U5 - U14 PROGRAMS

We anticipate fielding Under 5, Under 6, Under 7, Under 8, Under 10, Under 12/14 age groups providing there are sufficient volunteer coaches available.

Some age groups may be combined like other leagues do (e.g. U5 participants may be placed in the U6 age group and U7 participants may be placed in the U8 age group, etc.)–if we do not have enough coaches to have separate teams.

The Florida Youth Soccer Association’s cutoff date affects participants’ eligibility for the year–this means it is effective for two seasons (Spring and Fall of the current year). Please view the Age Divisions chart to verify player eligibility prior to coming to registration.

Mandatory Skills Assessment:

Skills Assessment is used to help us try to create evenly balanced teams. It’s more fun for players when teams are of, or close to, equal ability. Prior to each season, new (and some returning) participants in the Under 7, Under 8, Under 10, Under 12/14 age groups must participate in a 15-minute mandatory Skills Assessment in order to complete registration. The mandatory skills assessment will be held on a Saturday usually a week or two after registration. There is no make-up/alternative skills assessment date–WSA must restrict enrollment due to limited volunteer coaching resources. Please visit the Skills Assessment page for additional information.

There is no skills assessment for the U5 and U6 participants. Age and gender are taken into consideration during team building as well as parents’ and coaches’ skills assessment.

While creating evenly balanced teams is not an exact science, our goal is to try to create a more enjoyable experience for the participants.

Program Details:

Games will be played on Saturdays* with one or two practices during the week. The Under 5 – Under 10 teams practice once a week. The U12/14 teams may practice twice a week. Practice days and times will be determined by the team’s coach, based on their own personal schedule and field space availability. Therefore, WSA cannot provide schedules in advance of the season. If your child is involved with other activities or you anticipate transportation/scheduling issues that may conflict with WSA activities, please note that requests for refunds or for players to be reassigned to teams will not be honored.

Small-sided Soccer:
WSA feels small-sided soccer is best for the development of its players because it allows young players to touch the soccer ball more often and become more skillful with it.

This means soccer games with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field. These are fun games that involve the players more because fewer players are sharing one ball.

Most of WSA’s coaches are first-time coaches–parents with little free time. Small-sided soccer is a way to ease adults into coaching as well as to ease children into playing. Small-sided games help ensure children have fun and at the same time, maximize their learning opportunities. The “Small-Sided” environment is a fun, developmentally appropriate environment for young soccer players. It is recommended by US Youth Soccer.

Games and practices will be at the Westchase Rec. Center fields or Glencliff Park.

*U14 games may be played on a weeknight (e.g. Friday) and other age groups may have games scheduled for weeknights and other locations if there are extenuating circumstances or field space restrictions within the community.

Mandatory Equipment:

Each season, every participant will receive a full uniform kit which must be worn during games. The league-issued uniform (including the shorts and socks issued by WSA for the current season) is mandatory for participation in games. Children may wear appropriate clothing of their choice for practices. Participants are required to purchase a soccer ball, shin-guards and soccer cleats (which must be worn during all soccer practices and games).

Age Group	Ball Size
U5, U6, U7, U8	Size 3 ball
U10, U12	Size 4 ball
U14	Size 5 ball

For safety reasons, participants cannot wear any jewelry (including fitness trackers), hats, sunglasses and hard casts are not permitted in soccer practices and games. These are safety mandates from the Florida Youth Soccer Association and US Youth Soccer organizations.

Every participant will receive an award at the end of the season.

Volunteer Opportunities:

There is no guarantee your child will be assigned to a team unless you coach or are an active volunteer! There are many ways you can get involved with organizing the league if you don’t have the time to coach or don’t know how to coach. There are tasks for everyone–please volunteer to help create a better experience for your child. Visit the Coaches’ Corner for information on coaching or sign up for non-coaching tasks by viewing the volunteer opportunities available.

No refunds will be made for cancellations due to inclement weather, illnesses, injuries or other circumstances beyond our control. Due to the up-front costs related to facilities, fields, equipment, uniforms, administration and insurance, etc., once a player is registered, no refunds will be issued after the refund deadline published on the website and payment made for one season cannot be credited/applied to another.

This page contains general information about the programs. Please visit the Teams & Schedules pages for season-specific activities. Information regarding program details is subject to change without notice.