Our Recreation Program begins with children ages five and up with instructional lessons and practices up to twice a week. This is an encouraging family oriented experience with emphasis on fun and enjoyment.
Mecklenburg Union FC Recreation Program is built around the concept of "Just for fun!". Players are placed on teams from their community areas according to where they go to school or what friends they want to play with.
We encourage attending the first two or three Night Skills Clinics (on Monday's for the Fall 08 season) where questions can be answered regarding status of team formations. If you are unable to attend on Wednesday’s sessions you will be contacted by the coach via phone or email as to when team practices will begin.
All age groups have separate Fall and Spring seasons, creating teams in August and February.
Spring and Fall Schedules:
January/August -- On line Registration Begins February/September -- Skills Night and Practices Begin March/October -- Games begin
Activity Fees:
Activity Fees are the most competitive and valued fees in the area with a strong program, excellent facilities and a strong training and volunteer commitment.
U-6 $150 per season U-8 $175 per season U-10 $200 per season
Fees Include: - League Registration fees - Team Uniforms - Facilities - Team Equipment - Weekend League games - Weekly Skills Development Training
Recreation Skills Night is every Monday at McKee Elementary School at 5:00 pm for the Fall 08 season. This is an optional weekly training session in which all players are provided instructions on fundamental soccer skills. Trainers, who have direct soccer experience, lead the players through supervised drills. In addition, parents have the opportunity to learn more about soccer. Trainers are available to answer questions about the game or an individual players development.
Coaching and managing is provided by team parents willing to invest their time for much gratification in return from the team. Our Coaches are highly valued contributors to our program. Mecklenburg Union FC provides our Coaches with training opportunities and encouragement to seek advanced training through state certifying organizations. If you are interested in joining our team of Recreation Coaches, please indicate such on the registration form or contact our Recreation Commissioner.
Goals and Objectives:
The recreation program introduces both the players and families to soccer and attempts to achieve the following goals for each player
1. Self Confidence - Demonstrate and reinforce individual abilities - Encourage participation - Demonstrate value as player and member of a team 2. Demonstrate the value of working as a team - Earning the team’s trust and confidence - Trusting individual and team member?s abilities - Helping each other helps the team 3. Skills of Game - Fundamentals: Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Throw-ins - Tactical application of fundamentals: - Thinking: learn to watch game, know when to dribble, pass, or shoot - Work together to maintain control of ball
Strategies: - Playing positions - Moving the ball up the field - Situational Strategies: Know where to be and what to do during Kick offs, corner kicks, penalty shots, etc.
As players skills increase, and at the appropriate age, the emphases placed in each of the three areas are appropriately adjusted. (U6 will have less emphasis on tactics and strategies than U10s).
U6 - Co-ed Objective: Provide players opportunity to touch the ball as much as possible. Coaches and parents foster a fun atmosphere for all the kids. Emphasis is on fun!
Practices: Coach led once a week, 45 minutes to an hour (coaches discretion based on player stamina).
Optional: Skills Night once a week.
U8 Co-ed Objective: Provide players opportunity to touch the ball as much as possible. Coaches and parents foster a fun atmosphere for all the kids. Players are introduced to field positions and development of team play. Playing to win is introduced, however individual participation and team spirit is the goal.
Practices: Coach led once a week, min 1 hr and Skills Night once a week for 1 hr. Two coach-led practices a week, optional.
U-9 and U10’s Co-ed: Objective: Players are introduced to a higher level of competitiveness. Age appropriate tactics and strategies are introduced. Individual participation and team spirit is stressed, working as a team to win the game is the goal.
Practices: Coach led twice a week, 1.5 hours each.
Optional: Skills Night once a week.
Our Facilities: We have multiple home field locations for our players. All are fully developed with irrigation systems and lighting. Check out the Field link on the home page for locations.
