REC SOCCER FAQS

Early bird registration opens in December. Regular registration begins January 1. Register before February 1st to avoid late fees. Registration remains open until teams are filled. Register early! Some teams fill-up quickly.

Registration opens in early April. Register before June 16th to receive the early registration discount. Registration remains open until teams are filled. Register early! Some teams fill-up quickly.

For fall, all players receive a uniform (jersey, shorts, socks). Your coach receives team training equipment and soccer balls. Fees also pay for fields, referees, field lining, insurance, financial assistance, equipment and maintenance. For spring, players receive a jersey and ball.

For fall, refunds are available if requested by June 30. There is a $35 processing fee. After June 30, there is a stringent no refund policy. The Club will grant a refund if we cannot place your player on an age appropriate team. For spring, refunds are available if requested by February 28. There is a $25 processing fee. Request Refund

During your player's registration you can note your interest in coaching or email registrar@svslvsoccerclub.org. Registration information will be provided shortly. All coaches will be asked to complete a background check.

Practices and games are in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley. Coaches select practice locations based on their preference. All teams have a mix of SV and SLV players. Some players practice outside their geographic preference.

• U6 coed (4 & 5 yr olds) typically practices on Fridays with games on Sunday
• U8 (6 & 7 yr olds) typically practices 1x per week with games mostly on Saturday (and perhaps a few Sundays)
• U10 (8 & 9 yr olds) typically practice 1-2x per week with games mostly on Saturday (and perhaps a few Sundays)
• U12 (10 & 11 yr olds) typically practice 2x per week with games mostly on Saturday (and perhaps a few Sundays)
• U15 (12, 13, & 14 yr olds) typically practice 2x per week with games mostly on Saturday (and perhaps a few Sundays)
• U19 coed (15-18 yr olds) typically practice 2x per week with games mostly on Saturday (and perhaps a few Sundays)

The program requires family flexibility as practice schedules and locations are not known until August. Coaches select a practice time of 3:30, 5:00, or 6:30 and the day(s) (Monday - Friday) to practice. Coaches typically start practicing by September 1 and may start earlier. Games start the weekend after Labor Day and season ends before Thanksgiving. We schedule games for 70-80 teams each weekend. U8 - U19 play on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the day. U6 has games Sunday afternoon. Game schedules are posted by the end of August. U12 and older coordinate schedules with other county teams. U12 and older play away 3 to 5 games at other county fields in Santa Cruz, Aptos, and Soquel.

All spring practices and games are at Skypark. See the Spring Rec page for the latest information on schedule. 

We cannot provide practice days and times before you register because your fall volunteer coach selects their practice schedule in August. We are a volunteer organization relying on volunteer coaches to guide our teams. Before you register, please consider that switching teams or refunds are not permitted even if practice times are inconvenient. Alternatively, you can volunteer to coach a team and select a practice time and location that works for you. No experience needed. We can provide training and equipment. Each season we have enthusiastic first-time coaches.

Teams typically start practicing the 3rd week of August. However, this is based on your volunteer coach's schedule and preference. Coaches communicate practice information to teams.

We form balanced teams based on age, skill level, years experience, and gender for coed teams. After the initial grouping, a committee examines each age group and tries to cluster players by school and neighborhoods, if possible. Coaches have their players placed on their team. There are no legacy teams.

We no longer accept buddy and schedule requests. What started as a dozen carpool requests peaked at nearly 500 special requests. The volume and nature of requests became impossible to manage with our limited volunteer staff. If you volunteer to coach, you select a practice time and field that works for your schedule. We offer coaching classes, equipment, and support.  No soccer experience needed.

The Club recommends players play in their birth year age group (where a team is available). 

Play-Up an Age Group: Requests are intended for players not challenged in their age group. Please contact the registrar@svslvsoccerclub.org, for instructions on how to request to play-up. 

Play-Down an Age Group: Players may not play down an age bracket.

There are 2 reasons for this:

1. We do not have enough coaches to place all players that registered on time.
2. Sometimes we have only a few players waitlisted, but there are not enough to create an additional team. This is particularly true in older age groups.

We make as many teams as possible. This is dependent upon the number of volunteer coaches. However, if we do not have enough volunteer coaches in your child’s age group, we start a waitlist. If we are able to place your child on a team, you are notified via email with registration information.

Fall coaches should notify parents by August 28. Coaches will contact families directly. Notification times vary based on your coach's schedule. Spring teams will meet their coach at the first practice they attend U6-U10. U11/U12/U13 age groups will be notified by their coach by March 15.

Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley Soccer Club serves an area that includes both Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley. We don't not have "Scotts Valley" or "Brook Knoll" teams. We attempt to group 3-4 players from a school together so that everyone has a familiar face. However, our first priority is balanced teams by age and experience.

All rec teams have a balance of new and returning players. Players interested in a more competitive experience should consider playing comp soccer.

Games typically start in late March and end early June.

Games start the weekend after Labor Day and end before Thanksgiving weekend.

All players are required to wear socks and shin guards to practice. Most players also wear soccer cleats but athletic shoes are permitted. Metal cleats are not permitted. Baseball and lacrosse cleats are also not permitted due to the toe cleat.

Please email the registrar@svslvsoccerclub.org for a financial assistance application.

Jewelry/Earrings No jewelry of any kind (earring, watches, necklaces etc.) is permitted on the field for both practice and games for any age group. Earrings cannot be taped. The FIFA Laws of the Game prohibit anything which is dangerous to a player or other players. Referees determine if an item can be worn without being dangerous. 

Casts Players having splints or soft casts may be permitted to play with the permission of the referee. If, in the opinion of the onsite referee, the splint or soft cast causes a safety hazard, the player is not allowed to play. Hard plaster casts are considered to pose a danger to both the wearer and other players and are not permitted to be worn. The practice of padding a hard plaster cast does not reduce the element of danger. 

Glasses  are permitted. Safety straps are encouraged.