Frequently Asked Questions

Deerfoot Soccer Frequently Asked Questions

When does registration begin?
Registration for Indoor usually begins in early August.  Outdoor Registration begins in February.

How long is the season?
Indoor runs from October to mid March, possibly longer if the team advances in the playoffs. Outdoor runs from late April to the end of June. Older age groups can have playoffs and provincials that run into July.

What's the easiest way to register my child with Deerfoot Soccer?
The easiest way is to register online at www.deerfootsoccer.com using Visa or MasterCard. It only takes a few minutes and we end up with the most accurate data possible. Also, once you've registered once, you don't have to enter your information in again for the next season. There's no surcharge for registering online either.

In-person registration events are held at local community halls a month or so before the season starts.  Check the DSA web site for dates and locations.  Also note the road signs in your neighbourhood around registration time.

How much does it cost to play?
See home page or season registration page in the left menu for complete information 

What methods of payment are accepted?
Online - Visa/MC or you can mail us a cheque. In person, we accept only cheque or cash.

What assistance do you have for low income families?
Deerfoot Soccer will assist with Kidsport applications.  Email registration@deerfootsoccer.com for information.

What equipment is necessary to play soccer?
For Indoor:  Indoor soccer shoes and shin guards.  Jerseys, shorts, and socks are provided. 

For Outdoor: Soccer cleats and shin guards.  Jerseys, shorts and socks are provided.

A $40 uniform deposit is collected by the coaches to ensure jerseys and shorts are returned.  Socks are to keep.

What documentation is required for my child to play?
For first time players, CMSA requires proof of age (Birth Certificate)

If I withdraw my child from soccer, do I get a refund?
A refund will be issued if you withdraw before games start, minus a $25 admin fee. After games start, refunds will not be given unless at the discretion of the board.

I would like to register my 6 year old daughter in soccer, but am concerned about her schedule being too full. Is there a trial period time where we might have all or some of the registration fee returned if this commitment becomes to hectic?
The short answer is no. Our U8 program runs in May and June on Tuesday and Thursday nights and 2 weekend mini fests. If you can't commit to that, then look at us again down the road. Not only is it a financial situation to concern ourselves with, we also take great care in putting together the teams and evening out, age, gender, experience and the number of players. One players withdrawal has a much greater impact than to just that child.

Can I request my child be put on the same team as a friend?
For younger age groups like U4, U6 and U8, yes. For competitive teams U10 and above, your child will be placed on a team according to tryout results.

When will I find out what team my child is on?
We try to get coaches for all teams as soon as possible, however, when there is a shortage of willing parents to step up and coach, then there can be delays. Every effort is made to have a coach in place prior to the first practice. 

How are team rosters selected?
For the rec age groups, U6 and U8, rosters are chosen based on friend requests, gender balance, and coach request. For competitive U10 and above, rosters are chosen based on tryout results.  Sometimes we end up with too many or too few registrations in an age group.  There is a maximum team size so if there's extra players, but not enough to create another team, we'll do our best to place those players in a neighboring club.  We will also refund the registration fees in this situation.  We try to minimize this by closing registration to certain age groups once we've reached a maximum number.

What days are practices? Start/end times?

For Outdoor (Spring) Season:  A schedule will be posted as soon as we know how many teams we'll have.  Practice fields are located in the Mayland Heights and Renfrew areas. U6 typically practice Mondays, U8 on Tuesdays, U10 on Wednesdays, but we won't know for sure until we get the schedule from CMSA and the rec leagues.

U6 practice Mondays, games on Wednesdays
U8 practice Tuesdays, games on Thursdays
Game start time is 6:30pm
Locations TBA with schedule release

For Indoor (Winter) Season: Practice nights/times are sorted out as soon as possible, however due to limited gyms available, we have to wait until the team registrations have been finalized with CMSA. Younger age groups get the earlier time slots usually 6:30 to 7:30pm. Most teams practice once per week, but older competitive teams may get more practice time.

What days are the games?
For Outdoor seasons, U6s typically play on Wednesday, U8s on Thursday, U10s Wed/Sun.  U12 and above depends on the tier they play.  Info will be posted on the web site as soon as it's available.
 
For Indoor seasons, game days vary according to age groups and what CMSA has assigned.  Check the information matrix on the Registration Page for the latest info.

Where are games played?
Outdoor Season:  Home games are played at your practice field.  U6 & U8 games are played generally in the NE as we play in the Marlborough house league.  U10s and up can have away games anywhere in the city.

Indoor games are played at the following locations:

Subway Soccer Centre at 7000 48th St SE (the Soccer Dome)
Calgary West Soccer Centre at 11014 Bearspaw Dam Rd NW
CNESF at 401 33rd St NE

How much playing time will my child get?
We encourage coaches to provide equal playing time during games at all recreational levels.  As you move up in age group and the competition level rises, playing time may be affected by skill, work ethic, enthusiasm, and dedication.

Is it mandatory to attend practices?
Absolutely.  You've made a commitment to your team and practices are essential to player growth and development.  Of course, players get sick or there are other reasons that practices have to be missed, but not attending practices regularly could impact the amount of playing time your child gets.

Is technical training available?
Yes, Deerfoot Soccer provides free technical training during the season. Check the web site for clinic date/times or ask your coach.

What kind of volunteer roles are available with Deerfoot Soccer?
Coaches and Assistant Coaches are always welcome, as are board members. Here is a list of roles: 

Coach - guides the development of the players throughout the season. Works with Assistant Coach to run drills, exercises, and scrimmages during practices. The Coach is ultimately responsible for having the team show up at games and helping the players have a great time. Experience is NOT necessary, only a desire to help our young players improve in soccer. Coaching materials, online videos, coaching clinics/seminars, are all provided at no cost.  Definitely one of the most rewarding of all volunteer roles.

Assistant Coach - helps the Coach with all of the above and steps in when the Coach is unavailable for a game/practice.

Team Manager - helps the coaches by communicating with the parents and arranging a snack schedule and a call-out parent to help with calling about schedule changes.

Age Group Coordinator - assists the Registrar with managing registrations, teams, rosters, and team officials for one or more age groups. AGCs are provided access to the CMSA online registration system to create rosters and manage player information. Attendance at board meetings is compulsory.

Registrar - responsible for all player, volunteer, and team official registrations for Deerfoot Socccer. Administrative access to the CMSA online registration system is provided, which enables the Registrar to track all members, teams, etc. Attendance at board meetings is compulsory.

Field Coordinator - prior to each season, the FC arranges for practice and game fields in Outdoor, and just practice gyms for indoor. Attendance at board meetings is compulsory.

Referee Coordinator - assigns referees for the Outdoor season, when clubs are responsible for home games. CMSA arranges for refs during the indoor season.

Equipment Coordinator - responsible for putting coaching equipment together, distributing uniforms, balls, goal posts, etc.

Board of Directors - consists of a President (past and current), 1st VP, 2nd VP, Registrar, Treasurer, Secretary, Field Coordinator, Equipment Coordinator, Age Group Coordinators. The board meets about every 1-2 months during the season for planning, voting on motions, etc.

All Parents are expected to attend practices and games, as well as hold a volunteer position on their child's team or with the club.

What breaks are there during the season?
There is no soccer during school breaks, such as Christmas holidays and Easter.

Who can I contact if I have a problem I want to discuss?
Contact info at deerfootsoccer.com to reach the board.

Does your club do team photos?
Yes, we do photos during each season. Cost is around $10.

Do I have to pay to watch soccer games at Indoor soccer facilities?
Yes, there is gate admission at each facility or you can purchase a season.  Gate passes can be purchased at any location.  Season's Gate pass for one person is $42, Family Pass is $63 (plus GST)