Welcome to the Marlton Soccer Recreational (In-Town)

Marlton Soccer is part of the highly regarded and respected Marlton Recreation Council (MRC) of Marlton, NJ. The MRC is an independent, non-profit, all volunteer organization whose sole purpose is to provide organized sports programs for the children of Marlton for ages 5-17. The MRC ranks as one of the largest independent recreational sports organizations in all of New Jersey. For more information about other Marlton Recreation Council sports programs, specific questions about Soccer or simply wanting to register as a volunteer, please call 856-983-3000. Please click onto the links to the left of this page for information about specific age groups.

Marlton Soccer is celebrating its 28^th Anniversary season in 2003. We are currently projecting  over 2,600 children participating in Soccer this year on 170 recreational (in-town) teams and 23 travel teams. Soccer is and has been the largest organized recreational activity in Evesham Township, as well as in Burlington County. In fact, Marlton Soccer ranks as the 2^nd largest Soccer program in all of Southern New Jersey. Over 120 in-town teams will have sponsorships from many of the areas finest and most caring companies and businesses and we sincerely thank them for their support. Please go to the “Sponsor Link” section of the website for more information. Please visit our sponsors and thank them for their support.

Since the Marlton Soccer program is independent of the Township, all income is derived solely from registration (90%), fund raising (5%) and sponsorship fees (5%).

Marlton Soccer is part of the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association and is governed by international FIFA Soccer rules. Children ages 5-17 at any skill level can participate in the Marlton Soccer program. FIFA age cut-off is July 31. Therefore, you must determine what age your child is or will be by July 31 and that will determine the league that your child will play in.

 All Marlton Soccer participants must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Shin guards MUST be worn at all times during practicing or games.

• No pierced earrings or any metal on any body part are allowed during practicing or games.

• No metal-framed glasses, including flexible framed, can be worn during practicing or games. Sport goggles are acceptable.

• All players’ ages 8-17 must attend a ratings session (1 night only).
• All coaches, players and parents must follow NJYSA, FIFA and MRC guidelines, as well as adhere to the Marlton Soccer “Code of Conduct” policy.

Marlton Soccer begins each season on the 1^st Saturday AFTER Labor Day. The season concludes in November and no later than the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving. Up to a total of three (3) “events” are allowed per week. An “event” being either a practice, scrimmage or game. Due to field limitations, coaches are allocated one (1) official field location for practicing per week.

Directions to the various field locations can be found on the “field location” link to the left of this page. The Marlton Soccer in-town program plays at the following locations:  

• Savich Field (fields maintained by the Township Department of Recreation).  

Savich Field is recognized as an Indian burial site, thus cannot have any type of soil disturbance to a maximum of approximately 3”.

• Green Lane (fields maintained by the Township Department of Recreation).

• Memorial Field (fields maintained by the Township Department of Recreation).  

Memorial Field, containing one (1) full-sided lit field, one (1) full-sided unlit field and one (1) short-sided partially lit field, is the only location having proper irrigation therefore weather plays a factor in field availability in draught or wet weather conditions.  

• Marlton Middle School (fields maintained by the School Board).

• Country Farms Field (fields maintained by the School Board).

• Beeler School (fields maintained by the School Board).

• Evans School (fields maintained by the School Board).

 You may direct and comments or suggestions regarding field conditions or other matters to the Township Department of Recreation or School Board  (click on one if you want!).

 Please remember that Soccer is meant to be fun. The Marlton Soccer program will be constantly monitoring for proper behavior from everyone. We will have zero tolerance for any improper acts, abusive language or behavior from players, coaches, spectators or parents.

In a recent study, children were asked to rate their top ten (10) reasons why they play soccer. The top three (3) reasons were:  

• To have fun

• To make new friends

• To learn or improve a skill  

Far down the list of why children play Soccer was, was reason #7 - “winning”.

The top three (3) reasons why children stop playing sports are:  

• Did not have fun playing

• Coach was mean; didn’t like the coach

• Everyone yelling and screaming (in a mean way) all the time

Having fun, making new friends, learning new skills, encouraging and cheering are what Soccer is all about. Parents, coaches and program administrators are all encouraged to be positive role models to these children and young adults.  

To make Soccer more fun, team and family activities off of the field have been very affective. These activities have proven to be most rewarding and memorable. Activities such as the KIXX 3v3 Soccer Shootout, Marlton Day at the KIXX, hayrides at Indian Acres, pool/picnic parties, etc., have all helped make the Soccer experience a positive one.

To help learn new skills, Marlton Soccer sponsors several summer camps each year, including the KIXX, Barons and International Sports for the in-town program, and Soccer Select for the travel program.  

To take the fear out of coaching, Marlton Soccer has contracted with the South Jersey Barons professional outdoor soccer team to provide mentors to all coaches in the 5, 6 and 7 year old age groups. This mentoring program shall last approximately 4-5 weeks. The Barons will provide proper “fun” training techniques and teach the proper psychology in coaching young children. The older age groups will be offered training by members of the Philadelphia KIXX professional indoor soccer team. All of the mentoring and training is designed to help make the program a better and more consistent program from the introductory level on up.  

Please remember that the Marlton Soccer program is ALL-VOLUNTEER and things don’t happen “by magic”, but by people who care about providing children with a positive experience. Field maintenance, program administration, coaching, fund raising, refereeing, concessions, parking, inventory management and equipment procurement are all things that need volunteers. Please, help put a smile on a child’s face and help to make a difference in young peoples’ lives and volunteer – call 856-983-3000.  

Young people will remember these experiences for their entire lives, so let us all to our part to insuring that their memories are positive and happy ones. Who knows, but maybe your efforts could make a dramatic difference in shaping a young person’s future.  

Thank you for your support.