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Pitman Soccer Assoc.
P.O. Box 326
Pitman, NJ 08071
. . . To foster in our youth the ideals of good sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, loyalty, courage, fair play, respect for authority, and enjoyment of the game of soccer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dec 2012
Welcome to the Pitman Soccer Association(PSA or the Association). This information is provided so that you may understand how the Association works and how you can participate. The PSA meets once each month, usually at 8:00 PM on the third Wednesday of the month in Borough Hall. All parents and guardians of children enrolled in the Association and coaches are encouraged to attend. Please review the calendar on our website for schedule updates. PSA is governed according to the Association By-Laws, as well as regulations and by-laws set forth by the South Jersey Soccer League(boys) and South Jersey Girls Soccer League(girls) and the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association.
Below are some FAQs that may be helpful for you and your child to prepare for the upcoming season:
- What age?
- A player born on or before July 31,2005 should register for the upcoming fall 2013 season.
Those too young but close to this date (and especially those too young and entering third grade in the upcoming fall) should speak with a board member at registration.
Contact Pitman Recreation for fall soccer for 6 and 7 year olds - When are the seasons?
- The Fall Season (sign-ups in April/May) is the main instructive and competitive season running from August practices to possibly December. Tryouts are the process for selecting teams. The teams are announced in July and the practice schedule is generally two times a week in the late afternoon/early evening starting in August. Games will start in September and are on Saturday for girls and Sunday for boys and are usually rescheduled if cancelled due to weather.
The Spring season (sign-up in November) runs March to May. Teams are formed from last fall teams if enough join. Optional practices. Games are on Saturday for girls and Sunday for boys and are usually rescheduled if cancelled due to weather. - What is the Cost?
- At registration the required fee for the fall season is due. See registration flyer for details.
- Additional costs during the fall season…The opportunity to purchase team photos, participate in fundraisers; participate in your team snack schedule, and tickets for parents to attend the fall award ceremony.
- During the season your coach may discuss optional opportunities to participate in tournaments. - What are the divisions?
- PSA is made up of 4 divisions that participate in the SJSL for boys and the SJGSL for girls. The divisions are comprised of the following birth years:
Division V (Mini-Novice): U9 and U10 birth years: Size 4 ball - small-sided field
Division IV (Novice): U11 and U12 birth years: Size 4 ball - full-sided field
Division III (Juvenile): U13 and U14 birth years: Size 5 ball - full-sided field
Division II* (Intermediate): U15+ birth years: "
*Girl Intermediate teams are likely to play games on Sunday. - What is a birth year?
- A soccer birth year is from August 1st through July 31st of the following year.
- What does the “U” in the birth year represent?
- It stands for “under”. Example: “U9” – players in this birth year would be under nine (8 years old) before July 31st of the fall season.
- When are tryouts for Fall soccer?
- Tryouts are scheduled for late May or early June at Memorial School. See calendar
- Who should tryout?
- Everyone is strongly encouraged by the board to attend tryouts, so that player improvement/ranking can be noted and teams can be formed accordingly to benefit team placement and thus player development. Attendance at tryouts is even more important for first year Mini-Novice (U9) players and all new players to the Association.
- What if my child cannot make the scheduled tryout?
- You must notify the Board of Directors in writing that your child can not attend prior to tryout date, if that player wants to be considered for eligibility to be selected for the A team in absentia.
- Does school grade equal soccer age?
- No. A soccer age is specific to NJYS rules which runs Aug 1 to the following July 31. Generally first year Pitman Soccer players are U9(eight years old before Aug 1) and consists mostly of third graders that fall.
- Can my child move up to a higher birth year team?
- A parent or guardian may request in writing to the Board that their child be moved up to the next birth year. This request must be made no later than the last registration date.
- How are Coaches selected for each team?
- The Board assigns Coaches to a team. Please express interest in becoming a coach or assistant coach at registration. All Head and Assistant Coaches must have at least an “F” license.
- What about practices?
- Players are expected to attend fall practices, wear proper shin guards and soccer shoes and bring their soccer ball and water to practice. Your coach will advise you of the practice schedule.
- What about traveling?
- PSA is in a traveling league and you should be prepared to travel to other towns in the New Jersey area for roughly half of your games. Your coach may discuss with the team an opportunity to play in additional tournaments during the year that are optional for you to attend.
- How much playing time will my child get?
- Players who attend regularly scheduled practices are entitled to play at least 20 minutes (Mini-Novice and Novice) or 40 minutes (Intermediate and Juvenile).
- What will my child’s uniform be?
- At registration new players will purchase a “full kit” (orange jersey, black shorts, and black socks). This is the uniform your child is to wear for all official soccer games. Parents are responsible for the care and replacement (if necessary) of the uniform. Please see our uniform faq as there are "all-buy" times as well.
You are expected to provide shin guards and soccer shoes. The Association will issue soccer balls to all first year Mini-Novice and Juvenile players, as well as any new players to the Association. - Does the team formed for Fall stay together next year?
- No. Teams are reorganized each Fall based on the following year’s tryout results, coach feedback, and the amount of children per age group that register each year. Our goal is to organize rosters so all registered players can be placed on a team. As much as reasonably possible, teams should be selected by keeping all players in the same Soccer Birth Year. More details can be found in the by-laws.
- How are problems addressed?
- You should try to resolve any questions or concerns with your child’s coach. If for any reason you require further assistance, the Association Head Coach will help you resolve outstanding issues.
- We hope you and your child have a rewarding and enjoyable experience this season.