Boys and Girls Ages 7 through 19
Silver Lake Soccer Club provides an opportunity for players aged 7 through 19 to pursue enjoyment and development of skills without an emphasis on high-level competition. This program introduces players to age-appropriate development of skills with a level of competition designed to encourage enjoyment of the game while developing life skills to carry with them as they mature.
Age-appropriate soccer begins with younger players on small sized fields with smaller teams to maximize opportunities for each player to play the soccer ball. Field and team sizes increase as players mature, reinforcing a focus on teamwork and strategy as they develop their individual ball control skills.
TEAM FORMATION
Teams are gender specific and randomly formed by the club based on requested preferred teammates, schools attended, home address location and other criteria. All children are eligible to play - no tryouts are required or allowed.
VOLUNTEER COACHES
Each recreational team must have a coach. Coaches are nearly all volunteers from the participants' parent pool. Silver Lake Soccer provides many training opportunities and resources for volunteer coaches. Please consider volunteering or encouraging a relative or friend to volunteer.
All volunteers are required to have completed nationwide background checks.
TIME COMMITMENT
PRACTICE
Silver Lake Soccer recreational teams typically practice for one hour on fields in the greater Silver Lake area twice a week starting in August. Washington Youth Soccer limits recreational teams to two hours of practice time per week to differentiate recreational teams from competitive programs. Practice times are dependent on the availability of the team's volunteer coach. Participating players should be prepared to practice with their assigned team any day of the week. It is not possible to match a player's availability to a team's practice schedule. Generally, practice schedules are on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday schedule with a few teams practicing for two hours on Fridays. Practice times range from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (later times typically for older players).
GAMES
Games are played on weekends in a ten week season beginning in September after Labor Day. Use the chart below to determine what game day schedule to expect.
2024-25 Season Tentative Game Days by Age Group (last changed in 2016)*:
Either an all Sunday or all Saturday Schedule**
U08: players born in 2017
Mixed Saturday and Sunday schedule; 6 Saturday games and 4 Sunday games**
U09: players born in 2016
U10: players born in 2015
U11: players born in 2014
U12: players born in 2013
Saturday only schedule
U13: players born in 2012
U14: players born in 2011
U15: players born in 2010
Sunday only schedule**,***
High School Age: teams with players born in 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006
*Teams playing in a division with a BYE weekend may need to play two games in a weekend--one Saturday and one Sunday.
**Games scheduled on Sunday will not start before 12:00 PM (Noon)
***For the high school age groups, Sunday games scheduled on weekends in November after Daylight Saving Time ends, may need to start as early as 10:30 AM.
TRAVEL
Practice locations are mostly on Everett School District fields in the Silver Lake area but include Mill Creek Sports Park, Tambark Field and occasionally Kasch Park.
Age groups U-08 through U10 will play games mostly in the South end of North County Youth Soccer Association including teams from Irish Soccer Club, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Sky River (Monroe area). (This is subject to change each year and was last changed in 2023.)
All ages U11 and older play within the entire North County Youth Soccer Association including teams from Irish Soccer Club, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Sky River (Monroe area), Whidbey Island. (This is subject to change each year and was last changed in 2023.)
EQUIPMENT
Each team purchases their own uniforms (typically $30-$45)
Soccer cleats (tennis shoes can be worn)
Shin Guards (REQUIRED)
Soccer Ball (size depends on age group - size 3 for U8, size 4 for U9-U12, size 5 U13 and older)
Water Bottle