Playing Time Fairness

FROM UNDER 6 TO UNDER 13, EVERY PLAYER ON A TEAM MUST PLAY AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF TIME IN EVERY GAME

FROM UNDER 14 TO UNDER 18, EVERY PLAYER MUST BE ALLOWED TO PLAY AT LEAST HALF OF THE TIME IN EVERY GAME

THESE APPLY TO EVERY LEAGUE AND CUP GAME. THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS ARE: UNDER 14 - 18 BC YOUTH SELECT LEAGUE TEAMS (30 MINS. MINIMUM PER PLAYER PER GAME); TEAMS IN PROVINCIAL CUP GAMES; AND FOR DISCIPLINARY OR HEALTH/INJURY ISSUES.

Soccer by Age

The style and organization of soccer varies with the age of the player. Soccer is thus tailored to players' size, physical and mental development and skill level. As players age, they move from micro-soccer (3 or 4-a-side), to mini-soccer (7-a-side) and then to 8-a-side and 11-a-side soccer which are streamed into different levels of ability.

Micro and Mini Soccer

The emphasis is strongly on fun, sportsmanship, education, skill development, and respect for team-mates, opponents and referees. Following the directives of BC Soccer, teams are formed on a non-selective basis, and players are assigned to different, balanced teams each year.

Micro Soccer (Under 6 to Under 8)

The Under 6, 7 and 8 age groups play micro-soccer. Players are assigned to teams for administration, but their 'games' each week involve a number of short games of 3-a-side or 4-a-side soccer and fun drills.

Mini Soccer (Under 9 to Under 10)

At Under 9 and Under 10, players are assigned to specific teams of about 10-12 players. They play 7-a-side games on mini-fields. Games are not competitive, scores are not kept, and games are officiated by young referees.

If a game turns out to be unbalanced, coaches must reassign players into two new teams for the rest of the game. Any mini team regularly producing lop-sided results will be investigated and rebalancing may follow.

At the Under 11 and 12 ages, play switches to games of 8 a-side soccer. The emphasis remains on player development, not results. The majority of players at Under 11 play within Richmond, while a limited number of Under 11s and all under 12s play against matching teams from Vancouver, Burnaby and the North Shore.

Under 13 to Under 18

From Under 13 to Under 18 all teams play 11 aside competitive soccer tailored as much as practicable to the calibre of its players.

The Select League offers the highest calibre of youth soccer for District teams from Under 14 to Under 18.

All other teams at Under 12 and above play in the 4 District League. This league is tiered into different calibres of play, with up to 10 gold, silver and bronze divisions. The League assigns teams to divisions based on submissions, the team's previous performance, and the teams from other districts. Teams may be moved to a different division at Thanksgiving..

Selection for higher level teams is based upon try-outs, and all players in Richmond have the right to be considered for these teams, which they should do by attending the try-outs at the end of each season. Any players wishing to 'play up' in an older age-group must attend the try-outs for that age-group.