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What is SOCCA?
The Soccer Organization of the Coshocton County Area (SOCCA) was founded to provide a recreational environment for youth to learn and enjoy the game of soccer. The SOCCA organization was founded on the principals of good sportsmanship, respect, team ethics and fun, with the objective of teaching children the basics of soccer. Participants from the SOCCA program have gone on to play at the traveling, premier, high school, and collegiate levels.
Who operates SOCCA and how is it organized?
SOCCA is operated on a not for profit basis and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization. SOCCA is a completely volunteer organization, and we rely on volunteer coaches, referees, and board members to ensure a successful program. SOCCA is operated by a Board of Directors of up to 15 members. Many board members have served as coaches or have children participating in the SOCCA program. Some of our board members are former high school soccer players or have experience coaching at the high school or club level.
Games are played at the Lake Park Soccer Complex located at 23253 State Route 83, Coshocton, Ohio. Parking, restroom facilities, and concessions are all available at the site. The soccer complex consists of a total of 6 soccer fields of varying sizes, appropriate for each age group from ages 4-12th grade.
Lake Park is operated by the Coshocton County Park District. Other recreational opportunities are available at Lake Park, including swimming at the Aquatic Center, playground, fishing, baseball, softball, camping, bike and walking trails, and picnic shelters.
Once teams are established, players will be contacted by their coaches for practice time and place. Players must wear shin guards and tennis shoes or cleats that have no toe cleat. Baseball cleats are not permitted.
The SOCCA season consists of a 6-game Spring and 6-game Fall session. The Spring session typically begins on the first Saturday in April and the Fall Session typically begins the first Saturday in September.
When and where are the games played?
Who May Participate:
The SOCCA program is open to children ages 4-12th grade from Coshocton County and surrounding areas.
Recreational Teams:
4-5 year olds will have Weekly Sessions on Saturdays at Lake Park Soccer Complex.
K-5th Grade teams will practice through the week at the coach's discretion with games being held Saturday mornings at Lake Park Soccer Complex.
6-12th Grade Teams will practice through the week at the coach's discretion with games being held Saturday mornings at Lake Park Soccer Complex during SPRING SESSION ONLY.
Travel / Competitive Team:
Boys currently in 6th & 7th grades may try-out in May for the travel team. The Travel Team is on a Jr. High competitive level playing other clubs and schools.
How much does is cost to play?
SOCCA has been fortunate to receive financial support from McDonald's of Coshocton to help defray costs. The fee, which will cover both the spring and fall sessions (12 games total), is as follows:
1st Child = $40
2nd Child = $35
Each additional child = $15
Grades 6 -12 = $30 for 6 games in the Spring ONLY. (Travel Team Fees are not included here.)
If paying for 3 or more -- the higher fees are the first two paid.
The registration fee covers shirt, socks, fields, officials, and other operational fees.
How teams are formed:
Every effort is made to make teams as balanced as possible. Factors considered in team formation include: age, grade level, school, years of soccer experience, and number of players per team as well as the number of teams that can be formed.
Requests to place siblings on the same team should be written clearly on the registration forms. In circumstances where the siblings are requested on the same team and the children are of different ages, the younger child will be asked to play up on the older age level team.
SOCCA reserves the right to allow only a one year move up for younger siblings & restrict late entries, if the number of applicants exceeds that which can be competently and efficiently managed.
What is a recreational soccer team, and how is it different from travel and premier teams?
There are three basic types of organized soccer leagues available to children before Middle School: recreational, travel and premier. The SOCCA program is a recreational soccer league. Recreational leagues typically consists of teams of children from the same community. Recreational teams usually are coached by parents of children on the teams. In the SOCCA program, we stress recreation, team atmosphere, good sportsmanship, equal participation, and fun. The development of basic soccer skills is stressed and games are conducted on a non-competitive basis - we do not keep record of scores or team standings.
Travel soccer teams generally consist of children from the same community who play premier teams and/or travel teams from other communities. Travel leagues usually are significantly more competitive than recreational leagues. Some travel teams are coached by professional coaches, while others are coached by parents of players.
Premier teams consist of children from different communities. Premier teams usually play other premier teams and some travel teams, and they tend to be coached by professional coaches. Many premier clubs are operated on a for profit basis. Some premier teams face a level of competition that is significantly greater than that faced by travel teams. Premier teams tend to focus on tournament play and therefore travel more frequently.
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