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What is recreation soccer?

Our Richmond Kickers recreation soccer program is designed to provide a safe, family friendly environment for children to learn about the beautiful game of soccer and have fun at the same time.  Recreation soccer is not about winning!  It is about the players learning positive life skills and making friends!  The emphasis is on participation.

What is different about the Kickers’ Recreation program?

The Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club is a member of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). A MAJOR emphasis throughout the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 seasons and beyond will be placed on the life lessons learned within the program. 

One of the points is the ELM tree of Mastery;  E is for effort:  L is for learning; and M is for mistakes.  Mistakes are O.K.;  we can learn to respond to mistakes positively!  www.positivecoach.org

We will HONOR the game through "ROOTS"; R= Rules:  Refusing to bend the rules to win, O=Opponents are a gift that bring out our best; O=Officials help make our game safe and they are not perfect nor are we; T=Teammates are fun to be with and we are committed to each other and support each other on and off of the field; S=Self; I will Honor the Game no matter what to keep my self respect!

 When does it start and end?

The Fall 2008 season is scheduled to start in the beginning of September.  Practice fields are open on September 1st, 2008 and the first game is scheduled to start approximately on  Saturday, September 13th, 2008.   The season will end by mid November.  No games will be played on the weekend of Columbus Day. The Spring 2009 season is scheduled to start in late April and ato end by the middle of May.

Where does my child practice?

Practices are at Dorey Park usually on field 4 or field 3 (the field to the right of the concession stand and bathrooms if you are facing the fields).  Take I-64 E to the Laburnum Ave. exit. Turn right (south) on Laburnum, past the Nabisco plant to Darbytown Rd. Turn left, continuing on Darbytown past Strath Road; the park will be on your right.   Go into the park and turn right at the 1st football field.  Most sessions will be on field # 4 or # 3.

Directions to Dorey can be found by clicking here!

How many times a week will my child practice?

Most recreational teams practice one time a week.  All recreational teams are guaranteed 1 night of practice field location a week. 

What time is practice?

Most coaches set up practice times after work hours (i.e. starting anywhere from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and ending 1 to 1.5 hours after the start time.) The length of practice will depend on the coach.  Most coaches only practice an hour to an hour and ½.  Younger aged teams will have shorter practice times.

How do I become a coach? 

1. Register Online by clicking here!  (This online registration complies with the VYSA KidSafe Program)
2. Read and Sign the Coaches Code of Conduct.
3. If you are coaching multiple teams you must register for each age group separately!  Please review the Coaches Code of Conduct in detail.  All coaches must agree to abide by the guidelines outlined in the Code of Conduct.  CLICK HERE

What training is offered?

Training of u4, u5 and u6 aged players is different than the training of older players. The main difference between these age groups and U8 and older is the practice.  All U4, U5, and U6 aged players are encouraged to attend the 4 training sessions offered by our trainers.  The trainers will be teaching the players, the coaches and the parents what appropriate activities to conduct with children of that age.    When there is not a practice scheduled we will provide a game format for the players on their regular night of training for these age groups.  These games will be run by the parent/coach/volunteers.

Our trainers are “experts” in the area of modeling practices that are age appropriate and developmentally appropriate for the younger players.  The focus of these sessions are for the young ones to develop a sense of the ball, self awareness, and their body movements.  These young players need to develop a love for the game and the soccer ball!  The majority of the activities are focused on the ball.  It is imperative that parents and spectators understand the emphasis is not on “team work”, but rather on individual play and creativity!  Creative being loosely defined, here!  These children just want to run and kick which is exactly what we have them doing in the small sided games.  For more information directly from US Soccer click here!

What training is offered for U8 and older players?

In addition to your regularly scheduled practice with your team coach, we offer special skills training by top trainers/professional players FREE to our members.   This Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 we will offer four (4) sessions, dates and times to be determined.  All coaches and players should attend these sessions.

What do I need for my child to play?

1. You will need to obtain shinguards for your child.  They are mandatory and must be worn underneath the socks.  The socks must cover the shinguard completely. Shinguards must be worn both in games and at practices!
2. You will need appropriate foot wear.  Soccer cleats are not mandatory.  The players can play and practice in regular tennis shoes, although preferably not white one as they get dirty very quickly!  Football and baseball cleats are NOT permitted!
3. Your child may not wear earrings and jewelry during the game.  This includes “starter earrings”.
4. Beads and beaded hair may impose a danger to the child (should they “head” the ball), and to fellow players, should they fall out and/or get swung around.  It is recommended you do not allow your child to bead their hair for a game.
5. All players are encouraged to bring a ball and labeled water bottle to practice.

What size ball should I get for my child?

U4, U5, U6, & U8 use a size 3 ball
U10’s & U12’s use a size 4 ball
All ages older use a size 5 ball

When are the games?

The majority of the matches will be scheduled on Saturdays.  Dorey Park has a unique situation in that we have lighted fields and night matches during the regular practice time may be scheduled.  There also may be a few situations where a make up match due to rain may be rescheduled during the week (this is not often nor is it guaranteed).   We are currently evaluating the option of some mid week games.

Where are the games played?

All games will be scheduled at Dorey Park.  There may an occasion where special matches may be scheduled away for older age groups (U10 and older).

What are the age groupings?

Program	Coed (DOB Range)	Girls (DOB Range)	Match Length	Ball Size	# Players
					on the field
Under 4	08/01/04 - 07/31/05	Not applicable	4 six minute quarters	3	3
Under 5	08/01/03- 07/31/04	Not applicable	4 six minute quarters	3	3
Under 6	08/01/02 - 07/31/03	Not applicable	4 8 minute quarters	3	3
Under 8	08/01/00 - 07/31/02	Not applicable	4 12 minute quarters	3	5
Under 10	08/01/98 - 07/31/00	Not applicable	4 12 minute quarters	4	6

Do I need a uniform for my child?

Your child will need a uniform if they are new to the program.  RKYSC has obtained an outstanding agreement with SCORE to provide 2 jerseys, 1 pair of shorts, and 1 pair of socks for a minimum price of $35.00 per uniform kit.  Replacement uniform pieces are available to be ordered on the application. Include size & payment when submitting the application.

Jersey: $12.00 each Shorts: $ 8.00 each Socks: $5.00 a pair

Click here for size comparisons!

How do I sign up?

Registration for the RKYSC Recreation Program Spring 2009 can be done online here.

How much does it cost?

The Fall 2008 early registration fee is $85.00.  This fee does NOT include the uniform purchase price of $35.00 per player if needed.  Players new to the program will need to purchase the uniform kit.  The registration fee is $110.00 for all registrations received after August 1st,  2008. The Spring 2009 early registration fee is $85.00.  This does not include the uniform purchase price.  The $25.00 late registration fee is applied to all registrations received after February 1st, 2009 for the Spring 2009 season.

A $5.00 discount is applied to each additional player in the household registering with our league.

Refund Policy for Recreation Fees

There will be no refunds for any reason other than the following:

1. Not being able to place a child on a team due to participation numbers.
2. A lack of volunteer coaches (team disbanded).
3. Player is medically unfit to play the first scheduled games (documented by physician’s statement).

How do I find out about any Financial Assistance Programs?

Financial Assistance is available for those in need.  Please contact our office at 804.644.5425 ext. 313, 310 or 311 or you can email us at recreation@richmondkickers.com .

How do I pay for the program?

Payment for the program is expected at the time of submitting the registration form. If you are registering online you can pay for the program directly with a credit card.  If you select to pay by check they are to be made payable to RKYSC /Recreation and mailed to 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 203, Richmond, VA  23230.  Please indicate the program (Dorey Park) and child’s name in the comments section of your check.

Special requests may be noted on the forms (both online & on the downloaded PDF file), but are not guaranteed.

When will I hear from my coach?

Each player/ parent / guardian will be notified within 1 week of  the coaches meeting. This meeting is held in the middle of August (not set yet), so you should be notified of your players’ team placement no later than the 1st week of September.

Will my child get a trophy?

Yes, if your child is in the Under 4 to  Under 12 age groups he/she will receive at trophy from the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club.  The cost of the trophy is included in your fees.  Players 14 and older will receive a Richmond Kickers t-shirt which is also included in the fees.

Are there referees?

Yes, we have referees scheduled for all age groups U8 and older.  Our officials are assigned through CVSRA.

How do I become a referee?

If you are interested in finding out how to become a USSF (United States Soccer Federation) certified soccer referee, please call the CVSRA hotline at (804) 744-4900 or e-mail the head assignor at head_assignor@cvsra.com. If you already are a USSF certified referee and would like to referee games in the Richmond area, please contact one of our assignors. THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED FOR MORE REFEREES!

Do the Richmond Kickers provide team photographs and individual photographs?

Yes, the Kickers have a photography company that will schedule a "Picture Day" for all teams.  The picture day will be announced during the season.