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Where your child should be registered:
· Pre-K - LITTLE KICKERS
· Kindergarten - LITTLE KICKERS
· 1st grade - U7
· 2nd grade - U8
· 3rd grade - U9
· 4th grade - U10
· 5th grade - U11
· 6th grade - U12
· 7th grade - U13
· 8th grade - U14
Click the link below to register!
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DETAILS
Below are quick descriptions and general information of where your child will play and where you should register them given their age and grade.
LITTLE KICKERS PROGRAM
For 4 & 5 Year Olds
If your player is 4 or 5 years old, you should register them for our NOPO Little Kickers Program. This is an entry level program where practices and games take place on Sundays, making it easy for families to get involved in soccer. Your player will be assigned a team they will stay with for the length of the season, parents learn to help on the sideline with the guidance of the Little Kickers program Director, and older siblings usually can’t wait to referee the three on three games. Ask a veteran Little Kicker family and they will tell you that friendships made during this program can last a whole childhood. For more info see the Little Kickers section and browse the Little Kickers FAQ Section.
U7 - 1st Grade
If your player is 6 (under 7 years old), you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This will be their first time playing against other clubs in a 3 v 3 setting at preassigned Portland Parks fields on Saturdays. They will play two simultaneous side by side games, using a size 3 ball and learning the basics of the game, good sportsmanship and the fun of competing and getting snacks! Their volunteer coach will also hold a weekly practice at a designated field and a team parent will help coordinate pictures, snacks, and sideline volunteers. This year establishes the foundation of the team that they will remain with as they grow each season. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
U8 - 2nd Grade
If your player is 7 (under 8 years old), you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This year they will be playing against other clubs in a 4 v 4 setting at various Portland Park fields on Saturdays. They will still be playing two simultaneous games and having once a week practices with their volunteer coach. As always it's important that parents realize they need to help either as a coach, sideline assistant, helping with nets or organizing snacks and social situations. Each team becomes a small community and the coach is usually a parent of a player who is a volunteer - so be sure to offer help however you can. We promise you that it will be a special bond you develop with your child and friends. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
U9 - 3rd Grade
If your child is 8 (Under 9 years old) you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This will be their first time on a big field with goalies while playing 7 v 7 with a size 4 ball. This is the beginning of the real deal, most players are excited to have real goals and nets and are anxious to try their hand at goal keeping. There will be a pre-season jamboree that usually takes place the last weekend in August where the refs come out and help teach the kids the boundaries and rules of play with a goalie and the field set up. This is a transitional season with lots of growth as passion and skills develop - as does their appetite for snacks! Keep ‘em coming! You still will have a volunteer tribe of parents helping to make it run smoothly, so be ready to step up and offer help if you are able. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
U10 - 4th Grade
If your child is 9 (Under 10 years old) you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This will be their second year on a big field with goalies, but now they are playing 8 v 8 with a size 4 ball. Depending on your volunteer coach, practices may jump to twice a week. Don’t be surprised if your player starts to profess that they prefer a particular position or want more playing time. As always, the team will rely on having steady parent volunteers to make the season a success. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
U11 - 5th Grade
If your child is 10 (Under 11 years old) you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This will be their third year on a big field with goalies playing 9 v 9 with a size 4 ball. Weekly practices are still taking place, with emphasis on the Play-Drill-Play model to learn new skills that they will hone for game day. At this point kids are really professing their love of soccer with some joining competitive clubs. This is also the point where some might opt for a different sport altogether. Don’t be surprised if your team merges with another, by this time many kids know each other from years of play and are looking forward to playing with new teammates. As always, the team will need dedicated parents coaching, running the sidelines at games and helping out in general. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
Middle School Ball (U-12, U-13, U-14)
This is both an exciting time for soccer and possibly a frustrating time for parents. It’s a time of transition and while some kids throw themselves into the game, others are looking to quit, and most are somewhere in between. Here are some pros to discuss with your player who might be looking to quit soccer, or any other activity that they have given some time and drive to:
· It’s a good opportunity to get exercise
· It’s a social activity that builds teamwork skills
· It provides the chance to connect with kids who may going to your future high school
· It’s a great opportunity to put down your phone
One of the other advantages to playing soccer in middle school is the chance to practice with the high schoolers at Roosevelt during the summer. The transition to high school can be daunting, but being on the field, working out with the team, and getting to know some other kids in the same position can help make that an easier process.
U12 - 6th Grade
If your child is 11(Under 12 years old) you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This will be their fourth year on a big field with goalies, playing 9 v 9 with a size 4 ball and practicing twice a week. Again volunteering is key for a great season. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
U13 - 7th Grade
If your child is 12 (Under 13 years old) you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This will be their fifth year on a big field with goalies playing 11 v 11 with a size 4 ball and practicing twice a week. This is the age where limited heading is allowed during games, but not necessarily encouraged. Because practice on heading is limited to 30 minutes a week, you may want to go over proper technique and discuss the pros and cons of heading in general. You still will have a volunteer tribe of parents helping to make it run smoothly so be ready to step up and offer help if you are able. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
U14 - 8th Grade
If your child is 13 (Under 14 years old) you should register them for Open Recreational Registration. This will be their last year with NOPO playing 11 v 11 with a size 5 ball with practices twice a week. Again limited heading is allowed during games, but not necessarily encouraged. Because practice on heading is limited to 30 minutes a week, you may want to go over proper technique and discuss the pros and cons of heading in general. As always, having a team of parents making this happen is essential. If you have more questions visit our FAQ page for more information.
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