Homewood Soccer Club

THE BEST-BALANCED YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAM IN ALABAMA

Winter Breakout 3v3 Tournament a Success!

Feb 23

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A total of 61 teams consisting of 360 kids from 8 to 13 years of age (not to mention hundreds of parents, siblings, family and friends) participated in the first Winter Breakout 3v3 Tournament at Homewood Soccer Club this past weekend. The weather was perfect, in the upper 60s and the sun was shining.

Congratulations to the Homewood teams that placed:
U10 girls Homewood Lightening — first place
U10 boys Homewood Kukonakas — second place
U13/14 girls Homewood Manhandlers — first place

Congrats to all the players and coaches for a memorable, fun day of soccer. Thanks to all our wonderful sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and all those who helped make this day a success!

On a side note, if there was an award for best team name of the day, it would have to go to the Evil Pop Tarts. Inventive. They will be receiving medals in the mail for best name!

Snow night on the new fields!

Feb 16

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Last night Rob Dominguez’s blue team had a rare delight: soccer practice in the snow! Not only did they help “break in” the wonderful new field debuting this spring season, they did it in snow style.

Photos

Oct 21

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en Español

Oct 21

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Bienvenido al sitio oficial de Homewood Soccer Club. Si necesita información en español escríbenos a jbrannon@homewoodsoccer.com.

Sponsors

Oct 21

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We would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting our program:

First Lenders Mortgage Corporation
Jody Brant – Home Loan Specialist
205-942-9696
Publix
Edgemont Town Center
Homewood
205-944-1101
Oxmoor Automotive, Inc
Volvo Maintenance & Repair
Russ Hepp
205-942-4141
Eskridge & White Physiotherapy
205-879-7501
Midas
Jerry Handley
Homewood: 205-942-4489
Hoover: 205-979-2614
Highland Premier Homes, LLC
Birmingham – Huntsville
Brian Platt
205-223-6688
Jim ‘n Nicks Bar-B-Q
205-942-0567

FRIENDS OF HOMEWOOD SOCCER CLUB
Division 4 Solutions, LLC – Mike Kile
Dr. Kilgore-Homewood Veterinary Services PC

For information about becoming a sponsor for Homewood Soccer, please contact David Armistead (205-516-0931) or Lee Lavette (205-913-6591).

Special thanks to all our wonderful sponsors who supported our inaugural Winter Breakout 3v3 Tournament in 2010!

Patriot League

Oct 21

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Patriot League (ages 3 through 7) fall 2010 season registrations opened June 1, 2010. The deadline for registration was August 20, 2010. No registrations will be accepted after this date. The season begins September 7th and 9th.

A player’s age is based on their actual age on July 31, 2010. Even if a player has  a birthday after the start of fall season they maintain the same soccer age for 12 months, until next July 31, 2011. Players do not age up between fall and spring seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Patriot League?

The Patriot League is an intramural league that is a key component of the Homewood Soccer Program.  It provides the early learning and playing opportunity for children from age 3 through age 7. The program goal is to introduce and reinforce the “Joy of the Game” of soccer and to begin to introduce the basic skills necessary for growth in the game.

Effective with the Fall 2010 season a new U-8 Transitional Program is being introduced as part of the Patriot Program.  The new program is explained below.

How big are the Teams

Team Size:

U-4:  6-7 players; games are 3 vs. 3

U-5 and U-6: 6-7 players; games are 3 vs. 3

U-7: 8-9 players; games are 4 vs. 4

When do the Patriots practice and play their games?

U-4 (3 year olds) sessions are on Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:30.

U-5 and U-6 (4 and 5 year olds) sessions are on Tuesday, from 6:00 to 7:30.

U-7 (6 year olds) sessions are on Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:30.

The practices will be at the Homewood Soccer Park. At each session the first 30 minutes are for practice with the team. The second part of the session is for a game with another team. The length of the games is as follows:

  • U-4: At this age sessions are more informal and practices and games will be based on the interest level of the players.
  • U-5/6: Quarters are 6 minutes with 2 minutes between quarters and a 5 minute half.
  • U-7: Quarters are 8 minutes with 2 minutes between quarters and a 5 minute half.

Describe and explain the new U-8 Transitional Program for Fall 2010?

The primary goals of the new U-8 Transitional Program include:

  1. Continue to teach “The Joy of the Game” by increasing the challenge and the excitement of games.
  2. Significantly increase the pace of individual player development.
  3. Prepare players for the step up to the Red Team play level and intermural play against other clubs, which takes place at U-9.

Key points:

  1. U-8 teams will continue to meet on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30, but the session will be a full practice without the game.
  2. Teams will be co-ed.
  3. U-8 games will be played on Saturdays at scheduled times. The scheduled game period will be for one hour. The games will be 6 v 6, with a goalie and played on a full 6 v 6 field.
  4. There will be active coaching during the games-learning is the goal.

What equipment is required to play Patriot soccer?

At the initial session each player will receive his or her team shirt which is the uniform shirt for each practice. Each team has its own color shirt.  Each player will need soccer shoes (or tennis shoes) white socks, and shin guards. They will be necessary at the first session because there will be a practice.

How are Patriot Teams put together?

Criteria for making up teams:

The two main criteria for making up teams in the U-4 division, and the U-5/U-6 division are:

  1. Balance the ratio of ages on each team.
  2. Balance the ratio of girls and boys on each team.

For the U-7 age group an attempt will be made to have single gender teams, but it will be dependent on the numbers of players in each gender that register.

For U-8 age group will have Co-Ed teams.

For all age groups, players may request to be on a team with a particular other player. There is a space on the registration form to make these requests. Homewood Soccer works to meet those requests, but can not guarantee to do so.

What does it cost to play Patriot Soccer?

The fee is $80.00 per season.

If not a Homewood Resident there is an additional fee of $25.00.

For more league-specific information, please email the Patriot League contact: patriots@homewoodsoccer.com

Red Teams

Oct 21

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Registration for Red Teams (recreational, ages 8 and up) for the fall 2010 season opened June 1, 2010. The deadline for registration was July 30, 2010. Players registering after this date will be placed on teams only as long as team openings remain. Teams from the fall season will be kept together for the spring season to the maximum extent possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Red Teams?
Red Teams are the teams established within the Homewood Soccer Program to promote recreational soccer. The goal of the Red Team part of the Homewood Soccer Program is to help each Red Team player to learn and enjoy the game of soccer; gain the multiple benefits of all youth recreational programs; and to provide the opportunity for each child to improve his/her soccer skills to the level of their desire and ability within the Homewood program.

What is the size of the teams?
Team size varies with the age group.

U-9 and U-10: Games are played 6 v 6 including goalies. The maximum number of players on a roster is 11.

U-11 and U-12: Games are played 8 v 8 including goalies. The maximum number of players on a roster is 14.

U-13 and older: Games are played 11 v 11 including goalies. The maximum number of players on a roster is 18.

How are teams put together?
The Homewood Soccer Program philosophy is to place players on teams primarily based on each player’s combination of skill and commitment, with secondary attention to other preferences when possible. Teams will be established that put together players with as similar ability as possible. This team make up allows the most efficient coaching and allows all players to be responsible for and share equally in the success of the team.

The primary method for determination of a player’s skill level is from the player’s performance during an evaluation process conducted at sessions offered in late July prior to the fall season. Attendance at one of these sessions is extremely important to insure that players are placed on appropriate teams.

Teams established in the fall will be kept intact for the spring season to the maximum extent possible.

When do teams practice and play games?
Red Teams have two practices of 1-1/2 hours a week and play games almost always on Saturday. Games are occasionally played on Sunday or during the week.

Practices can be on Monday through Friday and the possible practice blocks are 4:30-6:00; 6:00-7:30; or 7:30-9:00. Younger teams do not use the 7:30-9:00 block.  The team coach is the primary decider on practice times.

Teams normally play 8 games during a season.

Who are the coaches for Red Teams?
Red Teams will be coached primarily by voluntary coaches. The Red Team coaches will receive training under a coaching development program designed and managed by the Director of Coaching. In addition, all Red Teams will receive coaching assistance (skills or strategy, if needed) from the Homewood soccer program, through the Director of Coaching.  Red Teams will be allowed to use paid coaches only with the approval of the Director of Coaching. Coaches must continue to develop their coaching skills through training in order to continue to coach in the program. All coaches must abide by the Homewood Soccer Program Coaching Expectation Statement.

What equipment is required and who is responsible for providing it?
Red Team players are required to have soccer cleats and shin guards at all practices and games.

There is a standard Homewood uniform that is available at Homewood Sporting Goods in Homewood. It is made by Adidas and is a white jersey and royal shorts. The jersey has a number on the back and a Homewood soccer patch on the front.  Soccer socks are part of the uniform and the sock color is determined by each team.

The cost of a full uniform is $55.00 to $60.00 and the purchase is the responsibility oh the player’s family. Uniforms can be used season to season and passed along to others.

My child has not played soccer before, is it too late to start at the Red Team level?
One of the great things about the game of soccer is it that it is simple and is based on the natural activity of running and kicking a ball. Players can start at any age and get up to speed quickly if they make the effort. The limited rules are simple; there are roles for players of all sizes, ability and experience. The primary requirement is the desire to try hard and to want to have fun in a team environment.

What is the cost of playing on a Red Team?
The registration fee is $105.00.

If the player is not a Homewood resident there is an additional $25.00 fee.

For more league-specific information, please email the Red Teams contact: redteams@homewoodsoccer.com

Blue Teams

Oct 20

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The 2010/2011 soccer year try out and selection process  for Blue Team players began on Friday, June 4, 2010 and is now complete. A few teams still have spaces available.  If a player is interested in pursuing a team offer contact David Putman, Soccer Director, at homewoodsoccer@aol.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Blue Teams?
Homewood Soccer identifies all of our select teams as “Blue Teams.” Players for Blue Teams are selected through a competitive try-out conducted in the first half of June, for the new soccer year beginning on July 1. Teams are established as one year teams for both the fall and spring seasons.

Blue Teams play in the AYSA State League, Division I or Division II. The State League is established for teams put together through competitive selection process. The competition is serious and the level of play is high. Teams come from soccer organizations throughout the state of Alabama.

At what age level do Blue Teams begin?
Blue Teams begin at U-11 and go through U-18 or U-19.  There are teams for both Boys and Girls.

Is there an extra level of commitment required to play on a Blue Team?
The opportunity to play on a Homewood Soccer Blue Team is an honor, but it creates a responsibility to the other members of the team. There are strict requirements for attendance at practices and games. Team players are required to be prompt, to work hard at practices and games, and to do additional practice and fitness on their own time.

AYSA requires a one year commitment when a player accepts a position on a select team, which means the player can not move to another Club during a soccer year except under very unusual circumstances.

There are additional fees associated with playing on a Blue Team.

Costs: Fall/Spring
Program Registration Fee (Each Season) $105.00/ $105.00
Blue Team Fee (Each Season) $260.00/ $260.00
Uniform Fee (One per year) $90.00/ none
Sub-Total: $455.00 / $365.00
Non-Resident Fee if applicable (Each Season) $50.00 / $50.00

Being selected to play on a Blue Team brings with it certain important obligations and responsibilities, and each player and his/her parents should carefully consider them before accepting an offer to play on one of the Homewood Blue Teams. If the player will have too many conflicts, the player should not accept an offer to be a part of a Blue Team.

What are the benefits of playing on a Blue Team?
Blue Teams play in the AYSA State League. The State League is established for teams put together through competitive selection process. The competition is serious and the level of play is high. Teams come from soccer organizations throughout the state of Alabama. This more competitive environment allows players to be challenged and develop their skill level.

The players play with other players that are the best available within the Homewood Program for their age and that share the commitment to the game and their desire to improve their ability.

Blue Teams are trained by coaches with significant soccer playing and coaching experience. The coaches have been tested and are licensed by the United States Soccer Federation.

Blue Teams play in two Tournaments per season and the AYSA State Cup Championship Tournament in the season it is offered for their age group. The tournaments provide further opportunity to play a variety of teams in very competitive situations.

When and how often do Blue Teams practice and when do they play their games?
Blue Teams have two practices of 1-1/2 hours a week and are strongly encouraged to attend the Technique and Fitness sessions offered each week.

Practices can be on Monday through Friday and the possible practice blocks are 4:30-6:00; 6:00-7:30; or 7:30-9:00. Younger teams do not use the 7:30-9:00 block. The team coach is the primary decider on practice times.

Teams play 8 league games during a season. The games are scheduled by AYSA and can be on almost any day of the week, but most are on Saturdays or Sundays. Four games are home games and played at the Homewood Soccer Park and four are away games that could be played from Huntsville to Mobile. Tournaments can also involve travel and even over night stays.

Does Homewood Soccer offer any Financial Aid programs for players?
Yes, Homewood Soccer has a compressive program. Homewood soccer believes that money issues should not prevent any determined player from playing soccer.

See the financial aid program information available on this web site.

Where can I find additional information on the commitment and cost requirements involved with playing on a Blue Team?
See the Blue Team Player Expectation document

See the Blue Team Policies and Practices document

See the Blue Team Key Information

For more league-specific information, please email the Blue Teams contact: blueteams@homewoodsoccer.com