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Frequently Asked Question: I want to
coach, how do I find out what is required? The first step is to notate on your child's registration form that you would like to volunteer to coach. If you are not registering a child and would like to volunteer, go to our committee page and send an email to the appropriate age group coordinator and they will be glad to assist. The second step is ensuring that you have attended the 3 hour Coaches Safety Clinic. The certification is good for 3 years and allows you to be eligible to coach in any Marlton Recreation Council sport. If you have already attended a class, make sure you don't have to recertify; if you require recertification, you will be required to attend the 1st hour of the 3 hour Clinic. The third is download the volunteer disclosure form from the MRC Soccer website forms page and forward it to the appropriate coordinator. The fourth step is to be approved the Soccer Committee and MRC Executive board - it sounds like a lot, but it is not! Now Really....the final step is to go out and have FUN on the field, remember kids come to have fun - that is what they really come to play soccer for! Coaches Safety Clinic information is posted as available on the Marlton Recreation Council Website as well as the MRC Soccer Website. |
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: I registered my child in April, when is someone
going to call and let me know what is going on? Registration is completed during the month of May. Due to the volume of children that are registered, our volunteer committee has an enormous task of sorting all of the registrants into age groups. Once we have completed the sorting, we must ensure that we have the coaching staff in place (again volunteers). Once we have qualified all of the coaches required, there is a draft based upon the rating sessions; or for developmental leagues the coaches are given 10-12 registrants. This process typically takes from 2-3 months (May-July). Sometime in August the field locations for practices and games are finalized and the Coaches are able to contact their teams and set schedules. |
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Frequently
Asked Question: What is Short Sided Soccer and why has Marlton Soccer gone
to this format? Short-sided soccer is about what is best for young soccer players. It's for coaches, referees, administrators, spectators, and anyone else concerned with the development of 5 to 12 year old soccer players. The format of Play consists of smaller fields & smaller team rosters, in some cases no goalies! WHY SHORT-SIDED SOCCER? Traditionally, youth soccer programs are viewed from an adult perspective, using the 11-a-side game as a reference. But we need to remember these important points about young players:
Almost 70 percent of coaches are first-time coaches-parents with little free time. Short-sided soccer is a way to ease adults into coaching as well as to ease children into playing. Remember, children play games to have fun. Short-sided games help ensure children have fun and at the same time, maximize their learning opportunities. |
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Frequently
Asked Question? How come 5-6 year olds don't practice or play more during
the week? Some of the reasons
include, but are not limited to, the following: Another major reason is that is a true pleasure for a parent to get out in the backyard with their child and practice in private. This personal touch allows for the parent and child to develop their understanding of the sport together. It also allows them to reinforce what the coaches taught their child during the weekly session. |
A. Fall soccer registration is usually held from April to the beginning of May each year. The registrations are held in conjunction with other Marlton Recreation Council (MRC) sports programs, such as football, cheerleading (fall sport) and other summer activities.
Q. What is the MRC and is it part of the Township of Evesham?
A. The MRC is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that serves the youth (up to 18 years of age) of Marlton by providing recreational activities. The MRC is an independent body that is not associated or affiliated with the Evesham Department of Parks and Recreation or the Township of Evesham. The MRC does work closely with the various township departments, as well as the township schools for field and facility usage
Q. How is Marlton Soccer affiliated with the MRC?
A. Marlton Soccer is the largest sports program within the MRC family. The MRC provides year-round recreational activities in a variety of sports for the youth of Marlton.
Q. How do we get notified of when soccer registrations are scheduled for?
A. The MRC delivers registration notices/flyers to each township school to pass out to all of the students within that school. In addition, a large banner has been displayed across Main Street in downtown Marlton for several weeks prior to registration. In addition, both the MRC website (www.marltonrecreationcouncil.org) and the Marlton Soccer (www.marltonsoccer.org) award-winning community website provide registration notices several weeks in advance.
Q. How many registration dates are there for fall soccer?
A. There are usually four (4) normal registration days; two (2) during weekdays and two (2) on Saturdays, with one (1) late sign-up date ($10 surcharge applies) for a total of five (5).
Q. Can I register online for fall soccer?
A. Yes. You can register Online starting the first day of normal sign-up. The surcharge for registration online will begin immediately after the last regular sign-up day. Online registrations shall be available for fall soccer until July 31 (late surcharges shall apply).
Q. If I am a new resident in town (just moved in), do I have to pay the late registration fee?
A. No. Proof of new residency will be required.
Q. Why is there a late fee?
A. The late fee is a policy that was imposed by the MRC several years ago and is required for all participating MRC sports.
Q. How do I register my child to play soccer after the end of the registration period?
A. You can register online, at a travel tryout or at any of the in-town rating sessions. You can also contact Marlton Soccer at 856-983-3000, ext. 27 or 28 to inquire about any additional late sign-up dates that may be available from May through the start of the season. Marlton Soccer will try and accommodate all requests for participation in soccer; however, due to the lack of fields, several leagues over the past few years have been capped, so please register as early as possible. If you are moving from another town, you can register even though you have not yet moved in to town.
Q. How old does my child have to be to start playing soccer?
A. The current requirement to play soccer is that the child must turn five (5) years of age by July 31 in order to play in the fall. The age cut-off date is a FIFA rule (FIFA is a world-wide governing body of soccer).
Q. If I have a child playing for the first time, what do I do?
A. A parent must register the child in person and provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate for verification of birth. Once the child has been in-putted into the MRC data base, you no longer have to bring the birth certificate with you for any other MRC sport registrations.
Q. Will my child play on a co-ed team?
A. No. The size of the Marlton Soccer program allows us to separate the girls from the boys so they play on separate teams in separate leagues.
Q. Can I volunteer to coach a soccer team even if I do not know much or anything about soccer?
A. Yes, Marlton Soccer welcomes any adult that wants to make a positive difference by volunteering to coach. Marlton Soccer offers a training session for coaches in August. In addition, there is a new online coach’s curriculum that is being provided by the MLS Metro Stars for use by all Marlton Soccer coaches and parents. Please contact any Marlton Soccer representative for password access to the site.
Q. What do I have to do to become a coach?
A. You must attend a three (3) hour MRC coach’s certification class. These classes are held almost monthly throughout the year (twice-a-month prior to the start of fall soccer). The certificate is good for a three (3) year period and only a one (1) hour refresher class is required for renewal after the initial three (3) year certification has expired. The renewal is good for another three (3) year period.
Q. What if I do not want to take the certification class, can I still coach?
A. No. You may not coach in any MRC sports program unless you take the class. The certification class is a mandatory requirement for insurance purposes.
Q. What is the difference between recreation and travel soccer?
A. Recreational or “in-town” soccer allows any one with any talent level to play within Marlton (older age leagues may play a limited number of games with other near-by towns). Practices and games are limited to a maximum of three “events” per week (an “event” is any combination of a game or practice). Ratings sessions (ages 8 to 13) for the in-town program allow the coaches to evaluate the player prior to drafting them onto a team in order equalize competition. The travel program offers a greater degree of competition and is offered to the more advanced player. Players on travel teams will not be limited in weekly “events” and will play against competition from other towns and in various weekend tournaments or State Cup events.
Q. When and what are “ratings” and “travel try-out”?
A. Recreational ratings and travel try-outs are held after the completion of the last “late” fall sport sign-up date. Please check the www.marltonsoccer.org website for specific dates and times of each event.
Q. What kind of equipment and uniforms does Marlton Soccer provide for the in-town program?
A. Marlton Soccer provides a partial uniform, consisting of a shirt and socks to the 5 & 6 year old players. A full uniform, consisting of a shirt, short and socks to the 7 to 17 year old players.
Q. What additional items will I have to provide?
A. A parent must provide their child with a pair of shin guards, shorts for the 5 & 6 year old player, and rubber-soled cleats (no metal cleats). Shin guards are mandatory for any practices and/or games.
Q. Can my child play with earrings or any metal piercing?
A. No. Players are strictly prohibited from playing or practicing with earrings any other metal piercing, or any metal objects for safety reasons. Tape cannot be used to cover existing earrings or any other metal objects. Tape can only be used to protect the hole in the ear during play, but cannot have the earring in the ear during play.
Q. Are there any exceptions for new ear piercing?
A. No. All earrings or metal piercing must be removed prior to playing in a game or participating in a practice.
Q. Can my child play with eyeglasses?
A. Yes. The eyeglasses must contain plastic lenses (no glass) and must have no sharp edges on them. It is recommended that the parent provide a strap to the back of the glasses. The game referee will examine the glasses prior to game time in order to determine acceptability. The referee has the discretion to disallow glasses that our deemed to be improper. Plastic sports goggles are always recommended.
Q. When is opening day for the fall in-town program?
A. The “official” opening day is normally the 1st Saturday after Labor Day in September.
Q. When do soccer practices for in-town and travel begin?
A. Practices for the in-town program, ages 7 through 17, can begin no-sooner-than August 1 of each year. Coaches will have the discretion as to the days and times of the practice sessions. The 5 & 6 year old in-town instructional leagues practice and play on Saturdays; no weekday practices for this age group. The 5 & 6 year old league will normally practice for up to one (1) hour and play a game immediately following the practice session. Many teams in the travel program participate year-round and are not limited to the restrictions imposed upon the in-town program. Travel coaches have the discretion for scheduling all practice sessions.
Q. Can I request my child to play for a particular coach or play with a particular neighbor or friend?
A. Yes and no. Yes, for the introductory 5 & 6 year old in-town leagues. On a very limited basis for the 7 year old in-town leagues. Not allowed for the 8-17 year old in-town leagues. Travel players will be chosen on their ability and be placed on a team.
Q. When will I be notified by a coach?
A. Coaches for travel should provide team rosters within two (2) weeks after the completion of the last travel try-out. The in-town 5 & 6 year old coaches should contact their players by mid-August. The 7 to 17 year old in-town coaches should contact their players by mid-July. Please contact the league coordinator or any administrators if you have not heard from your coach in a timely manner.
Q. How do you monitor behavior on the sidelines?
A. Each coach is required to have all parents sign a “Code of Conduct Form” that describes penalties to coaches, players, spectators and parents for inappropriate and/or unacceptable behavior. In addition, the State of New Jersey has adopted laws that penalize individuals for inappropriate and/or unacceptable behavior during sporting events. Referees and administrators shall have the authority to provide warnings and/or card violations to any individual. Each team coach shall have the ultimate responsibility to police his/her own team and prohibit inappropriate and/or unacceptable behavior. Positive reinforcement and cheering are strongly encouraged.
Q. At what locations does soccer play at?
A. Throughout the entire town during the fall soccer season. Locations for practices and games are Marlton Middle School, DeMasi Elementary & Middle Schools, Van Zant School, Evans School, Rice School (practice field only), Jaggard School (practice field only), Country Farms, Memorial Field, Savich Field, Ravenscliff, Green Lane, Willow Ridge (travel practice site), Longhurst (practice field only) and Cherokee High School (travel games only). Please contact your coach, league coordinator, or visit our website for more information.
Q. Who maintains the various fields throughout the township?
A. The Township Department of Parks and Recreation has field maintenance responsibility over the condition of township-owned field and the Evesham School District has responsibility over the field conditions of elementary school property. Cherokee High School maintains all of the high school fields.
Q. How can I become a sponsor?
A. We absolutely welcome sponsors to participate in our program. Simply go to the website and click onto the download sponsorship form. You can also call Nancy Huffmire at 856-988-9239 or anyone on our sponsorship committee listed on the website. Year-round company exposure, uniform logos, thank you plaques and a newspaper or magazine thank you ad are provided for all sponsors. In addition, a (2) or more team sponsor will get your firm on our sponsor link that can directly link from our website to yours. With over 600,000 “hits” per year; monthly visitors from over 20 states and 14 countries, the Marlton Soccer website provides tremendous exposure for your company or business.
Q. If I have any questions, where do I call and who do I contact?
A. Our award winning community website at www.marltonsoccer.org is the place to begin. Our website has direct e-mail links to all committee members, as well as a 10-day weather forecast; links to all elementary schools; Cherokee High School; directions; GOOGLE Search engine; kid links; sponsor links; pictures, and a variety of other links. In addition, you can call the MRC at 856-983-3000, ext. 27 or 28 and leave a message and a volunteer will get back to you as soon as they can.
Marlton Soccer – “Play Where Your Friends Play”