The Northwestern Soccer Club provides soccer programs for the youth of all ages, including the Pre-K Program, Under 7 Program, as well as Northwestern teams participating in recreational and competitive leagues.

Soccer teams are designated by age, for example Under 12 Girls (U12G). The cut-off date, to determine what age group a player can participate is July 31st.  If a player is born before the cut-off date, they can participate on that team for the entire soccer year, which is Fall and Spring (not the calendar year).

Pre-K Program

Our newest program is for ages 3 ½ to 5 years, for children who have not yet started Kindergarten. The emphasis of the program is recreation, with the opportunity to get some basic (beginning level) soccer instruction as well as some “pick-up” games. Instruction is provided by UK Elite, our professional coaching/training alliance, as well as various coaches from the Northwestern program.

Under 7 Program

The Northwestern Under 7 program is a co-ed program for Kindergarten and 1st grade youth. The format of the program includes professional soccer instruction from UK Elite Soccer, every other week, with games each weekend. Our in-house program forms teams, comprised of both boys and girls. Games are played utilizing a 3 versus 3 format, that emphasizes participation by everyone and allows all players to get lots of “touches” on the ball. For more info, click on the link above.

Recreational League

Northwestern Soccer Club participates in the Northern Valley Youth Soccer League (www.nvysl.com) , a recreational league that places an emphasis on player participation. Teams are formed beginning with Under 8 (U8) (co-ed), and have combined age groups for U10, U12, U14, U16, and U19. Practices are often twice a week with a game on the weekend.

Competitive League

The Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League (www.lvysl.org) is the competitive league that Northwestern Soccer participates in. Teams are by gender, beginning at U9 and are at every age group up to U19. Team tryouts are held at the end of the spring season (end of May/beginning of June) for the following Fall Season. Although most teams play both Fall and Spring season, the Fall season is considered the “competitive season”. Players not selected by a competitive team are placed on a recreational team. Practice is between 2 and 4 times per week with a game on the weekend. Competitive teams often participate in soccer tournaments, held throughout eastern PA and surrounding states.

UK Elite

UK Elite, a professional soccer coaching and training organization, has been the training partner to the Northwestern Soccer Club program for several years. UK Elite trains at all age levels within Northwestern to support proper technical skill and tactics development (for both players and coaches). Additionally, UK Elite hosts a summer soccer camp, for both individual players and teams. For more information on the Northwestern Camp, click on the link above.

Volunteer Position Descriptions

Director*

Works with the other board members to establish overall direction for Northwestern Soccer Club. Representative of the soccer club to the High School and NYAA. Plans and manages monthly soccer club meetings. Attend monthly NYAA meeting. Supports other club officers in addressing the day-to-day club issues. Oversees the overall running of the soccer club.

Lehigh Valley League Representative*

Represents Northwestern at monthly LVYSL meetings and provides the club feedback on league issues at monthly soccer meeting. Facilitates the completion of team rosters and player passes with club coaches who have teams in the LV league. Maintains contact with LV Coaches during the season.

Northern Valley League Representative*

Represents Northwestern at monthly NVYSL meetings and provides the club feedback on league issues at monthly soccer meeting. Facilitates the completion of team rosters with club coaches who have teams in the NV league. Responsible for recruiting coaches when needed and creating teams. Maintains contact with NV Coaches & U8 Coordinator during the season.

UK Elite/Coaching Development*

Coordinates all UK Elite Activities including seasonal coaching play, camps and our annual summer camp. Establishes any additional soccer training programs, in the form of camps and clinics to improve the overall quality of soccer development at Northwestern. Notifies coaches on a regular basis of local licensing courses available.

Financial Coordinator*

Works with Director to establish the annual club operating budget. Completes required form & submits all expense requests to the NYAA for payment. Maintains an accurate record of club expenditures and provides regular updates to the club at monthly meetings.

Secretary*

Takes minutes at monthly soccer meetings and distributes them via e-mail. Assists Soccer Director as needed.

Pre-K Coordinator*

Coordinates the Pre-K program, including securing coaches.

Under 7 Coordinator*

Coordinates the Pre-K program, including securing coaches.

Under 8 Coordinator*

Works with the Northern Valley Representative to coordinate the Under 8 program, including securing coaches, forming teams and relaying important information to coaches.

Field Manager/ Practice Coordinator

Work together to determines the number and location of each size field for the upcoming soccer season. Coordinates volunteers in field set up prior to each season and field break down at the end of each season. Assesses equipment needs (new nets, anchor bags, line paint), places orders and keeps equipment stocked. Forms the practice location and field lining schedule. Assesses needs regarding field maintenance.

Picture Day Coordinator (Fall only)

Establish the picture day schedule working with the League representatives who provide the game schedules. In addition, responsible for distributing pictures to each team.

Equipment Manager

Manages the soccer equipment stored in the equipment building. Coordinates for each season, distributing equipment to each team. At the end of each season, coordinates the return of the equipment. Assesses equipment needs for the upcoming season: places orders for Pre-K and U7 jerseys and submits medical kit requests to the medical kit NYAA Coordinators. Keeps the equipment room stocked.

Awards Coordinator

Coordinates the Fall Awards Ceremony a by ordering trophies (medals for Pre-K), soliciting door prizes and designing the program. In the spring, coordinates the more informal ceremony, orders medals for the Pre-K, U7 & U8 programs.

Website Manager

Is the soccer club's liason to the NYAA webmaster. Monitors soccer homepage and submits updates to the webmaster when necessary. Makes suggestions to soccer director and webmaster to keep the soccer page useful and updated.

Team Manager

Assists the coaching staff particular to their needs.

Coach

Prepares and executes practice plans and game line ups for their child's team. Maintains a relationship with their league or age-group representative for important information regarding the season of play. Attends an age-appropriate certification or licensing course, paid for by the club. Completes a Pennsylvania State Background Check, paid for by the club.

Assistant Coach

Works with the head coach in preparing and executing practice plans and game line ups. Maintains a relationship with their league or age-group representative for important information regarding the season of play. Attends an age-appropriate certification or licensing course, paid for by the club. Completes a Pennsylvania State Background Check, paid for by the club.

Field Liner

Lines an assigned field on a weekly basis for a pre-determined amount of time during the playing season.

Volunteer Coordinator

Assists the Soccer Director and Secretary in obtaining volunteers for various purposes.

Volunteer Where Needed

From time to time, the club needs volunteers to help set up and break down fields, to assume other field maintenance responsibilities, attend mandatory meetings, and other club responsibilities. Soccer Director, secretary or volunteer coordinator will call you to assign tasks as needed.

Data Entry

Assists the Coordinators as necessary for inputting the teams information into the league databases.

*-Denotes "Board Member"- May require attendance at additional Soccer Club meetings as necessary.