LTRC RECREATIONAL SOCCER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q– When can my child begin playing clinic soccer?
A – Participants must be 5 years old as of August 1st to participate in the fall league. Clinic spots are limited and are filled on a first come first served basis. Players who don’t turn 5 until after July 31st but before December 31st of that year can have their name put on a waiting list, and they will be added if space permits.
Q – Is clinic soccer coed?
A – No, clinic soccer is run with separate boys and girls programs.
Q - Are there practices for clinic soccer?
A – Clinic soccer is held one time per week on Saturday afternoons. Each session will consist of some practice time, basic skill training, and a brief game scrimmage.
Q – If my child is 6 as of August 1st, do they play clinic, or recreation Under 8?
A – Children who are six years old as of August 1st can participate in clinic at the parents’ option, and LTRC encourages this. The parent should know best whether their child would be more comfortable remaining in clinic. If the child has already participated in one year of LTRC clinic soccer or another comparable recreation soccer program, they can be registered for recreation under 8 if the parent feels they are ready for increased competition and a more structured environment. If you choose to enroll your child in clinic as a 6 year old, just check the clinic box and ignore the message regarding birth dates.
Q- Are shin guards mandatory for all players? Are soccer cleats mandatory for all players?
A – All coaches and referees have been instructed not to allow a player to participate in a game or practice unless they have shin guards. Soccer cleats are recommended but are not mandatory.
Q – When and where does registration for Fall soccer take place?
A – LTRC Soccer offers registration for Fall soccer online. Postcards with instructions will be mailed to all returning players during March, and informational flyers will be distributed at local public schools. Information and links will also be available on the home page of our website at www.ltrcsoccer.org. Online registration will be open until May 31st. There are a limited number of spots available in all age groups, so register early to ensure that your child will be able to play. If a particular age group is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list and notified if spots become available. The cost for 2008 Recreation Soccer will be $75 and the cost for Clinic Soccer will be $50. After May 31st, late registrations (for which a $15 charge is added) will be accepted to the extent that openings are available in a particular age group.
Q – What do I do if I have registered online, but when I read my confirmation, I realize I have made a mistake?
A – Send an email explaining what is wrong to ltrcsoccerregistration@comcast.net, and the error will be corrected.
Q – When and where does registration take place for LTRC winter indoor soccer?
A –Online registration on a first come first served basis will take place in late fall. Please check the website at www.ltrcsoccer.org in October for the date.
Q – Does LTRC offer any spring soccer programs?
A – LTRC does not offer any spring soccer programs.
Q – Why do new players have to mail in a copy of their birth certificate?
A – All new players must mail in a valid copy of the players’ birth certificate (or other comparable valid identification such as a passport) so it can be reviewed by the registration volunteers. This is done upon initial entry to the LTRC program, but does not need to be provided for returning players (registered since 2004). If you register online as a returning player, but we do not have a record of your child’s birth certificate, the registration will be rejected.
Q – If my child skipped a year of soccer, but wants to resume playing, can I still register as a returning player?
A – As long as your child has previously presented a copy of his/her birth certificate since 2004 AND we have it recorded in our records, they can register as a returning player.
Q – What leagues are offered for recreational soccer and how do you determine which age group a child plays in?
A – LTRC offers separate boys and girls recreation leagues for Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Coed 14-18. The age group determination is based on the child’s age as of August 1st. For example, if your child was born on July 1, 1998, and the year is 2008, the child would be 10 years old as of August 1, 2008, and would play in Under 12.
Q – Can my son or daughter play in an age group higher or lower than the league they would otherwise play in based on their age as of August 1st?
A – LTRC does NOT allow players to participate outside their age group for the recreation or the travel soccer program.
Q – Can my son or daughter request to play on the same team as their friends, or can I request teammates to facilitate car pooling? Can I request a coach that my child had previously?
A – LTRC has over 2,000 participants in the soccer program. Consistent with our mission statement and program constitution, our goal is to have fun, teach the participants the game of soccer and to establish teams that are roughly equal in skill level. As a result, we cannot accept requests to be teamed with particular players, or to play for a particular coach. Of course, a parent who coaches will have their own child on the team, and siblings who qualify to play in the same age group will be placed together (unless specifically requested otherwise).
Q – How many practices and games per week are there with the recreation program? What if my child has a conflict with another activity they participate in?
A – All recreation participants above clinic level will have one weeknight practice and one game per week on Saturday mornings. Coed 14-18 plays games on Saturday mornings, and teams often get together for scrimmages during the week for those who can make it. During the registration process, parents can designate one weeknight that their child cannot attend LTRC soccer practice. Outside of this designation, requests to change teams due to practice time conflicts will not be honored.
Q – When does the season start and end?
A – The season starts for all teams with a scrimmage game on Soccer Day, which is generally the first Saturday after Labor Day weekend. The season usually ends in mid-November after a seven week regular season schedule and a year-end tournament.
Q – When will we be contacted about the team on which my child will play?
A – The teams will be formed in late August and you should expect a call by Labor Day. Please do not call or e-mail to inquire at any time prior to that day, as no information will be available.
Q – Does my child get a uniform and soccer ball? What size soccer balls are used by the various age groups?
A – All clinic players will receive a t-shirt and a soccer ball. All other players will receive a t-shirt, soccer shorts, socks and a soccer ball. Clinic plays with a size 3 soccer ball. Under 8, 10 & 12 play with a size 4 soccer ball. Under 14 and coed 14-18 play with a size 5 soccer ball.
Q – What if my child changes his mind about playing after we register, or what if we move prior to the season starting?
A – All refund requests must be made in writing to the Department of Recreation and Parks, ATTN: Soccer Program, Ridgely Middle School SRC, 121 Ridgely Road, Lutherville, MD 21093. Since we order all of our uniforms and equipment in early July, refund requests must be received by July 1 in order to be accepted. If the request is received by July 1, your fee will be refunded, net of any online fees LTRC has already paid for the registrant. Refund requests submitted in accordance with the terms above will be processed and paid AFTER all registrations for the Fall season have been processed.
Q – Does LTRC offer or sponsor a referee training program?
A – LTRC does not offer or sponsor a referee training program. We suggest you visit the website www.marylandsoccer.com.
Q – Where can I find out information about LTRC’s travel soccer program?
A – See the FAQ under the Travel Soccer tab on this website, send an e-mail to ltrcsoccercommish@comcast.net, or contact the boys or girls Travel Coordinators listed under Board Members.
Q- What if I have other questions that aren’t answered above?
A- The best way to have your questions answered is to send an e-mail to ltrcsoccerregistration@comcast.net or ltrcsoccercommish@comcast.net.
