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Cranford Soccer Club

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Junior Rec Soccer Overview

If your questions/needs are not supported by the information below, please email [email protected]

Click 
here to register for Fall 2024 season.

Cranford Soccer Club’s Junior Recreational program offers a series of introductory soccer sessions aimed at children from Pre-K to 2nd Grade. The sessions are geared towards a fun soccer experience while introducing our most junior club members to the game and how it's played. These programs will provide a challenging, yet welcoming environmental suitable for all players regardless of commitment, experience or ability. Upon completion of the Junior Rec program, players will be ready to advance into travel or intercountry.

Players are responsible to obtain their own shin guards, size 3 soccer ball, socks & shorts. Sneakers or soccer cleats (plastic with no front toe cleat) can be used.  Socks are to be worn outside of shin guards.  Shirts will be provided to all players on the first weekend session of the season.

Fall 2024 Season: U7/U8 weekday training is at Walnut Avenue School; U5/U6 and weekend games for U7/U8 are at Bloomingdale Avenue School.

Schedules will be communicated via the SportsEngine App for all age groups; please make sure you have an account with the primary e-mail address for your CSC account. 

See below for more details for each program, including make up days and FAQs.

Junior Rec Divisions

U5 - birthyear 2020

Duration:  7 weeks.
Start Date:  Saturday, 9/14.  
End Date:  Sunday, 11/3.  ** No games on Halloween weekend **

1 hour of trainer led instruction per week focused on encouraging development of motor skills and relationship with the ball. Match play is 2v2 and 3v3

(60-minute sessions each week)

Session Options:

9 AM or 10 AM (Co-ed) either Saturday or Sunday


U6 - birthyear 2019

Duration:  7 weeks.   
Start Date:  Saturday, 9/14.  
End Date:  Sunday, 11/3.  ** No games on Halloween weekend **


1 hour of trainer led instruction per week focused on encouraging development of motor skills and relationship with the ball. Match play is 2v2 and 3v3.

(60-minute sessions each week)

Session Options: 

Boys:  9 AM or 10 AM either Saturday or Sunday.
Girls:  9 AM or 10 AM Saturday or 9AM Sunday


U7 - birthyear 2018

Duration:  8 weeks. 
Start Date:  Tuesday, 9/3.  
End Date:  Sunday, 11/3. **there will be no games on Halloween weekend**

1 trainer lead training session per week with trainer lead games on the weekends.  Training will be focused on continuing the development of ball and motor skills while introducing team play concepts. Match play will be on weekends and will be 4v4 (trainers will determine team make-up the day of) to encourage touches on the ball and passing. 

Training Schedule Options:

Girls
:

  • Monday: 5:30 PM (Girls) (60 min sessions).
  • Wednesday: 4:30 PM (Girls) (60 min sessions).

Boys:

  • Tuesday: 4:30 PM (Boys) (60 min sessions).
  • Thursday:  5:30 PM (Boys) (60 min sessions)

Games are scheduled for Saturdays at the following times:  

  • Boys:  11:15 AM-12:15 PM 
  • Girls:  12:15 PM - 1:15 PM


U8 - birthyear 2017

U8 players have two program options this season:




U8 Rec

Duration:  8 weeks. 
Start Date:  Tuesday, 9/3.  
End Date:  Sunday, 11/3. **there will be no games on Halloween weekend**

1 trainer lead training session per week with trainer lead games on the weekends. Training sessions will be  focused on the technical aspects of the game while preparing for travel or intercountry. Match play will be  on weekends and will 5v5  (trainers will determine team make-up the day of).

Training Session Options:


Girls:

  • Monday: 4:30 PM (Girls) (60 min sessions).  
  • Wednesday: 5:30 PM (Girls) (60 min sessions).


Boys:

  • Tuesday: 5:30 PM (Boys) (60 min sessions). 
  • Thursday: 4:30 PM (Boys) (60 min sessions).

Games are scheduled for Sundays:

Boys:  11:15 AM-12:15 PM 

Girls:  12:15 PM-1:15 PM 

 

U8 Pre-Travel

Duration:  8 weeks. 
Start Date:  Tuesday, 9/3.  
End Date:  Sunday, 11/3. **there will be no games on Halloween weekend**

2 trainer lead training session per week with trainer or parent lead games on the weekends. Training sessions will be  focused on the technical aspects of the game while preparing for travel or Rec. Match play will be  on weekends and will be 5v5.  Training days and times will be set closer to the start of the season.

Players in this program will play two types of games:

Local games (trainer led, flexible teams, combined with U8 Jr Rec).  These games will be held on Sundays with the following schedule:
Boys:  11:15-12:15
Girls:  12:15-1:15

Travel games (4-5 games with set teams, parent coached, only U8 Pre-Travel players).  These games will most likely be held on Saturdays, times TBD.


FAQs

Q:   Why were the changes made to the Junior Rec Program this year:
A:  
The Junior Rec program was changed to birth year programs to better align with the US Youth Soccer Player Development Pathway and to simplify registration for parents.  The move away from set teams for U7/U8 will allow a more consistent development program for all players,  more consistent playing time and better competition during weekend games.


Q:  If my child wants to play with the lower age bracket so they are with the kids in their grade, can they?
A: 
Players born between 10/1 - 12/31 are eligible for an exception to play in the lower age bracket so they can play with kids in their grade.  If you would like that exception, please e-mail [email protected] before you register.


Q:  Do I need to purchase a uniform for my child?
A: 
The registration fee includes a yellow or blue t-shirt for U5/U6 and a reversable vest for U7/U8.  For U7/U8 players, if you have a reversible vest from a previous season, you can opt out of getting a shirt, and you will receive a gift card to GoSoccer instead. 

Shirts will be handed out at the first weekend session for each age group.  Pre-Travel players will need to provide their own blue shorts and socks.  If you are unable to attend that session, please contact [email protected] to arrange pickup at the next week.  


Q:  What will the weekend sessions look like for U7/U8?
A:  
Once the players arrive for their scheduled weekend session, the trainers will assign them to a team for the day.  The fields will be set up to play multiple games at the same time.  

If you have additional question, please reach out  to:  [email protected]

Contact Us

Cranford Soccer Club

P.O. Box 903 
Cranford, New Jersey 07016

Cranford Soccer Club

P.O. Box 903 
Cranford, New Jersey 07016

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