REcreational u3-u19

Recreational Program Overview

The Recreational Program is a soccer program for all youth players and is designed for beginners and youths interested in playing soccer in a less competitive environment. Basic soccer skills are taught and reinforced. United Futbol Academy supports US Youth Soccer’s teaching philosophy with respect to small-sided soccer in U5, U6, U7, U8, U10 and U12. This philosophy allows the game to be the teacher by maximizing each player’s touches on the ball and encourages all the players to develop their skills in all positions. Further, the philosophy discourages intense competition until the older age groups. 2025-2026 AGE GROUP CHART (BIRTH YEAR) - CLICK HERE

Our Recreational Program currently consists of players from the age of 2 through the age of 18. Please take note that there is no skill level requirement at any age, i.e., we will have children of all levels participating on each team in our program. We have developed a system that provides both a fun and productive environment for players at all levels. Although our focus is predominantly on the enjoyment of playing the game, we would also like to utilize our time effectively with the children by teaching them as much as possible about the game and the skills needed to excel in the sport.


REGISTRATION FEES
U03 Kick Start Program   $136 per season
U04 Coed Mini League    $136 per season
U05-U08 Rec League      $203 per season (includes Vol Fee & Field Usage Fee)
U10-U19 Rec League        $236 per season (includes Vol Fee & Field Usage Fee)


AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS AND FEES (IF APPLICABLE)
Early Bird Discount   

- $10 per season for U03 Kick Start (Must register in May to receive EBD for fall)
- $10 per season for U04 Mini League (Must register in May to receive EBD for fall)
- $15 per season for U05 - U19 League (Must register in May to receive EBD for fall)
Sibling Discount - $25 per season applied to 2nd and subsequent players registered (U05 - U19 only)             
Out of County Fee - $175 Out of County Fee per season
Late Fee - $25 per season if registering after July 15 for fall, or January 15 for spring


IMPORTANT LINKS

Rec Seasonal Info

Rec Picture Day

Fast Track Training


If you have additional questions, please contact the appropriate Age Group Coordinator or the Recreational Director, Jeff Salas at jeff@unitedfa.org

AGE GROUP COORDINATORS

NAME AGE GROUP EMAIL

Kristin Sharma

U5 age group  

kristin.sharma.ufa@gmail.com

Kendra Munguia 

U6 age group 

kendrarosemunguia@gmail.com

Crystal Mendoza 

U7B & U7G age groups 

cmendoza.ufa@gmail.com

Nick Schalek 

U8B & U8G age groups 

nick.unitedfa@gmail.com

Michael Goodwin 

U10B age group for Central, Matt & South players 

brother_michael71@yahoo.com

Paul Provost 

U10B age group for Polo players 

pprovostufa@gmail.com

Benjie Dzietror 

U10G age group 

benjie@unitedfa.org

Colleen Hancock 

U12B age group 

chancock.ufasoccer@gmail.com

Alysa Sewell 

U12G age group 

asewell.ufa@gmail.com

Ian Cunningham 

U14B, U14G, U16B, U16G, U19B & U19G age groups 

ianc.ufaagc@gmail.com

Both the U3 Kick Start and U4 Mini League are FUN introductory programs that are success-based and designed to develop a player’s confidence and a life-long love of the game of soccer. They are run as a parent/child clinic format. We will have a Central Trainer assisted by the parent/s of each player. We will work on soccer skills each week through a variety of games and age appropriate activities. There are no set teams.

The participation fee per season is $136 which includes a t-shirt per seasonal year (both fall and spring seasons = one seasonal year). i.e. - If you participated in the fall Mini League, you will not receive a new t-shirt in the spring. 

U3 KICK START PROGRAM

  • For boys and girls who were born between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023
  • No set teams
  • Central trainers
  • (6) 45 minute clinics from 4:30 - 5:15 pm on Mondays at South Forsyth Soccer Complex, Wednesdays at Central Park, Thursdays at Matt Park, and Fridays at Polo Fields
  • Parents serve as assistant trainers
  • Seasons offered - fall and spring
  • Registration for the fall season opens in May, and registration for the spring season opens in November.
  • UFA has a No Refund Policy.
  • Please note, all registration is done online.

U4 COED MINI LEAGUE

  • For boys and girls who were born between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022
  • No set teams
  • Central trainers
  • (6) 45 minute clinics from 5:30 - 6:15 pm on Mondays at South Forsyth Soccer Complex, Wednesdays at Central Park, Thursdays at Matt Park, and Fridays at Polo Fields
  • Parents serve as assistant trainers
  • Seasons offered - fall and spring
  • Registration for the fall season opens in May, and registration for the spring season opens in November.
  • UFA has a No Refund Policy.
  • Please note, all registration is done online. 

U5-U19 RECREATIONAL LEAGUE

Each U5-U19 team requires a volunteer parent coach, however we provide a UFA staff trainer who works with the U5 - U12 age groups once a week. Although our focus is predominantly on the enjoyment of playing the game, we would also like to utilize our time effectively with the children by teaching them as much as possible about the game and the skills needed to excel in the sport. 

  • Youth ages 4-18 (U5 - U19)
  • Seasons offered - fall and spring
  • NO tryouts and NO skill level requirements!
  • Volunteer Parent Coaches
  • Assessments for the U5, U6, U7, U8, U10 and U12 age groups are held each season and are necessary for team formation and to help balance teams
  • U5 & U6 teams are coed. U7 - U19 teams are gender specific.
  • Practices take place during the week. To view the practice schedule by park, please visit our Rec Seasonal Info page.
  • Games are played on weekends only.
  • Registration for the fall season opens in May, and registration for the spring season opens in November.
  • The registration fee includes governing body/league registration and insurance, referee fees, league administration, and a minimum of (8) games for U5 -U19 age groups.
  • The uniform ordering process and uniform fee will be completely separate from the program registration and fee. Our recreational uniforms are intended to be used for three seasonal years. Our three seasonal years will run from Fall 2023 to Spring 2026. Parents will be required to purchase the kit through the Lloyds Online Uniform Store. You will be sent an Invite to the store no later than January 20th unless registering during Late Registration, which begins on January 16th. Players returning from the fall 2023, spring 2024, fall 2024, spring 2025 and/or fall 2025 season that previously ordered the full uniform kit from Lloyds Soccer are not required to order a new kit, but can order replacement items as needed.
  • UFA has a No Refund Policy with the following being the ONLY exceptions: the player becomes injured to the point that they are unable to participate for the remainder of the season and/or a majority of the season, and presents a doctor's note. The doctor's note must indicate the injury and show that the injury will prevent your child from participating for a certain period of time (beginning date through end date). In which case, the refund will be prorated. The other exception is the season has begun and we are unable to place your child on a team.
  • All registration is done online. You'll be able to select your preferred practice locaton at the beginning of registration.  Please note, when registering, you're registering for the weeknight practice location and not the weekend game location.  The total program price indicated includes the Field Usage and Volunteer fees. Discounts and the Out of County fee will be adjusted at check out.

Rec Uniforms

Beginning in the Fall 2023 season, UFA will be moving to an online uniform ordering system with Lloyd's Soccer for our Recreational uniforms. Lloyd's Soccer has been our UFA uniform provider for over a decade and has provided exceptional quality and service to our UFA families in that time. We will also be transitioning to a two-jersey uniform kit. This will allow us to have Home and Away jerseys on game days.


Why Change the Process Now?

Due to supply chain issues and shipping delays that we’ve experienced in the past, our Recreational Staff has been continually evaluating our uniform ordering processes for the past several years. We believe that the time is right to transition to online ordering so that our UFA Recreational families can order their child’s size as opposed to receiving the manufacturer’s recommended size for their age group. 


Lloyd's Soccer will be taking all uniform orders directly from every UFA family through a uniform ordering store and will ship your uniform directly to your doorstep!


Will the Uniforms Still Change Every Seasonal Year?

No, UFA uniforms will also transition to a multi-year uniform cycle. Our recreational uniforms are intended to be used for three seasonal years. Our three seasonal years will run from Fall 2023 through Spring 2026.


What Will the Uniform Kit Include and What is the Cost?

The mandatory Rec uniform kit will consist of a Home and Away Adidas jersey – Blue jersey (Home), Black jersey (Away), black Adidas shorts and black Adidas socks. The full kit must be initially purchased, and the cost will be $60 for youth sizes and $62 for adult sizes plus shipping and handling.


One of the benefits of the new uniforms we have selected will be that we can extend the time between style changes to help families save money. Because Lloyd's Soccer has the ability to provide individual replacement items, it will be easier than ever to order a new jersey, shorts or socks should your player lose or outgrow their current uniform individual pieces. 


How Does this Impact My Registration Fee?

The uniform ordering process and uniform fee will be completely separate from the program registration and fee starting in the Fall 2023 season. Parents will be required to purchase the kit through the Lloyd's Online Uniform Store once they’ve received an invite after completing their player’s registration. Please note, the uniform kit should be ordered as soon as possible after the email from Lloyd's Soccer (orders@LloydsSoccer.com) with ordering instructions has been received. Delaying the order may result in your player not having a uniform in time for the first game of the season.

Rec Uniform Sizing Chart

Forsyth Recreational FAQ

  • Do you need prior experience to sign up for recreational soccer?

    There is no skill level requirement at any age, i.e. we will have children of all levels participating on each team in our Recreational program. We have developed a system that provides both a fun and productive environment for players at all levels.



  • When is registration?

    Registration for the fall season begins May 1st.  We offer an early bird discount for players that register and complete payment by May 31st.  Regular registration ends July 15th.  Beginning July 16th a late fee of $25 applies.


    Registration for the spring season begins November 1st.  We offer an early bird discount for players that register and complete payment by November 30th.  Regular registration ends January 15th for the spring season.  Beginning January 16th a late fee of $25 applies. 

  • When will someone contact us after registration?

    Coaches will begin contacting their teams immediately following the Recreational Coaches Meetings.  If you have not heard from a coach before your team practice starts, please contact your Recreational Age Group Coordinator (AGC).  The AGC list can be found above.


  • When does the season start?

    The first game of the fall season is the weekend after Labor Day, and the first game of the spring season is the first week of March.



  • When do the teams start practicing?

    Practices begin late-August/early-September for the fall season and mid-February for the spring season. 



  • What age group will my player participate in?

    Our registration system will automatically place your child in their appropriate age group based on this Age Group Chart.  The “U” associated with an age group stands for “under."



  • Can I make a Special Request for team placement?

    Although we try to honor player requests received before July 15 for the fall season and January 15 for the spring season, we also strive for parity among the teams to maximize the enjoyment for all players involved.  Please note, all Special Requests will be considered, but are not guaranteed. When registering for our Recreational Program, you are registering specifically for the program and not to play on a certain team and/or with a certain player.



  • Can my player play up an age group?

    Generally, players will play in their own age group, but occasionally players will want to play up an age group.   Any player wishing to play up to the next age group must first be assessed and approved by the Recreational Director by the assessment date at the latest.  To have your child assessed, please contact Jeff at jeff@unitedfa.org.  If approved, the Recreational Director will then go into the registration database and move the player to the division they will be playing up to.



  • Can my player play down an age group?

    No, per US Club and US Youth Soccer Rules and Regulations, no players are allowed to play down an age group, regardless of size, skill or handicaps.  Even if a doctor’s excuse is received requesting that the player play down an age group, we still would not be able to grant that request.



  • What are assessments and why are they necessary?

    Unfortunately, when coaches, players and/or parents begin choosing whole teams, the teams can become unbalanced, which isn't much fun and defeats the purpose of our Recreational Program.  This is the reason we hold assessments prior to each season.  Assessments are not tryouts.  We make every attempt to form balanced teams to ensure every team is able to compete, however in order to accomplish this objective it is imperative that all players (returning and new) attend assessments.  The assessment process aids us in identifying each registrant's play level so that we will have accurate information during team formation.  This information is particularly important in helping us grant special requests.  Also, we do not break up existing teams, but use the information identified in the assessments to fill any open spots on teams with the appropriate level player to help balance the teams.



  • What happens if my player doesn't attend assessments?

    If for any reason you are unable to attend the assessments on either of the official Assessment Days, please contact Jeff Salas at jeff@unitedfa.org to arrange for an early assessment.  If your child isn't seen early or does not attend assessments on the official Assessment Day, it could negatively affect their assignment to a team or the assignment of players to their team.  If we do not assess your child, we are left to guess at their ability and can only assume they are an "A" player, which again could negatively affect the team assignment. 



  • Are the teams coed?

    Teams are coed for the U5 and U6 divisions.  Beginning with U7 and up, the teams are gender specific. The only time that UFA will put together a coed team is if there are not enough participants in a specific age group, which happens occasionally in the U19 age group, but if the boys and girls do need to be placed together to form a team, all parents will be notified first and given the option to remove their player from the program.



  • What is the cost?

    U3 Kick Start:  $136


    U4 Mini League:  $136


    U5, U6, U7 and U8 Rec League:  $203.00


    U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19 Rec League:  $236.00



  • What is included in the participation fee?

    Governing body/league registration and insurance, County field usage fees, referee fees, league administration, and a minimum of (8) games for U5 -U19 age groups.



  • What equipment will my player need?

    Each player should have:


    Official UFA Uniform Kit

    Shin guards 

    Turf Shoes or Soccer Cleats - turf shoes can be worn during games, however we recommend each player wear soccer cleats. 

    Age appropriate soccer ball - U5, U6, U7 and U8 divisions use a size 3 soccer ball. U10 & U12 use a size 4 soccer ball. U14, U16 and U19 use a size 5 soccer ball. 

    Water and/or sports drink. 

    Sunscreen is recommended for warm months.


  • What are turf shoes versus soccer cleats?

    Soccer cleats generally have about 9 or so large studs for traction.  Turf shoes generally have 20 – 30 (or more) tiny rubber nubs for traction.  Turf shoes are intended for hard ground but are much easier on grass fields than cleats.



  • What is the uniform process?

    The uniform ordering process and uniform fee will be completely separate from the program registration and fee. Our recreational uniforms are intended to be used for three seasonal years. Our 3 seasonal years will run from Fall 2023 to Spring 2026. Parents will be required to purchase the kit through the Lloyds online Uniform Store once they’ve received an invite after completing their player’s registration. Players returning from the fall 2023, spring 2024, fall 2024, spring 2025 and/or fall 2025 season, that previously ordered the full uniform kit from Lloyds, are not required to order a new kit, but can order replacement items as needed through their original Lloyds account. Please note, you need to order your player’s uniform as soon as you receive an email from Lloyds Soccer (orders@LloydsSoccer.com) with ordering instructions. Delaying the order may result in your player not having a uniform in time for the first game of the season.


  • Who will coach my player’s team?

    Recreational coaches are parents that volunteer to coach a team.  Each season volunteer parent coaches are in great demand.  With the large influx of new players to the program each season, UFA has to search for additional people to coach because there are never enough coaches to cover all of the teams.  Prior coaching and/or soccer experience is not required...all you need to be able to coach is some organizational skills and a willingness to help. 


  • Where will my player practice?

    Practices will be held at Central Park, Matt Community Park, Polo Field and South Forsyth Soccer Complex.  Teams will have all their practices at the park of their team’s practice park preference. The practice park assignment and team assignment is based on the practice park preference selected during your registration.



  • What day and/or time will my player’s team practice?

    The practice schedule by field can be found on the Recreational Seasonal Info page.  To view, please click here: Rec Seasonal Info page.  This schedule may be modified as deemed necessary according to field availability and needs by the club.



  • Where will the soccer games be played?

    U5 – U12 Home games will be played at ANY of our UFA Forsyth fields.  The park and field availability are assessed prior to each season and a decision on game location for the teams in each age group and park will be determined.  


    U14 – U19 Home games will be played at ANY of our UFA Forsyth fields.  Please note, the U14, U16 and U19 age groups are scheduled inter-league between neighboring clubs, so please anticipate some traveling on the weekends for some games.



  • When will the soccer games be played?

    Most games are on Saturdays. Saturday games may start as early as 8:00 am and can be played as late as 8:30 pm.  Teams may have some games on Sundays with all Sunday Home games starting at 1:00 pm or later when scheduled at UFA.



  • When will the game schedule be available?

    The full season game schedule should be available 1 – 2 weeks prior to the first game.  The only exception may be the U14 and above divisions.  Because we coordinate with neighboring clubs, the full game schedule may not be available until the week of the first game.



  • How many games will the teams have?

    All teams are guaranteed to have 8 games during the season. 


  • How do I check field status for games/practices?

    UFA has a field status hotline (844) 468-6832 ext 701; however, the most expeditious way to learn of field closings will be to check our website.  The field status is on our Northside Field Status page. The website is updated daily by 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. on game days.



  • What is Fast Track?

    A demanding training program, “Fast Track Training Program” will not only challenge its participants during sessions, but will also specifically require players to keep perfecting their skills through extra work at home. The focus will be on acquiring and mastering proper basic soccer skills, crucial for the Academy level.  In addition to the usual one practice a week on their recreational team, a more intense training will be held once a week by a UFA staff trainer.


    1 hour/week practice

    8 week training program

    Fees are $120.00 ($15.00 per session)

    *This program is not a guarantee to move up to the Academy, but an opportunity to be exposed to a higher level of training.  Fast Track is for U7 & above UFA Recreational players who are interested in a more serious and intense training program. If interested, please contact Jeff Salas or your Age Group Coordinator.


  • What if I need a refund?

    UFA has a No Refund Policy with the following being the ONLY exceptions:  the player becomes injured to the point that they are unable to participate for the remainder of the season and/or a majority of the season, and presents a doctor's note.  The doctor's note must be on official letterhead, indicate the injury and show that the injury will prevent your child from participating for a certain period of time (beginning date through end date).  In which case, the refund will be prorated.  The other exception is the season has begun and we are unable to place your child on a team.



  • What happens if my child is placed on the Waitlist?

    The number of teams in each age group is determined by the number of registrants in said age group.  A waitlist occurs when we have enough registrants to fill the roster for each team in the age group.  Upon registration, if a player is placed on the waitlist, every attempt is made to place that player by forming new teams if at all possible.  The more players we have on the waitlist, the easier it is to form new teams.  If upon registration you see that your player will be placed on the waitlist, we encourage you to please proceed with your registration.



  • Does UFA offer financial assistance?

    Scholarship applications are available.  All scholarships are confidential and require all proper paperwork to accompany the application before being considered.  Further information on scholarships can be found on our website at the following link:  UFA Financial Aid Page.  The scholarship application can be found in your account under Available Programs once you've created a family account in our registration system.