What is Simply Soccer ?
Simply Soccer is an association of non-paid volunteers established for the love of the game. Organized to facilitate recreational soccer in Western Sonoma County, Simply Soccer promotes a cost effective, collaborative program. Parents will have input into the structure and leadership of Simply Soccer. The primary goals are for kids to have fun, succeed, develop soccer and team skills and not to necessarily win. We embrace these 5 philosophies:
1- Everyone Plays: Simply Soccer wants kids to have fun playing soccer, so every player will play at least half of every game.
2- Balanced Teams: Simply Soccer teams are established based on school regions and set up with skills as evenly matched as possible, because it is more fun to play teams of equal ability.
3- Open Registration: Simply Soccer is open to all kids ages 4-16 who want to play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only requirements. Grants for families with needs for financial assistance will always be supported in the budget.
4- Positive Coaching: Simply Soccer has primarily parent coached teams, with coaches encouraged and trained to make the extra effort to offer positive encouragement and build team spirit as well as player self esteem.
5- Good Sportsmanship: Simply Soccer creates a positive environment based on love for the game, mutual respect and healthy competition, rather than just winning, stressing good sportsmanship in our kids, parents and volunteers.
Simply Soccer is a non profit recreational soccer association organized by parents from many of the West County School Districts. Our goal is to ensure that kids simply have fun playing soccer. Insurance is provided for all participants and volunteers. All games will be played on school fields and at local parks. The program is operated by you and other enthusiastic volunteers who will work together to keep registration fees as low as possible.
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How do I register my child ?
If you are interested in your child playing with Simply Soccer please print out the registration form found on this web site and mail in the registration form, with fee attached (one form per child is required).
Teams will be set up based on school districts if at all possible. Kids have your friends register too.
Grants are budgeted. If your child wants to play soccer and the fee is difficult to manage, let us know on your registration form and we will make every attempt to provide assistance.
Make checks or money orders for $45.00 payable to: Simply Soccer
Mail registrations to: Simply Soccer P.O. Box 2536, Sebastopol, CA. 95473
Teams will be formed in July - so register early. Practice will typical start in early August, a coach will call you.
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How is Simply Soccer organized ?
Simply Soccer is broken down into five regions: Gravenstein, Oak Grove, Russian River/Occidental, Tri School (Sebastopol), Twin Hills/Apple Blossom. Each region has a dedicated person who represents them at the monthly Simply Soccer board meetings during the entire year.
Teams from each region will be placed in divisions based on the player’s age and sex. The only coed division is for players under 6 years of age (U6). In the past, the U-14 division has been co-ed. The decision to make a division coed is based on the total number of boys and girls in the division and on community feedback.
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When does the season start ?
Practices typically begin in early August (the exact date is left to the coach). Games typically begin the first week after school starts (early September) and usually run to the end of October.
Your son or daughter’s coach will contact you sometime in late July or early August to let you know when practices will start.
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What and when are field evaluations ?
Field evaluations are the initial process for team formation. Each player will be asked to perform some individual and team skills while the divisional coaches evaluate them.
Please watch for newsletters or check our website for updated information on location and times of field evaluations.
In most cases, players have already been evaluated by their prior years coach and in some seasons there may not be field evaluations.
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How are teams selected ?
Teams are formed based on the region (school and residence information), age and sex provided on the registration form.
Coaches will use the player’s evaluation to make sure teams in the same division within a region are fairly even in skill level, if there is more than one team per age division.
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How are coaches selected ?
Coaches are volunteers who enjoy the game of soccer and enjoy teaching children. Many coaches are a parent of one of the boys or girls on the team. Simply Soccer provides coaching clinics and other materials to help new and returning coaches improve on their coaching skills.
Speak to your regional representative, send us an e-mail or phone the hotline 583-2344, if you want to get involved in coaching.
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How do I request to play on a specific team or with a specific coach ?
Make a note on the form for your request. Simply Soccer will consider all requests but our main objective is to make sure teams are created equally so that each team will have a competitive chance during the season.
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How much time will my child play during a game ?
Simply Soccer is a instructional league for fun and as such we strive to have each child play at least 50% of the game.
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Do I need to purchase uniforms or equipment ?
A uniform that includes shirt, shorts and socks is provided for your child as part of your registration fee. You are only required to provide shin guards and soccer cleats for your child.
Simply Soccer will provide coaches with balls and cones. Goal nets will be stored on location at each school/park.
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How can I help ?
Simply Soccer is organized and run by a committed group of volunteers. However your help is greatly appreciated. During the year, Simply Soccer is involved in many events that earn us additional money to maintain fields and equipment and to subsidize our low registration fee. The club is run and maintained by the members – You!
There are also volunteers needed for coaching, team parent, field lining, event coordination, event help, evaluations, Harvest Cup tournament, etc.
Please indicate how you would like to help by checking the appropriate box on the registration form, by notifying your regional rep., leaving a message on the hotline 583-2344 or e-mailing us. Come to a monthly meeting to voice your opinion.
Also, everyone can help by making sure after each game or practice all the trash is removed from the field and placed in a trash can.
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I have an issue. Who do I speak with ?
If the issue is related to a player or coach, we suggest, first talking with the coach.
If you are still unsatisfied, discuss the issue with your regional rep. If you would like to contact a board member, e-mail us, call the hotline 583-2344, send us a letter to P.O. Box 2536, Sebastopol 95473 or discuss the issue at one of the monthly Simply Soccer board meetings. We suggest that if your issue can not be easily resolved, put it in writing and attend a monthly board meeting.
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Will my child receive a participation award ?
Yes, each player and will receive a participation award at the end of the season. The type of award (e.g., trophy, medal, etc.) is decided during the season at the monthly board meeting.
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Are there any tournaments ?
Yes, each year in October Simply Soccer organizes the Harvest Cup tournament for all Simply Soccer teams to participate. All games are played in one weekend (Fri, Sat and Sun) with trophies awarded to the top teams in each division.
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How do I sponsor a team ?
All players should help to find one – ask your coach for a sponsorship letter, or print one out here from our website. A sponsor contributes $150 to the league and may choose any team to sponsor. During the season, the sponsor receives a game schedule and their name is proudly displayed on the team banner. At season’s end, the sponsor will receive a thank you plaque, which includes a team photo.
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What about snacks ?
Simply Soccer does not make a formal stand on snacks and leaves that option up to the discretion of the parents and on each team.
As a guideline we would like to share some thoughts from parents in previous years.
Complaints:
Lack of nutrition in the snacks
Timing of the snacks. Since players usually go home for dinner after a game, a light nutritious snack is helpful.
Amount of trash generated by the snacks
Suggestions:
Fruit, carrot sticks, celery sticks, yogurt, etc. that require no packaging
Avoid single serve portions.
If you supply drinks, buy a large container and serve in washable, reusable plastic cups.
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