Fall 2023 House Soccer
OBGC offers recreational House Soccer for ages PreK through high school. Our leagues are split up into the following age/grade groups:
Instructional PreK = ages 4-5
Instructional K = ages 5-6
Developmental Girls & Boys = grades 1st-2nd
House Soccer = grades 3rd-12th
Fall fees* :
Instructional = $195
Developmental = $215
House (3rd-12th) = $230
*Early Bird pricing now through 7/15 at which time regular pricing listed above will go into effect.
Instructional Soccer – This is our entry-level program for Pre-K & Kindergarten players 4-6 years old. The program readies players for the next level into the Developmental program at 1st & 2nd Grade.
This program runs on Saturday mornings and offers our new players the opportunity to develop an understanding and love of the game. We require a parent volunteer to act as Head Coach for each team, which involves team management, leading Saturday sessions & communication with their teams’ families. There are usually 6-8 teams in both age groups & scrimmages against other teams for 15 mins at the end of practice is encouraged. Alan Pringle from OBGC Developmental Soccer Academy (ODSA) provides a pre-season coaches clinic to help support volunteer coaches with training on activities/drills.
We encourage parents to step up and volunteer with these age groups and get some exercise and fun with these high energy soccer stars! Any parent that volunteers as a Head Coach will be required to submit a background check and will be refunded their Volunteer Opt Out Fee ($75) at the end of the season.
Instructional Schedule:
Teams practice and play scrimmage games on Saturday mornings beginning September 23rd at OBGC Park on Field 4.
Pre-K 9:30am
Kindergarten 10:45am
Developmental Soccer is coordinated by our Olney Developmental Soccer Academy coaches (ODSA). We require a parent volunteer to act as Head Coach for each team, which involves team management, leading Tuesday training sessions & Saturday games, and communication with their teams’ families. The Tuesday night training sessions are coordinated by Alan Pringle who provides support for volunteer coaches. There are often professional trainers on hand throughout the course of the season. Each team/coach can expect at least 2 or 3 appearances from them in a season. Volunteer Coaches are responsible for being at all Tuesday trainings and Saturday games and are expected to find a replacement parent from their team if they cannot make it.
Any parent that volunteers as a Head Coach will be required to submit a background check and will be refunded their Volunteer Opt Out Fee ($75) at the end of the season.
Developmental Schedule:
Tuesday practices begin on September 19th and Saturday scrimmage games start September 23rd at OBGC Park.
Tues Practices will take place at OBGC Fields 3 and 4
Boys 6:30-7:30pm
Girls 5:30-6:30pm
Saturday games will take place at OBGC Field #3
Boys 9:00am-10:00am
Girls 10:15am-11:15am
House Soccer (grades 3-12)
Below are key dates and details for the upcoming spring season as it pertains to U10, U12, U14 and high school boys’ and girls’ leagues.
Sunday, August 20th – REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Wednesday, August 30th – Rosters sent to families. Coaches will contact their teams and establish the practice schedule; initial game schedules released.
Tuesday, September 5th – Practices begin this week; first day that teams may officially practice.
Saturday, September 9th – Opening weekend. First games for all age groups.
NOTE: Some weekday games during the season (see generic schedule below).
Saturday, September 16th – NO GAMES (Rosh Hashanah)
Saturday, October 7th – NO GAMES (Columbus Day weekend)
Saturday, November 11th – Final weekend. Championship games for 1st and 2nd place (but every team still has a game).
Frequently asked questions
My child is 12. Does that mean they cannot play in U12? OBGC organizes its leagues by grade in order to keep friends together as much as possible. Note below how the leagues are structured by grade, not by birthdate.
How do I request a specific team or carpool? During registration you may indicate your coach and/or carpool preferences. For those who register before the deadline we can usually accommodate these preferences but there are no guarantees. After the deadline it is unlikely. SO, REGISTER EARLY!
When are the games? Games are played each Saturday during the regular season, holidays notwithstanding. Additionally, a few games will occur in the evening during the week. All games are played at OBGC Park.
What times are the games? Most Saturday games are anytime between 9am and 3:30pm. Weekday games after 5pm.
When are practices? Teams typically practice once a week for an hour on Montgomery County fields in the Olney area, weekdays between 5-8pm. The actual time, location and frequency for each team is dictated by the head coach, so you won’t know specifics until your team and therefore head coach is assigned soon after the registration deadline.
What do I need to bring? OBGC provides team jerseys. The players must wear cleats, shin guards and socks that cover the guards entirely.
Bring a ball to practice; U10s & U12s use size 4, U14s, size 5.
Who makes the playoffs? Not all teams make the playoffs but despite this, every team that wishes to continue playing up to the end of the season will have games.
Can my child “play up”? This is allowed at the specific request of the parent/guardian
Can my child “play down”? No. Not under any circumstance.
My child also plays Soccer in another league. Can he/she play with friends in the House program? Yes, however the number of “carded” players from other leagues may be limited on any given team.
League age groups and general schedules
U10: (3rd & 4th graders): format is 8v8, half-sized field, size 4 ball.
- U10 Boys – Saturday games on field #1B, weekday games on Mondays
- U10 Girls – Saturday games on field #1A, weekday games on Tuesdays
U12: (5th & 6th graders): format is 9v9, half-sized field, size 4 ball.
- U12 Boys – Saturday games on field #2B, weekday games on Wednesdays
- U12 Girls – Saturday games on field #2A, weekday games on Thursdays
U14: (7th & 8th graders): format is 11v11, full-sized field, size 5 ball.
- U14 Boys – Saturday & weekday games on field #4, weekday games on Wednesday
- U14 Girls – Saturday & weekday games on field #3, weekday games on Thursday
U18/High School Coed: (9th to 12th graders): format is 11v11, full-sized field, size 5 ball.
NOTE: Practices are established differently by each coach and cannot be confirmed until a week or two before the season begins (see FAQ above).
Coaches
All house soccer coaches and assistants are volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering, please use the same registration website as for players. Of course, it’s great if you know the sport but enthusiasm and a positive attitude is more important. We can help you with the basics such as how to manage games and structure meaningful practice sessions. All Head Coaches are reimbursed for one child of theirs that plays on the team they coach and their Volunteer Opt Out Fee. Assistant Coaches are refunded their Volunteer Opt Out Fee at the end of the season once verified by coaches.
Referees
OBGC manages its own roster of young officials from our local community. If you’re 13 or older and a certified soccer referee we’re keen to add you to our roster of officials. Contact us at the email below.
If you’re interested in certifying as a referee, check out the state website below for available classes:
https://www.marylandreferees.com/msr2/
Questions? Contact: HouseSoccer@OBGC.com
Paul Bash
OBGC House Soccer Commissioner
