As you move through your years of association with LVSA, you will face many changes. Most players register for the first time at 5 or 6 years of age.  In your first year, the biggest challenge is to remember that, after half time, you change directions and should score on the goal at the opposite end of the field!  You will play with approximately ten boys the same age and you will be learning quickly how to become a member of a team.  This is time of great bonding with your coaches and teammates.  Your pride in being a member of the Lynn Valley Soccer Association will begin to establish itself.

Players in the Under-6 to Under-10 age groups play Mini Soccer (from 3-a-side up to 7-a-side, depending upon their age); U11 & U12 teams play Super 8 Soccer (8-a-side).  Once you arrive at U13, you will begin to play with 11 players on the field.  This is Divisional Soccer.  This year you will have to expect some changes in your team formation.  There is historically a need to blend teams together and move players around to give each team enough players. We try to be sensitive to your requests to play together with your friends but you must expect some changes and player movement between teams.

In U12, you will have already faced some challenges.  This is the first year that we are required to rate teams as Gold, Silver or Bronze based on team strength.  This process includes the selection of a Gold "Falcons" team and a Silver "Hawks" team in each age group.  As a result of this selection process, you may find yourself playing with different teammates.

At age 12, you can add a whole new dimension to your soccer experience: take the referee course and put your skill to the test while making a valuable contribution to your Club.  We currently play our starting referees $12 per game!

U14 will see more changes.  This is the first year that players are eligible to try out for the North Shore Premier Player Program (NSPPP) teams.  Some of the best players in the club move out of our club to play on these teams.  While it can be hard to lose a friend and skilled teammate, we have to encourage them to pursue soccer at the highest level to which they are capable.  For more information, visit www.nsppp.com.

1. Play for the fun of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
2. Play by the rules.
3. Never argue with the officials’ decisions.  Let your captain or coach ask any necessary questions.
4. Control your temper – no mouthing off or ungentlemanly conduct.
5. Work equally hard for yourself and your team.  Your team’s performance will benefit and so will your own.
6. Be a good sport.  Cheer all good plays, whether your team’s or your opponent’s.
7. Treat all players as you yourself would like to be treated.  Don’t interfere with, bully, or take unfair advantage of any player.
8. Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good.  Don’t be a show-off or always try to get the most points or penalties.
9. Co-operate with coaches, teammates and opponents; without them, there isn’t a game.  

Coach's Code

1. Be reasonable in your demands on the young players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.  Remember that they have other interests.
2. Teach your players that rules of the game are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
3. Group players according to age, height, skill and physical maturity whenever possible.
4. Avoid over-playing the talented players.  The just average players need and deserve equal time.
5. Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of it.  Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing a competition.
6. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
7. The scheduling and length of practice times and competitions should take into consideration the maturity level of the children.
8. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgement of officials and opposing coaches.
9. Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to play again.
10. Remember that children need a coach they can respect.  Be generous with praise when it is deserved, and set a good example.
11. Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of development of children.

1. Attempt to address the problem at a team level with the coaches, manager and other teams members.  Failing a resolution being found...
2. Discuss your concerns with the appropriate Age Group Coordinator outlining the steps you have taken thus far.  Failing a resolution...
3. Discuss your concerns with the Mini Soccer or Divisional Director outlining the steps you have taken to date.  Failing a resolution....
4. Discuss your concerns with the Ombudsman, who is a non-voting member at large for LVSA and impartial arbitrator.  The Ombudsman will investigate the situation and present the situation and a recommendation for resolution to the appropriate members of the LVSA board who will then act on the recommendation.  Failing a resolution....
5. Write a letter to the Board outlining your concerns and the steps taken toward a resolution.  The Board will address the issue at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

Try to resolve problems at the level closest to where they occur.  We ask you to accept that this is a volunteer organization and as such cannot demand perfection.  We all must do our best and join in working towards a positive soccer experience for the players.  That is our reason for being involved.

Respecting the privacy and security of players’ personal information is important to us. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. It is designed to inform you of the types of information we collect and how we use that information.

Information We Collect

As one of our players, we collect non-public personal information about you to allow your registration for various soccer activities. Examples of this type of information include your name, address, telephone number, birth date; B.C. Soccer Association registration number and other personal information. In some cases, we may also receive information about you from others (for example, in relation to disciplinary matters or other matters referred to our Board).

How We Protect Your Information

We only grant access to non-public personal information about you to employees and service providers so that they can administer our soccer related activities. We require that your information remain confidential. In addition, we maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.

We will not disclose any non-public information about you except as required by law, as described in this Privacy Policy or as otherwise communicated to you.

Information Sharing With Non-Affiliated Third Parties

We share certain of the information we collect, as described above, with non-affiliated third parties such as British Columbia Soccer Association and its officials to allow you to participate in activities under their auspices and local governmental authorities to enable us to obtain access to recreational facilities for the purposes of soccer activities. Except for such purposes and as required to allow you to participate in soccer activities we will not share the information with non-affiliated third parties without prior notice to you.