2024 Spring Season Registration

Registration for the 2024 Spring Season is CLOSED for our U4-U8 ages.

Ages & Fees

ATTENTION:  Hoover Soccer Club is aligning our U4-U8 age groups with the requirement by US Soccer and the Alabama Soccer Association that players be grouped by their BIRTH YEAR instead of using school date age ranges starting on August 1st.  This is being done to ensure consistency throughout our age group structure, as well as to prevent problems for players transitioning from the U8 to U9 ages and out of our U4-U8 Future Phantoms Program.  If you have ANY questions about the new age groupings, please email recreationaldirector@hooversoccerclub.com.  You can read more about this change and why it was made HERE.

RECREATIONAL REFUND POLICY

The following refund policy has been put in place for all HSC Recreational programs for the Spring 2024 season*:

With the exception of a total season cancellation as outlined below, there will be NO refunds past the registration deadline.

  • If the entire season is cancelled for any reason before February 20th, all registrants will receive a 100% refund, minus a $5 processing fee.
  • If the entire season is cancelled for any reason before April 1st, all registrants will receive a 50% refund, minus a $5 processing fee.
  • If the entire season is cancelled for any reason on or after April 1st, no refunds will be given.
DOB Age Group Registration Fee
1/1/2020 — 12/31/2020 U4 $95
1/1/2019 — 12/31/2019 U5 $140
1/1/2018 — 12/31/2018 U6 $140
1/1/2017 — 12/31/2017 U7 $160
1/1/2016 — 12/31/2016 U8 $160

Practices & Games

All practices and games for the U4-U8 ages will be held at the Trace Crossings fields in Hoover near the Met.  The address is
5444 Stadium Trace Pkwy, Birmingham, AL, 35244 (View on Google Maps).

Practices

  • Practices start the week of March 4th and end in mid-May.
  • U4 teams will have a combined practice and game on Saturday mornings at 9:00am.
  • All U5-U8 teams will practice 1 time per week from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
  • Practice days will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and will be determined by volunteer coach schedules and field availability.

Games

  • Games will start Saturday, March 16th and end on Saturday, May 18th.
  • All games are intramural against other HSC Future Phantoms teams of like ages.
  • Each team is guaranteed 6-8 games, but we try our best to get 8 games based on the number of teams in the age group.
  • The U4 age group will have a combined practice and game on Saturday mornings at 9:00am.
  • The U5-U8 games will take place on Saturday mornings at 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:00pm and 1:30pm time slots.
  • For any games cancelled due to inclement weather, we will make every attempt possible to make these up on available Sunday afternoons or during practice nights.

Team Volunteer Coaches

Both our Future Phantoms and HSC Rec League programs rely on volunteer coaches. We understand that this can be quite a commitment, especially for first-time coaches, so the club is dedicated to supporting our volunteer coaches in every way possible.  Below is a list of coaching responsibilities for our U4-U8 coaches as well as a list of resources that will be provided to prepare our volunteer coaches to provide a fun, positive soccer experience for all the kids.  Thanks in advance for all you do! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AS A VOLUNTEER COACH!

U4-U8 Coaching Responsibilities

  • Ensure that your players are having FUN and learning the game of soccer!
  • Reinforce a good attitude and mentality for learning and sportsmanship.
  • Communicate team specific details to your players and parents –  we will also at times ask you to communicate critical club announcements, as mass email communications from the club can sometimes find its way to spam folders, and not everyone visits the website frequently.
  • Organize and facilitate practice sessions.
  • Facilitate games based on your given schedule – all games at these ages are between other HSC Future Phantoms teams of like ages.  Coaches will act as the referee as well, with each coach officiating one half of the game.

Coaching Resources

  • HSC staff will hold a U4-U8 Coaches’ Meeting prior to the start of the season.  We will give tips and strategies to coaching a young soccer team, including how to run a training session for U4-U8 players.  We will also cover some administrative duties involved and give coaches the chance to ask questions about the upcoming season.
  • All coaches will receive a Volunteer Coaches Handbook which will include the following (and more) information specific to the age group:
    • Information on the developmental aspects of your players
    • Tips and advice on how to run a training session
    • Game day protocol, tips and advice
    • A full season training plan to guide you through a full eight weeks of practice sessions
  • An HSC staff representative will be at most, if not all, training sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  This resource will be available to answer questions, help with drills and games, and to make the parents and volunteer coaches feel supported in every way possible.

Uniforms & Equipment

Soccer Nation (www.soccernation205.com) is the uniform provider for the Hoover Soccer Club.  You may also pick up any other soccer equipment you may need in addition to your uniform at Soccer Nation.  Mention that you are with the Hoover Soccer Club at any time and receive a 10% discount!

Uniforms

  • The cost of your uniform is NOT included in your registration fee.
  • The cost of the reversible jersey is $30.
  • You may call Soccer Nation at (205) 822-7900 Monday-Friday from 10:00am-7:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am-6:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm-5:00pm or go by their Birmingham location during these hours at 1082 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL, 35216.

Equipment

Each player will need the following items at every practice and game session:

  • An appropriately sized soccer ball (U4-U8: size 3)
  • Water bottle or another type of hydration
  • Shin guards
  • Soccer cleats

Additional Information

Team Medals/Awards

It is our goal that every participant in the Future Phantoms Program have a positive soccer experience.  This is accomplished by providing a relaxed and fun learning environment where the focus is on the enjoyment of the game and participation with teammates and friends.

Our policy is to NOT give out participation medals or ribbons to any team in our club.  We feel that doing so devalues actual achievement in any endeavor, sports related or not.  This policy also helps us in our goal at this age of detracting from winning and focusing on fostering a learning environment and love for the game of soccer!

We understand that this policy is a matter of contention with some, but please understand that everything we do is for the benefit of our players and their development as individuals and soccer players.