Soccer Program Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What equipment do I need for practice and games?
Your child will need shin guards, a drink, and soccer cleats. Full WNMRC uniforms are required for U9 and above and partial uniforms are needed for younger age groups. If you have a uniform that is in good condition, you may use it. Otherwise, you may purchase one when you register. You may also purchase just the pieces that you need to complete a partial uniform. For U9 and above players, a jersey, shorts, and socks are needed. For younger age groups, a jersey and socks are needed at a minimum but you may also purchase an entire uniform if you wish.
What is the “U” in the age groupings?
The “U” stands for "under,” as in “that age & under”. The trick is in when you look at the age. For example, the U11 team is open to players who are 11 years old and under at the end of the calendar year (Dec. 31st) in which the "soccer year" ends. Note that the soccer year starts with fall season and ends with the spring season. So for the 2017-2018 soccer year that begins in the fall of 2017 and ends after the spring 2018 season, a child can play U11 in the fall of 2017 or the spring of 2018 as long as they are not turning 12 by Dec 31st of 2018. Put more simply, a child born in 2007 or 2008 is eligible to play U11 in the fall of 2017 and the spring of 2018. Does this sound complicated? It is to me so just see the age chart for more details.
When you look at the age chart, remember that a child can play in an older division but never in younger division. Since FCYSL forms teams at odd number age groupings, this means that if your child shows in the chart as being eligible for U!2, he/she must play U13 (or higher if appropriate) since there are not any U12 teams.
Also, when you click the registration link, only the programs that your child is eligible for will be shown for that child. Under certain circumstances, players may play in an older age group but they may never play in a younger age group.
Do games or practices ever cancelled due to bad weather?
Yes. Though we make every effort to hold practices as scheduled, sometimes we must cancel sessions due to weather. Cancellations will be communicated to the effected team(s) as soon as possible.
When does the season start and end?
Generally, the fall season starts for all teams not later than the first Saturday after Labor Day weekend. The season usually ends in late October but there could be make-up games or tournaments that extend into early November. The spring season starts in late March and concludes at the end of May – exclusive of tournaments or make-up games.
Are there opportunities for parents to volunteer?
Yes. WNMRC Soccer is an all volunteer organization, and the program cannot be maintained without parent volunteers. In addition to coaches and assistant coaches, the program routinely requires others willing to lend assistance. Prior soccer experience is not required. Participating as a youth sports volunteer is a valuable and rewarding endeavor. Contact [email protected] for additional information or indicate an interest in volunteering when you register online.
Who can play on a WNMRC team?
Although our name reflects the town were we practice and play home games, anybody can play on our soccer teams regardless of where they live.
What kinds of new things are you working on or have you completed?
· The online registration website.
· Surveys to help you help us to improve and grow the program.
· Becoming more involved in the community and involving the community with youth sports.
My child is turning (fill in the blank) years old on February 30th. What team should they sign up for?
Please click here for the age chart.
My child wants to practice/play at home. What size ball should I get?
U9 & younger use a size 3 ball. U11 usees a size 4 ball, & U13 & up uses a size 5 ball.
When will practice begin and when do games start?
For the U9 and above age groups, practices generally begin about two weeks before the first game of the season and are scheduled twice per week. Your team’s coach will set the practice times and days and determine when to start the practices. The first game of the fall season is just after labor day and the first game of the spring season is at the very end of March or beginning of April.
For instructional soccer for the younger age groups, the sessions are held once per week But this is subject to change since we are still evaluating the recent changes to the age groups. Note that these divisions are "in house" teams. They will scrimmage against each other and we are in the process of making arrangements with nearby clubs so they can play against others also. At this age group, the primary emphasis is on having fun but they will also learn the game & practice drills.
Where are practices held?
Currently, all practices are held at Woodsboro Park just off of Rt. 550. We are exploring other options for a larger field for our U13 team.
U9 & below practice at the lower field of Woodsboro park and U11 practices are at the upper field.
When are practice times?
Generally, Practice for the U9 & above teams are held twice per week. The coach will determine the practice times and days.
For younger players, there is one session each week. Sessions will be on a day and time determined by the coach prior to each season.
How long is the season?
The season consists of 8 games. However, holidays, rainouts, and bye weeks extend season length beyond 8 weeks. Generally, the fall season starts for all teams not later than the first Saturday after Labor Day weekend. The season usually ends in late October but there could be make-up games and there will be tournaments that extend into early November. The spring season starts in late March and concludes at the end of May – exclusive of tournaments or make-up games.
Where are games played? Will we have to travel to play?
For U9 & above, there will be home and away games with an approximate 50/50 split. The away games are generally within 30 minutes driving distance of Woodsboro but some games may be a little further away. Note that Frederick County is geographically the largest county in Maryland and some teams that play in the Frederick County Youth Soccer League are in adjacent counties.
When are the games scheduled?
Most games are on Saturdays between 8am and 4pm. Depending on scheduling requirements at the county level, there will likely be some Sunday games as well.
What can I do to help WNMRC Youth Sports? (Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer)
In addition to signing up your children to play, you can volunteer to help out. We are an all volunteer organization. There are many ways you can help that involve only an hour or two a week. To volunteer a little of your time, please complete the volunteer information when you register your child.
Will we need a new uniform?
Full WNMRC uniforms are required for U9 and above. If you have a uniform that is in good condition, you may use it. Otherwise, you may purchase one when you register. You may also purchase just the pieces that you need to complete a partial uniform. For younger players, a jersey and socks are needed at a minimum but you may also purchase an entire uniform if you wish. All players will also need shin guards.
Registration FAQ’s
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What age group should my child register into?
We provide a age group registration table that allows parents to see what age groups their child can play in. This can be found here. Also, after you sign up and enter your child’s birthday on the online registration site, only those programs for which they are eligible will appear as available for them. Eligibility for any particular program is dependent on the child's age and whether or not that program is open for registrations. Players may not play in a younger age group but may play in an older age group under some circumstances. Please contact [email protected] for details.
I want to be a coach or assistant coach. Who do I contact?
If you would like to be a WNMRC soccer coach, you may either make a note on the online registration form or email [email protected].
My child would like to play up an age group, is this allowed?
The county soccer league allows players to play up in age groups. When you register, the age appropriate programs will be shown for your child. Exceptions can be made for siblings and for other reasons. However, they do not allow players to play down in age groups.
When will schedules be posted?
Schedules will be given to the coaches soon after they are finalized at the county level. They will be shared with parents as soon as possible after that either by handing out paper copies, posting them online, or both.
What are the roster sizes?
We have no maximum roster size but we urge all parents to register their children by the initial registration deadline. After the initial deadline, new teams can not be formed so our only choice will be to add players to existing teams. And that may lead to very large teams which leads to reduced playing times, less fun, and less development of skills. At the 9U level, there are 7 players on the field at any given time. that number increases to 9 at 11U & 11 players on the field for 13U & up. Of course, the roster needs to be bigger than that to account for subs and players that can't make it to a particular game.
I registered two weeks ago and haven't heard from the coach yet?
As we get closer to the start of the season, the coach will be in contact with you regarding practice times and other details. Also, please keep in mind that we do not have coaches on staff. They are volunteers that have kids playing on the teams just like you do. And just like you, their primary responsibilities are to their families and the jobs. Being human, they make an occasional mistake or forget to include an email address on an email, etc. Please give them a break and don't forget to thank them for volunteering their time.
Why doesn’t the online registration site show any programs available to register my child for?
The system will only show programs that are available to each participant based on that participants age, gender, and open/closed status of the programs. If you do not see any programs available then either there are none available based on your child’s age and open programs or there is a typo in the participant birthday information. If there is a typo in the participant’s information simply click on “Edit Participant Info” located just to the right of the participant’s name.
I want to be a sponsor. Who do I contact?
Contact Michael Fyock at [email protected]
Questions Concerning New Age Groups & other changes mandated by US Soccer
WHO IS US SOCCER?
US Soccer is the national governing body of soccer in the United States. Below shows the hierarchy of soccer within the United States.
US SOCCER
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US Youth Soccer Association
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State Associations, such as Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA)
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Individual Soccer Clubs Across the US (Including FCYSL which WNMRC soccer is affiliated with.)
DID SOCCER CLUBS OR STATE ASSOCIATIONS GET A SAY IN THESE NEW MANDATES?
No
CAN WNMRC, FCYSL, OR ANY OTHER CLUB IN MARYLAND OPT OUT OF THESE NEW BIRTH YEAR MANDATES?
No
WHAT OTHER CLUBS IN MARYLAND ARE AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE?
All of them. Every club in Maryland that is a member of the MSYSA is affected by this change and they too must follow the new mandates set forth by US Soccer.
WHAT IS THE AGE DIVISION BREAKDOWN FOR THIS SOCCER YEAR?
Please see the Soccer Age Chart at US Soccer.
Note that the soccer year starts with the fall season and ends with the conclusion of the spring season.
Have a question you'd like to see added to this FAQ?
[email protected]