Why do we register so early for the Fall season?
River Park Soccer Club is part of a few larger organizations, Metro Kids Soccer League (MKS), Capital Soccer Alliance (CSA) & NorCal Premier Soccer (NCPS). The registration calendar is set up to meet the insurance and liability requirements of all organizations. At the Club level we take advantage of that long timeline to assemble teams, recruit coaches, and follow up on registration information.
How do I request specific practice days and times?
We cannot accommodate requests for specific practice days and times, nor do we allow transfers to other teams for schedule reasons. Our volunteer coaches set practice schedules just before the season, after the team formation process is complete. You can expect practices to begin after August 1. Most teams practice twice a week between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Younger teams usually practice for an hour at a time; older teams may practice longer.
Can my child “play up” in an older age group?
Yes, with Club approval, a player may play up in age. For safety and logistical reasons, the Club discourages this plan and will consider the situation on a case-by-case basis. Often, the request to play up will not be considered until just before the season, when we are sure that there is roster space available in the higher age group.
Can my child “play down” in an younger age group?
No, RPSC does not allow a child to play below his/her age group regardless of size or experience. RPSC allows rare exceptions due to medical or developmental conditions.
Are there co-ed teams with both boys and girls?
All our teams are co-ed in the Under-6 age group (four and five year-olds). In the older age groups the teams are separated by gender. RPSC learned that overall participation declines when leagues are mixed-gender. Occasionally a girl will choose to play on a boys’ team and face all-male competition during the season.
When will I know about our team and coach?
Coaches receive their team rosters in mid summer and will notify players ASAP.
I might like to help coach a team?
All of our coaches are volunteers, and many of them are brand new to soccer. We can’t do this without you parents, so please contact our Head Coach & he will help you understand the responsibilities and rewards about being a coach in our Club.
When does the soccer season begin?
Practices begin early August. Games are played on Saturdays, beginning after Labor Day and ending before Thanksgiving. You will receive a schedule for the first five games, there will be one weekend off, and then a schedule will be published for the last five games.
What equipment will my player need?
Your player will need soccer cleats, shin guards, and a water bottle. We strongly encourage players to bring their own ball to practices because the club provides coaches with only a few balls. If you do purchase a ball, be sure to get the correct size: U6 and U8 players use a Size 3, U10 and U12 players use a Size 4, and U14 and up players use a Size 5.
What is Under 6 (U6) soccer like?
U6 teams usually have 11 players under a volunteer head coach. Hopefully he/she will have several assistants like yourself. Boys and girls play together on the same team. The kids are 4-5 years old, uncoordinated, and follow the ball like a beehive. We try to create balanced teams and don't keep standings. Some parents find it important to keep track of the score during the game. During the week a U6 team will have 1-2 practices of at most 1 hour. Teams can start practicing as early as August 1, but many U6 teams don’t begin until late August. On Saturdays the teams match up against each other in 4v4 games with goals and uniforms and shouting parents. There is no travel involved beyond our local fields at Glenn Hall Park. Kids generally like practices more than the games, and some who participate fully in practice may be too intimidated to play on Saturday. Emotional maturity is all over the map with these kids, and the most successful U6 coaches are gifted with patience and enthusiasm, rather than supreme soccer skills.
What is Under 8 (U8) soccer like?
U8 soccer is quite a bit different than U6 soccer. U8 teams are separated into boys teams and girls teams, although occasionally a girl will choose to play on a boys team. Most U8 teams practice for 1 hour or 1.5 hours, two days a week. Most U8 teams are already practicing by August 15. Saturday games start as early as 8:30 and as late as 2:00 pm. Half the games will be away games against other soccer clubs. The schedule is different for every team, but you might travel to places like East Sacramento, Greenhaven, or even Clarksburg. These clubs--and our own--are all members of the Metro Kids Soccer League (MKS). Because nobody likes a blowout score, U8 teams throughout the League are seeded according to their talent and average age. Your team’s opponents should be similarly skilled. 2 games are played 4v4 on parallel fields with substitutes.