WHAT’S NEW

NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS

www.neartownsoccer.org

Near-Town Soccer is the home of West U Soccer and Houston Express Soccer!

WEST U REC TRAINING

We are very pleased to announce that Mark Gibbs, the Near Town Soccer Club Director of Coaching, will take over responsibility for the training staff in the recreational program.  Mark has brought a high level of professionalism and responsiveness to the club and we look forward to an improved level of training for our rec players.

EXPRESS AND BELLAIRE MERGE

Effective April 1, Bellaire Soccer Club has merged into Houston Near Town Soccer Club.  Former Bellaire Soccer Club and Express Soccer participants will now play as Houston Express.  All registration will be through Houston Near Town Soccer’s online registration system.

IMPORTANT DATES

May 5                          Registration due

May 18                        West U Rec Player Evaluations

May/June                     Team Meetings

August 25                   West U Rec practice begins

September 6/7             Games begin

September 20              West U Night with the Houston Dynamo, Dynamo vs San Jose Earthquakes

September 28              Team Photo Day

October 12                  West U Night with the Houston Dynamo, Dynamo vs DC United

November 15              End of fall season 

WEST U. SOCCER & HOUSTON EXPRESS SOCCER – ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

West U. Soccer includes all of our younger and recreational teams that play other teams from our Club. Houston Express Soccer includes all of our teams that play in Houston Youth Soccer Association (HYSA), Eastern District Super II, and Division I. Each is a division of Houston Near Town Soccer, a Texas non-profit corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Donations to the Club are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.  We encourage and welcome donations.  Such gifts are important to the Club and are used to help fund the programs of the Club.

Our Club is one of the leading youth soccer clubs in Southeast Texas. As a result of the merger with Bellaire, we expect to field approximately 1,800 players on more than 175 teams for the 2008 fall season. Comprehensive programs are available for boys and girls ages 5-18 regardless of experience or playing level -- from beginners and recreational players through and including Division I, the highest competitive level in youth soccer. Over the past 25+ years, Club competitive teams have participated in many state championships and won numerous prestigious tournaments. Many of our older players also participate in their middle and high school soccer programs and our top alumni have moved to collegiate playing levels.

The Club is focused on providing a meaningful experience: fun, learning, and player development – not only as

soccer players, but also as maturing youths. Player development begins with our small-sided micro program for ages 5-7 where the emphasis is on development and fun. This is the best format for younger players. All players attend weekly camps run by professional trainers and learn basic skills and playing concepts. As players move up the age ladder, team size is increased and more advanced skills are introduced. However, the focus of the program for ages 11 and younger remains individual player development and fun. Once players begin full field, 11v11 soccer (the same as adults) at playing age U-13, the club programs range from recreational to Division I, the highest competitive level.  For more information on the differences between the West U Recreational and Houston Express programs for players ages 8 thru 11, please visit our website, www.neartownsoccer.org  > Houston Express > U9/U10 Development Program.

COACH & REFEREE VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are the backbone of Near Town Soccer. All adults wishing to be a Coach, Assistant Coach, Referee or

other team volunteer for Fall 2008 should indicate their interest when they register a player. All adult volunteers must also complete an online Adult Registration and Background Check .  We do not want to turn away players, who could be your child, because we do not have enough parent volunteer coaches or referees!

Registration                  ALL player registrations MUST be done by a Parent or Legal Guardian of that player. 

Also, any player who has not previously submitted a copy of their birth certificate to the club must do so.  Please mail to NTSC Registrar, 6728 Brompton, Houston, TX 77005

Fall Fees                      WU SOCCER – $205 fee includes Uniform, club fees, association fees and once per week camp training fees.

Late Fees                     RETURNING players registering after May 15 must pay an additional $50 late fee.  NEW players registering after May 15 do not pay a late fee.  Registrations submitted after May 15 are subject to acceptance/rejection based upon team availability.

Refunds                       Players who voluntarily withdraw IN WRITING either to wurecregistrar@gmail.com or to the WU Rec Registrar, 5559 Aspen, Bellaire, TX 77401  PRIOR to June 30, will be eligible to receive a refund of fees paid LESS A $20 PROCESSING FEE.  NO REFUNDS ARE GIVEN AFTER JULY 1.  Players registered on time, but not placed on a team due to lack of space will get a full refund. 

Player Evaluations       We ask all players to attend the player evaluation sessions for their age group.

Player Age                   A player’s age for the entire playing year (Sept. 1, 2008 through Aug. 31, 2009) is that person’s age on July 31, 2008 – see age calculation table below.

Playing Up                   Recreational Under 10 (ages 8 & 9) and Under 12 (ages 10 & 11) have mixed age teams.  All other teams for ages 5-7 are single age teams. Absent compelling reasons to the contrary, players will play in the lowest age group for which they are eligible.

Special Requests          Please indicate your special requests.  We do our best to manage special requests but cannot guarantee your request will be honored.

FOR MAPS TO FIELDS, FORMS & GENERAL INFORMATION CHECK WEB SITE:          www.neartownsoccer.org

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT FIELD CONDITIONS CALL THE HOT LINE:

281-397-4570

TEAM SIZES, GAME FORMAT, BALL SIZE

TEAM SELECTIONS & PLAYER NOTIFICATION AFTER EVALUATIONS

Teams are normally selected within 7 days following the final evaluation session for the type and level of team in each age group.  Coaches will contact the players on their team.  Any player that registered on time should contact the age group coordinator if they have not heard from a coach within 14 days after their last evaluation session.

TEAM MEETINGS & PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR TEAMS

All teams are required to hold a parent meeting before Friday, June 20. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss team matters such as coaching philosophy, financial arrangements, etc.  Also, each team will ask parents to volunteer for various positions such as Referee, Team Parent, team Field Coordinator, etc.  All Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Referees MUST be licensed by September.  Coach and Referee clinics are available all summer.  Check the South Texas (www.stxsoccer.org) and STSR (www.stsr.org) web sites for training course schedules.  All coach, assistant coach and referee volunteers over the age of 18 are reminded that they must complete an online adult registration form.

ALL TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A SPONSOR FOR FALL 2008.  Sponsor fees vary according to the type of team, but the average is about $40 per player. Sponsor funding is critical to the financial health of our organization so please consider sponsoring a team. The sponsor’s name is imprinted on the jersey, an ad is in the club directory and there is recognition on our club website.

REFEREES – We especially want to encourage parents and older players to consider becoming referees. 

In our West U Rec program we use only USSF certified referees for our Under 10 and under 12 games.  We encourage the parents of our younger children to become certified referees.  Our referees are paid for the games they work.  We are fortunate that many of you grew up playing soccer and already know the game.  Please help us with this so our players can stay safe and learn the game!

HOUSTON EXPRESS SOCCER

If you are interested in the Houston Express Soccer program for players age 8 and older, please visit our website, www.neartownsoccer.org, for more information.

WEST U RECREATIONAL PROGRAM

The club offers a recreational program for ages 5 through 11 with single-age teams U6 through U8 and mixed age teams for U10 (ages 8 & 9) and U12 (ages 10 & 11).  Recreational teams typically have 2 practices per week:  1 team practice and 1 professionally run group training session.  There are weekly games against other recreational teams on local Club fields. Games are on Friday night and Saturday. Playing rules for recreational games dictate that all players must play at least 50% of every game (subject to disciplinary restrictions) and that no player play more than 75% until all other players have played 75% of a match.

If the number of recreational players in the U12 age group is insufficient to form a league, we will notify you and refund your full registration fee. 

FOR QUESTIONS ON THE RECREATIONAL PROGRAM

FALL 2008 PLAYER EVALUATION SCHEDULES

PLEASE CHECK IN 20 MINUTES EARLY

BRING WATER, A BALL, WEAR SOCCER CLEATS OR SNEAKERS AND WEAR SHIN GUARDS.

THE PLAYER’S SOCKS SHOULD BE WORN OVER THE SHIN GUARDS AND COMPLETELY COVER THEM.

ALL EVALUATIONS ARE HELD AT SOUTH CAMPUS, FIELD L2

MAP IS ON THE CLUB WEBSITE

Please note alphabetical breakdowns.

If a player cannot attend the correct group please attend the other group. We ask all players to attend player evaluations.  In the event you cannot, your child will be placed on a team randomly – a coach will not be permitted to “draft” the player during the team formation process.

Field Status Hotline 281-397-4570