Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to play up?
Playing up simply means to play with kids grouped by a birth year older than you. In general, US Soccer discourages playing up. Many parents want to play their kids up for greater challenge but other valid reasons to play up are to play with older siblings or with older classmates. Our primary goal with play-ups is to maximize the soccer opportunities for all registrants. We do not prioritize higher skill or greater athleticism, but if the club asks for play-ups in order to form full teams at an older age, parents can request for their child to remain on age if they feel it is a better fit.
When is soccer registration and how do I sign-up my player?
Soccer registration is usually May 10 – June 30. You simply click on the ‘Register’ or 'Login' on our home page to initiate registration. More registration information can be found here. We also have a document with screenshots that can help you sign your children up: Registration Instructions.
How much does soccer cost and are scholarships available?
Fees are described in each program. Older players cost more because of larger fields and more experienced referees. Full and partial scholarships are available using coupons that you enter on the payment page.
When do I hear from my child's soccer coach?
Older players (U11-U19) will hear from their coach by July 31. Younger players will hear from their coach or league director by August 31 if not sooner.
When is soccer season and what days are practices and games?
Our main club soccer season is late August to early December. Young players have 1 weeknight practice, 1 scrimmage, and Sunday games. Older players have 2 weeknight practices and Saturday or Sunday games.
Are the practices and teams coed?
Younger teams are usually coed while older teams are split by gender. Many clinics and camps for all ages are coed.
What equipment does my player need?
The club provides uniform jerseys and socks for all players. Players must provide soccer shoes and shin guards. Soccer shoes do not need to be cleats. All hard-bottom shoes can cause foot pain. They will grow out of it, but we have decided that up through U10, cleats are optional.
What does the "U" mean in "U6"?
U means "Under", so children in this age group will be under the age of six (4 or 5) on January 1st of the current year. US Soccer is moving towards Birth Year (BY) as a designation rather than the "U" designation, so hopefully it will get easier to understand as this becomes common practice.
Why don't we keep score?
Youth Soccer worldwide is changing its culture. A great deal of research has gone into the motivations of youth athletes over the last couple of decades and a strong movement for change has come out of this research. We know that the kids keep score, but we also know that they forget those scores quickly. That is OK, but as adults, we want to minimize the importance of any particular score or league standing.
Why am I discouraged from yelling instructions?
Similar to the answer above, this is a cultural change in all youth sports that is gathering momentum worldwide. Children need to know that their coaches are in charge and that their parents respect the coaches, referees, and other parents. If you really can't help yourself, consider volunteering as a coach. More information on our partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance can be found here.
How can I get in touch with the Club?
The best way to get in touch with the club is through our website and email address. Our email address is [email protected].
Who runs the soccer club and where are the offices?
VISC is a volunteer-run organization operated by members of the VISC Board. Our Board of Directors is all-volunteer and have no offices or equipment. Volunteers do all league administration from their homes. We are always in need of more assistance with aspects of running the club, from coaching to administrative, so please contact us if you can help. It takes an Island to run a soccer program!
How are age groups formed?
Starting in 2016, US Soccer moved from roughly grade-based groupings to calendar-year groupings. They did this to match the rest of the world. Most larger clubs have seen little impact from this change, but many smaller clubs like ours have suffered. Players want to play with friends and that usually means playing within the same grade.