Recreation is Bethlehem Soccer Club’s oldest soccer program. Recreation runs two separate eight-week seasons. The fall program, during September and October attracts over 1,100 children, while the spring season, during the months of April, May and June has over 600 players. Registration for the fall season usually occurs during June and July (August, Late Registration), while spring registration takes place during winter months. Please check the web site and watch for advertisements and school newsletters as the dates near.
This program has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1979 with only a handful of young players being introduced to soccer.
Recreation is a non-results oriented soccer league. Scores are not maintained, nor are standings kept. This is consistent with guidelines set up by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for ages 10 and under. The non-results model is used for the older ages as well. Every Saturday morning brings a clean slate, and new challenges. If your player and you are looking for a more competitive environment, Bethlehem Soccer Club also has many teams involved in ‘Travel’ soccer which is run through the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL).
Divisions and teams are set based on grades. The youngest division is Pre-Kindergarten (PK). To determine if your child is eligible to play, they must be eligible to start Kindergarten in the following fall (using the December 1, 20XX cut-off date). PK, K and 1st grade divisions are co-ed and are played using small sided games (micro soccer) and without goalkeepers. From 2nd grade and older, teams are formed based on enrollment. All-Girls divisions are offered (when enrollment allows) from 2nd grade and older. The number of players on the field is based on number of players, number of volunteer coaches and field availability. BSC tries to follow USSF guidelines as close as possible for each age group. BSC often will combine grades when making these divisions.
Everybody plays. Since the program is for fun, all players play a minimum of half of every game. To make this work, please have your player at their field on time, ready to play. It's important for them to be at practice as much as possible so that they can learn the game and get to know their teammates. Let your coach or assistant coach know if your player cannot play on Saturday, and get there early enough so players can begin their game on time.
Coaching/Skills - All recreation coaches are volunteers. Their skills and knowledge of the game can vary greatly. Some played competitively in high school and college while others may have no idea what a corner kick is. Without them, this program would not be possible. Skill development is not the most emphasized point of this league. Having a good time is. Annually the club offers training courses for new/novice coaches to help them teach skills to their players while doing it in a fun atmosphere. Please consider volunteering as a coach – it really isn’t that hard at this level!
Everybody helps (or everyone should help). Annually Intraclub fields over 130 teams, and nearly 300 coaches, and nearly 2,000 players between the ages of four and fourteen. This massive effort required hundreds of "person hours" and hundreds of people to make it work as a club program each season. To continue to be a high quality program we need EVERYONE. Please don't wait until registration day to be asked to volunteer. Step up and pitch in! It's great fun and it's rewarding work. You meet other parents and their children, make new friends and share a special "rush" when you watch the sea of soccer players on the fields each Saturday morning at the Town Park and the Soccerplex. Join us for popsicles and oranges on Saturday morning!!
You will be asked to volunteer some time to help in a variety of needs including (but not limited to) field setup, field takedown, concession stand, registration sessions, picture day/ bake sale, parking, grounds crew, and phone coordinators. We are always looking for people with a skill, talent or hard work that will help improve the club. Let us know!
Questions or comments? Email IntraClub at cleansheet_bsc@msn.com