Please note that the following questions and answers do not supersede the By-Laws and Policies of St Jane Soccer. The following should only be used as a reference and are subject to change at any time.
St Jane Soccer started approximately 30 years ago as part of the Catholic Soccer Association (CSA). In order to better teach soccer skills at a younger age, St Jane Church started the St Jane Clinic program about 15 years ago. Over the last 10 years the popularity of soccer has grown exponentially in the United States. In order to get more players involved, the County Parks and Recreation Association created the AAYSL - Anne Arundel Youth Soccer League. St Jane County teams are now members of AAYSL and falls under AAYSL rules. Clinic, on the other hand, is still its own entity, and all games are played within the St Jane organization, while County plays teams throughout Anne Arundel County. Additionally, as teams become more skilled, they may play outside of the county. These teams are called travel teams. The organization is made up entirely of volunteers - no paid positions.
At St Jane Soccer, as in most clinic leagues in the county, the divisions are broken into age brackets. Each age bracket is labeled as "Under" an age. For instance, all players in "U8" or "Under Eight" are generally seven, with players beginning to turn eight in the Fall season.
At the clinic level, players start as early as four years of age (U5) and continue until seven years of age (U8). Change from Clinic to County occurs at the U9 level.
At the county level, starting with the U9 fall season, age brackets run fall and spring, and transition in the Fall.
Clinic soccer at St Jane Soccer is about fun and learning. Scores are not kept and coaches are encouraged to teach the players the skills needed to create World Class Soccer Players - Not World Class Teams. With the exception of the U8 age bracket, there are no goalies. Therefore, there is no competition. The goal is for all children to have a chance to make goals and build confidence in playing soccer. Teams are co-ed and play teams within the St Jane Clinic Program.
In general, clinic soccer teams are broken down as followed:
U5: 6 members to a team, 3 vs. 3 - no goalies; #3 soccer ball; small field, small goals
U6: 8 members to a team, 4 vs. 4 - no goalies; #3 soccer ball; small field, small goals
U7: 8 members to a team, 4 vs. 4 - no goalies; #4 soccer ball; small field, small goals
U8: 13 members to a team, 7 vs. 7 - with goalies; #4 soccer ball; large field, large goals
All games are played at Muth Field (St Jane Fields). Players are required to have shin guards, and a St Jane Clinic uniform. Uniforms are reversible, blue and gold jerseys. Players are also encouraged to have cleats; however, they are not required.
Detailed Rules of Clinic are part of St Jane Soccer Policy: 9413 - Intramural Program Criteria
Your not the only one who is new to soccer. Every season SJS brings in about 100 players that are new to soccer. More then half of them have parents who have never played. Therefore, we have put together a quick lesson plan for parents - Soccer 101. Take a few minutes to read this file and you will soon be on your way to greener soccer fields.
The transition from clinic to county occurs during the spring after the U8 Fall season. This season is called U9 County.
County soccer begins when a player enters U9 Spring County. Prior to each season, St Jane Soccer will run evaluations. Every player makes a team, it is just a matter of which division that they play. Divisions are broken down to Division 1-5, where division 1 is the more talented players. The number of divisions are defined by AAYSL. St Jane submits how many division 1, division 2, etc., teams that they expect to have based on evaluations and the number of players registered; however, it is up to the county to make the final decision based on schedules as to how many of each division St Jane can carry. Games are played against other AAYSL teams. Teams are also broken down by gender - Boy's County and Girl's County.
County Soccer is also where the competition begins. Scores are kept. Therefore, there are typically more practices. At this point in a players career, performance counts, and players are placed in positions where they will best serve the team. More demands are placed on the player; however, coaches are still encouraged to instill fun and do their best to keep the player's interest.
County soccer also begins the chance for St Jane Soccer players to travel around the county playing at different parks. Unlike Clinic, which is all played at Muth field, county soccer is played throughout the county.
County soccer also requires a county uniform. The uniform consists of a jersey, shorts and socks. The jersey typically will have the player's name and number. As in clinic, players are required to have shin-guards. Cleats are highly recommended, but not required as the players begin to player at a faster level, and without cleats may fall victim to injury.
A division 1 county team may apply to become a select by winning more than 50% of their games in a single season, and winning an AAYSL sponsored tournament. Once a team becomes select, it will remain together as long as 2/3 of the team returns each season. The players will not be subject to evaluations, and the team is allowed to play outside of AAYSL. The detailed rules of select teams, can be found in the St Jane Soccer Policy: 9501 - Select Team Guidelines.
Registration for St Jane Soccer is completed on-line. Registration for the Spring Season occurs during late Late October through Early November of the previous year. Registration for the Fall Season occurs in late April through late May of the same year.
Refereeing for St Jane Soccer is a fun and exciting way to help out your community while getting paid. Contact the Referee Coordinator for more details.
Glad you asked! Coaching is a chance of a lifetime to give back to your community in a positive way. To become a coach, please check that you would like to coach on your child's on-line registration form. Additionally, coaches should fill out the Coach's On-Line Registration Form. This will inform the Clinic and County Boy's or Girl's Directors of your willingness to coach. The directors will then get in touch with you at the beginning of the season to give you information about your team.
Coaches, just like players, are groomed through our clinic program, with the intent to make great coaches in the county league. St Jane Soccer does its best to give coaches all of the training that they need to create "World Class Players". Coaches are encouraged to attend licensing classes sponsored by St Jane Soccer, AAYSL, and MSYSA. Additionally, St Jane Soccer has a substantial library of books and video tapes to give you as much information to help you coach. Check with the St Jane Soccer Librarian for books and tapes.
Finally, for the safety our our players, all coaches (clinic and county) are required to have a background investigation completed by the Anne Arundel County. Background information is kept very confidential and good for 3 years. Information and forms for the background checks can be found at the County's website.
St Jane Soccer is entirely made up of volunteers, and has been since its inception. To volunteer, please contact one of the board members (President, Vice President) or your child's coach. You can also check that you would like to be a volunteer on your child's registration. Remember, St Jane Soccer is only as good as the effort that our volunteers contribute. No matter what your talent, St Jane Soccer has a spot for you.
General Meetings occur the 2nd Monday of every month. This is the place where you can help steer the direction of St Jane Soccer. During these meetings budgets are set and policies are changed. It is important for you to attend these meetings throughout your child's entire St Jane Soccer experience. It is the one and only way to have your voice heard within the organization. If you think fields need better maintenance, if you think we should have a Fall Dance, if you want to know where your registration money goes... this is where to find out, and help answer these questions. Check the St Jane Calendar for meeting dates.
St Jane Soccer is comprised of 2 main bodies, Clinic and County*. Your registration dollars go to pay for the following:
Clinic: Field Maintenance and Improvements, Port-A-Pot Rental, Referee Fees, Insurance, Trophies, Pizza Party, Documentation (Flyers), Web Site, Soccer Fun Day, Parade, Equipment (balls and nets), Coaching Reference Material, and Coaching Classes.
County: Field Maintenance and Improvements, End of Year Party, Insurance, Tournament Fees, League Fees, Referee Fees, Carding Fees, Patches, Web Site, Coaching Classes, and Coaching Reference Material.
Other: Postage for Mailings, Bank Fees, Coach's Shirts or Hats (for morale), Advertising, Volunteer Refreshments, and On-Line Registration Fees.
Budgets are set by the St Jane Soccer Board and approved by the general membership. Contact the St Jane Soccer Treasurer for a detail of the budget - Available upon request.
Anyone interested in making donations to St Jane Soccer, please contact the Treasurer.
*For the discussion of money, County includes Travel Teams.