FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
Click on the question you would like an answer to. The answer will appear at the top of the page. Then click on "back to top" to get back to this point.
How are players assigned to an age group?
Can my child “play up” or “play down” an age division?
Can I request that my child be placed on a team with certain players or a particular coach?
Are the teams coed?
How much does it cost to register a child for the soccer program?
Where do I send a check to pay my balance?
Is there a sibling discount?
What do the fees pay for?
Is the soccer program only open to children who are attend STM church or school?
Does the soccer club offer financial assistance?
Now that I've registered my child for soccer, when will I hear back from the club?
My child would like to try out for the travel program. How do we do this?
How are coaches chosen for the teams?
What day and/or time will my player’s team practice?
Where will practices be held?
What equipment is needed for practice/games?
Can I have my child switch teams?
What can I do to help out?
If I have a problem or a question, who do I contact?
Q. How are players assigned to an age group?
A. The “U” in the program names stands for “under”, so for example, a U-10 player must be under age 10 to play in a U-10 program. The age is determined as of August 31st of the year that the fall soccer season begins. A child will remain in this age group throughout the year, even for the spring season.
Q. Can my child “play up” or “play down” an age division?
A. The online registration system will not allow you to register your child in an older or younger age group. For a child in the Hot Shots program, the Hot Shots coordinator may allow a child to play in a higher or lower age group in order to be on the same team as schoolmates. For older age groups, the club typically does not allow this practice, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
To request that your child play in a different age group, register your child for the appropriate age group in the on-line registration system. When finished, contact the Hot Shots or Intramural program coordinator with your request to play up or play down. Their contact information can be found on the Club Officers page. Note: League travel rules do not allow travel players to play in a younger age group.
(back_to_top)
Q. Can I request that my child be placed on a team with certain players or a particular coach?
A. There is a Comments/Request area when registering online. Requests will be considered for younger players only, but they cannot be guaranteed! Siblings will be placed on the same team if they are the same gender and age group and if they were requested by one another.
Q. Are the teams coed?
A. Only the youngest “Hot Shots” (U6 and U7) ages groups are co-ed.
Q. How much does it cost to register a child for the soccer program?
A. The fee for a child playing in the intramural soccer program is $55 for the fall season. The regular registration period lasts until April 27, 2008, after which time a $20 late registration fee is added. The fee for the travel program is $100, though this includes both the fall and the spring seasons.
Q. Where do I send a check to pay my balance?
A. Send your check to: STM Soccer Club, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown PA 18103
(back to top)
Q. Is there a sibling discount?
A. Yes, after two children in the same family are registered at the regular fee, the third child receives $20 off their fee and any child after that is free.
Q. What do the fees pay for?
A. The fees are used to pay for team T-shirts (intramural program), renting the fields, paying referees, insurance costs, and other administrative costs.
Q. Is the soccer program only open to children who are attend STM church or school?
A. NO! The STM soccer program is open to any child within the surrounding communities (Salisbury, East Penn, Parkland, Allentown, etc.) who wish to participate in our program.
(back to top)
Q. Does the soccer club offer financial assistance?
A. It is the club’s policy that no child should be unable to play in our soccer program due to financial hardship. If any family feels that they cannot afford to enroll their child(ren) in the soccer program, they should contact the club director to request financial assistance. This request will remain confidential.
Q. Now that I've registered my child for soccer, when will I hear back from the club?
A. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration. Your child will be placed on a soccer team and you should then hear from your child’s coach approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the soccer season.
Q: My child would like to try out for the travel program. How do we do this?
A: First, register your player with the soccer program in the appropriate group. All eligible players (those old enough to have a travel team division in their age group) will then be notified of tryout dates and times via email. The Club website will also have travel tryout dates and times posted. These will be held between the end of May and early June.
(back to top)
Q. How are coaches chosen for the teams?
A. All intramural and most travel coaches are parents that volunteer to coach a team at registration time. Every season the STM program has to search for additional coaches because there are never enough coaches to cover all of the teams. Most of the coaches are a parent of a player on the team. Coaches volunteer their time to work with your player during practices and games. Some coaches grew up playing soccer, some have watched their children play and some have never played soccer or coached soccer before. The STM soccer program offers coaching classes and clinics before and during the season to help all of the coaches, no matter what their prior experience is.
Q. What day and/or time will my player’s team practice?
A. The day and time of the practices are decided by the coach. Coaches are given flexibility with regard to days and times, as they are volunteers and must often schedule around their busy work schedules.
Q. Where will practices be held?
A. It is not possible to know in advance of the season as to where practices will be held. Practice location is affected by the availability of certain fields and, based on availability, is then chosen by the Coach.
(back to top)
Q. What equipment is needed for practice/games?
A. - Shin Guards covered completely by socks.
- Soccer cleats.
- No jewelry of any kind. Medical bracelets must be taped down.
- Soccer ball (provided by the club for U6 players only)
- Water bottle.
Q. Can I have my child switch teams?
A. Sorry, once the teams are determined, players cannot be moved off a team onto another team.
Q. What can I do to help out?
A. The STM soccer program is a completely volunteer organization, so you could VOLUNTEER! We encourage everyone to volunteer to help make the programs operate. Please visit the Volunteer Sign-up page to volunteer for a position. We have roles that require minimal time to very time intensive roles.
Q. If I have a problem or a question, who do I contact?
A. For a general issue, you can contact the club by email at stmsoccer@verizon.net or you can contact the appropriate coordinator for the area you need by going to the Club Officers page.