WHGSL Training Division Spring 2024
2024 Spring Training Division Game Schedule
General information with respect to Training Division philosophy, schedule, and set-up is as follows:
Philosophy:
The overall philosophy of Training Division is to introduce soccer to beginner players in a fun-filled, action-packed environment which promotes fun, team camaraderie, and new friendships while exploring and developing basic soccer skills through practice and small-sided games. A non-competitive division, the Training Division strives to form the base foundation of a life-long passion for the game of soccer!
Teams:
Dependent upon fluctuating registration numbers, there are approximately 14 teams in Training Division comprised of approximately 14-16 players per team.
Team Placement and Buddy Requests:
The philosophy of the league is to build team rosters through the integration of players from each school and various grade levels (i.e.. K through 2nd grade). This promotes a fun, friendship forming environment focused on soccer skill development through the inclusion of players at various stages of soccer development on each team. Due to the size of the division and the inability to honor requests from each of the over 200 players, Buddy Requests are not accepted and are not a part of roster formation.
The Game:
Training Division plays small sided soccer on lined fields with flag goals. Small sided soccer consists of 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4 players on the field. Generally, a full-size soccer field is divided into four smaller fields with multiple games played simultaneously. Each team is divided into 4 small side teams (i.e. 4 players per small sided team) and assigned to the small field for the weekly game. Resultantly, All players play continuously without the need for substitutions. The goal of this format is to familiarize players with the game of soccer, and teambuilding, optimizing the amount of ball 'touches' each player gets. Games are divided into approximately 8 minute quarters with water breaks and an extended halftime break period.
Time Commitment:
There are one practice and one game per week. Practices are held on a weeknight selected by the team's coach following roster creation and run for a period of approximately one hour. All games are played on Saturday mornings at either 9:00 am, 10:30 am, or noon, varying each week per the schedule.
All practices and games in the Training Division are played in the front field area at Bugbee Elementary School.
The Season:
The soccer season is 8-10 weeks long.
Fall: Practices and game typically begin when school starts and ends the last week of October.
Spring: Practices and game begin after school recess and end early June.
Equipment Needed:
Each player will need to come to games and practices with shin guards, soccer cleats, and a full water bottle. each player is provided a full uniform, including jersey, shorts, and socks, by the league. Team jerseys should be kept for game use. Although balls are supplied by the league, it is recommended that each player also brings a Size 3 soccer ball to each practice as well to ensure all have a ball to use at all times.
Volunteer Coaches:
If interested in becoming a volunteer coach, please contact: [email protected]
Become a volunteer coach, please register. Registration can be found on the page on the right-hand side.