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Soccer Registration

Soccer Registration

FALL REGISTRATION PERIOD

JUNE 20th to AUGUST 30, 2008 @ 11:00pm

For further information, call the SBMSA Sports Hotline at (281) 583-3600 Option 3, or email us at sbmsa.soccer@gmail.com.

See below for information regarding our new 5-6 year old program format, our August soccer camp, and age requirement exceptions.

In-Person Registrations

Registration Location: Spring Branch Elementary School, 1700 Campbell Road, in the Meeting Room above concession stand

  • Thursday, August 28th - 6:00-8:00 p.m.

ANY REGISTRATION RECEIVED AFTER REGISTRATION CLOSES ON SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY IF THE PLAYER IS NEEDED TO FILL A TEAM. SUCH PLAYERS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ASSIGNED TO THE AREA WHERE THE PLAYER LIVES OR ATTENDS SCHOOL.

Registration Fee

The registration fee is an enrollment fee only and the registrant will be assigned to a team determined by the SBMSA at its sole discretion. Registration fees cover uniforms (except shin guards and shoes), officials, trainers (if applicable), field workers; equipment; balls; utilities (electricity, water, telephone); grass mowing; dirt work; trash removal; electrical, bleacher, field and fence repairs; bookkeeping; office supplies; postage; printing, website, etc.

Fees

Age Fee
8 and Under $130.00
9 and 10 $135.00
11 and Up $140.00

Late Fee

There will be a non-refundable $45.00 late fee for any registrant accepted after the official close of registration.

Refunds

NO REFUNDS will be issued for any reason after registration closes on Saturday, August 30th. Refund requests prior to the close of registration should be directed to (281) 583-3600 Option #8 and are subject to a $20.00 handling fee.

Age Requirements

Roster ages for Fall Sports are the player's ages as of July 31, 2008. Be sure to enter your child's birthday accurately. Falsifying birth date, school attendance, or address may preclude your child from participating in our program. Proof of residential address may be required.

Age Requirement Exceptions

Exceptions can be made for children to play up in age to match the grade they are enrolled in. Please email the program director at sbmsa.soccer@gmail.com prior to the registration deadline and advise you wish your child to "play-up."

Team Assignment

The league reserves the right to form teams at its sole discretion. However, typical team formation is by school, then, if necessary, by draft within school (ages 7 and higher). Players from schools with insufficient registrations to form a team will be placed onto other schools' teams. You will be contacted by the league when teams are formed. If you are in a school that requires a draft, you may be contacted shortly after registration closes with a skills assessment time and location. Practice and games begin in September. It is the INTENT of the league for all games to be completed prior to Thanksgiving. However, it is possible some tournament games extend into the 1st week of December.

New Format for 5 and 6 Year Old Program

Effective this fall season, SBMSA has adopted US Youth Soccer's small sided game format for our 5-6 year old program.

Why change from the old format? Because we want our young soccer players:

  1. To touch the ball more often and become more skillful with it;
  2. To make more, less complicated decisions during the game;
  3. To be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in;
  4. To have more involved playing time in the game;
  5. To have more opportunity to play on both sides of the ball;
  6. To have more opportunities to score goals;
  7. To have more fun!

While learning both offense and defense, a player will become more complete and will understand more readily the roles and importance of teammates. Most important, it makes the game of soccer a better experience for children.

Teams in this age group will play "4 v 4" with seven players on each team's roster. There are no goalies. All games will be conducted on Saturdays (September 13th through November 15th).

A season-end tournament day will be held for this age group on Saturday, November 22nd and will include a tournament, amusements, entertainment, and award ceremony. All players receive a trophy/medal.

The program provides, at no additional cost, individual skills instruction. A player may choose between Friday evening and late Sunday afternoon (not both). These weekly sessions are conducted at Spring Branch Education Center by Albion Hurricanes USSF licensed trainers. Sessions start September 5th/7th and end October 24/26th. All players MUST BE REGISTERED before they are allowed to practice, try-out, or be assigned to a team.

Parents, please volunteer to be a team manager under "Volunteers." No coaching skill is required as all training is provided by USSF licensed trainers.

7-8 and 9-10 Year Old Programs

Format remains the same as in past years. Team Practice times, days, and locations will be determined by the Head Coaches. These WILL NOT BE KNOWN until after registration closes and all players have been assigned to teams. All players MUST BE REGISTERED before they are allowed to practice, try-out, or be assigned to a team.

The program provides, at no additional cost, individual skills instruction. A player may choose between Friday evening and late Sunday afternoon (not both). These weekly sessions are conducted at Spring Branch Education Center by Albion Hurricanes USSF licensed trainers and are not assigned by team. Sessions start September 5th/7th and end October 24/26th.

11-14 Year Old Program

Format remains the same as in past years. Practice times, days, and locations will be determined by the Head Coaches. These WILL NOT BE KNOWN until after registration closes and all players have been assigned to teams. All players MUST BE REGISTERED before they are allowed to practice, try-out, or be assigned to a team.

Insurance

Limited secondary accident insurance is provided for each registered paid participant.

Game Rain-Out Policy

It has always been our policy for teams to show up for scheduled games unless coaches are notified by the commissioner. You may call the Weather Hotline at (281) 583-3600 Option #1 for information.

Proof of Age

The Association will only accept a copy of a birth certificate or passport as proof of age. It is the intent of the league to only require a player to provide proof of age once. However, it may be necessary to provide a copy to the league more than once. The Association apologizes in advance for any inconvenience caused. It is important that the Association verify the age of each player to assure adherence to our rules.

There are multiple ways that you can provide this proof to the Association:

  • Mail a copy of your proof of age to Janice Burge, 14914 Woodthorpe, Houston, TX 77079. (please do not mail if registering after August 30, 2008)
  • Fax a copy of your proof of age with cover sheet to (713) 739-6699 Attn: SBMSA Registrar (24 hours a day)
  • Bring a copy to the in-person registration

Coaches and Volunteers Needed

We need your help! All team coaches are volunteers. Coaches and volunteers are always needed. Please email Jay Laughlin at sbmsa.soccer@gmail.com if you are interested in serving as a coach, team manager, or simply volunteering for one of the many tasks required to provide our community with a top notch soccer program. Register as a coach or volunteer by clicking "Soccer" then below that, "Registration," then click on the link just below "how to register." All adult coaches and volunteers are required to register thru the website and submit to a criminal background check.

Equipment

Players need to provide shoes and shin guards; the league will provide uniforms. Players should wear shoes with soft plastic molded cleats (soccer cleats, not baseball cleats) or sneakers. Aluminum cleats are NOT allowed. Shin guards should be worn under socks and are REQUIRED.

Age Group Ball Size
6 and under 3
7 - 10 Year Olds 4
11 - 13 Year Olds 5

Skills, Drills, and Fun Camp - A Warm-up for SBMSA's Fall Season

Dates: August 11-15 (Mon-Fri)

Location: Spring Branch Education Center

9016 Westview, 77055

Age 5-10 - Cost is $125 and includes prizes and T-shirts for all players. Time 9am - 11am each day.

Age 11-14 - Cost is $130 and includes prizes and T-shirts for all players. Time 9am - 12noon each day.

Please register at www.totalsoccerexperience.org (then click on "registration") by August 5th.

PLAYERS SHOULD COME DRESSED IN SHORTS AND A T-SHIRT. PLEASE BRING A THEMOS BOTTLE WITH ICE AND WATER, A SOCCER BALL, CLEATS, SHIN GUARDS.

Fund Raising and Donations

Each year the Association, with your help, provides reduced registration and equipment to needy players in our area. It is with your donations that this is possible. The Soccer Board would ask again that you consider donating to not only help with our capital needs, but to help a financially needy family give the gift of Athletics and Football to their child.

In addition there are other ways that your patronization of sponsors would benefit SBMSA. These sponsors are displayed on the associations' web page.

  • Renewing your Houston Chronicle thru SBMSA
  • Switch your Electricity Provider to Spark Energy thru SBMSA
  • Donate Reward Points to SBMSA from American Express
  • Designate SBSMA as one of your Charities on your Randall's card

Advertising

SBMSA's soccer web-site experiences a large number of "hits" during the season. The main page and "standings" page are both visited frequently. Email Jay Laughlin at sbmsa.soccer@gmail.com if you are interested in learning how your business can benefit from this exposure.

Registration Information Confidentiality

SBMSA will never provide any 3rd party with players' registration information, except that SBMSA does share registration email addresses with its soccer partner, Albion Hurricanes F.C., who are contractually obligated not to share or release SBMSA registration email addresses to any 3rd party.

Mission Statement

The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) is a nonprofit organization, chartered by the State of Texas.

Our Mission is to provide an opportunity for our neighborhood youth to participate in a sports environment that allows for their growth and development in a safe, fair, positive, and competitive league, with emphasis on the importance of building character, sportsmanship, and team unity.

SBMSA was founded in 1961 with twelve baseball teams. Today it has grown into a six sport, year-round recreational program for approximately 5,000 young people.

All of the directors, commissioners, managers, and coaches are volunteers who generously give of their time so that boys and girls may have wholesome, supervised activities in which to participate.

The Sports Association programs are financed by player registration fees, donations from sponsoring firms and individuals, fund raisers, and from concession receipts.

Release of Liability

I/we certify by accepting these terms and conditions that the applicant named has my/our permission to participate in the SBMSA sports programs (including any conditioning camps, skills camps, skills evaluation, and tryout sessions) and I/we assume all the risks and hazards associated with such participation, including transportation to and from SBMSA activities. I/we hereby waive, release, absolve, and indemnify SBMSA's officers, directors, commissioners, managers, coaches, supervisors, participants, and persons transporting my/our child to and from SBMSA activities, from and against any liability for, or claim arising out of any accident or injury to said applicant occurring during the course of his/her participation in such activities or his/her transportation to or from such activities including by not limited to the sole or concurrent negligence of the SBMSA, its officers, directors, commissioners, managers, coaches, supervisors, umpires, referees, participants, and persons, participants and persons transporting my/our child to and from SBMSA activities. I/we hereby also waive, release, absolve, and indemnify any trainers, instructors, coaches, and organizations engaged by SBMSA (regardless of whether paid by SBMSA) to assist with or operate any SBMSA sports program, conditioning camp, skills camp, skills evaluation, or tryout session, from and against any liability for, or claim arising out of any accident or injury to said applicant occurring during the course of his/her participation in such activities.

I/we certify that it is understood that my payment is an enrollment fee only and the registrant will be assigned to a team determined by the SBMSA at its sole discretion.

I/we authorize the coaches of my child's team to act for me according to their best judgment in any emergency requiring medical attention.

I have read, understand, and accept these terms and conditions.