Important Youth Soccer Information

The City of FWB Recreational Youth Sports Leagues are Volunteer Organizations that use Parents as Coaches. Please consider volunteering for your child(ren). As a way of saying "Thank You", we will waive one child's registration fee. If you are unable to volunteer, we understand but do not judge the one that does.

Behavior & Conduct

All City of FWB soccer players, coaches, parents, and spectators are expected to show proper respect to others and to display good behavior and conduct at all City games and practices. Persons who violate this standard will be subject to disciplinary action by the City Director, up to and including suspension from City activities and being barred from practice and game sites.

Safety Around Soccer Goals

Climbing, hanging, or playing on soccer goals and nets is Dangerous.

Parents & Coaches

Please warn your players and children and stop anyone you see abusing the goals and jeopardizing him/herself and/or others.
Ages: 3 through 15!
Must have turned 3 by January 1, 2023.
Exception: If your child is near 3 and you will coach your child's team, your child may register and play early.
Must not have turned 16 on or before January 1, 2023.
If you are 16 years old, you may play in the adult league with parental consent.
New Athletes must show proof of Age! e.g.: Birth Certificate or Shot Records

Registration Information

Fees: $45 for non-City residents and $25 for City residents (Proof Needed).
Dates: June 1 through July 27, 2023, at 5 pm.

There is a $5 late fee if registration is accepted in-person after 5 pm on July 27, 2023.
There is no guarantee your child has a spot if registration is done late, so please register early!
Online: Departments and Services -Youth Athletics -On-Line Registration -Programs -Register now.
Must have a username and password.
Not sure if you are a city resident or need a username and password, Please call 850-833-9576.

Player Evaluations

Ages 9 through 15 only. Ages 3 through 8 do not participate in player evaluations.
Saturday, August 12 at 10 am at the Preston Hood Athletic Complex on Jet Dr.

10U (ages 9 and 10): Field Number 7
12U (ages 11 and 12): Field Number 8
15U (ages 13, 14, and 15): Field Number 6

Rain or Shine! The clinic can last 30 minutes to an hour, depending on what the coaches want to see from the athletes. If it rains, we will separate the age groups and have the clinic in the gym. This may take longer than an hour. All registrants, whether at evaluations or not, will be placed on a team. It is highly recommended to participate in order for coaches to see your abilities. If you do not participate in the evaluations, you will go into the draft for any coach to pick, at any time during the draft. If you were on a team last season (spring-fall or fall-spring, not fall-fall or spring-spring), you will remain on that team, unless otherwise requested, and will not need to participate in the evaluations.

Coaches Meeting for 10U, 12U, & 15U

Saturday, August 12, 2023, 9 am to noon

9-9:45 am: Meet in the multi-purpose room at the FWB Rec Center @ 132 Jet Dr. NW for the coach's clinic.
10 am: Player Evaluations. Rain or Shine.
11 am: Meet back in the multi-purpose room to pick teams.

Coaches meetings are for coaches, assistants, and other coaching staff. Please, no children.

Coaches Meeting for Baby Boomers, 6U, & 8U

Saturday, August 12, 2023, 9 to 10 am. Meet in the multi-purpose room at the FWB Rec Center @ 132 Jet Dr NW. If you are a returning coach, you do not have to be at the meeting. You may pick up your coaches' folder, in my office, beginning the Friday (August 11, 2023) before the scheduled meeting.
Coaches meetings are for coaches, assistants, and other coaching staff. Please, no children.

Team Placement

You will be notified of your child's team AFTER the scheduled coaches meeting.
You will hear from both, your coach and me. I will email your coach's contact information.
If you have not heard from your coach or me within a week after the coaches meeting, Please call me.
If you have heard from me and not your coach, PLEASE contact your coach.
Your friends may hear from their coach before you hear from yours. Give the coach a week to prepare before calling.

Special Requests

If you have a special request for your child, such as a specific coach or team(mate), etc.,
Please write the request on the registration form and I will do what I can to make it happen.

Rules

Can be found online -Departments and Services -Youth Athletics

Equipment

Participants are encouraged to bring their own practice ball and equipment to practice. This will make team practice easier and encourage athletes to practice at home. Be sure to put your child's name on their ball.
Ball Sizes: Baby Boomers, 6U, and 8U use size 3, 10U and 12U use size 4, and 15U use size 5.

Practice

Practice days and times will be determined by your coach. Coaches will contact you after the scheduled meeting.
Practices are typically twice a week, as early as 5:30 pm and not later than 7:30 pm.

Game Days, Times, & Locations

Baby Boomers and 6U games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 or 6:30 pm
City Hall Fields (168 Coral Dr)
8U games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 or 6:30 pm
Ferry Park (240 Hughes Street NE)
10U, 12U, and 15U games will be played Monday nights at 5:30 or 6:45 pm and Saturday mornings at 8 am to 1 pm
Preston Hood Athletic Complex (132 Jet Dr. NW)
All times and locations are subject to change.

Schedules

Schedules will be emailed about 2 weeks after the coaches meeting with field numbers and locations.

Picture Day

Team and individual photos are scheduled TBD. Information will be given out at the coach's meeting. It is very important to get a team photo in order for your sponsor to receive a plaque.

Parking

You may park in the designated parking lot areas only.
Please do not park on sidewalks or grass or at neighboring residents or businesses.
Parking areas are the Rec Center Lot (132 Jet Dr. NW) or Preston Hood Athletic Fields Lot (235 Hollywood Boulevard)

Uniforms

Dry-fit shirts will be organized and packaged for each team. They should be available on the morning of the first game. If they are not ready, each team will be notified to wear a team-colored shirt. Parents are responsible for non-pocket athletic shorts, shin guards, socks, and cleats.

I have a few pair of used cleats & shin guards that have been donated.

If you want to see what we have or want to donate a pair of gently used cleats, PLEASE swing by the Rec Center any time. Baby Boomers are not required to wear cleats, but it is recommended.

Trophies/Medals

Baby Boomers, 6U, and 8U are non-competitive leagues and awards are up to the coaches and parents.

10U, 12U, and 15U will get medals for the first and second-place teams in each division. A team trophy will be available upon request for photos only. The winning team photo will be displayed at the Rec Center in the trophy case on a plaque with the winning team name (sponsor's name) and the coach's name.

End-of-Season Party

Team parents and coaches can organize their own team parties at desired locations.
We look forward to having your child play for the City of Fort Walton Beach. We are proud of our City and its accomplishments.