2026 fall Season

* Early Signup Period:  May 18th Through June 14th

* Regular Signup Period:  June 15th Through August 23rd

* Late Signup Period:  August 24th Through September 13th 

* Special Request Submission Deadline:  August 23rd
* Season Handout, Team Rosters And Schedules Sent:  September 6th  [Sooner If Possible]
* Head Coach Preseason Intro And Update Call/Email:  September 8th, 9th, 10th  
* U6/U9/U12/U15 Head Coach Preseason Meeting:  September 12th  [9:00am]
* U12/U15 Head And Assistant Coach Clinic:  September 12th  [12:00pm-1:00pm]
* U6/U9 Team One Time Saturday Practice:  September 12th  [12:00pm-5:30pm Range]
* U12/U15 Player Clinic:  September 12th  [1:30pm-5:30pm]
* Referee Preseason Training Session:  September 13th  [1:30pm-3:00pm]
* U6/U9/U12/U15 Team Weeknight Practices Begin:  Week Of September 14th
* U4 Head Coach Preseason Meeting:  September TBA [7:00pm-8:00pm]
* U4 Sessions And U6/U9/U12/U15 Games Begin:  September 19th
* Picture Days:  Week Of September 28th
* 2027 Spring Season Early Signup Discount Period Begins:  October 19th

* Sessions And Games End:  October 31st

* 2027 Winter Futsal Season Signups Begin:  November 2nd
* Team Gear Issue Return:  November 7th  [1:00pm-2:00pm]

UPDATED > 1 March 2026
 

AGES AND DIVISIONS
* While No Player Will Be Permitted To Play Down In A Younger Division, A Player Can

   Request To Play Up In An Older Division, If There Is An Open Spot
* The Division Age Makeup May Change, Will Depend On The Number And Ages Of The 

   Participants, A Result Of There Being Fewer Winter Participants.
* Under 4/5/6  [5/Younger As Of 31 July 26]
* Under 7/8/9  [6/7/8 As Of 31 July 26]
* Under 10/11/12  [9/10/11 As Of 31 July 26]
* Under 13/14/15  [12/Older As Of 31 July 26]

* W26 Divisions:  Under 8/Younger, Under 9/10/11, Under 12/Older
 

SIGNUP PERIODS
* Regular: November 2nd Through December 20th
* Late (If A Team Spot Is Available): December 20th Through January 9th
* No Drop Refund Requests After December 20th
 

PLAYER FEE AND FORM
* $45 Regular Signup Period
* $60 Late Signup Period
   [Covers Reversible Player Jersey, Coach Shirts, Equipment, Connected Season Costs]
* For Signup To Be Complete, Both Form And Fee Must Be Received No Later Than 

   December 20th
* No Discounts Can Be Offered Beyond The $15 Season Sponsor Find
 

SEASON SPONSORSHIP
* Donation Amount $200
* Sponsor’s One-Color Logo Will Be Placed On Each Player’s Jersey Back, All Teams 

   And Divisions
* Sponsor’s Logo And Information Placed On NWYSA Website
 

PLAYER GEAR AND WEAR
* Reversible Player Jersey That Is Player’s To Keep
* Non-Mark Gym Shoes Or Soccer Gum Sole Shoes, And Appropriate Size Shingaurds
* For Safety Reasons, The Game Shoes Need To Be Carried In, Not Worn In From The 

   Outside, So They Are Completely Dry
* Black Shorts And Socks, If You Have
* It Is Recommended That Keepers Wear Knee Pads.
 

TEAMS
* Team Staff Will Consist Of A Head Coach, And If Possible, Assistant Coach, Team Manager
* Teams Will Be Coed, Balanced Age/Girl/Boy Wise To The Degree Possible
* Up To 4 Connected Players Can Be Assigned To A Team, If More Than 4, The Players Will 

   Be Split Into 2 Groups
* Play Time Will Be 50%, To The Degree Possible
* Up To 11 Players Will Be Assigned To A Team, If More The Game Time Will Be Increased
* 5v5  [Goalkeeper, Back, Left Wing, Right Wing, Forward]
* If A Team Is Short A Player For A Game, An Approved Guest Player/s Can Participate In An

   Additional Game
 

TEAMS FORMAT
* Formed Team Format, This Format Will Be Used, 4 Or More Teams In 

   A Division
* Pickup Team Format, This Format Will Be Used, 2 Teams In Division

GUEST PLAYERS
* If Approved In Advance, A Team’s Head Coach Can Request The Help Of A Guest Player/s, 

   If The Team Is Short A Player/s For A Date’s Game. In Which Case, The Guest Player/s Play 

   Time Will Be Less Than That Of The Team’s Official Players.  
 

GAMES
* First Saturday, 25 Minutes Between Games To Cover Rules
* 15 Minutes Between Games
* 5 Minute Halftime
* Running Clock
* Under 6:  40 Minutes
* Under 9:  50 Minutes
* Under 12:  50 Minutes
* Under 15:  50 Minutes  
 

SCHEDULE
* There Will Be No Weekly/Weeknight Practices
* It's Important You Arrive Early, Games Need To Start On Time
* Games Will Take Place On Saturday Afternoons Beginning At 12:00pm
* Games Sequence Will Be Under 6, Under 9, Under 12, Under 15
* Potential Division Kickoff Ranges, Under 6/9 12:00pm-3:00pm, Under 12/15 

   3:00pm-6:00pm
* An End-of-Day Parent/Adult Pickup Game Will Be Offered Each Week
* Attendance, If Needing To Miss A Date, Head Coach Must Be Given At Least One 

   Day’s Notice
* Inclement Weather, If Needing To Cancel A Date’s Games, Decision Will Be Made By 

   Friday 8:00pm, Games Will Not Be Rescheduled
* Season Schedule Will Be Announced December 27th If No Sooner

* W26 Kickoffs, 12:00pm, 1:25pm, 2:50pm, 4:15pm, 5:40pm
 

SATURDAY DATES
* January 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
* February 6th, 13th, 20th
 

TEAM PICTURE DAY
* There Will Be A Team Picture Day, But No Player Picture Day
 

GYM/FIELD
* Gym/Field Size,  17x27 Yards
* Goal Size,  6x12 Feet
* Futsal Ball Size,  U6 And U9 Size #3,  U12 And U15 Size #4
 

BUILDING USE RULES
* Regardless Of Being A WCA Family, Everyone Must Stay Within The Designated Gym And

   Restroom Area
* No Wet Winter Wear Is To Be Brought Into The Gym And Placed Near Or On The 

   Gym Floor
* No Drinks Or Food Is Permitted To Be On The Team Side Of The Gym, The Drinking 

   Fountain Is To Be Used
* At The Conclusion Of The Day's Last Game, Everyone Will Be Asked To Help Pack Up And 

  Clean Up, And Bring Back In The School's Lunch Tables
 

FUTSAL RULES
* The First Saturday Teams Will Meet Early Than Normal So The Referee/s Can Cover 

   The Rules
* Rules, See Rules And Schedule Section On Website’s Seasons Page.
 

FUTSAL INFORMATION
* US Youth Soccer Futsal Brochure:  futsal_brochure_11_online.pdf
* Futsal Positions and Their Roles on the Futsal Court
* Futsal Rules For Beginners - KP Futsal
* Futsal Tutorial For Beginners
* How To Play Futsal For Beginners | Futsal For Beginners Defending, Attacking, Rules, Play Like A Pro
* Futsal-for-All-rules-and-tactics-primer-as-of-Fall-2024.pdf
* Futsal_Laws_of_the_Game_2025-26_compressed.pdf
 

LOCATION
* WCA [Walker Charter Academy] Gym, 1801 3 Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids 49544
 

PROGRAM AND SEASON QUESTIONS
* Contact The NWYSA

* Early Signup Period:  October 19th Through January 24th

* Regular Signup Period:  January 24th Through March 14th

* Late Signup Period:  March 15th Through April 11th
 

* Special Request Submission Deadline:  March 14th

* Season Handout, Team Rosters And Schedules Sent:  April 5th

* Head Coach Preseason Intro And Update Call/Email:  April 6th,7th, 8th 

* U6/U9/U12/U15 Head Coach Preseason Meeting:  April 10th [9:00am]

* U12/U15 Head And Assistant Coach Pre-Clinic Meeting:  April 10th [12:00pm-1:00pm]

* U6/U9 Team One Time Saturday Practice:  April 10th [12:00pm-5:30pm Range]

* U12/U15 Player Clinic:  April 10th [1:30pm-5:30pm]

* Referee Preseason Training Session:  April 11th [1:30pm-3:30pm]

* U4 Head Coach Preseason Meeting:  Week Of April 12th TBA [7:00pm] 

* U4 Sessions And U6/U9/U12/U15 Games Begin:  April 17th

* Picture Days:  Week Of May TBA

* Memorial Day Observance And Team Picnics:  May 22nd

* 2027 Fall Season Early Signup Discount Period Begins:  October 24th

* Weeknight Games:  Week Of May 24th
* Annual Support Those Who Serve Event:  May 27th

* Memorial Day Weekend:  No Saturday May 29th Sessions/Games

* Sessions And Games  End: June 5th

* Team Gear Issue Return:  June 9th [6:30pm]

Summer Pickup Games Goal
Provide An Enjoyable Experience For The Players, Help The Players To Maintain Their Past Spring Season Skills, And Help The Players To Be Better Prepared For Their Upcoming Fall Season. Along With Providing An Opportunity For Everyone Participating To Develop New Friendships.
 

Ages

* 8 And Older, As Of 31 July 2027
 

Dates
* Tuesday July 6th
* Tuesday July 13th
* Tuesday July 20th
* Tuesday July 27th
* Tuesday August 3rd
* Only Participate On The Dates You Choose
* In The Event Of Inclement Weather On Tuesday, Thursday Will Be Used 

* In The Event Of Inclement Weather On Tuesday And Thursday, 

   Games Will Not Be Rescheduled
* In The Event Of Inclement Weather And The Games Have To Be Canceled, An Email
   Will Be Sent By 4:00pm On The Day Of The Games, If Not Sooner

Times

* Younger Players Meet (Ready To Play): 5:45pm
* Younger Players Game:  6:00pm-7:05pm
* Older Players Meet (Ready To Play): 7:05pm

* Older Players Game:  7:20pm-8:25pm
 

Wear And Gear

* Provided:  Game Shirt
* Needed:  Drink, Shinguards, Cleats
* Game Top: One Team Will Wear Vests, Along With The Keepers Wearing Vests
* Keeper Gloves: Will Not Be Provided

Team Formations

* Player Groups Determined By Each Summer’s Signups
* Summer 26, Under 11/Younger Players Group, 10 Years Old/Younger
* Summer 26, Under 12/Older Players Group, 11 Years Old/Older
* Players Will Be Divided Up Differently Between The Teams Each Week  
* Teams Will Be Balanced And Made-Up Of The Different Ages In The Group 

 * Younger Group Players That Are Capable Can Also Participate In The 

    Older Group Games 

* Parent Volunteer Coaches

* Each Team's Group Of Coaches Will Work Together
 

System Of Play And Terminology

* Because The Players Will Be Working With Different Coaches, Different Teams, 

   And Some Players Different Groups, Just Once A Week, Each Team Will Use The Same

   System Of Play And Terminology, To Simply Matters For The Players
* The System Of Play That Will Be Used Is The 4-4-2
* Info Regarding The 4-4-2 System Of Play Will Be Sent To The Coaches And Players

Rules/Laws Of The Game

* Game Length, 30 Minute Halves, 5 Minute Halftime
* Younger Players Group, Size #4 Ball
* Older Players Group, Size #5 Ball
* 11v11, Unless Due To A Smaller Number Of Players Needing To Play With Fewer Players
* If Needed At Halftime, To Balance The Teams, A Player/s Switch Will Be Done
* Equal, To The Degree Possible, Play Time
* Dual Group Players, Secondary Group Play Time, Will Be Slightly Less Than Equal
* Same As An NWYSA Fall And Spring Season, Unless Otherwise Stated

General Information

* Brief Pre-Game Warm-Up, Passing And Trapping, No Shooting On The Goals
* Younger Players, Before Their Game, Will Put the Goals In Their Game Place
* Older Players, After Their Game, Will Put The Goals In Their Non-Game Place
* Older Players, Post Game, Players/Spectators, Will Be Asked To Do A Trash Sweep
* Additional On/Off The Field Information May Be Added Before And During The Season
 

Updates

* Will Be Sent Before And During Season, Along With A Post-Season

Signup Period

* Regular Period:  June 1st Through June 27th
* Late Period:  June 28th And After  

Signup Fee

* $25 (Covers Team Shirt, Coach shirts, Field Marking Paint, Port-A-Jon, Misc Related Costs) 

* Go To Signup Page, Fee And Donations Section
* No Refunds After June 27th
* If Signing Up After June 27th, $35

Signup Form
* Go To Signup Page, Documents And Forms Section

How to Choose the Right Summer Soccer Camp for Your Child
Choosing the Best Summer Soccer Camp | US Soccer Parent

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Grand Valley State Soccer Camps | GVSU | Allendale, Michigan 

Michigan State University
Soccer (Youth) Sports Camps | Sports Camps | Michigan State University (msu.edu)

Aquinas College
Aquinas College Soccer Camps | Aquinas College | Grand Rapids, MI (aqsoccer.com)
Aquinas College Soccer Camps | Aquinas College | Grand Rapids, MI (aqsoccer.com) 

Cornerstone University
Sports Camps - Cornerstone University Athletics (cugoldeneagles.com)

Calvin College
Calvin Soccer Camps | Grand Rapids
Soccer Camps Calvin University Women's Soccer Camps (calvinsportscamps.com) 

Clark Goalkeeper
Clark Keeper Training - Soccer Goalkeeper Training in West Michigan 

Hope College [Boys]
Camps | Events and Conferences Office (hope.edu) 

Hope College [Girls]
Hope Soccer Camps | Hope College | Holland, MI (hopewomenssoccer.com) 

3v3 Live Tournaments

https://www.3v3live.com/

* Portage > TBA

* Auburn Hills > TBA

* Saginaw > TBA

* Hartland > TBA

* Gaylord > TBA

* Monroe > August 1st

616 Tournament
The 616 Cup - Michigan Sports Academies

* Grand Rapids > June TBA

5v5 Soccer In The Sand Tournaments
https://www.soccerinthesand.com/nationwide-beach-soccer-series/grand-haven-michigan

* Grand Haven > TBA

* Muskegon > TBA

* Detroit > TBA