The Recreation program mission is to provide a safe, enjoyable, and educational soccer experience with an emphasis on enthusiastic participation, regardless of ability. The program is inclusive and not based on results.
The SOCA Recreation program is a fun way to learn and play soccer.
Recreational Program DetailsSOCA’s Recreation Program is a fun way to play and enjoy soccer. The program is inclusive and not based on results. Teams are formed around schools and neighborhoods so that friends can play together. Each volunteer coach, in coordination with SOCA, selects the practice time and location for their team. Games are played at a variety of times and on fields throughout the region. Games are sized age appropriately to promote active involvement and skill development. Game results and standings are not recorded.
Each team holds one practice session per week. Practices are one hour in duration. The day, time and location are selected by the volunteer coach of each team. SOCA makes field reservations at public facilities for the club, and coaches are able to select practices from those available. Coaches who have access to private property suitable for practices may hold practice at those locations. An attempt is made to locate practices near the primary neighborhood for each team, for convenience of the families.
SOCA uses various game fields throughout the Charlottesville or Augusta region. Games are scheduled by the club. Game field use will vary each season as determined by availability, suitability and club needs. Different field sizes and configurations are used in the various age groups, following USYS guidelines. An attempt is made to geographically distribute the various age group fields throughout the region. Games are scheduled on Saturdays, typically between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
The Recreation League teams are led by volunteer Coaches. These volunteer coaches are parents, area adults, local college students and high school age volunteers.
Please consider volunteering to be a coach of a SOCA Recreation team. We are always in need of coaches for the children. Follow the on-line registration process in your personal SOCA Account to volunteer.
The Recreational coach’s commitment is to guide the players through a single 1 hour practice per week and coordinate the match each weekend. SOCA will provide coach training and resources to help you succeed. It is fun and rewarding.
All Adult volunteers must submit to a background check in order to coach in SOCA’s youth programs.
Unlike in SOCA’s other select youth programs, special requests are factored in during Recreational team formation. Special Requests may be made to play for a particular coach or with a particular player, only 1 request will be considered.
To make a special request, you must do so as you register for the program. Once you have selected the program in your account. On the next page of the registration process labeled “Registration Details”, click on the blue “Add Special Request” link located under your player’s name at the top of the page. This will open a text box for your request. After you enter your request you may then submit payment for the program.
All requests are considered and most met. Unfortunately no special request can be guaranteed.
The SOCA recreational program does allow players to play up one age group, however SOCA as an organization does not recommend this option in general. SOCA recommends young players play at the age appropriate level and match conditions to better serve their developmental needs.
Allowing your player to play in an older age group, implies your acceptance of the inherent risk in having a child play with older players. Each parent or guardian of the player playing up accepts full responsibility when approving this player movement.
In order to access the older age group programs in your account, you must click the blue “edit” link located next to your player’s name in your personal SOCA account. Then change the “no” to “yes” on the question “Allow to play up”.
“Hot Shot” aged players may play up into U8 Recreational program only if they are U6 players (born between 1/1/2016 and 12/31/2016).
Recreational uniforms include a t-shirt and socks. Players can wear any shorts or sweat pants they choose that are safe for themselves and their opponents. Your coach will distribute complete uniform sets, provided by SOCA, prior to the start of the season.
Late registered players may need to pick-up their uniform from the SOCA office directly.
SOCA’s Recreation Program is a fun way to play and enjoy soccer. The program is inclusive and not based on results. Teams are formed around schools and neighborhoods so that friends can play together. Each volunteer coach, in coordination with SOCA, selects the practice time and location for their team. Games are played at a variety of times and on fields throughout the region. Games are sized age appropriately to promote active involvement and skill development. Game results and standings are not recorded.
Each team holds one practice session per week. Practices are one hour in duration. The day, time and location are selected by the volunteer coach of each team. SOCA makes field reservations at public facilities for the club, and coaches are able to select practices from those available. Coaches who have access to private property suitable for practices may hold practice at those locations. An attempt is made to locate practices near the primary neighborhood for each team, for convenience of the families.
SOCA uses various game fields throughout the Charlottesville or Augusta region. Games are scheduled by the club. Game field use will vary each season as determined by availability, suitability and club needs. Different field sizes and configurations are used in the various age groups, following USYS guidelines. An attempt is made to geographically distribute the various age group fields throughout the region. Games are scheduled on Saturdays, typically between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
The Recreation League teams are led by volunteer Coaches. These volunteer coaches are parents, area adults, local college students and high school age volunteers.
Please consider volunteering to be a coach of a SOCA Recreation team. We are always in need of coaches for the children. Follow the on-line registration process in your personal SOCA Account to volunteer.
The Recreational coach’s commitment is to guide the players through a single 1 hour practice per week and coordinate the match each weekend. SOCA will provide coach training and resources to help you succeed. It is fun and rewarding.
All Adult volunteers must submit to a background check in order to coach in SOCA’s youth programs.
Unlike in SOCA’s other select youth programs, special requests are factored in during Recreational team formation. Special Requests may be made to play for a particular coach or with a particular player, only 1 request will be considered.
To make a special request, you must do so as you register for the program. Once you have selected the program in your account. On the next page of the registration process labeled “Registration Details”, click on the blue “Add Special Request” link located under your player’s name at the top of the page. This will open a text box for your request. After you enter your request you may then submit payment for the program.
All requests are considered and most met. Unfortunately no special request can be guaranteed.
The SOCA recreational program does allow players to play up one age group, however SOCA as an organization does not recommend this option in general. SOCA recommends young players play at the age appropriate level and match conditions to better serve their developmental needs.
Allowing your player to play in an older age group, implies your acceptance of the inherent risk in having a child play with older players. Each parent or guardian of the player playing up accepts full responsibility when approving this player movement.
In order to access the older age group programs in your account, you must click the blue “edit” link located next to your player’s name in your personal SOCA account. Then change the “no” to “yes” on the question “Allow to play up”.
“Hot Shot” aged players may play up into U8 Recreational program only if they are U6 players (born between 1/1/2016 and 12/31/2016).
Recreational uniforms include a t-shirt and socks. Players can wear any shorts or sweat pants they choose that are safe for themselves and their opponents. Your coach will distribute complete uniform sets, provided by SOCA, prior to the start of the season.
Late registered players may need to pick-up their uniform from the SOCA office directly.