Pinelanders Youth Soccer Club was formed in 1971, to promote the game of soccer among the youth of Howell. Over the years the club has grown along with the town, and we now have a membership of around 900 players each season.
Pinelanders is a volunteer non-profit corporation, run by an elected Board of Directors, and affiliated with the New Jersey State Youth Soccer Association (NJSYSA). We operate an intramural program, in which teams play only other teams from the club. Occasionally, teams in our programs may choose to participate in area tournaments.
This information is intended to help parents who are considering enrolling their children in our program to understand the objectives and organization of the club.
Where We Play
The club is located at the Hugh Hoffman Fields, Adelphia-Farmingdale Road (Route 524), Howell, behind the Revenue Administration offices. From the Golden Bell Diner on Route 9, take Route 524 east for about 3 miles, and you’ll find us on the right hand side, just before the road curves sharply to the right.
Although all games are played at the Hoffman fields, practices are held elsewhere. See below for information about practice locations.
When We Play
We run two seasons each year, in the fall and the spring. The Spring season runs from late March until early June, and the Fall season starts soon after school begins, and ends in early November.
While many of our regulars play both Spring and Fall, many others play only in alternate seasons, preferring to play another sport at other times. Our registration policies are designed to allow for this.
Team practices usually begin two or three weeks before the start of the season; we follow the season with an awards ceremony one week after the final games.
Games are played on either Friday evenings or Saturday mornings, and we publish a full schedule at the start of each season. It is occasionally necessary to schedule make-up games on other days of the week. Our fields are flood-lit for evening games.
Our Soccer Program
Our program is a teaching program, intended to teach children the rules and skills of soccer, and to enable them to enjoy playing the game in an organized way. While our older players play in competitive divisions, we try to de-emphasize competition, and we encourage coaches and players to have fun, to improve the skills of themselves and their team, and to practice good sportsmanship.
The program is open to children who are aged 4–18 on April 1st (Spring season) or October 1st (Fall season).
Games are refereed by adult and youth nationally licensed referees, some as young as twelve. The program is a learning experience for referees as well as players. We regularly offer refereeing classes, run by instructors from the State organization.
All of our players should play at least half of each game, and play a variety of positions during the season. Goalkeepers play no more than half of each game in goal.
Team Assignments
Players are assigned to teams according to a strict policy, intended to ensure fairness and balance.
In our 4–6 year-old divisions we try to keep players together, and with the same coach, in successive seasons. In these divisions we also allow parents to request team assignments.
In all other divisions, players are assigned to teams by computer, to produce teams that are balanced in age, sex and ability. The coaches’ and assistant coaches’ children are pre-assigned to their teams; all others are assigned randomly. We do not accept assignment requests, either from parents or from coaches. Once assigned, we do not allow players to switch teams.
4-Year Old Division
Teams in the 4-year old division have a one-hour session each Saturday, comprising 30 minutes of instruction followed by a 30-minute game. There are no separate practices. The number of players accepted in this division is restricted by field space.
All-Girl Divisions
Our program offers all-girl divisions in most age-groups, depending on the number of girls registering in a particular age-group each season. Girls of all ages have the option of playing on co-ed teams.
Coaches
Each team is assigned one coach and one assistant coach. Our coaches are volunteers—most became involved with the Club when their children began playing. Soccer experience is not required, and we regularly offer classes to enable coaches to acquire soccer coaching licenses. Our policies require coaches to become licensed as soon as possible. Note that general sports qualifications are not applicable to coaching soccer.
If you are interested in becoming a coach or assistant, please complete the coach registration page when you register your child.
Practices
Teams hold weekly practices at the various local schools. Practice places and times are set by individual coaches; the club does not organize or control practices. We cannot assign players to teams on the basis of practice location.
Our program is a teaching program, and it is important that players attend practice so that their coaches can give them the necessary instruction.
Equipment and Clothing
To participate in our program your child will need:
- Soccer cleats. These must have round rubber or plastic cleats; other shapes or materials are not permitted. Sneakers are acceptable, but not advised
- Black shorts. Non-black shorts are not acceptable for games.
- Long plain black socks. Short socks are not acceptable, as shin guards must be covered.
- Shin guards. These are essential for protection against kicks. Shin guards must be completely covered by the player’s socks.
- A soccer ball. Most coaches ask players to bring a ball to practice, and your child will also need a ball to practice with at home. You will not need to bring the ball to games. Different age groups use different sizes, so ask your coach which is the correct size for your child. Please make sure that your ball carries your phone number, clearly visible in several places.
- Team shirt. This is provided by the Club, and must be worn for games.
Your coach may ask you to contribute minor items to the team’s First Aid kit.
For safety reasons, players must not wear watches, jewelry, earrings, studs, or other hard items such as beads or hair barrettes, or chew gum while playing.
Registration
Registration is available through our web site, www.pinelanders.com. If you do not have access to the Internet, please call 732-919-2111, and leave a message in voice mailbox #1.
Registration is on a strict first-come first-served basis, with those registering last in each division being held on a waiting list. The waiting list enables us to replace players who withdraw before or during the season; in the rare case where we cannot assign a player he or she receives a full refund. We do not start to assign players from the waiting list until after the first weekend of the season.
In recent seasons we have succeeded in placing almost all players, but we strongly advise that you register early.
Registration Fee
The fee is currently $45 per player, with a family maximum of $90. A late fee of $10 per child is charged for registrations received after a pre-announced date. Fees must be paid at the time of registration, and are non-refundable.
Volunteer Activities
Pinelanders is a volunteer club, and we need participation from our parents in order to be able to operate. When you register, you will be asked to commit to volunteering for at least one activity during the season, as a condition of your child’s acceptance into the program. You will be able to choose your activity on-line. Most activities will only require one or two hours of your time.
Most teams ask for one or two parents to take on the role of “Team Mom” to help with team organization, phone calls etc.
Injuries and Insurance
Soccer is a contact sport, and from time to time injuries do occur. We carry medical insurance through the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. This policy is secondary to your primary policy, and deductibles and maxima apply.
Traveling Soccer
Howell United Soccer Club (HUSC) operates a traveling program for players who are interested in playing soccer at a more competitive level. HUSC teams compete in a league run by the Monmouth-Ocean Soccer Association (MOSA)—games may be played anywhere in the two counties.
The emphasis of a traveling program is on developing competitive teams. Players must attend a tryout before being accepted onto a team, and a high level of commitment to the team, including attendance at practices and games, is expected.
Information
For further information about Pinelanders see www.pinelanders.com, or call us at 732-919-2111, voice mailbox 1.
Our policy document is available from our web page or by request.
For information about other sporting activities in the Howell area please contact Howell Township’s Recreation Department, 732-938-4500 x2501.
