Organized soccer begins at age five in Lynn Valley.  Most parents bring their son to his first soccer game without any knowledge of our organization and its operation.  Here are some commons questions and answers to help guide you through the season.

What is Mini Soccer?

Mini Soccer in the Lynn Valley Soccer Association is designed to provide boys with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game of soccer and develop these skills in a non-competitive format.  LVSA complies with the Mini Soccer guidelines of the BCSA designed to maximize a young player's enjoyment and technical development by using a small field.  The skills that these boys develop allow them to continue on to competitive Divisional soccer when they turn twelve years of age.

To be correctly aligned for entry-level soccer in our 2008/2009 season, your son's birthday should fall in the year 2002. The following chart will help you to determine what age group your son will be playing in the current year:

The season begins in September and runs through to March of the following year, ending at Spring Break.  There is a Christmas break of approximately four weeks from mid-December to mid-January (for U6, a six-week break starting up again at the beginning of February).  Each year, our season ends with a two-day tournament, held on the first weekend of Spring Break.

How are the teams formed?

Teams are formed by putting groups of boys from several schools together.  This allows the boys to make new friends and expand their social environment through their soccer experience.

What equipment do Players need?

Equipment required to play Mini Soccer is a pair of soccer boots (cleats) and shin guards.  SHIN GUARDS ARE MANDATORY and must be worn for both practices and games.  Knee pads for the younger players playing on gravel fields are recommended, as are gloves.  Athletic supports should be considered at the older levels of play.  LVSA provides a jersey, shorts and socks for each player.  Both the jersey and shorts must be returned at the end of the year; however the players can keep their socks.  UNIFORMS ARE TO BE WORN FOR GAME TIME ONLY!

Who do the Mini Soccer teams play against?

Mini Soccer teams in Lynn Valley play an interlocking schedule against other teams from Lynn Valley as well as teams from Lions Gate, Mount Seymour and West Vancouver.

When are games and practices held?

Who coaches these Mini Soccer teams?

Usually a parent of one of the players coaches these teams.  Many teams have more than one coach, as this may be the first time many parents have undertaken such a challenge.  Since it is difficult to recruit coaches, if any parent knows of anyone who wants to coach, we ask that you do your best to encourage them to step forward and volunteer.

Mini Soccer teams also need a lot of support from the other parents.  Other responsibilities include team management, field lining, bringing oranges to games, etc.

Who referees the Mini Soccer games?

The Club has many boys and girls who take time out of their Saturday to referee Mini Soccer games.  These youngsters have taken a certified referee course but special consideration must be given to them as they are still learning.  Any reports of verbal or physical abuse towards these referees by coaches, managers, parents or players is taken very seriously and will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.  Remember, it is a game!

What is the playing format for Mini Soccer?

The British Columbia Soccer Association mandated some changes to the Mini Soccer format starting the 2006/2007 season.  The purpose of these changes is to provide better development for the players at all levels of Mini Soccer.  All Minis in U6 to U9 will play with a size 3 ball; in U10 to U12, size 4.

Each age group has its own Coordinator (AGC) in addition to the Mini Soccer Director who oversees the whole Mini Soccer Division.  The AGC's responsibilities include communicating all pertinent information received from the Mini Soccer Director to the coaches and/or managers in their age group.  It is also the direct responsibility of the AGC to receive all scores from the weekend games in order to compile the standing for proper team alignment after each round of the schedule.

It must be remembered that the first round of games by all U6 and U7 teams can be lopsided as we do not know the strength of the new entry teams.  In this event, we ask those teams that are winning by a wide margin to keep the score down.  It is our hope that your boys' participation in Mini Soccer is fun and fulfilling.