MIDLAND SOCCER ASSOCIATION’S

FAQ

 

I just signed up, when will I hear something?

For the 2008 fall season, you should receive a call sometime after the coaches meeting on August 17, 2008.  That is when the coaches receive their rosters and depending on the coach’s schedule, he/she should call you shortly thereafter.  If you have not heard from your coach by August 27, 2008, please call the MSA office at 684-5425.

 

When does the season start?

For the 2008 fall season, opening weekend is September 6^th and play continues through October 25^th.

 

What exactly does my registration fee cover?

North Texas State Soccer Association (“NTSSA”), of which Midland is a part, receives a portion of each players’ registration fee which provides insurance coverage and operation expenses incurred for the development of soccer programs.  The remainder is used locally to cover administration expenses, pay office staff, buy field equipment, field maintenance, pay for referees, trophies and for coach and referee training and development.

 

What additional costs can I expect to pay?

The only mandatory equipment required by our rules are shin guards.  Each team is responsible for its own uniforms.  Usually the coach will choose the uniforms and collects funds from each player to cover the cost of the uniforms.  Sponsorship of uniforms and/or equipment is permitted, subject to MSA & NTSSA rules.  Soccer cleats are not mandatory equipment.  Each player will want to have a soccer ball.  There are other optional costs that vary from team to team, such as photos, tournament fees, party expenses, snacks, etc.

 

Where are the games played?

Midland Soccer is provided five (5) soccer complexes by the City of Midland.  Recreational games for players from Under-5 to Under-8 are played at J.P. Butler Park; U-9 and U-10 games are played at Windlands Park.  U-11 Coed games are played at Windlands Park and Beal Park.  West Texas Premier League (club soccer) games are played at Beal Park.  Hogan and Reyes-Mashburn-Nelms are provided for the use of the club soccer programs.

 

When are the games played?

The majority of games are played on Saturdays starting at 9:00 a.m. with the last games scheduled for 3:00 p.m.  In rare circumstances, some games may be scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday. For Under-10 and younger, depending on schedule conflicts and field availability, some games might be played on Monday evenings.  For Under-11 and older, games will be played Saturday and/or Tuesday and Thursday evenings depending on schedule conflicts and field availability.

 

Where are the soccer complexes located?

Beal Park                                              5200 W. Wall

Hogan Park                                           1201 E. Wadley

J.P. Butler Park                                     3801 Bluebird Lane

Reyes-Mashburn-Nelms Park                  2101 E. Cuthbert Ave.

Windlands Park                                     1000 W. Dengar

 

Maps are located under Forms/Maps on the MSA website – www.midlandsoccer.com

 

Wait, we played a 4:30 game last season.

Unfortunately, it is not until teams have been formed and we know how many teams are in each age group that we will know how many time slots will be needed.  Referee availability is another factor in scheduling games.

 

Last season I saw empty fields that we could have played on?

There are many considerations when scheduling games, the most important being referees.  We strive to have a full crew at each game, but sometimes we simply do not have enough referees to cover every game.  Just because there are empty fields at your complex does not mean that another complex is not completely booked.  Also each year we must “rest” fields at each complex.  Giving the fields a much-needed break ensures a better environment for growing the ever-precious grass for the next season!

 

We played games without a referee last season?

We strive to have referees at every game and attempt to schedule games so that we can cover as many games as possible.  However, there are factors that we cannot control.  Referees become ill, injured, or school and family conflicts come up at the last minute. Not all referees are qualified to officiate every age group.  Just like our players, our new referees are also learning the game, therefore it is possible to see an adult on a 5- or 6-year-old game, while an older age group game goes uncovered.  The rules of MSA and NTSSA allow for a parent to referee a game when a sanctioned referee is not available.

 

How are teams formed?

Teams are formed per MSA rule 4.0.0.  Most Under-6 and older teams are already formed and players are added to fill the returning team roster.  However, depending on the number of players in each age division and the number of open slots on each team, new teams are sometimes formed.  This is determined during the pool drawing.

 

Can I request a team for my child?

MSA allows this request only in the Under-5 and Under-6 age divisions.  All other age divisions are formed according to MSA rule 5.3.0 which forms teams based on the neighborhood public elementary school (“NES”).  If your child attends a private school, is home schooled or is not of school age, their NES is determined by the public school they would attend.
 

How many games will we play?

The spring and fall season are eight game seasons.  In the event of rain, cancelled games are not usually rescheduled unless they are games that affect season standings in the older age groups.

 

Who can I call to find out if a game has been cancelled?

Rain does not automatically cancel a soccer game.  We only cancel games in the event of lightning or when continued play will cause damage to the fields.    Sometimes morning games are cancelled, but not afternoon games.  Best practice – show up for your games.  A MSA Board Member makes these decisions at each complex.  Call your Vice-Commissioner or the Commissioner to find out the status of the day’s games.  You can also try the office number to hear a recording concerning the day’s events.

 

What size ball will they use?

Under 8 and younger                  - Size 3 ball

Under 9 through Under 12           - Size 4 ball

Under 13 and Older                    - Size 5 ball

 

How many players on are the field?

Under-6 and younger play 4 a side, no goalie (or player in a defender’s position).

Under-7 and Under-8 play 5 a side, no goalie (or player in a defender’s position).

Under-9 and Under-10 play 7 a side, which includes a goalie.

Under-11 and older play 11 a side, which includes a goalie.

 

How long are the games?

Under-6 and younger -- four 10 minute quarters.

Under-7 and Under-8 -- four 12 minute quarters.

Under-9 and Under-10 -- two 25 minutes halves.

Under-11 and Under-12 -- two 30 minute halves.

Under-13 and Under-14 -- two 30 minute halves.

 

Do we have to play in a tournament?

No!  Participation in a tournament is strictly optional and is up to each individual team.  Just about every recreational tournament allows for guest players to cover these situations.  However, you MUST invite each existing team member to attend the tournament.  If a player chooses not to attend a particular tournament, you may then pick up guest players.  At no time may a team go above their maximum allowable roster size.  To determine the maximum roster size, multiply the number of players on the field during a game times 2.

 

What is the Turkey Shootout?

The Turkey Shootout is an annual soccer tournament run by Midland Soccer Association and sanctioned by North Texas State Soccer Association.  Participation by each team is optional and an additional entry fee applies.  This is the 25^th year for this tournament which is held on the 1^st and 2^nd weekends of November 2008 and routinely attracts over a 100 teams throughout West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. 

 

Can I be a coach?

Generally yes!  We are always in need of coaches.  Even if you have never played soccer before, coaching soccer is easy.  All that is required is a wiliness to be involved with children.   We will have a coaches “G” clinic, which will provide you with all the information needed to have a successful season.  The clinic is free and the reward of watching your team enjoy of the game of soccer is, well, priceless.  The date of the clinic has not been scheduled, so please check our website for the date and time.

 

How about being a referee?

Double Yes!  Again, we are always in need of referees.  This is perfect way to earn extra money.  You must be 12 years of age by September 1, 2008.  The referee clinic is August 8^th and 9^th and the clinic fee is $20 and registration is $25.  We also can arrange to deduct the cost of your uniform from your paychecks. Depending on the age group of the game, our referees make a minimum of $8 per game.  Please check the referee policy on our web site for current offers and incentive programs. 

 

Where and when do we practice?

The location, day and time of your team’s practice is at the discretion of the coach.  With the exception of Saturday and Sunday practices, all weekday practices must be held after 5:30.  Practices held prior this time must follow MSA rule 4.4.2.

 

Why can’t we practice at the soccer complexes?

Living in West Texas does have its challenges!  Keeping soccer fields green and in playable condition is a struggle, even with all the hard work of the City of Midland Parks and Recreation Department.   All five (5) soccer complexes underwent a $70,813 top dressing project during the summer of 2006.  This was the start of a multi-year project to give Midland the best soccer fields in all of West Texas!  In the summer of 2007, an additional $36,095 was spent on top dressing these three (3) playing facilities: Beal, Butler and Windlands.  By not practicing on game fields, we hope to allow the fields an opportunity to rebound and achieve the best possible results from this huge investment. 

 

How does soccer in Midland compare to other cities?

Of the 99 registered youth associations of NTTSA, Midland ranks 18^th in size with 2,565 registered players during the 2007-2008 season, in the same spot from the year before.  Plano Youth leads NTSSA with 5,773 players compared to Anna, Texas’ 126 players.   There were approximately 138,048 youth soccer players registered in NTSSA last soccer year.

 

West Texas Soccer Associations:

 

Plano                5,773                222,030 (City population 2000 Census)

Lubbock            3,603                199,564 (City population 2000 Census)

Midland           2,660                  94,996 (City population 2000 Census)

San Angelo       2,148                  88,439 (City population 2000 Census)

Amarillo            1,144                173,627 (City population 2000 Census)

Odessa             1,245                  90,943 (City population 2000 Census)

 

Why does Midland have to be a part of NTSSA?

All soccer in the world is controlled by FIFA, which stand for the Federation Internationale de Football Association.  A portion of your registration fee finds its way to FIFA.  FIFA rules are used to play the soccer game.   Midland is a part of North Texas State Soccer Association (“NTSSA”), which is a member of United States Youth Soccer Organization (“USYSO”), which is a member of United Stated Soccer Federation (“USSF”), which is a member of Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) which is a member of FIFA. Whew! 

 

The information above does not replace any rule contained in the Rule and Regulations of Midland Soccer Association.  To review the actual rule, please consult the Rules and Regulations and Bylaws of Midland Soccer Association.                                             (07/08)