FCSC Club Policies
FCSC Season: The FCSC soccer year begins with the Fall Season and ends with the Spring Season. Players who are registered in the fall will remain on the same team for the Spring Season unless parents or coaches request changes. Each season usually includes 8 games. The Fall Season begins in early September and the Spring Season begins in late March. VYSA rules limit the start of practice to 2 weeks prior to the first game.
Registration: The registration deadline for the Fall and Spring Seasons may vary year to year, but the middle to end of July and the middle to end of February are the time frames. Players U5 through U19 register for single seasons. Public registration events are held for players to sign-up prior to the start of each season. Players are required to show proof of age to register. In addition, players will be able to register at the last 2 games of each season for play during the following season and online at the FCSC website.
Age Groups: Age group divisions are determined in accordance with VYSA guidelines. Age grouping is based upon a seasonal period of August 1 through July 31 of the following year. FCSC players are grouped in two-year age group divisions. Players must be three years old on or before 7/31 of the current year to register. Age/grouping dates are changed only at the beginning of each Fall Season. Players who do not meet the minimum age requirements must wait until the following fall to participate.
Girls League: FCSC maintains a separate Girls League for players U7 and above. Girls also have the option to participate in the Boys League if a letter to that effect is sent to the attention of the FCSC registrar prior to the start of the season.
Team Assignments: The registrar assigns players to teams, with assistance of commissioners. Coaches cannot choose their team players prior to the start of the season. Assignments are made according to player age and experience. New teams are formed each fall. Special exceptions (i.e. siblings playing with FCSC or child-care situations) will be granted whenever possible for players registered before the deadline. With the exception of coaches’ children, requests for specific coaches or practice nights will not be honored.
Unregistered Players: Players who are not officially registered with FCSC are forbidden to participate in any practice or game with any FCSC team. Such participation is in direct violation of state regulations and the FCSC insurance policy and will result in disciplinary action.
Waiting List: Late registrations will be assigned to a waiting list in order of payment date. The FCSC registrar will assign players to existing teams as openings occur.
Refund Policy: No refunds will be issued after the start of the season. Refunds will not be issued for partial seasons or games canceled due to inclement weather or field conditions. Refund requests must be submitted in writing to FCSC P.O. Box 3351 Warrenton, VA 20188.
Uniforms: Uniforms are purchased from FCSC at 20 Rock Pointe Lane, Suite 204. All players must wear shinguards for all games and practices. Soccer socks must be worn to cover the shin guards. Nonmetal cleated soccer shoes are suggested but not required. In cold weather, long sleeve shirts may be worn under the T-shirts and long pants are acceptable.
U5 - U12: Uniforms consist of black and white FCSC jerseys, black shorts and matching black soccer socks and white soccer socks. (Teams may not authorize purchasing of other uniforms.)
U14 - U19: U14 and above play in the Suburban Friendship League and their uniforms consist of FCSC Black & White jerseys, black shorts and matching black soccer socks and white soccer socks. (Teams may not authorize purchasing of other uniforms.)
Goalkeepers: Must wear a shirt of contrasting color to both playing teams.
Fields: The FCSC Fields Coordinator assigns practice and game fields. Practices and games are authorized only at the assigned locations and the assigned times. Requests for changes must be made in advance.
Most athletic fields at county parks and public schools are controlled, maintained and issued to FCSC by the Fauquier County Parks & Recreation Department. Prior to each season, FCSC and other sports leagues in the county must submit a request to Parks & Rec for specific fields. Parks & Rec then issues FCSC an approved list of fields with the available times for each location. In the fall, soccer is a “priority” sport—we get top choice of the fields. In the spring, soccer is a “secondary” sport—our requests are considered after baseball, soccer and lacrosse.
FCSC has made arrangements to use several fields outside of the Parks & Rec list: Airlie, Legion, Great Meadow, Chappell, Fairview, Warrenton Horse Show Grounds, and Brumfield all allow FCSC access to fields as a service to the community. We are guests at these fields; if we leave trash behind, damage the grounds, or simply behave without due consideration, field owners may refuse to allow FCSC to use these fields in the future.
FCSC requires all teams and spectators to respect all schedules and fields. Please remove all litter before leaving the site. Alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products are prohibited on all FCSC fields. Parking is permitted ONLY in designated areas. Any misconduct could result in the loss of field privileges for the team and FCSC.
Game and Practice Cancellations: In the event of inclement weather or unsafe field conditions, the FCSC Fields Coordinator and FCSC President will determine if fields will be closed and games and practices cancelled.
Field closures are communicated through:
1) A recorded message on the FCSC hotline, 349-8722.
2) Email blast to the registration database.
3) Email blast to the Field Status List
(send a message to fcsc-fld-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join).
4) On the website, www.fcsc.org.
Coaches are responsible for notifying their players of cancellations. Only the FCSC Fields Coordinator, based on field availability, can schedule make-up games.
Playing Time: This is a recreational soccer league. The objective is for players in “good standing” to play soccer for a minimum of one-half of each game that they attend (such play does not have to be continuous). Any player may be removed from the game, without attaining this objective, at the decision of the coach. A player’s “good standing” may be affected by poor attendance at scheduled games and practices, inappropriate behavior or language, improper sportsmanship on or off the playing field, and/or the actions of the player’s family as spectators. It is the Coach’s responsibility to inform both the player and the parent of any child whose “good standing” is in jeopardy. All family members and spectators are expected to observe good sportsmanship and the General Conduct Rules of FCSC.
Referees: All referees officiating FCSC games are licensed FIFA referees. The referee keeps the official game time on the field and is responsible for starting the scheduled games on time. The referee may shorten game time, if necessary, to insure the timely start of the next scheduled game. Any issues regarding referees should be directed to the FCSC Club President. Coaches and spectators are to refrain from making negative remarks, advising or questioning the referee during or after a game. Coaches are asked to submit an evaluation of referee performance to the referee coordinator. These forms are available to all coaches through the commissioner.
Team Equipment: Equipment issued to each coach is the property of FCSC and must be returned at the end of the season. It is important to inventory and maintain this equipment regularly to avoid loss and insure quality. First Aid Kits should be inventoried and replenished as necessary. It is suggested, but not required, that if you provide a player with a disposable ice pack, etc. that the parent is encouraged to provide a replacement.
Parent Lines: FCSC fields will be marked with “parent lines” approximately two yards behind each sideline, extending between the “tops” of the penalty boxes on each end of the field. Parents and spectators must remain behind these lines during the game. These lines provide an unobstructed area for the linesmen and the coaches to move up and down the field. They also provide a safety buffer for players to run-through as necessary for a sideline play. This buffer is necessary to protect both players and spectators, especially our little guests. No one is permitted within 20 yards of the goal line. Coaches are responsible for enforcing this provision. Failure to do so may result in the coach being cautioned by the referee.
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Playing Up or Down in Age Group: Players are not encouraged to “play up” in the House League. However, if a request is made to “play up,” only one year difference may exist between the player and the other players in the League. A child may play up at the written request of the parent(s) or guardian(s) and approval of the Recreational Committee. The Recreational Committee will routinely grant blanket approval to such requests for children with August and September birthdays to enable them to play in the age division with their school grade level classmates. An e-mail to the Recreational Commissioner may be used to facilitate such requests. All other requests to play must state the specific reason(s) for seeking to play up and require specific Recreational Committee approval such instances should be rare and only in situations where the child is truly dominating in his or her current age group. A child playing up in an age group is eligible to play on the All Star team for either the age group that they are currently playing up in or the age appropriate age group for the child, except those children with August and September birthdays. Children that are playing up due to August and September birthdays in order to play with their classmates can only play on the All Star team for the age group that they are currently playing in.
