Recreation teams receive a T-shirt uniform.
Games begin roughly 09/07/2024.
We always need coaches! If you wish to coach a Recreation team, please reach out to
kristopher.quinn@eastlongmeadowma.gov and click
YES in the Q&A when registering.
Big Kickers and
Little Kickers will have one training with Futsal Street Soccer during the week for 45 minutes and that will run for 6 weeks in addition to their Saturday session. Both groups will have a combination practice and scrimmage on Saturdays that will be about 50 minutes (20-30 minute practice followed by a 20 minute scrimmage, Four 5-minute quarters with coach instruction). We will need parent volunteers to help run the games and assist at the Futsal trainings.
*Big Kickers and Little Kickers are both co-ed programs
First and
Second grade play together and
Third and
Fourth grade play together. They will also have one training with Futsal during the week, a practice with their team during the week, and a game on Saturday. We will need parent volunteers to help coach the games and practices and assist at the Futsal trainings. Referees will officiate the games. Coaches will coach from the sidelines and enter the field if necessary to help set-up kicks and the start of the quarters. (Four 8-minute quarters)
*
Our goal is to keep boys and girls at this age separate but if numbers are too low we may need to make the teams co-ed
The East Longmeadow Recreation Soccer program is designed for Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grades 1& 2 and grades 3 & 4. This program is perfect for players of all skill sets and abilities as it focuses on the basic FUNdamentals of the sport, as well as positive sportsmanship.
Little Kickers: Little kickers will bring an instructional introduction to the sport of soccer with an active focus on play, motor skill development and socialization. Participants will be given a T-Shirt and should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 3). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice. Parents are encouraged to coach & volunteer at this level, as children are often most comfortable around a familiar face. This is a Co-Ed program for children ages 3 and 4, Pre-K.
Big Kickers: Big Kickers is for Kindergarten age players. Big Kickers focuses on teamwork, taking turns and cooperation, all while engaging in physical fitness and learning the basic FUNdamentals and rules of the game. Participants will learn how to dribble, shoot and pass in addition to basic sportsmanship skills. Parents are encouraged to help coach and/or volunteer to lead this exciting introduction to soccer program. Participants will be given a T-Shirt and should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 3). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice. This is a Co-Ed program for children aged 5 and 6, Kindergarten.
Grades 1 & 2 Boys & Girls: This program still focuses on the FUNdamental skills of soccer with the introduction of some additional “soccer specific” concepts, rules and activities. Here is where players enhance their skill set and coaches begin to introduce concepts of attacking and defending. Players will experiment with a variety of new skills while fully engaged with a low player to ball ratio and highly dynamic activities. Volunteer Coaches will facilitate a fun learning environment in which players will develop a variety of technical and social skills. Participants will be given a T-Shirt and should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 3). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice.
*Our goal is to keep boys and girls at this age separate but if numbers are too low we may need to make the teams co-ed
Grades 3 & 4 Boys & Girls: At this level players are now beginning to recognize the team dynamic and so we can start to teach what team shape and general positioning looks like. Players at this level are more adequately able to manipulate the ball and because of that coaches will work to hone the individual skills of attacking and defending techniques. This is the level in which coaches will begin to pay attention to teaching proper technique. Practices will focus more on facilitating and learning of general field position, which for the first time will create a more organized on field approach. Participants will be given a T-Shirt and should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 4). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice.
*Our goal is to keep boys and girls at this age separate but if numbers are too low we may need to make the teams co-ed Travel SoccerGames begin roughly 09/07/2024. Registration closes 08/02/2024
A link will be provided for you to order a uniform from our vendor, Soccer City. The cost is around $60 for the whole kit. (Nike Academy jersey, shorts, and socks included) Returning players may use their uniform from last season if it still fits, you will also have the option to purchase a new one. Uniform numbers will carry over and will be assigned to new players.
Our travel teams play in the Roots soccer league. Travel teams will have one session with a professional trainer from Futsal during the week, at least one practice with their teams and a game on Saturday. Check out the Travel Soccer program description for more information.
This is a travel soccer team with
Roots Soccer League for youth U8 to U14 under East Longmeadow Soccer Association. Travel is limited to the surrounding towns in the area. The furthest games are potentially Belchertown, Easthampton, Amherst, South Hadley and the immediate neighboring towns. Half the games will be at home and half away.
If you need a new jersey or do not have one, a link will be provided to order a uniform for around $60 for the whole kit.
Travel soccer teams will have one training per week for 6 weeks with a professional Futsal coach. They will have at least 1 team practice and a game on Saturday.
Participants should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 3 for U8, size 4 for U9-U12 and size 5 for U13-U14). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice.
Individual placement on teams will be based on the Fall Evaluations as well as coaches evaluations and previous placement. Division placements are based on performance from the previous season.
Generally the age groups are as follows but please see the age group chart as this may not work for everyone:
U8 - 2nd Grade
U9 - 3rd Grade
U10 - 4th Grade
U11 - 5th Grade
U12 - 6th Grade
U13 - 7th Grade
U14 - 8th Grade
*Registration for Travel team closes August 2nd, 2024
**Travel Team spots are reserved for East Longmeadow residents first, out of town children may play if their town issues a waiver or their home town does not offer a travel team in the Roots League.
***We try our best to find a spot for everyone but unfortunately spots may be limited based on coaches, number of teams and maximum amount of players per team. Placement on teams will be determined by Evaluations and previous performance. If you register for a team and we do not have a spot for you, we will refund you in full. We will not know exactly how many teams we will have in each age group until everyone registers for the season. We never want to turn anyone away but we have to set realistic expectations.
Register for the FALL Season Today.