Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I determine player age groups?

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. Coed U-6 and U-7 teams play on Sundays and 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 teams typically play a 12 game season. View our Programs page for more information.

When are the games (Fall)?

The days that games are played 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 move to Sundays at U-14. Competitive (Gold or Silver) divisions for girls move to Sundays at U-15. The Coed U-6 and U-7 teams also 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. View our Programs page for more information.

When is the Spring Season?

The spring season is 6 weeks long and starts the first week of April. Games are generally not scheduled on Easter or Mother's Day. The games in spring are played on Sunday afternoons, generally between 12:30 and 5:00pm, with some games starting later at 5:15pm. More about the Spring Season...

How much does it cost to play soccer?

Fees for registration range from $75.00 - $140.00 per player for the Fall 2009 season, and $45 per player for the Spring 2010 season. Scholarships are available for those families in financial need. Please view the Registration Overview page for player fees by age group.

What does my fee cover?

Registration fees pay for field rental, equipment (including goal nets, balls and cones), player insurance, referees, medical supplies, administration costs, field development ($10/player - fall season only), and our registration fees to Washington Youth Soccer and Highline Soccer Association. For the fall season, West Seattle Soccer Club will also provide jerseys, shorts, and socks for each player assigned to a team. In the spring, only jerseys are provided.

Am I too late to sign up?

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 registration closes, all player registrations will be placed on a wait list and will be added to a team based upon availability. View the Registration Overview page for registration deadlines.

I would like my son/daughter to play on a friend's team or for a specific coach.

We accept "buddy" requests and try hard to accommodate these requests. Your best chance of getting a buddy request is to register early. After the deadline, 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 fewer players.

How are teams formed?

Do you accept beginning soccer players?

Do you have programs for kids under the age of seven?

Yes we do. Our Coed U-6 and U-7 programs are an excellent way to introduce the concepts of team play and basic soccer skills. This is a low-key program with an emphasis on fun. All U-6 and U-7 games are co-ed and are played here in West Seattle. This program does not start until about the third week in September. If your child is in Kindergarten or 1st grade this is the program they would be in. This program is open to children that are either 5 or 6 on July 31st. More information on Coed U-6 and Coed U-7 is posted on our Programs page.

What equipment do I need to provide?

All players must wear shin guards and socks. The jersey, shorts and socks are provided by the club for the fall season. In addition, soccer cleats are a good idea. Baseball cleats can be used to play soccer provided that the cleat on the toe of the shoe has been completely removed.

When are practices?

The team coach determines the number of practices per week, the location, and the time. WSSC reserves practice fields for fall season only. Coaches can schedule optional practices for spring season.

How will I be notified regarding the team that my child will be playing on?

The West Seattle Soccer Club will notify the coaches of the players on their roster. It is up to the coach to contact all the players. Once registration closes, we list a date on the WSSC home page when you should be contacted by the coach. If this date has passed, please contact us at wsscboard@gmail.com

Can I register my child even if I am not aware of a team for them to play on?

Absolutely, 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, the West Seattle Soccer Club has been able to place close to 100% of the players that register.

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 the game. The referee is responsible for the safety of all the players. Plan on piercing ears after soccer season is over.

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.

Can I get refunded if my child in unable to finish the season?

Do you reimburse for coaches clinics, referee clinics or entering tournaments?

Yes - we encourage adults to take coaches clinics, both youth and adults to get certified as a referee, and for coaches to enter their teams in tournaments. Please refer to our WSSC Policies for refund guidelines.