Baldwin Whitehall Soccer Association

Frequently Asked Questions About Recreational Soccer

GENERAL INFORMATION
What is recreational soccer?

Recreational soccer is an in-house program of BWSA. All games are played on Baldwin Whitehall fields against other Baldwin Whitehall teams.

Who can play for BWSA?

BWSA welcomes players from the Baldwin Whitehall School District, Brentwood School District, and all surrounding communities who are eager to play in a positive, supportive, and instructional environment.

When are the seasons?

BWSA teams play in the fall and spring of each year, and registration occurs months before the season starts. The fall season typically runs from the first week of September through the first week of November. The spring season typically runs from the mid April through the first week of June. Each season consists of 8 games. The season length may vary depending on holidays like Easter, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.

Can my child play with a friend?

Unfortunately, BWSA is no longer able to accommodate player requests.

What do the terms like U5, U6, and U8 mean?

The "U" terms are confusing to everyone, but they should be read as "the age stated and under" so U8 would be ages 8 and under. For registration purposes, it is BIRTH YEAR, not actual age that matters. In 2016, U.S. Soccer, the governing body of soccer in the United States, changed the way age brackets are created. Instead of following a "school year" age bracket, teams will now be formed based on birth year. The chart below shows the age group in which your child will play based on the year in which they were born. For example, the 2024 spring season has programs available for birth years 2019 through 2011, U5-U13 (for older players wanting to play recreational soccer refer to our Route 19 FAQ's page).

What does my child need to play?

Your child must wear shin guards INSIDE their socks to every practice and game. Cleats are not required, but are recommended. Your child should have sufficient water for each practices and game; remember to send more water in warmer weather. Each child should also bring the right size ball for their age:

Size 3: 5U, 6U, 7U, 8U
Size 4:10U, 11U
Size 5: 12U and older = Size 5 Ball

How long are the games?

The length of the game varies depending on the age of the player. Games are scheduled in one-hour blocks that include warm-ups for younger kids and half time for all games. Look under Game Format to see the times for each age group.

How much does in-house cost?

The fee for in-house soccer is $55 per player per season.

GAMES AND PRACTICES
When are the games played?

In-house games are scheduled on Saturdays from 8:00 AM through about 5:00 PM.
Travel games are scheduled on Sundays from about Noon through 5:00 PM. Classic league (Cup) games typically occur on Saturdays.

When are the practices?
BWSA practices are scheduled Monday through Friday, typically one day a week, at the discretion of the coach.

Where are games and practices?
Games and practices are held at a variety of locations around the Baldwin Whitehall area, including Colewood Park and several BWSD schools. We will not know which fields are available for which age groups until the beginning of the season.

What if my child can't attend practice on the night that the coach picked?

Please let your coach know immediately, we might be able to make other arrangements depending on the team and level of play.

What is a group practice?

Group practices allow all of the players from an age group to practice at the same time with professionally trained coaches running sessions focused on fundamental soccer skills. Depending on attendance, players may or may not practice with their team.

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Open

Harrison Middle (03:27 PM | 01/14/24)

Open

Gym (03:51 PM | 01/14/24)

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Baldwin Whitehall Soccer Association

Frequently Asked Questions About Recreational Soccer

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