Boys and girls can start playing soccer with Northshore Youth Soccer Association at age 5 and are placed on teams based on their elementary service area.  For players who are U6 thru U12, the teams are placed in clubs (Bothell, Inglemoor, North Creek, and Woodinville) based on the local high school feeder patterns.  These teams also play in our house league with all trainings and games played at fields located within the Northshore School District, 60 Acres, or Maltby Park.  Divisions for our house league are based on birth year.  Games are typically played on Saturdays, however, NYSA does not own or operate any fields we utilize for games and many grass fields close by the end of October which may require teams to play a weeknight game or a double header game with one on Saturday and another on Sunday.  (Note: our U6 program has a different structure and season length).  Finally, U6-U12 participate in modified games (3v3, 4v4, 7v7, or 9v9).

Recreational players in our U13-19 program play in United Club and this club participates in D2.  This league is made up of teams from NYSA, Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association, Eastside Youth Soccer Association and Snoqualmie Valley Youth Soccer Association.  Home games will be played on fields within the Northshore School District or 60 Acres, while road games can be played throughout the Eastside.  Division in D2 are split along birth year lines, players can request to play up to their grade level.   All U13 games are played on Saturday. GU14 and GU15 games are played on Saturday.  GU16 and above and BU14 and above play games on Sunday.  All U13+ teams play 11v11 games.

The season for our recreational players begins in the month of August with teams practicing 1-2 times per week.  Practices are held at times and locations that are convenient for coaches and these are not known at time of registration.  Games begin with the NYSA Jamboree (held at 60 acres the weekend before Labor Day)  and teams will play in 8-10 games depending on age.  Regular season games begin the weekend after Labor Day.  Usually the season ends by the end of October thru the middle of November.  

NYSA teams, U12 and above, have the option to participate in the Washington Youth Soccer Recreational Cup.  This is a state tournament with qualifying rounds taking place within the D2 service area.  Round robin games are played during the regular season, while knockout games have the potential to add to the length of the season.  Teams that win the D2 tournament or advance as a wild card, will move on to the state championships, which are played at Starfire in Tukwila.  Participation in the Recreational Cup does require additional team fees.

All recreational teams are coached by volunteers, these are often parents, siblings, or grandparents of players.  If you would like to coach your child’s recreational team, you may volunteer as you register online or on your child’s registration form.  All volunteers are required by NYSA and WYS to complete a national background check, do Safe Sport Training, online Concussion Awareness Training, and online Sudden Cardiac Awareness Training.  All trainings are free and all online trainings can be done at a time convenient to the volunteer (all trainings musts be complete before volunteers can work with players).

To help coaches, NYSA also provides free coaches trainings and practice plans.  We also work with coaches from our premier program to provide imbedded coach trainings to assist with training plans and ideas.  If you are interested in coaching or have more questions feel free to email us at [email protected] and we will have someone check in with you. 

Players who wish to play for NYSA can register online.  Registration for the fall season opens in February and our early bird registration runs until May 31st.  We encourage everyone to register for the fall season during the early bird registration period, as, during this time, all returning players will be guaranteed a spot on last years team.  After May 31, prices will go up $20 and all players will be placed on teams as registrations are received.  There are no tryouts for players who register for rec soccer.

If you or your child is thinking about trying out for Northshore Select or Sound FC, we encourage you to register for recreational soccer during our early bird session (Feb – May 31).  If your child is selected and accepts a spot on either select or premier we can credit the money to your account.  If your child does not make a team or does not accept the offer you will be ready to go and guaranteed a spot on the previous years team.

The 2023-2024 registration fee for recreational soccer has been set by the NYSA Board of Directors.  The fees are as follows :

We recommend that every player has their own soccer ball for practice (U6-U8 use size 3 balls, U9-U12 use size 4 balls, and U13+ use size 5 balls).  In addition, all players are required to wear shin guards for practices and games and to wear their uniform for games.  Uniforms will be provided for all U6-U8 players, while all players U9-U19 will coordinate with their teams on the purchase of uniforms.  NYSA also recommends all players wear soccer cleats. Football and baseball cleats with the front toe cleat are not allowed.

NYSA has coordinated with Northwest Sports Photography to provide high quality team photos for our families.  The exact date and time will be picked by the coach and communicated to families.  

If you have questions about the upcoming season, feel free to call our office at (425) 486-5106 or send us an email ([email protected]) and someone will get back to you.