Towsontowne Recreation Soccer 8-16
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q – What leagues are offered for recreational soccer and how do you determine which age group a child plays in?
A – TTRC offers a co-ed academy and clinic for players aged four and five. Subject to adequate registration levels, TTRC offers separate boys’ and girls’ in-house leagues for Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, and Under 14. The age group determination is based on the child's age as of August 1st. For example, five-year-old children (as of August 1st) play in the clinic and six and seven year old children (as of August 1st) play in the Under 8 leagues.

Q – When can my child begin playing recreational soccer?
A – Players must be 4 years old as of August 1st to participate in the fall league.

Q – Is clinic soccer co-ed?
A – Yes, both the Academy IV and clinic 5 soccer programs are mixed girls and boys programs. Each team will have both boys and girls.

Q – What is the format of clinic soccer?
A – Academy and Clinic soccer meets one time per week on Saturday mornings. Each session will consist of some practice time, basic skill training, and a brief small-sided game.

Q - What equipment is suggested? What equipment is required?
A – Players should wear athletic attire. The program will supply team shirts. Shin guards are mandatory and no player may participate without them. Soccer cleats are recommended but are not mandatory. Each player in the Academy, Clinic and Under 8programs will receive a soccer ball. The program will supply balls to teams in the Under 10 and up leagues.

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 – Players are strongly encouraged to participate at their proper age level. In very limited circumstances upon written request, after consultation, and with the consent of the program chairman, in-house players may play in a higher or lower age group.

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 – TTRC has over 700 participants in the soccer program. Consistent with our mission statement, our goal is to have fun, teach the participants the game of soccer and to establish teams that are roughly equal in skill level. Fulfilling requests is secondary to establishing balanced leagues. Although requests are taken into consideration, the program has no obligation to fulfill any particular request and makes no promise in that regard. 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). Please note that at ages U10 and up, the programs obligation to attempt to assemble balanced teams is particularly paramount, and, accordingly, grouping teams in accord with family requests secondary.

Q – How many practices and games per week does the in-house program offer?
A – All in-house participants above clinic level will have two sessions per week – one weeknight practice or game and a game on Saturday, usually Saturday morning.

Q – When does the season start and end?
A – Generally, the season starts for all teams on the first Saturday after Labor Day weekend. The season usually ends in mid-November after a seven-week schedule and a year-end tournament.

Q – When will we be contacted about the team my child will play on?
A – The teams will be formed in late August and you should expect a call on or before 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 – 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, Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, Towson, Maryland. Because we order all of our uniforms and equipment in early July, refund requests must be received by July 1 in order to be accepted. Any refund request is subject to the assessment of administrative charges.

Q – Where can I find out information about TTRC’s travel soccer program?
A – See the FAQ under the Travel Soccer tab on this website, send an e-mail to the program chairman atjbward@fgow.com, or contact the travel coordinator listed under the Board Members.

Q - Are there opportunities for parents to volunteer?
A - Yes. Please indicate an interest in volunteering on your child’s registration form or contact the program chairman at jbward@fgow.com. TTRC Soccer is, exclusively, a volunteer organization. The program cannot be maintained without parent volunteers. In addition to coaches and assistant coaches, the program routinely requires league coordinators, referee coordinators, and others willing to lend assistance. Prior soccer experience is not required. Participating as a youth sports volunteer is a valuable and rewarding endeavor. Contact the program chairman for additional information.

Q- What if I have other questions that aren’t answered above?
A- The best way to have your questions answered is to contact the program chairman at jbward@fgow.com.

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