All BOE Fields Open; Township Fields Closed
Second Grade Girls Cancelled; VoTech Activity Moved to Upper Terrill
According to the ballfield hotline, all soccer activity can proceed today, Saturday, as regularly scheduled with the exception of the second grade girls’ division @ Jerseyland Park. That venue is simply too soggy for safe play. We will attempt to reschedule that division’s games in the near future pending field availability. All VoTech activity must move to upper Terrill including goalie training and travel practices. Enjoy the day.
U-10 Girls Tryouts Postponed
Rescheduled for Tuesday, 5/20
The U-10 girls tryouts scheduled for Friday, 5/16 have been cancelled and have been rescheduled for Tuesday, 5/20 @ 4:30 pm @ Park Middle School. Thanks.
SPFSA Fall 2008 Registration
House and Inter-County Programs Now Open
The SPFSA online registration is now open for our House and Inter-County recreational programs. Select the link below to proceed to the registration page.
SPFSA Registration Page
Turf Field Updates
Southside Project Awarded; HS Fields Near Completion
The Township Council voted unanimously this week to proceed with the final step of the Southside Field project and award the bid to Allied Landscape Technologies per the recommendation of Director of Parks and Recreation Ray Poerio and Township Manager Tom Atkins. The bid of $1.66 million came in under the budgeted $1.8 million and includes a 70x110 yard turf field, lighting, playground and increased parking. The project is scheduled to begin in about a month and is targeted for completion in September of this year.
Meanwhile, the two turf fields at the high school are well underway. The football field is nearly complete and ready for graduation ceremonies, while the soccer field is ready for the turf to be rolled out. Both should be ready for fall preseason camps.
Travel Program Tryout Schedules Updated
U-13B & U-14B Combined; U-12B and U-10G Revised
The Travel Program spring 2008 tryout schedules have been updated and are now posted. Select the link below to proceed to the tryout homepage for all scheduling information and important details.
SPFSA Travel Program Spring 2008 Tryouts
Ball Field Hotline Number @ 908-322-6700-1-226
If in Doubt, Please Check It Out
Coaches are expected to check the hotline in the event of inclement weather or if prior rains have resulted in wet grounds. The hotline is updated by 3:00 pm on weekdays and by 7:00 am on weekends by Scotch Plains Parks and Recreation. Field jurisdiction and the SPFSA field closing policy is detailed in the Field Information link.
Please Practice Good Field Courtesy
Litter and Dogs are Consistent Offenses
The Municipalities of Scotch Plains and Fanwood and the BOE remind parents, players and coaches that dogs are absolutely prohibited from all fields and parks. They also request that all litter and water bottles be put in receptacles at the end of games and practices. Smoking and the consumption of alcohol is also strictly prohibited.
Helpful Tips for All Parents
Brief Guide to Youth Soccer on Parents Info Link
Parents are urged to click on the homepage sidebar link for a short, but very informative guide to youth soccer. Key ’dos and don’ts’ are concisely covered and can help both parent and child best enjoy their soccer experience.
SPFSA Endorses US Youth Soccer Program
Younger House Divisions Move to 3v3, 4v4 for Spring
The pre-k, kindergarten and first grade divisions will take on a new look this spring as SPFSA’s youngest players will join the rest of the world in small-sided games. The reason? More action, more involvement and more fun for everyone!
US Youth Soccer’s efforts to convert younger recreational programs to 3v3 and 4v4 mini-games has been endorsed by the SPFSA executive board and presented to the House Divsion coaches for the spring season. Small-sided soccer is played throughout the world and in parts of the United States and is designed to give all players more touches on the ball and require them to make fewer, less complicated decisions. Twice as many games will be played in the same time and space. Goalies will be eliminated.
Coaches received background notes on the overall philosophy and a manual on operations of the new program. They will be distributing that information to parents shortly. Click on www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches/smallsidedgames.asp for more.
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