Towsontowne Soccer
Recreationl Soccer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q – What programs are offered for recreational soccer?
A – TTRC offers a co-ed academy and clinic for players aged four and five. TTRC offers separate boys’ and girls’ in-house leagues for Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, and Under 15. The program’s ability to offer each age group remains subject to registration demand and volunteer participation.
Q – How do I determine the correct age group for my child?
A – Age group determination is based on the player's calendar year date of birth. For 2017, placement is as follows: U15 - birth years 2003, 2004, and 2005; U12 - birth years 2006 and 2007; U10 - birth years 2008 and 2009; U8 - birth years 2010 and 2011; Clinic 5 - birth year 2012; and Academy IV - birth year 2013.
Q – When can my child begin playing recreational soccer?
A – Players must be at least 4 years old as of December 31st to participate in the fall league.
Q – Is clinic soccer co-ed?
A – Yes, both the Academy IV and Clinic 5 soccer programs are mixed girls and boys programs. Each team will have both boys and girls.
Q – What is the format of clinic soccer?
A – Academy and Clinic soccer both meet one time per week on Saturdays. Each session will consist of some practice time, basic skill training, and a brief small-sided game.
Q – What equipment is suggested? What equipment is required?
A – Players should wear athletic attire. The program will supply team shirts. Groups U10 and up receive more complete uniforms. Shin guards are mandatory and no player may participate without them. Soccer cleats are recommended but are not mandatory. Each player in the Academy, Clinic and Under 8 programs will receive a soccer ball. The program will supply balls to teams in the Under 10 and up leagues.
Q – Can my son or daughter play in an age group higher or lower than the league they would otherwise play in based on their age as of August 1st?
A – Players are strongly encouraged to participate at their proper age level. In very limited circumstances upon written request, after consultation, and with the consent of the program director, in-house players may play in a higher or lower age group.
Q – Can my son or daughter request to play on the same team as their friends, or can I request teammates to facilitate car pooling? Can I request a coach that my child had previously?
A – TTRC has over 900 participants in the soccer program. Consistent with our mission statement, our goal is to have fun, teach the participants the game of soccer and establish teams that are roughly equal in skill level. Fulfilling requests is secondary to establishing balanced leagues. Although requests are taken into consideration, the program has no obligation to fulfill any particular request and makes no promise in that regard. Of course, a parent who coaches will have their own child on the team, and siblings who qualify to play in the same age group will be placed together (unless specifically requested otherwise). Please note that at ages U10 and up, the program’s obligation to attempt to assemble balanced teams is particularly paramount, and, accordingly, grouping teams in accord with family requests secondary.
Q – How many practices and games per week does the in-house program offer?
A – All in-house participants above clinic level will have two sessions per week – one weeknight practice or game and a game on Saturday, usually Saturday morning.
Q – When does the season start and end?
A – Although some groups may play earlier, generally, the season starts for all teams not later than the first Saturday after Labor Day weekend. The season usually ends not later than mid-November.
Q – When will we be contacted about the team my child will play on?
A – The teams will be formed in mid to late August and you should expect a call on or before Labor Day. Please do not call or e-mail to inquire at any time prior to that day, as no information will be available.
Q – What if my child changes his mind about playing after we register, if we move prior to the season starting, or if we otherwise withdraw after registering?
A – Because the Program initiates planning, including making commitments for uniform and equipment orders and reserves spots for registered players, prior to the season start, registration fees are generally not refundable and the Program has no obligation to grant refunds. Please submit any refund request via e-mail to the program director, John Ward at [email protected]. Any refund granted will be subject to an assessment of administrative charges, covering, in part, the cost to the Program of online service fees.
Q – Where can I find out information about TTRC’s travel soccer program?
A – See the FAQ under the Travel Soccer tab on this website, send an e-mail to the program director at [email protected], or contact the travel coordinator listed under the Program leadership.
Q – Where can I find out information about Towsontowne’s indoor soccer program?
A – See the indoor program description under the Programs tab or send an e-mail to the program director at [email protected].
Q – Are there opportunities for parents to volunteer?
A – Yes. Towsontowne Soccer is a volunteer organization, and the program cannot be maintained without parent volunteers. In addition to coaches and assistant coaches, the program routinely requires league coordinators, referee coordinators, and others willing to lend assistance. Prior soccer experience is not required. Participating as a youth sports volunteer is a valuable and rewarding endeavor. Contact the program director for additional information. Please indicate an interest in volunteering on your child’s registration form or contact the program director at [email protected].
Q – What if I have other questions that aren’t answered above?
A – The best way to have your questions answered is to contact the program director at [email protected].