to a waitlist. Registration might be closed due to league deadlines, or the season starting. All registration questions can be directed to [email protected]
*Please include the following info in your email to speed things along: your child’s name and date of birth, and your full name that is listed on your account.
10. My child is turning 3 a few games into the season. Can he/she still play?
No, all players must be 3 years old by the first game in order to play.
11. I don’t want my child to play travel. Do you have In-Town for older kids?
No, all children Grade 3 and older, must play in the travel program.
12. My child just got their ears pierced. Can can he/she wear her earrings while playing soccer?
No. Lunenburg Youth Soccer follows rules put forth by the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League. All jewelry is considered dangerous and is not tolerated. Exceptions are made for medical ID bracelets, which must be secured with athletic tape.
13. Are the rules listed somewhere?
Yes. The rules governing the Lunenburg Youth Soccer program may be found in the NVYSL Bylaws (PDF). These rules are written specifically for travel teams. In-Town teams follow the rules for the U10, 6v6 travel team with a few differences made to accommodate our younger players.
14. What is LYSA's refund policy?
Any fees paid will be refunded (by check) less a $25 non-refundable registration fee, provided you withdraw before the first scheduled game. Please email the Registrar and include your child’s name, date of birth, and the name you have listed on your account to: [email protected]
15. I want to get more information in real-time - how can I do that?
Interested parents are encouraged to subscribe to our Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LunenburgYouthSoccer/
16. We don't live in Lunenburg but want to play for Lunenburg.
If your child is age 3 to Grade 2, you do not need to reside in Lunenburg or attend school in Lunenburg and you can register for In-Town.
If your child is Grade 3 or older, the child would need to reside in Lunenburg with a valid address, or need to attend a Lunenburg school in order to play on a travel team. There may be circumstances that would allow for a waiver. These rules are set by the NVYSL. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar prior to completing registration [email protected]
Principles Applicable to all Participants:
1. All participants shall treat one another and all other people taking part in LYSA sponsored activities with dignity and respect. Participants shall behave according to the rules of soccer, and shall avoid conduct that demeans, harasses, or threatens any person. A participant is any one of the following persons present at an activity sponsored by the LYSA, or at an activity in which he/she represents the LYSA: player, coach, assistant coach, spectator, referee, club official, LYSA official. Please view our Policy on Bullying here.
2. All participants should be aware of, understand, and comply fully with the requirements to which they are subject, including the principles in this Statement; the policies of their soccer club, the requirements of the NVYSL, MASS YOUTH SOCCER, and the US Soccer Federation.
Questions for President of LYSA can be emailed to [email protected]