PWSI Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my child to play soccer with Prince William Soccer, Inc.?
How do I make payment online?
Where is the clubhouse?
What are the clubhouse hours of operation?
At what age may a child play soccer with PWSI?
How do I find out when registrations are being taken for a particular season?
Do I have to pay for a uniform separately from the registration?
If I register and later find that I must withdraw that registration, how can I get my
registration fee back?
Can I request a particular coach?
How are players placed on teams?
When are players notified what team they are on?
Can I be moved to a different team for carpooling, to play on a friend’s team or to get a
different practice time?
Do players move to a new team each season?
What is a waiting list?
What is a League Director?
What equipment do we need?
How are my children supervised during practices?
When are the practices and games?
What type of instruction is given to players?
When are games?
What if it rains on game days or practice days?
How does my child get on an all star team?
Who can I contact with questions not on this list?
Who will coach my child’s team?
Q: How do I register my child to play soccer with Prince William Soccer, Inc.?
A: During open registration periods, you may register on the internet through the PWSI website by entering www.pwsi.org and selecting the registration link. This will bring up the registration form to be completed online. Prince William Soccer, Inc. is striving for maximum on-line registration. However, if you do not have access to a computer you may register by filling out a paper registration form and dropping it off at the Clubhouse or mailing it with a check or money order, to the clubhouse. Payment must be made at the time of registration in order for the registration to be processed.
If the child has not played soccer with PWSI in the two previous seasons, proof of birth date must be submitted with the registration form. It may be in the form of a birth certificate, military family member ID card, or passport. If registering online, a copy of the certifying document may be mailed, faxed (703-730-9031), or brought to the Clubhouse.
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Q: How do I make payment online?
A: Online Registration is available to everyone who desires to pay by credit card or electronic check. Step by step directions are given on the form for completing the payment. The payment is made through a secure line to a card service, which clears your check or credit card for payment. If problems are encountered when paying online, please contact the clubhouse for assistance by email at clubhouse@pwsi.org or by calling 703-670-6061.
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Q: Where is the clubhouse?
A: The PWSI clubhouse address is 14716 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, VA 22193. It is located between Spriggs Road and Dumfries Road (Route 234) on Minnieville Road. There is a sign in front of the building identifying it as the Prince William Soccer, Inc. Clubhouse.
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Q: What are the clubhouse hours of operation?
A: The clubhouse is open Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 5 p.m. We are available on Saturdays by appointment only. Changes to these hours will be posted on the website and on the voice mail for 703-670- 6061, as well as posted at the clubhouse.
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Q: At what age may a child play soccer with PWSI?
A: PWSI has leagues ranging from U-5 (under 5) through U-19 (under 19). A child must be at least 4 1/2 years old to play. In addition, PWSI has an Adult League for males 21 years of age and over and females 18 years of age and over.
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Q: How do I find out when registrations are being taken for a particular season?
A: The dates will be posted on the PWSI Website, in the local newspapers and on the voicemail at 703-670-6061. In addition, volunteers normally distribute flyers through the schools and at various sites throughout the communities. The dates for registration are very important. If an individual is registered late, a late fee will be charged and there is less likelihood of being placed on a local neighborhood team. There is no guarantee of placement on a team, and special requests may not be able to be honored.
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Q: Do I have to pay for a uniform separately from registration?
A: If you child is participating in the U7(Under 7) league and above they will need to purchase a uniform separately from registration. It is a club uniform which includes one red jersery, one white jersey, a pair of shorts and two pairs of socks. These players can reuse their uniforms from season to season. The cost of the uniform is $35. If you are in need of individual items, you may come in to the clubhouse and purchase them.
All U5 and U6 players use multicolored uniforms in order to help parents (and grandparents) find their childs team while playing at Chinn Park. The U5 and U6 uniform is included in the registration fee.
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Q: If I register and later find that I must withdraw that registration, how can I get my registration fee back?
A: For Fall seasons, refunds will be granted before August 1 for any reason; for Spring seasons, refunds will be granted before March 1 for any reason. Between those dates and the beginning of league play, refunds will be granted for the following reasons ONLY: medical emergency, relocation from the area, transfer to a PWSI Travel team, or the Club's inability to place a player on a team. Refunds will NOT be made for: the Club's inability to satisfy a player's special team request, deciding not to play; or, cancellation of games due to inclement weather. Refunds must be requested on the PWSI Refund Request Form. Late fees will not be refunded and, in all cases, an administrative fee will be deducted from the refund.
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Q: Can I request a particular coach?
A: Yes. indicate your request in the special requests section of the registration form. PWSI gives consideration to all requests, but requests are not guaranteed, as recreational teams are generally formed on a neighborhood basis.
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Q: How are players placed on teams?
A: Recreational and Challenge teams are formed by neighborhood whenever possible. Special requests are considered.
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Q: When will players notified what team they are on?
A: Recreational players should be notified within 48 hours after coaches receive their rosters at the coaches meeting which is normally about 2 weeks prior to the start of the season. A parent meeting and practice is scheduled by the coach to meet the team and to distribute uniforms and game schedules for the season. Players who have registered online will be able to access team information the day after the coaches meeting. If you haven’t heard anything by then, please call the clubhouse.
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Q. Can I be moved to a different team for carpooling, to play on a friend’s team or to get a different practice time?
A. Changes are not encouraged after rosters are finalized, but may be approved in limited justifiable situations. If you have a compelling reason for a change, contact your league director. If an administrative error has been made, PWSI will try to make the correction.
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Q. Do players move to a new team each season?
A. New teams are usually formed for the fall season and normally remain the same for the spring season. Teams may not remain the same from year to year depending upon the changes in registrations and neighborhood alignments.
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Q. What is a waiting list?
A. When registration closes, the league directors form teams. Players registering late are placed on a waiting list. PWSI places players from the waiting list on teams on a first come, first serve basis as spaces become available to fill teams. Once teams are full, there are no more placements. After the season starts, players that were not placed on teams will have their registration fee returned.
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Q. What is a League Director?
A. The League Director is a volunteer who has broad authority over a league (a specific age/gender group, such as U12G or U14B) and is the link between the parents/coaches and PWSI. The League Director is responsible for forming teams, selecting coaches, establishing player rosters, addressing parent concerns, and delivering club information.
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Q. What equipment do we need?
A. Players must wear shinguards and bring water bottles to all practices and games. Every player is encouraged to have a soccer ball. Soccer cleats are not mandatory for players under 10, but are strongly encouraged. No jewelry is allowed. PWSI asks that players names not be placed on the backs of shirts.
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Q. How are my children supervised during practices?
A. Coaches are responsible for all players at all times during practices and games. No child will be left without adult supervision. If parents pick up children late, coaches will address the problem with the parents.
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Q. When and where are the practices and games?
A. Coaches for each recreational team set the practice schedule, which is generally limited to 2 one hour practices weekly. The U5-U6 age groups are not required to practice.
|
Fall ’08 Field Loading
|
| Age Group |
Game Day |
Location |
| U5-U6 |
Sunday |
Chinn Park |
| U7 |
Saturday |
Fred Lynn Middle School |
| U8 |
Saturday |
Howison Park |
| U9 |
Saturday |
Graham Park Middle School |
| U10 |
Saturday |
Cloverdale Park |
| U12 |
Saturday |
Howison Park |
| U13-U19 |
Saturday |
Tyrell Park |
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Q. What type of instruction is given to players?
A. Practice activities are age-appropriate. Players are taught soccer skills and tactics appropriate for their age/skill level, according to the Byte Size Coaching Curriculum. Emphasis is placed on players enjoying a fun experience.
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Q. When are games?
A. The recreational league and Challenge league play on Saturdays. The instructional league (U5 and U6) plays on Sunday afternoons. Make-up games are usually on Sundays.
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Q. What if it rains on game days or practice days?
A. The park authority determines field conditions and leaves a hotline recording at 7 am and again at 3 p.m. For game days, the league directors inform coaches of any field closures and game cancellations. Coaches inform parents of rainout. Check the home page for field status. A green light means fields are open, yellow light means that some fields have been closed but others remain open for the area. We will identify the fields closed. A red light signals that all fields are closed for the day.
Once a field is closed for games, it is closed for the day. Games are rescheduled. For practices, the coach will call the hotline and will inform the team if practice will be held or rescheduled. If the park authority or PWSI officials close the fields, no one may play soccer on them.
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Q. How does my child get on an all star team?
A. Coaches are encouraged to nominate at least one player per age group from their team as a candidate. The all star coaches observe nominated players at regular games and select a team.
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Q. Who can I contact with questions not on this list?
A. Contact the PWSI clubhouse at 703-670-6061 or send e-mail to clubhouse@pwsi.org.
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Q. Who will coach my child’s team?
A. All of the coaches in PWSI are volunteers. Almost all of them are parents of a player who is on the team they’re coaching. Coaches usually, but not always, return to coach for several years. We are always in need of new coaches every season as players graduate from the program and/or coaches move from the area or are unable to return for various reasons. New coaches are almost always recruited from the team your child is on so do not be surprised if you receive a request to volunteer. It will be very rewarding and your child will love you for it.
