Who is the Harbor Soccer Club?
The Harbor Soccer Club (HSC) is a nonprofit organization (bylaws), run by volunteers, created to provide an opportunity for children to play soccer within the boundaries of our by-laws. The volunteers are mostly parents who spend a considerable amount of time and energy trying to coordinate all of the soccer activities within the club. HSC is trying to reach out to the community and get more “non-soccer” business folks involved with the Club. If you know of anyone interested in getting involved with HSC, please contact a member of our Board.
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Is the Harbor Soccer Club part of a larger organization?
HSC is a member club of the Tacoma-Pierce County Junior Soccer Association (TPCJSA). TPCJSA is made up of other local clubs like HSC. There are 15 clubs located throughout Pierce County that are members of the association).
TPCJSA is further affiliated with the Washington State Youth Soccer Association. WSYSA organizes its member associations into 6 geographical districts. TPCSJA is part of District 3 which is comprised of Thurston County, Pierce County and South King County.
WSYSA, belongs to the United States Youth Soccer Association. The WSYSA is a division of the United States Soccer Federation. Our overall governing body is the Federation Internationale de Football Association. FIFA is the interrational authority for world soccer play.
As a member of the Harbor Soccer Club, you are part of one of the largest organizations in the world. Last year there were over 100,000 players, coaches, referees and administrators involved with Washington State Youth Soccer. Washington State Youth Soccer ranks as one of the best programs in the United States because of volunteers like yourself Your involvement in the Harbor Soccer Club is evidence of your commitment to providing quality programs for our youth. Without your participation, there would be no youth soccer in the Gig Harbor area.
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What is the difference between Recreational programs and Select programs?
A simple way to look at it is that, in recreational programs, players can request a coach/team to play on, and all that register will be placed on a team.
In select programs, players tryout to be on a team, and the coaches select players with the appropriate abilities. Not all players registered will be selected for teams. Select programs typically require a higher level of commitment of time from the players.
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Can I volunteer to help with HSC, even if I don't have a lot of time to spare?
Absolutely! HSC is run by volunteers. While there are positions in the organization that take a higher level of committment, there are always openings for volunteers that can help out for an hour, a weekend, off and on throughtout the year. Examples of these are - Tyee cup. This is one weekend, and requires many many volunteers to make it successful. Even taking the time to be a field marshall for a game helps. Another example...HFC tryouts. Every year, our select program has tryouts. Again, these typically happen over a weekend, or through the week. There are a number of areas where someone can do simple things that help a great deal. Please feel free to contact any of the board members listed on our Contact page. If there is nothing immediate, you can let us know that you are willing to help out, schedule permitting. We can call you if there is something coming up.
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Can my child play on the same team year after year?
Recreational Programs - The simple answer is yes. With the Micro, Small Sided and Full Field programs (covering ages 4 through 17), attempts are made to put players from the same teams on the same team as the previous year. There are factors that can affect this, such as combining multiple teams when transitioning from one program to another, requests from players to not be placed on the same team, registering late and having teams be full, and other events. But, the base idea is to keep the teams together from year to year.
Select Program (HFC) - In the Select programs, players must tryout for a team, and the coaches select who will play on the team. To play on the same team year after year you must tryout and be selected by the coach every year.
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When is the Fall Season?
The fall season starts in September for all age groups. Competitive (Gold or Silver) district teams will generally start the first weekend after Labor Day weekend. All district recreational teams and association teams will generally start two weeks after Labor Day. Mini teams (U7) generally begin three weeks after Labor Day. All ages, with the exception of Competitive district teams, will play a 10 game season. District Gold and Silver team will play up to a 14 game season.
***Select Girls U-15 to U-19 *** will not play in the fall of 2007. Their season will begin in February 2008 and culminate with the state championships next May. For more info, go to the WSYSA website.
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When are the games (Fall)?
The days that games are played on in the fall varies by age and competition level. All recreational teams from U-8 through U-19 play on Saturdays. The competitive (Gold or Silver) divisions for boys moves to Sundays at U-14. Competitive (Gold or Silver) divisions for girls moves to Sundays at U-15. The micro (u5/6) teams play on Sunday afternoons. The time and location of all home games is set by the league scheduler, which is generally in line with a request from the team coach.
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How much does it cost to play soccer?
Our soccer rates are on the registration form. Please note these rates include our fund raiser that is designed to dramatically lower the cost of participation
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What does my fee cover?
Registration fees pay for field equipment, including goal nets, balls and cones, player insurance, referees, medical supplies, storage facilties, field rental, coaches and referee education,. administration costs, and our registration fees to Washington State Youth Soccer. HSC provides uniforms for each players assigned to the team.
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Additional Fees/costs
All players must wear shinguards and should also wear cleats depending upon the playing surface. Additional uniform costs such as sweats or rain gear may vary by team. Some recreation teams, district teams and all select & premier teams will have additional fees which cover tournament play etc. There also may be cost for lighted practice time in late fall and winter.
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What about Fundraisers?
Teams can raise money through fundraisers like raffles, car washes, selling candy, making pizza, getting a business sponsor. Any fundraiser must be presented to the HSC Board for approval. This should not be a problem, but the HSC does need to make sure they meet the requirements for a non-profit organization.
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What are the age categories (like U7, U14, etc)?
The age categories always start with the letter U, for Under. The number following the U is the specific age category. August 1st of the current year is the cutoff to determine what age group to play in.
The easiest way to figure out what age group your child will play in is to determine their age on July 31 of the year you are signing up, add 1 to that number, and you will have the correct age category.
For example, if your child is 10 on July 31, they will play in the U11 age category.
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When do I sign up?
Recreational Programs - Registration is between April 1st and May 31st. We accept player registrations up to the start of the season, providing there is space available on a team at the appropriate age level. After May 31st, all registrations will be placed on a wait list and will be added to a team based upon availability.
Select program (HFC) - normally takes place in March. In this case, you are registering to tryout for the select program.
In both cases, specific dates are posted on the HSC website.
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I would like my son/daughter to play on a friend's team or for a specific coach.
Recreational programs - we accept "buddy" requests and try hard to accommodate these requests. Returning players will be given the first opportunity. Your best chance of getting a buddy request is to register early. After May 31st, it is the Registrar's job to place additional players on teams with the shortest roster. It may very well be that your child's friend's team has space, but the Registrar needs to place the next player on a team with less players.
Select program (HFC) - you will try out for a specific age group, and teams are formed according to ability. Coaches are assigned to the teams. Friends can try out together and may play on the same team if they are selected.
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Do you accept beginning soccer players?
Recreational programs - Absolutely!
Select Program (HFC) - Kids must try out for a spot on a team. If that beginning soccer player is good enough, they will be selected to play on a team.
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Do you have a program for kids under the age of six?
Yes we do. Our 5/6 (micro) program is an excellent way to introduce the concepts of team play and basic soccer skills. This is a low key recreational program with an emphasis on fun. All U5/6 games are played here in Gig Harbor. This program does not start until August, with games beginning in September.. This program is open to children that are either 4 or 5 on August 1st.
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What equipment do I need to provide?
All players must provide their own shin guards and socks and soccer cleats. Baseball cleats can be used to play soccer provided that the cleat on the toe of the shoe has been completely removed.
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When are practices?
The team coach determines the number of practices per week, the location, and the time. Recreational programs - team practices generally begin in late July (August for micro). Some teams may begin a little earlier if they are participating in summer tournaments.
Select program (HFC) - practices typically begin in April, again, at the coaches discretion.
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How will I be notified regarding the team that my child will be playing on?
Recreational programs - HSC will notify the coaches of the players on their roster once registration is complete and teams formed. It is up to the coach to contact all the players.
Select program (HFC) - , players must tryout to be on a team. Results of the tryouts will be communicated within a week of the completion of the tryouts, typically by phone. All players that tried out are contacted, even if they were not selected for the team.
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Can I register my child even if I am not aware of a team for them to play on?
Absolutely. When you register, the key thing is to register for the appropriate age group.
Recreational programs - because our volunteers work to organize the teams in an effort to make sure that everyone that registers has a team to play on. We try to make sure that the teams have approximately the same number of players, so that playing time is as equal as possible from one team to the next. Unfortunately, there are times when we cannot find a team for a player. In those cases, we willingly refund the registration fees. Over the past couple years, HSC has been able to place close to 100% of the players that register.
Select program (HFC) - once you register for an age group, you attend tryouts and get placed on a team. It is possible to have multiple select teams at one age group.
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What are the levels of play for the Harbor Soccer Club?
There are 4 different programs under the Harbor Soccer Club. 3 are recreational, and 1 (HFC) is our select program.
Micro Soccer is a recreational program for boys and girls U5 and U6 (4-5 years old) This league is co-ed and played in Gig Harbor
Small Sided Soccer is a recreational program for boys and girls U7 to U11 (6 to 10 years old). Separate boys and girls teams. Teams play in the TPCJSA home league
Full field Recreational-league teams are for boys and girls 11 to 18 years old (U12-U19) Teams play in both TPCJSA home league and District III
Harbor Football Club (HFC) is a full field Select program. Teams in this program play at the highest levels of Washington State Competition. Typically, these teams also participate in tournaments that may be out of state.
The levels of play and age groups are summarized below, and further explained in succeeding answers:
(Updated for 2007 season)
|
AGE
|
TYPE
|
Players
on field*
|
Players
on team
|
Games/
season
|
Length of
each half
|
Field Size
(yards)
|
Ball Size
|
|
U5/6
|
Micro
|
3 no goalkeeper
|
6
|
8
|
4-5 min quarters
|
20 x 30
|
3
|
|
U7
|
Small Sided
|
3 no goalkeeper
|
6
|
10
|
18 min
|
20/25 x 30/35
|
3
|
|
U8
|
Small Sided
|
4
|
8
|
10
|
22 min
|
20/25 x 35/40
|
3
|
|
U9
|
Small Sided
|
5
|
9
|
10
|
25 min
|
25/30 x 35/45
|
4
|
|
U10
|
Small Sided
|
6
|
10
|
10
|
28 min
|
30/35x 35/55
|
4
|
|
U11
|
Small Sided
|
9
|
14
|
10-14
|
30 min
|
35/50 x50/80
|
4
|
|
U12
|
Full
|
11
|
18
|
10-14
|
30 min
|
50x100 minimum
|
4
|
|
U13
|
Full
|
11
|
18
|
10-14
|
35 min
|
50x100 minimum
|
5
|
|
U14
|
Full
|
11
|
18
|
10-14
|
35 min
|
50x100 minimum
|
5
|
|
U15
|
Full
|
11
|
18
|
10-14
|
40 min
|
50x100 minimum
|
5
|
|
U16
|
Full
|
11
|
18
|
10-14
|
40 min
|
50x100 minimum
|
5
|
|
U17
|
Full
|
11
|
18
|
10-14
|
45 min
|
50x100 minimum
|
5
|
Micro Soccer:
Soccer for 4-5 year olds (U5/6).HSC has co-ed micro teams. Each game has 3 players on a side (3 vs. 3), there are no goalies. Micro teams play an 8 game season. Gig Harbor has it’s own micro league
Small Sided Soccer:
The Washington State Youth Soccer Association Small Sided Program is a modification of the adult game for age appropriate play This format increases the number of players on the field by one each year from U-7. This is done for a number of reasons:
o The number of players on the field is developmentally appropriate for children to experience and develop the motor skills necessary in soccer. It exposes the player to appropriate tactical decisions for their age. It also meets the needs of the player’s social development.
o The system creates a comfortable environment for the new youth coach. By increasing the number of players incrementally each year. The new coach is able to focus on creating developmentally appropriate practice sessions without the fear and need to focus on teaching specific field positions. With the emphasis on teaching the individual player, the concern for team results is minimized.
o By increasing the number of players on the field and rosters incrementally, it is easier for the coach to deal with the challenge of new players being added to the team. Often times, the new players added to the team are playing soccer for the first time. The use of small-sided games maximizes player contact time with the ball, which aids in the improvement of these new players and their integration into the team.
o The use of smaller field sizes reduces the strain on field space. Several age groups are able to share the same space, or, in most cases, more teams can play in the existing field space.
A good analogy is little league baseball. We don't expect 10 year olds to throw from a 60ft mound ,run 90 ft bases and have fences 300 ft away do we?. Then why should we expect 10 year olds to play on a field 120 yards long by 80 yards wide? More touches on the ball, more fun!
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What are Recreational teams?
Teams designed to play soccer for fun and open to children of all abilities. Anyone that registers for one of our recreational programs can request a coach or team and is assigned to a team by the HSC Program Managers (as opposed to being selected by a coach to be on a team).
Also known as Association teams, since the league for recreational soccer is administered by Tacoma Pierce County Youth Soccer Association. There are separate leagues for teams of boys and girls U7 to U19. Recreational teams include both Small Sided and Full-field team. Recreational teams in TPCJSA are not allowed to select players on the basis of ability. Instead players are allocated to teams by the Club Registrar. Recreation teams older than U10 may be divided into Gold (highest level of play), Silver and Bronze divisions.
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What are Full-field (recreational) teams?
Full field teams play on a regulation-size soccer field, and maintain up to an 18 player roster. U12 and older teams play full field. Full-field recreational teams play up to a 14 game season, from September through December. Recreational teams in TPCJSA are not allowed to select players on the basis of ability. Instead players are allocated to teams by the Club according to it’s policies
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What are Select teams?
Teams on which the Harbor FC staff select players based on ability and committment. Tryouts are held every March (changing in 2008 ) by the Harbor FC, providing an opportunity for highly skilled, highly motivated players to play at a higher level of competition during a longer season. Select teams may not play in the TPCJSA Recreational leagues. Instead they play in District State and PDL leagues.
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What are premier teams?
Select teams that seek and achieve a higher level of competition than District teams. Beginning at U13 teams may tryout for statewide leagues, known as Premier leagues. Premier leagues are further subdivided into PDL, Division 1 (highest),Division 2 and Division 3 (lowest) leagues. Theres also is an WSYDL league.
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Can earrings be worn if they are taped up?
No! Earrings can be dangerous to the player wearing them. Although, you will see professional soccer players wearing earrings and other jewelry, it is not allowed for any reason in youth soccer. Referees will not allow earrings to be worn. If the earrings are unable to be removed, the referee may not allow the player to play during the game. The referee is responsible for the safety of all the players. Plan on piercing ears after soccer season is over.
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We are a new player and we only have a birth certificate the hospital gave us. Why is this not acceptable?
Washington State Youth Soccer (WSYSA) is our governing body and they require we have a government issued proof of age on file for every child who is a member of our club.
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Code of conduct
Each player, coach, volunteer and parent are bound by the HSC codes of conduct.
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Laws of the game
Click here to view the Laws of the Game (full-field games)
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Playing Time
Recreational programs - each player on the team is to be played a minimum of 50% of every game. This is in accordance with WSYSA by-laws.
Select program (HFC) - in the select programs, player time in a game is determined by the coaches.
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How large are the teams?
All 11-a-side teams (U12 and older) have a maximum roster of 18. If there are kids that are not assigned to a team and there is room on a team roster, by-laws mandate that the child be assigned to any available roste. HSC first assigns to the team that has the least number of players.
Maximum Rosters: U5/6 (co-ed)= 6, U8=8, U9=9, U10=10, U11= 14 U-12 and older=18.
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What is the Micro Jamboree?
The micro jamboree is a season ending celebration played at Gig Harbor High School. It is the club’s way of saying thanks to the players, coaches and parents.
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How can I help?
Volunteer to coach or referee. The number of children playing soccer is growing rapidly. New coaches and referees must be trained to keep up with the demand. We provide professional training for coaches and referees. Prior knowledge or expertise is not necessary. What is needed is a desire to be actively involved with the children and a willingness to learn. The majority (10) of the current Board members had no soccer experience prior to learning the game as their children played. Volunteer to help with other club activities such as mentoring referees, setting up and lining fields, and helping with registration.
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Where can I get more information about youth soccer?
Check our Links to Other Soccer Sites or subscribe to the Washington State Youth Soccer News (206-246-5161).
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