Sidney Soccer Starts April 3rd: Register by February 16th

Soccer provides a safe and fun environment for kids to get great exercise and enjoy the outdoors, all while learning physical and social skills that will last a lifetime.

Registration for the 2018 season is open now through Friday night, February 16. Late fees will kick in on February 17, with all registration closing at 11:59 p.m. MST on Friday, February 23rd. Go online to sidneysoccer.gotsports.com to register with your computer, phone or tablet.

Fees are $55 per player for pre-school through 8th grade with a family discount for the 3rd and 4th players. High school fees are only $40 per player since they see less playing time. Players must be at least five years old by April 1, 2018. Thanks to generous sponsors, all players receive a team jersey.

While the recreation program is open to all, there are three competitive travel teams; U13- under 13, U16 – under 16 and U19 – under 19. The U16 and U19 teams were state champions in 2016 and runners up last year. Sidney will host a soccer camp June 4-8; details will be available soon on their website.

Practice starts April 3rd at the Richland County Fairgrounds, with play finished before Memorial Day. A new skills development program was started last year to rave reviews. For the first two weeks, four nights a week at 5:15 and 6:15, players learn basic skills such as ball handling, passing and guarding. A game schedule will be finalized after registration closes and teams are formed.

Another popular change involves the recreation high school players. Because they are so busy with other activities, they play games only two nights a week at 6:15 p.m. Teams are made up game night so it's fun and great exercise without the team pressure.

Volunteers are needed for the upcoming season. Coaches, referees and team managers are all necessary to run the program and ensure a great experience for the kids. For the first time, the soccer association will be selling concessions, so volunteers will be needed there as well. Help out wherever you can, whether you have a child in the program or not.

The soccer association continues to work hard to find fields of their own that would have the playing capacity to host other teams and bring more people to Sidney. As a fundraiser, in addition to concessions, they will be selling Sidney Soccer apparel including sweatshirts, sweat pants, t-shirts, baseball caps and beanie stocking caps sporting the club's new shield.

Sign your kids up today; they'll discover a whole new world of fun!