TWICE - A- WEEK YOUTH RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
U9 - U11 ( PLAYERS BORN 2000 - 1998 )
Play TWICE a Week (U9 - U11 ONLY)
Again this year includes an opportunity for players in the U9 to U11 age levels to play twice per week instead of once. The structure of the game nights remains the same (practice & game) and the program will still be coached by volunteers.
The game nights for both the U9 and U10/11 twice-a-week programs are TENTATIVELY set for Sunday and Wednesday evenings. These nights cannot be finalized until the club receives our field allocation for the season from the City of Ottawa and we get an idea of the level of interest in this option. The game nights will be finalized ASAP and reflected on this website.
As this is only the second year of this program it is difficult to predict the level of enrolment. The club reserves the right to cancel this program if there is not enough enrolment to make it feasible. If a division must be cancelled then those registered will be rolled into the regular program (once a week) and a refund will be issued for the difference in cost. Assuming the tentative game nights hold, for the U10/11 players this would mean that they will still play on Wednesday, but not on Sunday. For the U9 players this means that their game night would move to Friday.
Coaches
Participation as a Recreational coach provides the opportunities for any interested parent or volunteer to be exposed to coaching principles, gain an appreciation for the game, receive an introduction to the OSU program, and most importantly experience the unique challenges and rewards that come with coaching a youth sports team.
The club supports our Recreational coaches with materials and clinics that provide guidance on the OSU approach to soccer development along with a suggested skill development practice schedule and drills.
The club will also host coaching certification courses for those interested. The enrolment fee for these courses will be reimbursed to club members after successful completion. Certification is not currently required at the Rec levels but it is highly recommended.
Referees
OSU’s Recreational Program is also a key method for developing our referees. The Recreational program is an important first step in referee development allowing new referees the opportunity to gain experience in a low stress environment.
Fields
Every reasonable attempt is made to have all players in Recreational play their home games within their immediate geographical area of residence. This is sometimes not possible due to late registrations, field availability and where registration numbers dictate that we must merge age levels and/or geographical regions.
OSU geographical area includes:
- Barrhaven
- Manotick
- Riverside South
- Metcalfe
- Greely
- Osgoode
- Kars/North Gower
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Teams
It is our goal to have balanced teams within the age levels, however, an evaluation or sort out mechanism is not employed to achieve this.
Teams may not be formed until mid-May so inquiries should be withheld until that time. Parents worried about whether their child is going to be placed on a team should contact the division coordinator found on the Contact Us page after that timeframe.
A player may be moved up if the child is too dominant for their age group. This must be requested by the division coordinator and/or parent for approval by the Program Director.
Parents’ schedules, transportation problems or playing with friends are not valid grounds for moving a child up or down an age group. We will consider requests for medical reasons.
Schedules
When the season's schedules are finalized, coaches will distribute them to the players. Schedules will also be posted on our website.
Referees
The club will provide referees for all games starting at U10. For all other games, U9 and below, team coaches will share the referee duties.
Field Time
All players are entitled to equal playing time, regardless of skill level or the score of the game.
Game Cancellations
Games should be cancelled only for electrical storms or very heavy rain. Parents & Coaches should assume that the game is to be played unless they are telephoned & informed otherwise. Cancellation will be determined by the Coordinator or by the referee at the field. Cancelled games will not be rescheduled.
Standings
We are maintaining game results and standings for U10/11 divisions and up. This is being done on a trial basis at the suggestion of many parents. The outcome of this trial will be reviewed at the end of the season to determine whether it becomes a regular characteristic of our program.
However, this does not change our philosophy to Youth Recreational soccer. The emphasis remains on fun, fitness improvement, sportsmanship and development.
Picture Days
Schedules will be posted on our website
