Somersetwest Soccer

Who can play

The Somerset West Soccer Club boundaries are the attendance boundaries of the following public elementary schools - Lenox, Bethany, Rock Creek, McKinley, and Elmonica. All children in grades 2 - 8 (based on school grade beginning in the fall) living in those attendance areas can play with the Club. State and national soccer association rules preclude restriction of play based on geographic “boundaries,” so children living outside the Club’s boundaries are also welcome to play with the Club.

The Somerset West Soccer Club programs are affiliated programs of the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District(THRPD). All participants in the Club's soccer programs must have a THRPD ID number to play. Participants living inside the THPRD boundaries can obtain an ID number at no cost. Participants living outside the district boundaries must pay an "Out-of-District" fee to obtain an ID number. This fee can be paid on an annual basis or per season basis. More information about THPRD's "Out-of-District" fees is available on their Web site at www.thprd.org.

Teams

All teams are formed according to the Club’s team formation policy. For the 2nd through 8th grade program, boys and girls play on separate teams organized by school grade.

Teams are officially formed and rosters finalized the last week of July. Once finalized, coaches can begin notifying their players and organizing their practices.

Games

The season for the 2nd through 8th grade program begins the first Saturday after public schools begin in September. All games are played on Saturdays. The younger teams (U8 and U9) play eight games and the older teams play ten. Older teams (U10 and above) may have mid-week games scheduled on a lighted field so that they cam complete their seasons in early November. Saturday game times vary depending on the age group. The earliest games begin at 8:00 a.m. and the latest at noon unless a “double header” is scheduled.

Game schedules are typically not finalized until late August. Once they’re ready, the schedules are posted on the League Web site (www.thjsl.org).

All games are played on school, park, or church fields located within the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District. A map of the fields is located on the Aloha Youth Soccer Club Web site. A link to the site is located on the Somerset West Web site.

Practices

Practices can begin in early August but the actual start date is up to each team’s coach. Most teams practice two evenings per week throughout the season and a few also practice on Saturdays during the month of August. Most teams practice on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, but there are a few who practice on other days (e.g., Tuesday / Friday). Practice times vary depending on coach preference and availability.

All practices are held on school, park, or church fields located with the boundaries of the Somerset West Soccer Club.

Equipment

Players must wear shin guards and proper shoes at all practices and games. Baseball/softball cleats are not allowed. Players should bring an appropriate size ball and water to all practice sessions. U8 (2nd grade players) use a #3 ball, U9-U12 players use a #4 ball, and U13-14 players use a #5 ball.

Uniforms (shirts and socks) are issued to all players. They must be worn at all games but should not be worn at practices. The uniform shirt must be returned to the Club at the end of the season. Blue shorts are availible for purchase from the director at large or from any sports store.

Rules

All games are governed by rules adopted by the Tualatin Hills Junior Soccer League. The rules, which are actually modifications of the international rules (i.e., FIFA’s Laws of the Game) are updated annually and provided to all coaches and player families in the form of a booklet called The Guide to THJSL Soccer.

Practice sessions are governed by disciplinary rules adopted by the Club.