Sherrills Ford Optimist Club

Due to some changes in our program, we are opening Fall 2026 soccer registration early. You do NOT have to pay for the registration until this fall. If you choose not to pay during registration, the system will automatically bill you on July 24th. 

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WE DO NOT HONOR REQUESTS FOR
COACHES OR CARPOOLING.

PLEASE DON'T ASK. 

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DO NOT DELAY IN REGISTERING!
TEAMS WILL FILL QUICKLY
A WAIT LIST WILL BE CREATED IF TEAMS ARE FILLED
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Volunteer Requirements
Due to the complexity and time to run a sport the size of soccer, we will be requiring each family to provide two hours of volunteer time per player. If this is not a possibility, you can pay a $60 fee to opt out. The $60 fee will be used to pay someone to do the work a volunteer would normally do. 

Age Brackets
Soccer is open to ages 3 through 12.  Except for Academy and U6, playing ages are determined by the player's age as of August 31. Players are allowed to play up an age bracket (and only upon approval by the soccer director), but never down. All ages are co-ed.

• Academy: 3 to 4.5 (born between 3/1/2022 and 8/31/2023)
• U6: ages 4.5 - 5  (born between 9/1/2020 and 2/28/2022)
• U8: ages 6 and 7  (born between 9/1/2018 and 8/31/2020)
• U10: ages 8 and 9  (born between 9/1/2016 to 8/31/2018)
• U13: ages 10, 11, 12   (born between 9/1/2013 to 8/31/2016)

Academy and U6 Registration:
Cost: $90
Registration Dates: 1/8/2026 - 
Includes a soccer t-shirt and socks. Players play games using the game day U6 jerseys.

U8, U10, U13 Registration:
Early Bird: $115 open 1/8/2026 - 6/26/2026
Regular Registration:  $135 open 6/27 - 7/24/2026
 

NO LATE REGISTRATIONS EXCEPT TO COMPLETE A TEAM
Registration includes a team jersey and matching socks.
 

Practices
There will be no mandatory practices this summer. There will be open practice dates for anyone interested, dates TBD.  All regular season practices are at SFO unless otherwise noted. 

Mandatory Evaluations / Team Practices
Mandatory Skills Evaluations for U8, U10 will be the week of August 5th. There are no evaluations for Academy, U6, or U13. U13 teams are based (mostly) on age and designed to allow teammates to play together longer as they prepare to enter middle school. Team practices will begin the week of August 10th. There are typically two practices per week. Unless otherwise stated, all practices will be held at SFO.

Season Schedule
Games will run from September 5 to mid-November. The U10 and U13 age groups play in the Catawba Cup League. Travel to other locations for games (Maiden and Mt. View) is required. U10 and U13 have an end-of-year tournament, November 13 - 15. A fee to get into the tournament will be collected to cover the costs of running the tournament, such as medals and additional referees. 

Soccer Ball Sizes
Academy, U6, and U8:  Size 3
U10: size 4
U13: size 5
Coaches will have some extra balls, but it is highly encouraged for players to have their own.

Required Equipment
Shin guards are REQUIRED for all practices and games. Soccer cleats are recommended for all age groups and are required for U8 and above.
A jersey and socks are provided for U8, U10, and U13. Players provide black shorts to wear with the uniform. 

Please direct questions to:

soccer@sfoptimist.org