Middle School Soccer

by finish1 3/2/2010, 10:06 am

Does anyone have interest in middle school soccer? There are a few school districts in this region with teams. Are any Classic parents willing to push an for an expansion of the program?

by Axxman 3/2/2010, 10:13 am

In Plano, schools in the area where I live do not have soccer until 11th - 12th grade. I think that's a huge mistake and soccer should be implemented into the middle schools. The peer pressure on the kids to play football, basketball, and baseball is huge. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just think soccer should be one of the other options, especially given how big soccer is up to that point. Only the kids that are in clubs basically keep it going. Interestingly, I've seen some of the boys that gave up soccer in 6th thru 10th grade, now playing for the high school team.
I would love for soccer to be implemented in the middle schools around here and think it would a good thing for US soccer, long term.

by Armadillo 3/2/2010, 10:40 am

The Keller and Carroll school districts have combined 7th and 8th grade soccer. Keller Middle School even has 3 teams for soccer, A, B and C teams. The season starts in April and finished up at the end of May.

by The German 3/2/2010, 10:50 am

Frisco and Prosper have soccer in middle school but not McKinney. A group of parents asked two years ago about introducing soccer in middle school in McKinney but there is no interest whatsoever we were told.

by Tequilapark 3/2/2010, 10:55 am

The German wrote:Frisco and Prosper have soccer in middle school but not McKinney. A group of parents asked two years ago about introducing soccer in middle school in McKinney but there is no interest whatsoever we were told.

Yep, Frisco starts in the 7th grade. Practices begin later this month, I believe tryouts are next week.

by randee42 3/2/2010, 11:01 am

Rowlett and I believe Rockwall have soccer starting in the 7th grade too but not Wylie where we live. Wish we had it our we could at least train with the High School team. As I was told, out of luck for Middle school soccer and for training with the High School team.

by soccer taxi 3/2/2010, 11:08 am

Plano ISD doesn't have any formal programs for middle school, but my son's school started a soccer club that has now progressed into a team. Tryouts were last month and they practice twice per week. A couple of the boys' Dads are select coaches and helping out with the training. What got this started was a teacher willing to be the sponsor. The teacher didn't know soccer but listened to what the kids wanted and the response has been great. Point being, if you take some initiative at your local school, you can get something going. It's a question of volunteers and time.

by kerdog 3/2/2010, 11:30 am

randee42 wrote:Rowlett and I believe Rockwall have soccer starting in the 7th grade too but not Wylie where we live. Wish we had it our we could at least train with the High School team. As I was told, out of luck for Middle school soccer and for training with the High School team.

I can confirm that Rockwall has a soccer program for 7th and 8th, however it is not officially part of "Athletics". We have six games with Lovejoy, and Wylie schools. Isn't Burnett, Cooper, and McMillan part of Wylie ISD? Is there another Wylie middle school that is not participating?

by abc123 3/2/2010, 11:50 am

In Plano, schools in the area where I live do not have soccer until 11th - 12th grade. - Axx

You are mistaken. (Unless my 9th grader has pulled off one of the greatest get out of PE scams in history.)

by sillymom 3/2/2010, 11:53 am

soccer taxi wrote:Plano ISD doesn't have any formal programs for middle school, but my son's school started a soccer club that has now progressed into a team. Tryouts were last month and they practice twice per week. A couple of the boys' Dads are select coaches and helping out with the training. What got this started was a teacher willing to be the sponsor. The teacher didn't know soccer but listened to what the kids wanted and the response has been great. Point being, if you take some initiative at your local school, you can get something going. It's a question of volunteers and time.

Is soccer part of the UIL program though. I think the reason there isn't middle school soccer is it isn't part of the UIL program in middle school. That is a good question though why isn't middle school soccer offered at many of the middle schools. I know Plano, Richardson, Allen, Frisco doesn't offer it. Are there any middle school soccer teams in Dallas?

by Axxman 3/2/2010, 11:59 am

abc123 wrote:In Plano, schools in the area where I live do not have soccer until 11th - 12th grade. - Axx

You are mistaken. (Unless my 9th grader has pulled off one of the greatest get out of PE scams in history.)

Once I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken............Not sure what school your bb goes to, but my older one is at Jasper HS (9th and 10th grade). They are "allowed" to try out for the 11th/12th grade team, but there is no 9th/10th grade program per say. I know that some schools were trying to implement a soccer club, but it was not really part of the school system. So if I'm mistaken, can you please set me straight?

by Axxman 3/2/2010, 12:06 pm

I just read taxi's reply, and I concur that in middle school there is no program what-so-ever. The soccer club deal I guess is for middle schools and doesn't carry over to high school.
BTW Taxi, I hope that's not your kid in the avatar, unless he's the goalie, in which case no team will ever score.....
Nerver mind, I'm all confused, it's Randy's avatar I was referring to.

by clueless 3/2/2010, 12:34 pm

Axxman wrote:I just read taxi's reply, and I concur that in middle school there is no program what-so-ever. The soccer club deal I guess is for middle schools and doesn't carry over to high school.
BTW Taxi, I hope that's not your kid in the avatar, unless he's the goalie, in which case no team will ever score.....
Nerver mind, I'm all confused, it's Randy's avatar I was referring to.

Plano has 7th/8th grade teams (combined) - it's a joke however. More of a club than a team and I think they played 3 games last year as teams folded or were disciplined (not allowed to play). When they play you'd think it's someone's birthday party with kids out kicking the ball around.

by finish1 3/2/2010, 12:45 pm

Regarding the UIL, doesn't that body just govern high school sports? Good to see there are some districts in the metroplex starting programs. My local district doesn't have middle school soccer and the rec league has attempted dialogue with the district. I plan to meet with both the rec association and the district and volunteer my time in whatever capacity to open the door. It comes down to the parents. We are the ones who hold all the cards and control soccer in this area because we are the ones with the money. And, when the program does get implemented and becomes successful, the legacy will be ours and the enjoyment will last generations.

by The German 3/2/2010, 12:47 pm

clueless wrote:
Axxman wrote:I just read taxi's reply, and I concur that in middle school there is no program what-so-ever. The soccer club deal I guess is for middle schools and doesn't carry over to high school.
BTW Taxi, I hope that's not your kid in the avatar, unless he's the goalie, in which case no team will ever score.....
Nerver mind, I'm all confused, it's Randy's avatar I was referring to.
I heard you brought back the tunnel and snacks after the game.

Plano has 7th/8th grade teams (combined) - it's a joke however. More of a club than a team and I think they played 3 games last year as teams folded or were disciplined (not allowed to play). When they play you'd think it's someone's birthday party with kids out kicking the ball around.

by soccer taxi 3/2/2010, 12:56 pm

Who's turn is it to bring the juicy boxes?

by soccermom97b 3/2/2010, 1:04 pm

Tequilapark wrote:
The German wrote:Frisco and Prosper have soccer in middle school but not McKinney. A group of parents asked two years ago about introducing soccer in middle school in McKinney but there is no interest whatsoever we were told.

Yep, Frisco starts in the 7th grade. Practices begin later this month, I believe tryouts are next week.

Frisco try-outs are this Thursday/Friday. There are enough middle schools in Frisco that we only play each other, not other school districts.

by Ed 3/2/2010, 1:07 pm

sillymom wrote:
soccer taxi wrote:Plano ISD doesn't have any formal programs for middle school, but my son's school started a soccer club that has now progressed into a team. Tryouts were last month and they practice twice per week. A couple of the boys' Dads are select coaches and helping out with the training. What got this started was a teacher willing to be the sponsor. The teacher didn't know soccer but listened to what the kids wanted and the response has been great. Point being, if you take some initiative at your local school, you can get something going. It's a question of volunteers and time.
Is soccer part of the UIL program though. I think the reason there isn't middle school soccer is it isn't part of the UIL program in middle school. That is a good question though why isn't middle school soccer offered at many of the middle schools. I know Plano, Richardson, Allen, Frisco doesn't offer it. Are there any middle school soccer teams in Dallas?

Middle School soccer is most definitely part of the UIL program. You can read all about UIL Middle School athletics here - http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/manuals/junior_high.html

(i) Soccer.

(1) Number of Games. No team or student shall compete in more than 10 games and two invitational or district tournaments. Two games may be substituted in place of a tournament. A scrimmage counts as one of the 10 games.

(2) Number of Games Per Week. One game or scrimmage may be played per calendar week. A tournament may be played in the same calendar week of a game.

(3) Number of Tournament Games Per Day. Contestants or teams shall play no more than two tournament games per calendar day.

(4) Season for Workouts and Games. Schools shall have 86 consecutive calendar days to practice outside the school day; 76 of the 86 consecutive calendar days may be used to complete scrimmages and games. The season can be held anytime during the school year, provided it does not exceed the number of consecutive calendar days listed above.

by True10 3/2/2010, 1:13 pm

Arlington has a "league" that is not UIL sponsored. I think all but one JH has a team.

by finish1 3/2/2010, 1:17 pm

Ed, thanks for the link. Printed manual for reading....

by randee42 3/2/2010, 1:28 pm

kerdog wrote:
randee42 wrote:Rowlett and I believe Rockwall have soccer starting in the 7th grade too but not Wylie where we live. Wish we had it our we could at least train with the High School team. As I was told, out of luck for Middle school soccer and for training with the High School team.
I can confirm that Rockwall has a soccer program for 7th and 8th, however it is not officially part of "Athletics". We have six games with Lovejoy, and Wylie schools. Isn't Burnett, Cooper, and McMillan part of Wylie ISD? Is there another Wylie middle school that is not participating?

The soccer program for the Wylie schools only are for females. There is no such program for boys in JHS.

by Tequilapark 3/2/2010, 1:32 pm

soccermom97b wrote:
Tequilapark wrote:
The German wrote:Frisco and Prosper have soccer in middle school but not McKinney. A group of parents asked two years ago about introducing soccer in middle school in McKinney but there is no interest whatsoever we were told.

Yep, Frisco starts in the 7th grade. Practices begin later this month, I believe tryouts are next week.

Frisco try-outs are this Thursday/Friday. There are enough middle schools in Frisco that we only play each other, not other school districts.

Thanks, my teenager told me next week, but I think he just wanted me to stop asking Middle School Soccer Icon_lol

He is at Stafford by the way.

by yellow-card 3/2/2010, 1:53 pm

Little Elm ISD has 7th and 8th grade soccer as well.

by Guest 3/2/2010, 2:11 pm

I think the Carrollton Farmers branch isd has soccer starting 7th grade.

by forbin 3/2/2010, 2:14 pm

clueless wrote:
Axxman wrote:I just read taxi's reply, and I concur that in middle school there is no program what-so-ever. The soccer club deal I guess is for middle schools and doesn't carry over to high school.
BTW Taxi, I hope that's not your kid in the avatar, unless he's the goalie, in which case no team will ever score.....
Nerver mind, I'm all confused, it's Randy's avatar I was referring to.

Plano has 7th/8th grade teams (combined) - it's a joke however. More of a club than a team and I think they played 3 games last year as teams folded or were disciplined (not allowed to play). When they play you'd think it's someone's birthday party with kids out kicking the ball around.

I actually like the idea. My bb played on a team for a while with the bb's of the dad that started the project in Plano. He is a teacher at one of the less affluent middle schools, and the idea was to give some kids interested in soccer the opportunity to play because they were probably not going to be able to afford to play for a club. Plus, I like the idea as a supplement to the more structured training provided by the clubs and C/L. Maybe it could provide the opportunities for kids to try out some creativity and gain some confidence using skills. I hear about how other countries / cultures play soccer all the time including pick up games in the streets / parks. That does not seem to happen here much, so maybe this would be a way to get some of that unstructured play into the mix. I don't know where the project stands today, but I hope it sticks in some form or fashion.