Question 1

I'd like my son or daughter to play on a particular team or for a particular coach.

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we can only accommodate requests of this nature to ensure siblings in the same age group are on the same team or when a player is associated with a sponsor of a particular team.  If you are coaching a team, your child will automatically be on your team.

Question 2

Can my child play in a higher or lower age group?

Accepted Answer

No, players may not play in a different age group than their grade level allows.

Question 3

How old does my child need to be to play soccer?

Accepted Answer

Children must be 3 years old by the start of the season to play in our Li'l Strikers program.

Question 4

My child just got their ears pierced, can they play with earrings in?

Accepted Answer

No, absolutely not.  No jewelry of any kind is permitted on the playing field, including piercings. This is not a rule made by SYSA, but comes directly from US Soccer and is enforced from recreation youth soccer through to the professional leagues. Referees are told to enforce this rule. Please do not put your child or us in the uncomfortable position of stopping them from playing. Delay ear piercings until after the season. Tape or a band aid over a piercing to circumvent the Law will not suffice.

Question 5

What do I need to play soccer?

Accepted Answer

Shin guards, socks over shinguards, a ball (size 3 up to grade 2, size 4 through grade 6 and size 5 7th grade and up) and soccer cleats or sneakers. **Girls 5-7 recreation program uses a size 4 ball as they are a split age group

Question 6

When do I register for Recreational soccer?

Accepted Answer

Spring Li'l Strikers is February 1st-28th.  Fall recreation and Li'l Strikers is May 1st - June 30th.

Question 7

I've registered for rec but I have not heard anything yet.

Accepted Answer

First, be sure that you have properly registered and the program is showing up in your child's GotSport account.  Your child will be notified within 7-10 days prior to the start of the season.

Question 8

When are games?

Accepted Answer

Li'l Strikers Spring season runs April - early June (6 weeks). 
Fall recreation (all grades), runs through September and October (7 weeks). A final schedule for the season will be distributed once registration is complete and players have been assigned to a team.
All games are held on the Saturday's in those time frames.

Question 9

When will practices start? When and where and how often?

Accepted Answer

Practices are ONLY in the Fall for grades 1 and up.  Li'l Strikers has practice and a game during their 1 hour Saturday sessions.  Practices will start the week before the first game and be held on a day and time selected by your teams coach.  This will be communicated to you by that coach.  We are unable to swap your child's team if you have a conflict with the practice day/time.  Practices are held at Deerfield park and are once a week for 1 hour.

Question 10

How can I become a recreational soccer coach?

Accepted Answer

Email us at vprecreation@sysa-ri.com and we will set you up!

Question 11

Do I need experience to coach?

Accepted Answer

No experience is needed! Our Director of Coaching will provide you will guidance and materials to be successful.

Question 12

My child is interested in refereeing, what do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

If your child is 12 or older, please check out our referee page for information about becoming a referee.

Question 13

How can I become a competitive soccer coach and/or get information on tryouts for my child?

Accepted Answer

Email us at vpcompetitive@sysa-ri.com

Question 14

What happens when it rains?

Accepted Answer

We will make every attempt to play games even if it rains. The deciding factor is usually the condition of the fields and if there is lightning present. A decision to cancel is usually made the morning of and sent out via email and Facebook. If games do get canceled due to rain, there is one rain date added to the end of the season.