Youth Recreational Soccer
Youth Recreational soccer (REC) starts at age U12 and goes up to age U20. It is geared for those who cannot make a commitment to competitive soccer or who are new to the sport and wish to gradually ease into the competitive program.
Teams play in an inter club league known as the South Side Soccer League (SSSL). This league is made up of teams from at least 6 other clubs (Nepean Hotspurs, Nepean City, Kemptville, Ottawa South United, Capital United, Smith Falls). Our teams play other club teams from around the Ottawa area. Generally divisions are set up to minimize travel as much as possible, especially at the lower age groups. Teams in the SSSL play at least one game a week and practice once a week. In addition our club, in 2007, will offer them at least two weekend festivals and/or tournaments. Along with team photo calendars, participation memento and year end banquet, there is one single fee for all these activities as part of the youth recreational program.
Full uniforms (available from the club) are required along with cleats and shin pads (available at various outlets throughout the city). We use home fields located in the east and south end of the city and try to locate home fields as close to players' residence as possible. Since REC soccer is essentially first come first served, home field preferences are only guaranteed if registration is made early in the year. The general philosophy of REC soccer is equal playing time for all. Although winning is a common goal for sports, it is not stressed in REC soccer. Skills development, fun and team camaraderie are the primary objectives.
Team selection and practices generally start in mid-May. Regular league games start the first week in June and the season ends at the end of August or the first week in September. A year end banquet generally concludes the summer season at the end of September.
Our coaches are trained either through the club or by other means and we provide them with refresher sessions at least once or twice a year to ensure they understand the approach and philosophy of REC soccer. Our REC and competitive coaches are provided contact information for each other and a dialogue is fostered between them to ensure that competitive teams requiring players (due to injury or holidays) are made aware of available players from youth REC divisions. In the event that a player in REC shows promise and a desire to play in the competitive divisions, then all avenues are explored throughout the season to ensure that players are placed on teams commensurate with their skill set and desires.
Please note that the youth recreational program operates on the assistance of volunteers at various positions of team and club responsibilities. We are constantly in need of volunteers to fill in at positions of conveners, coaches, managers, trainers, etc. Generally experience is not required as much as desire to assist in making the soccer experience for your son or daughter the best memories of their precious youth. In that pursuit, we will provide you with an organized framework and technical assistance to realize that objective.
If you have any further question on the youth recreational program you can contact the Youth REC V-P youthrec@ottawasoccer.com or
admin@ottawasoccer.com.
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