Starting Spring 2007 season in response to feedback from our coaches, the NWAL club will not be entertaining Pre-K teams in the league. The club will adopt the age guidelines determined by the Arlington County school system to determine eligible playing ages. In other words, if your child meets age eligibility for kindergarten, then he or she is ready for soccer. If not, your child will need to wait another season or two before playing organized soccer.
Practice days are assigned based on coach and field availability. Your team's coach will contact you to let you know where and when practices will be held.
Most teams in the Under-6 and the Under-7 divisions practice once per week for 45 minutes. The majority of teams playing in Under-8 and higher divisions typically hold two 45 minute practices a week. In the Fall, the number of practices typically falls off towards the end of the season, particularly after the clocks change, as poor light forces practice sessions to be condensed or cancelled. Your coach will let you know of your team's practice schedule as soon as all the teams, coaches and fields have been finalized.
The seasons usually span about three months (10 weeks). The details will be provided with the season's schedule.
Typically a season consists of eight games. Depending on field availability, time of season and other factors, rained-out games may or may not be rescheduled.
Usually teams can expect one game on a Sunday, meaning that at least once, each team will play two games in a week.
Jersey's can be purchased by calling American Challenge Toll-Free 1-800-638-9112 between 9AM-4:30PM or are available locally at Soccer Kicks located at 6029 Wilson Blvd. Click here for uniform information and shopping details.
Soccer cleats are not required, but are recommended, particularly in the Fall when our fields get very slick. Anyone taking a decent swing at the ball while wearing sneakers is likely to wind up on his/her tush. This is usually considered quite humorous by all except the tushee and his/her parents. Click here for uniform information.
YES! These are mandatory for all practices and for all games. Shin-guards should be worn under socks. Click here for uniform information.
Look for soon to be provided information regarding a "shoe-swap"!
The uniform jersey is not required for practices. The following are recommended for practices. Appropriate shoes, either cleats or other "athletic" shoes are recommended, clothing according to the weather and a water bottle. SHIN-GUARDS are MANDATORY.
A desire to have fun!
No it doesn't matter that you can't make it to every practice. But practices are important for team building as well as promoting fun!
Referees are required to have all players remove earrings during the games. While this is a rule that may not be consistently enforced, some referees seem not to mind while others enforce the rule, the policy is that earrings are not allowed to be worn during the games.
This is of most concern when ears are first pierced and earrings may not be removed for several weeks.
Please work together with your coaches to enforce this rule which was established for the safety of our children.